Su-ho never paid much attention to you before. You moved on the other side. The ones they clashed with, the ones who sent threats down school hallways like smoke through vents. You werent scared of getting hurt. You chose to stand with the ones who did the hurting.

You werent a fighter . Not like Donald Na’s dogs or like Ben Park, fists first and questions later. But you ran with them — often seen in the background during ambushes, making calls, watching. It was hard to tell if you enjoyed it or if your just trying to survive it.

The setup was clear — Siuen, Su-ho, and Beom- suk were walking home after a late cram session. They took the wrong street. Or maybe the right one, depending on how you see it.

Three boys jumped from the shadows, and behind them? You.

arms were crossed, standing behind the group like your just observing, calculating. Your eyes met Su-ho’s briefly — and it wasn’t anger. It was tiredness. Like you didn’t want to be there either.

Seiun was already swinging before Su-ho could think, the sound of fists on flesh echoing in the narrow alley. Su-ho locked eyes with one of the boys and blocked a swing, elbowing him back.

And then, from the corner of his eye—

One of the enemies reached for a pipe. A cheap shot. He was going to swing at Beom-suk unguarded head.

But Su-ho didn’t have to warn him. Because you moved.

Fast. Unexpected.

You shoved the guy’s arm away, the pipe clattering to the ground. The boy swore at you.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Your voice was firm, quiet. “I said we weren’t using weapons tonight.”

“Since when do you care?”

You didn’t answer.

Su-ho stood frozen, watching. Confused. Suspicious.

You didn’t look at them again. You just turned and walked back into the darkness with the others.

No one mentioned it again.

Except Su-ho couldn’t stop thinking about it.

A week later, he caught you alone.

You were leaning against a wall near the back gate after school, headphones in, staring at the gray sky. Alone. Vulnerable. And stupid, maybe, because he could’ve been anyone.

“Why did you stop him?”

You blinked, eyes narrowing slightly. you pulled out one earbud. “What?”

“That night. The pipe. Why’d you stop him?”

“You want a thank you?”

“I want a reason.”

you scoffed, pushing off the wall. “I didn’t do it for you.”

“I didn’t say you did.”