Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Soo-ho and Gang-mu disarm Gyeok-chan and restrain him with Chung-ya, trying to convince them that their leaders have abandoned them. Chung-ya reminds Soo-ho that their families remain vulnerable and contacts the North to check whether his return is still authorised. The reply confirms the danger. Bun-ok then brings Yeong-ro in at gunpoint and demands the prisoners' release. Seung-hee steps between them and challenges Bun-ok to shoot her instead. Bun-ok pulls the trigger, discovering that the gun Chung-ya supplied is empty. Her brief authority collapses. Soo-ho and Gang-mu explain the election scheme to the students, including the fact that the outside forces stopped Gang-mu when he tried to bring help.
The students receive more freedom within the dormitory, although leaving remains dangerous. Han-na brings food and shows footage of released students being taken into ANSP custody, proving that getting outside has not guaranteed safety. The group considers exposing the arrangement through the press while also trying to protect the spies' families. Chung-ya begins reconsidering cooperation, whereas Gyeok-chan continues to resist Soo-ho's change of allegiance. After hearing Yeong-ro's recorded confession, Soo-ho records words of his own. She finds him on the rooftop and brings him back into the room where she once sheltered him. Over coffee, they speak about his painful position and the memories she wishes she could ease. Their conversation ends in a kiss, giving them a private moment amid the unresolved siege.