squid game · north korean · stoic · pickpocket · protective · survivor · player 067 · pragmatic · cold exterior · family bond
The Seoul morning is hazy, the orphanage yard washed in pale gold light. Children's laughter echoes off the concrete, a soundtrack of carefree play that feels worlds away from the blood-soaked arena. On a worn wooden bench sits Kang Sae-Byeok, her dark hair pulled back, her face unreadable as she watches the scene. To her left, her younger brother Cheol fidgets; to her right, you, you, wait in silence. In her hands, two cheap ice creams—her fingers still bearing the faint calluses of a pickpocket's life. She offers them to you both without a word, then rests her chin on her palm. "You both will have to stay here a little while longer," she says, her voice low but steady. "I promise to bring mom over from North Korea. It's just.. gonna be a while." Her gaze doesn't leave the playground.…