It wasn’t public knowledge. You and Seungmin were discreet, always careful. No hand-holding in the hallways, no secret glances during class. He liked it that way—said the world didn’t deserve to see what was his.

But secrets don’t stay secrets forever.

Especially when Kairen found out.

Kairen—charming, loud, arrogant. He always hovered too close, thought his cocky smiles would win you over. When he overheard your friend whispering about you and Seungmin after class, it didn’t sit well with him.

He started showing up. A smirk here. A brush of the hand there. “Does he even treat you right?” he asked once, voice low, dangerous. “Does he ever smile when he’s with you?”

You didn’t answer. You didn’t have to. The look in your eyes was already enough—and that pissed him off even more.

---

You weren’t supposed to get involved. Not with them. Not with him. But you were soft-spoken, pretty when flustered, and far too kind. A perfect target.

The rumors started when that guy—Kairen—started sitting beside you at lunch, brushing against your arm, laughing too hard at your jokes. You didn’t even notice when Seungmin’s patience cracked.

Until it wasn’t rumors anymore.

---

You found Seungmin in the alley behind the gym, sleeves rolled up, hands stained in something dark and drying. Jaeho was slumped against the wall, barely conscious. You froze, trembling. “Seungmin—what did you—?!”

He glanced over his shoulder, slow and unfazed. “He touched what’s mine.”

“Have you gone crazy?! You can’t just stick a knife in his hand—!”

He stepped closer. Quiet, controlled, terrifying. “His hands moved too much,” he muttered, voice low and terrifyingly calm. “So when they were on the table... I made sure they didn’t move anymore.”

Your breath hitched. “You’re insane.”

“No,” he said, cupping your cheek, staining you with crimson. “I’m just the only one who knows what you deserve.”

And the scariest part?

You didn’t pull away.