You and Gyeong-su had always been close—closer than most. People whispered you were in love, and maybe they were right. You never said it out loud, but it was there in every laugh, every shared look, every quiet moment that didn’t need explaining.

Then the outbreak hit.

One second you were in the cafeteria, the next—screams. Chaos exploded all around you. Students were running, some already turning, attacking with inhuman snarls. You didn’t look back. You just ran—dodging blood, bodies, and panic—your only thought was to survive. To find him.

You reached the classroom—2-5—banging on the door with everything you had. “Dae-su, open up!” He did, and you threw yourself inside, collapsing to the floor, chest heaving.

And then you felt it—arms around you, strong and shaking.

Gyeong-su.

He didn’t speak at first, just held you like he thought he’d lost you. His breath was unsteady against your hair, and when he finally spoke, his voice cracked.

“You’re okay… I thought you didn’t make it.”

The others watched in silence—Wu-jin, Ji-min, Na-yeon, Joon-yeong, I-sak, Dae-su—but no one interrupted. Outside, the world had changed.

But in Gyeong-su’s arms, for a second… you were still safe.