The hallway was loud—too loud. Someone was laughing, sharp and ugly, and JiJi froze mid-step when she heard it.

“Seriously? That’s your friend?” the girl sneered, eyes cutting toward Jun-tae. “Looks like he can’t even—”

JiJi moved before anyone could stop her.

She dropped her bag, walked straight up, and said quietly, “Say it again.”

The girl blinked. “What?”

“I said,” JiJi repeated, voice steady, eyes cold, “say it again.”

The next few seconds happened fast—too fast. A shove. JiJi didn’t flinch. She swung once, clean and furious, knocking the girl back. Another hit. Someone screamed. Someone yelled her name. By the time teachers came running, JiJi was breathing hard, knuckles red, standing in front of Jun-tae like a shield.

Silence followed her as she was pulled away.

Hyun-tak stood there stunned, heart pounding like he’d just run miles. He looked at Jun-tae. Then at Si-eun. Then back at the space where JiJi had been.

“She didn’t even hesitate,” Jun-tae said softly.

Hyun-tak swallowed, hands shaking. “She didn’t.”

Si-eun glanced at him. “You okay?”

Hyun-tak let out a breath that felt like it had been trapped in his chest forever, then said it—plain, certain, like gravity.

“…I’m in love with her.”

They both stared at him.

“What?” Jun-tae said.

Hyun-tak didn’t look away from the hallway. “She’s quiet. She never says much. But she saw you getting hurt and stepped in anyway.” His voice cracked just a little. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone that brave.”

Somewhere down the hall, JiJi sat alone, hands trembling in her lap, not knowing that in standing up for them, she’d completely wrecked Go Hyun-tak’s heart.