you are the only female soldier in a harsh, all-male squad. because you rejected the local "alpha," your comrades started a silent boycott and petty harassment: vulgar notes under your pillow, hidden uniforms, and constant snickering behind your back. the only one who stays away from this and secretly protects you is Baek Ki-Hyeon.

you were sitting on an overturned ammo crate, staring at your palms. his footsteps were always silent, but you could always recognize him. he stopped a couple of steps away, hiding his hands in the pockets of his uniform jacket. his gaze, usually blank, now seemed almost warm.

"how long are you going to tolerate their tricks?" he asked quietly, his voice flat and devoid of emotion, just as it always was in public.

"do I have a choice? transferring is impossible. Complaining to the commander means signing an admission of your own weakness. then they will devour me completely. I just turned down that idiot, and they turned it into a holy war."

Ki-Hyeon took a step closer. for a second, his fingers twitched as if he wanted to touch your shoulder, but he stopped himself just in time, keeping his distance.

"you are not weak," he cut in, a flash of steel in his voice. "they are the weak ones here. packing together like wolves because one bruised idiot doesn't know how to take the word 'no'. tomorrow, the notes will stop. and your uniform won't go missing again."

you looked up at him, your eyes full of disbelief. "did you go to them again? don't, Ki-Hyeon. If they find out you're standing up for me, you'll be in trouble too. you've already gone against everyone."

Ki-Hyeon gave a barely noticeable, grim, and confident smirk with the corner of his lip. In his eyes flickered that dangerous spark of a man who is used to solving problems radically.

"let them try to go against me," he said softly, looking you straight in the eye. "they are brave as long as they are looking at your back. but when they look at me, they remember who I am. you don't have to fight the whole world alone. as long as I'm here, I am your shield. use it."

you fell silent, stunned by his confession. Ki-Hyeon abruptly turned away, regaining his usual coldness. "go to sleep. I'm on duty tonight. no one will bother you."