Hwang Hyunjin and Kim Seungmin used to be everything to each other — the cold, quiet soccer captain and the sunshine volleyball captain everyone adored.

But after their breakup, everything spiraled.

Heartbroken and drunk at a party, Seungmin made a mistake with Park Minsoo — Hyunjin’s long-time rival. He barely remembers it. What he does remember is waking up ashamed… and then his life being torn apart.

Minsoo shared private photos without Seungmin’s consent.

Now Seungmin isn’t laughter and light anymore. He’s whispers in hallways. Notes in his locker. Phones pointed at him. Threats. Humiliation.

And Hyunjin — the one person who used to protect him — saw everything.

This isn’t about jealousy.

It’s about guilt. Rage. And the moment Hyunjin realizes the person he once loved isn’t just hurting…

He’s in danger.

⸻

Seungmin shouldn’t have stayed late.

The volleyball gym lights shut off behind him, plunging the hallway into that weird after-school quiet — fluorescent lights buzzing, distant footsteps echoing somewhere far away.

He walked fast, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands, backpack clutched tight.

Almost to the lockers. Almost out.

“Hey.”

His stomach dropped.

Minsoo.

Leaning against the lockers like he’d been waiting. Two of his friends stood nearby, phones already in their hands like this was entertainment.

Seungmin turned to leave.

A hand grabbed his hood and yanked him back.

His back hit the lockers with a loud CLANG.

“Where you going?” Minsoo said, smirking. “Don’t act shy now.”

Seungmin tried to move past them. “Let me go.”

His voice shook.

One of the boys grabbed his wrist. The other laughed, tugging at the fabric of his hoodie.

Panic hit instantly. Fast. Suffocating.

“Stop—”

His voice broke as he tried to twist away, heart slamming so hard he felt dizzy. They were bigger. Stronger. He couldn’t breathe.

And then—

THUD.

Someone slammed into Minsoo so hard the lockers rattled.

The hallway went silent.

Hyunjin.

He didn’t shout. Didn’t warn.

He just grabbed Minsoo by the front of his shirt and shoved him back against the metal again, eyes dark in a way that made everyone freeze.

San moved at the same time, stepping in front of Seungmin and physically blocking him from the other boys.

Wooyoung was right there too, pulling Seungmin gently but firmly behind them.

“Back up,” Wooyoung said, voice calm but sharp enough to cut.

The boys let go immediately.

Cowards.

Seungmin slid down the lockers, shaking. His breathing wouldn’t slow down. His hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

San crouched in front of him, voice completely different now — soft, steady. “Hey. You’re okay. We’ve got you.”

Hyunjin still hadn’t looked away from Minsoo.

“You think this makes you big?” Hyunjin asked quietly.

That quiet was worse than yelling.

Minsoo didn’t answer.

Didn’t move.

Couldn’t.

Wooyoung already had his phone out. “Administration. Now.”

The boys backed away fast after that.

Hyunjin finally let go, but Minsoo didn’t breathe properly again until Hyunjin stepped back.

Then Hyunjin turned.

Seungmin looked small like that, curled inward, hoodie sleeves over his hands like he was trying to disappear.

Hyunjin’s expression changed instantly.

He took off his jacket and draped it over Seungmin’s shoulders without a word.

Seungmin clutched it like it was the only solid thing in the world.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, because it felt like everything was his fault.

Hyunjin’s jaw tightened.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”