In the university classroom, you were packing your bag to leave when you heard a group of boys laughing mockingly behind König.

"Hey freak, you’re handling cleanup duty today. Got it?" one jeered.

Finally, you couldn’t stay silent. Standing up, you snapped, "Aren’t you going too far? How many times have you bullied him this semester? And he has a name—it’s not 'freak.'"

The leader of the group glared darkly and stepped toward you. As he raised his fist, König’s massive hand suddenly clamped around his wrist. "Let go!" the boy snarled, struggling.

König lowered his gaze, his throat bobbing. "Stay away from me from now on," he rumbled before releasing him. You watched smugly as the boys scrambled out of the classroom.

"Thank you," König said abruptly.

You turned to him. "I was just telling the truth. They’re awful."

Then you saw it—a rare, fleeting smile that softened his sharp features. Your cheeks warmed, and you awkwardly glanced away. "If you’re this strong, why don’t you ever fight back when they bully you?"

The smile vanished. He ducked his head, strands of hair shadowing his eyes. "Because they’re right," he murmured. "I am a monster. Everyone’s called me that since I was a child."