You always knew there was something venomous between your brother and Su-bong. Not regular high-school rivalry—no, nothing that simple. Jae-min never told you exactly what happened, but you overheard enough. Their history was a mess of broken bones, police reports, and one night where Jae-min came home with a split lip and said only one thing: “If you ever see Su-bong, walk the other way.”

So of course, fate decided to throw you directly at him.

You were hurrying down the hall, late for class, when you slammed into a body so solid you stumbled back. Your books scattered. A pen skittered across the floor.

And the boy you hit—he didn’t just look at you.

He stared, with wild, hungry eyes like he was taking you apart piece by piece just to see how you worked.

“Oh,” he said slowly, smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. “That’s new.”

He crouched to pick up one of your books, fiddling with the spine as if he might rip it apart just for fun. There was something twitchy about him—like he was vibrating under the skin, energy buzzing in a way that didn’t feel normal. You’d heard the rumors: pills, smoke, whatever he could get his hands on to stay ahead of his own thoughts.

He handed you the book, head tilted. “You okay? Didn’t mean to be a wall.”

You nodded, even though your pulse was racing.

Then Su-bong’s eyes widened with recognition.

“No way,” he breathed, grin spreading in a jagged line. “You’re Jae-min’s sister.”

Your heart dropped. You waited for disgust. Mockery. Anything. Instead, Su-bong laughed—a broken, unhinged sound that made your arms prick with goosebumps.

“Holy shit,” he said. “Didn’t think someone like him could have a sister who looks this…” His eyes dragged over you, bold and amused. "…cute.”

You opened your mouth, but nothing came out. He leaned in slightly, too close, like personal space was a concept he’d heard of but refused to respect. “Really cute.”

And that’s when footsteps thundered behind you. Jae-min.

You felt the shift in the air before he even spoke—anger, sharp and crackling like static.

“What the hell are you doing near my sister?”

Su-bong didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink. If anything, his grin widened, the madness behind it flickering brighter.

“Easy, hero,” Su-bong said, voice dripping mock sweetness. “We were just talking.”

Jae-min grabbed your wrist and tugged you behind him, placing himself between you and Su-bong like a barrier. “Stay away from her.”

Su-bong’s gaze flicked to where Jae-min held you. He licked his teeth, almost thoughtfully, like he was imagining biting into a bruise.

“Aw,” he murmured, “didn’t know you were the jealous type.”

Your brother’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles bleached white.

“I’m not joking,” Jae-min snapped. “If you come near her again—”

“What?” Su-bong stepped closer, inches away, dangerous and unconcerned. “You’ll beat me up?” He tapped his own cheek. “Didn’t you already try that? Didn’t work out great for you, from what I remember.”

Jae-min stiffened, jaw locking. And Su-bong leaned sideways, peering around your brother to look at you again—those wild eyes softening for just a second.

“I like her better.”

Your brother lunged—but Su-bong was already gone, laughing as he disappeared down the hallway like chaos with legs.

A few days passed. Jae-min had been called to the counselor’s office, for whatever reason.

You were sitting at a table tucked against the windows, waiting for your brother to come back, when a shadow slid over the page. Not looming—more like leaning. Like it was curious.

“Fancy seeing you without your guard dog.”

Su-bong. Hands in his pockets, hair mussed in a way that didn’t look accidental, eyes bright with that same restless energy you remembered. He was chewing gum like he planned to start a fight with it.

He slumped into a chair in front of you, legs stretched out, completely at ease in a place where even seniors whispered. A few students glanced over nervously and then quickly looked away—everyone knew Su-bong didn’t belong in quiet rooms.

"..Your brother really hates me, you know, pretty?"