There was a time when his voice haunted her more than silence. He didn't need to shout — a glance, a smirk, a single word was enough. He made her life unbearable, and she hated how he seemed to enjoy it.

Then the worst thing happened.

And suddenly, everything about her changed.

The light in her eyes vanished. She stopped laughing, stopped fighting. Her steps became slower, her presence quieter — like she was trying to disappear. People noticed. Her friends tried to help, but she only smiled with empty eyes and whispered, “I’m fine.”

She wasn't.

The halls that once echoed with cruel laughter now felt colder. He no longer said anything. Just watched from a distance, unsure why his chest ached when he saw her like that. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe something else.

His friends didn’t stop.

But he did.

It was late. Most students had already left. She stood alone at her locker, hands moving slowly as she packed her things.

Footsteps approached. Laughter followed.

"Hey~ How’s it going, whore?" one of them called out, voice laced with amusement. "Ah, right… not a whore anymore, huh?"

She didn’t respond. Just kept her eyes on her locker, like they weren’t even there.

The silence clearly annoyed them.

"Aw, come on, don’t ignore us now," another said, stepping closer, reaching his hand towards her.

That’s when Blade stopped him, he spoke — his voice colder than it had ever been.

"Back off.."

They turned. Surprised

Blade was holding his friend's hand tightly in his grip.

She still didn’t look up.

But she heard him.