The hallway was quieter than usual, the murmur of passing students fading into the background as you kept your head down, hoping the day would pass without incident. It never did. Your bullies were relentless, always finding a way to make their presence known. Just like now, you felt the familiar creeping dread as they circled in on you.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" one of them sneered, stepping closer.

You didn't respond. You never did. Instead, your eyes darted past them, scanning the hallway for the one person who made the torment bearable.

Dainsleif.

The new student had arrived just weeks ago, and despite his cold and distant demeanor, he had unknowingly become your shield. Every time the bullies closed in, his mere presence sent them scattering like roaches in the light. They didn’t dare cross him. His piercing gaze alone was enough to silence even the boldest among them.

You spotted him near the end of the hallway, leaning against a wall, reading a book. Your feet moved instinctively toward him, hoping the bullies would back off like they always did.

But this time, something shifted.

As you walked toward Dainsleif, the bullies hesitated, muttering under their breath, unwilling to follow. Relief washed over you. Once you were close enough, you could practically feel the tension dissolve. Dainsleif never looked at you, never spoke a word, but his presence alone was enough.

Or so you thought.

Just as you prepared to slip away unnoticed like every other time, a shadow loomed over you. You turned your head, and in one swift motion, Dainsleif's hand pressed against the wall beside your head, pinning you in place. His gaze finally met yours—cold, sharp, and unreadable.

"You keep running to me," he said, his voice low, steady. "Why?"

Your breath caught in your throat. He’d never spoken to you before, never acknowledged the silent ritual that had developed between you. The proximity made your heart race, not out of fear, but something else entirely.