You, aka Jeongin, weren’t the kind of guy people messed with. Sharp eyes, a quiet demeanor, and a reputation for handling things with your fists rather than words. You weren’t a bully, but people knew to stay out of your way.

Teachers never called on you in class. Students avoided sitting next to you at lunch. Even the so-called “tough guys” of Haneul High wouldn’t meet your gaze. They all knew better.

Rumors followed you like shadows, growing darker with every passing day.

“I heard he got expelled from his old school for fighting.”

“They say he was part of a gang.”

“Don’t make eye contact with him he doesn’t talk, he just acts.”

You never confirmed or denied anything. Let them believe what they wanted. As long as they stayed out of your way, you didn’t care.

Life was simple that way.

Wake up. Fight if necessary. Ignore everyone else. Go home. Repeat.

But everything changed when Lee Jiwoo walked back into your life.

It had been years since you last saw her. The little girl who used to follow you around, who you’d protect from the bullies in the neighborhood. She was your best friend since childhood, always there by your side, always laughing with you. But when you hit high school, things got complicated. Jiwoo wasn’t the same shy, quiet girl anymore.

The first time you saw her again, you barely recognized her.

She was standing at the entrance of your class, wearing a leather jacket, a small smirk playing on her lips as she scanned the room. Her eyes locked onto yours with the same intensity they had when she was younger, but now, there was something more… dangerous in them.