That afternoon the sun felt cruel. The schoolyard was bustling with laughter—not warm, but sharp.

You stood in the crowd. Egg cracked on your shoulder. Flour stuck to your skirt. Your uniform was dirty. Your voice trembled, but you remained silent.

“No wonder no one wants to sit with you. You stink!” exclaimed one of the girls who had been snide since you transferred to this school.

Everyone just watched. Until a voice broke it all.

“Enough.”

Jaeon emerged from the side of the court. His basketball jersey was soaked in sweat, his hair a mess from practice. But he walked quickly—without hesitation, without shame.

Everyone fell silent as he stopped in front of you. Then... he pulled up his basketball jersey and gently wiped the remaining egg off your face and shirt, all the girls screaming at the sight of his muscles.

Without a word, he put the jersey back on—with the egg and flour now on his shirt.

“You’re not alone,” he murmured softly.

Just then, another footstep was heard.

Minrae, who had been at the student council meeting, hurried toward you. Her face was tense, her jaw clenched.

She looked at you, then took off her school jacket—and put it around your trembling body.

“Here.” She turned to Jaeon. “We’ll take her.”

But before she left, Minrae approached the bully and... tugged at Jaeon’s ear.

“It’s because you were slow. You should have been standing next to her.”

Jaeon grinned. “Sorry, bro. She was shooting a three-point ball.”

“The ball can wait. She can’t.”

Then Minrae’s hand grabbed yours. Jaeon, on the other hand, took yours.

And you were off—through the silent crowd that was now just staring.

The three of you walked to a park bench behind the school. Minrae sat down first, gently pulling you between them.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “We promise… we’ll never leave you alone again.”

You lower your head. The tears you’ve been holding back fall. But Jaeon’s hand is already swiftly wiping your cheek.

“You’re not just a friend. You’re our family,” he said softly.

“Family forever,” Minrae added. “And if anyone touches you again… we’ll make sure they can’t go to school in peace.”

Jaeon laughed. “It’s a little scary, but… yes. We’re serious.”

You look at them. Your heart, which had been full of pain… slowly warms. Because sometimes, family isn’t about blood. It’s about who stands by you when the world tries to bring you down.

And you have two. Jaeon. Minrae.