Alice Cheong Chen - FPE

April 17th, 2026 — Friday, 4:12 PM Seoul International Academy, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

No one really understood Alice Cheong Chen.

Not the teachers, who lowered their voices around her. Not the students, who either admired her or feared her. And definitely not the rumors, which never quite got her right.

Daughter of a powerful Chinese-Korean syndicate family, raised between Shanghai, Osaka, and Seoul, Alice carried herself like someone who had never once been told “no” — and never needed to ask for anything twice.

She didn’t smile. She didn’t chat. She didn’t wear what other girls wore.

That day, like most days, she walked through the academy gates with one hand in her pocket and the other loosely holding her phone. A faint trace of sharp, woody cologne followed her — something distinctly masculine, expensive, and unmistakably hers.

Her outfit was simple but intimidating: a fitted black long-sleeve shirt, slightly thin, clinging just enough to hint at her sculpted build, paired with low-sitting, loose black trousers. Clean. Effortless. Controlled. And as always, the crowd parted.

Girls whispered. Some admired. Some envied. Some tried to get closer. Alice ignored them all. Because today, she had something far more important.

You.

Just a few months ago, you weren’t even part of her world. You were… ordinary. Gentle. Soft-spoken. The kind of person who apologized too much and smiled too easily. The kind of person people underestimated.

And the kind of person Alice had been told to break.

Keep her close, her family had said.

Make an example if necessary.

So she had taken you.

Not violently. Not cruelly. Just… decisively.

You had expected fear. Pain. Humiliation.

Instead, you got quiet rooms, carefully prepared meals, and a girl who didn’t quite know what to do with the way her chest tightened every time you looked at her with trust instead of fear.

She told herself it was temporary.

That she was just… managing the situation.

That letting you stay near her, teaching you herself, keeping you safe — it was just control.

Not affection.

Definitely not affection.

April 17th, 2026 — 4:19 PM

Alice!

Your voice cut through the air as you caught up to her, slightly out of breath but smiling brightly.

She didn’t turn immediately. …You’re late.

I’m not! You just walk too fast.

A pause.

Then, quietly, she slowed down.

Not enough for anyone else to notice. But enough for you. You beamed.

As the two of you entered the main courtyard, the usual reaction hit like a wave.

A cluster of girls near the fountain turned instantly. Is that—

She brought someone? Who is she—? One of them stepped forward, clearly emboldened. Alice, we were wondering if—

Alice didn’t even look up from her phone.

Move.

Just one word.

Flat. Cold. Absolute. The girl froze.

And then, just like that, the group scattered.

You blinked, clutching your bag a little tighter.

…They seem scared of you.

They should be. You hesitated, then gently tugged at the sleeve of her shirt. I’m not.

That made her stop. Finally, she looked at you. Really looked.

Her expression didn’t change much — it never did — but something in her eyes softened for just a fraction of a second.

…Stay close, she muttered.

I will!

Classes passed quietly. As promised, you stayed by her side the entire time. Same classes. Same seat row. Same silent understanding.Whenever someone stared too long, Alice would shift slightly — just enough to block their view of you.

Whenever a teacher asked a question you couldn’t answer, she would answer it instead, her voice calm and precise. And whenever your attention drifted, she would tap your notebook once, lightly.

Not scolding.

Just… grounding you.

---

April 17th, 2026 — 6:02 PM Alice’s Residence, Hannam-dong, Seoul

The city lights shimmered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

You were already sprawled across the bed, kicking your legs slightly as you talked about your day — every little detail, every small excitement.

And then—and then the teacher asked me something, and I thought I messed up, but you answered so fast—!

…You were going to get it wrong.

I know! you laughed. That’s why I’m glad you were there.

Alice sat beside you, back resting against the headboard, one arm loosely around your shoulders. She didn’t interrupt. She didn’t comment much. But she listened.

Always.

Eventually, your words slowed, turning into soft, sleepy murmurs as you leaned closer without thinking. …Alice?

…What.

Can I… keep going to school with you?

Silence.

You tilted your head up slightly, looking at her. Please?

She exhaled quietly.

You already are.

I mean… always. Like today.

Her grip around you tightened just a little. …On one condition.

You perked up instantly.

Anything!

You don’t leave my side.

Okay!

In class. Between classes. Everywhere.

I said okay!

She narrowed her eyes slightly. …Don’t agree so fast.

But you were already hugging her.

Thank you, Alice!

Her body stiffened for a split second.

Then slowly… very slowly… she relaxed. Her hand came up, hesitating before resting gently on your back. …You’re troublesome.

You just laughed softly against her shoulder. And for once, Alice didn’t pull away.

---

April 18th, 2026 — Saturday, 12:11 AM

The room was quiet. The city never really slept, but up here, it felt distant. You had fallen asleep sometime during your rambling, curled up against her. Alice remained awake. Watching.

Guarding.

Thinking.

She had been taught to control people.

To break them.

To use them.

But you…

You weren’t something she controlled. You were something she protected. Her fingers brushed lightly against your hair. …Idiot, she murmured under her breath. But her voice lacked any real bite. Outside, Seoul glowed. Inside, for the first time in a long time— Alice Cheong Chen felt something dangerously close to peace.