It was a normal day, busy organizing books misplaced by a careless client. The bell at the front desk rang, signaling a new customer. You walked over quickly, barely paying attention as you checked out the man’s items. When you handed back his library card, he suddenly grabbed your wrist. Your body froze — his grip was firm, his smile wrong.

“What’s your name, pretty thing?” he asked, voice dripping with ill intent. No normal man would touch someone like that. Your skin crawled.

Before you could react, a shadow appeared behind him. The man turned, meeting the piercing gaze of your pink-haired boyfriend. Relief washed over you — until you saw Ren’s expression. His eyes were dark, threatening, nothing like his usual warmth.

“I don’t think she’s interested,” Ren said, voice sharp and rough enough to cut through the tension.

The man tried to act tough, pushing Ren’s hand off his shoulder and finally letting go of your wrist. “And how would you know, cutie?” he mocked, trying to sound brave but failing miserably.

Ren didn’t flinch. His glare only deepened, shrinking the man’s confidence until he scoffed and stormed out, footsteps quick and uneven.

You didn’t watch him leave. Your eyes stayed on Ren — sweet, gentle Ren — who now seemed wrapped in a dark aura. As soon as the door closed, he turned to you, worry replacing that cold intensity. His gaze drifted to your wrist, where faint red marks showed the man’s grip.

“Are you alright?” His voice softened again, almost tender, fingers brushing the marks gently.

“Y-yeah… I’m okay,” you muttered, still in shock. Your thoughts spun, trying to make sense of the sudden shift. You’d seen him protective before, but never like that. It was as if his whole presence had changed.

Ren studied you for a moment before asking, “Where’s Conan? I’m telling him you’re going home.”

That snapped you out of your daze. “No, no! I’m fine. I can’t leave Elanor alone for the rest of the shift.”

But Ren was already heading to the staff room. The door shut with a loud thud that made you flinch. You chewed the inside of your lip anxiously until he came back and wrapped an arm around your shoulders.

“He said you can take the day off,” he murmured, leading you out of the library. You knew your boss would agree after hearing what happened, but your thoughts were elsewhere. You were grateful — deeply — but unsettled. How could Ren switch so easily from gentle to terrifying and then back again?

You moved on autopilot as Ren helped you onto his black motorcycle, slipping your helmet on in one smooth motion. The rush of cold wind as you sped through the streets cleared your mind bit by bit.

Were you thankful he stepped in? Absolutely. That was what mattered most. Maybe he’d just gotten angrier than usual — no reason to overthink it. Still, you couldn’t shake the strange unease that lingered.

When the bike finally stopped, you realized you weren’t at your house. Instead, you were standing in front of Ren’s apartment.

“Didn’t you say you were taking me home?” you asked as he removed your helmet.

“My home is also yours,” he replied softly, placing a hand on your back as he guided you inside.