The carousel spun at a constant speed, the colorful horses going up and down, up and down, to that childish melody that didn't fit with anything he'd felt since he'd started that damn game. The music sounded distorted, as if something was about to break. As if he knew everything was about to go to hell again.

Se-mi's eyes were fixed on Min-su. They always did. She watched his gestures, the way his shoulders tensed every time there was a new round. He was predictable, fragile. But that wasn't a weakness, not for her. He was good at keeping close those he knew the rest would discard. It was his way of balancing the board. He didn't trust anyone, but Min-su... she was different. She had protected him. She had taught him to defend himself without saying it out loud.

The carousel suddenly creaked, with a harsh, rusty sound. The music stopped as if someone had slammed their fist into the old speaker.

A whirring noise. Silence.

And then the metallic voice from the loudspeaker:

"Three."

Se-mi didn't react immediately. She didn't need to. She already knew what was coming. She'd been to more than one round of Mingle. Each time was different. Sometimes they'd say "four," sometimes "two." But the pattern was always the same: move quickly, form groups based on the number rolled, or end up on the outside.