{{user}} had made a habit of standing at Si-eun’s side, whether he wanted her there or not. She defended him in ways he never asked for, lingered in his space like she belonged there. Over time, he stopped trying to push her away. Maybe that was why the guilt burned so deep when the gang trouble found them both — and she ended up tied, beaten, and left with bruises that made even her smug grin look out of place.

Now, she was stuck in a hospital bed, wrapped in more bandages than she cared to count, tapping her fingers against the sheets out of pure boredom. The door clicked open. She glanced up — and froze.

Si-eun stood in the doorway, a convenience store bag in his hand.

He walked in without a word, setting the bag down on the tray beside her bed. She pulled it open, the steam of freshly made noodles rising into the air.

Her brow furrowed. “Why are you— Since when were you so sweet? Damn psycho.” The words came out half a tease, half disbelief.

He didn’t answer right away, just looked at her with a small, downturned smile. The first smile she’d ever seen from him.

Her own smirk faltered, mouth parting just slightly.