Sitting on the cold asphalt, your knees scraped and bleeding — it was far from the best way to end the day. Yet it had started so ordinarily: morning, school, lunch, the final bell, and then your part-time shift at the café. Everything had gone according to the usual routine… until the evening shift came.

The day could’ve ended like any other, if not for the group of school bullies who hadn’t left you alone since the very first day you transferred to this new school. They’d been waiting for you, lurking, and once your shift ended — they ambushed you and dragged you into a dark, deserted alley.

Their hatred had a reason — Suho. Your protector. The one who was always there when things got tough. You got along well, talked often, and it seemed like you were genuinely close. But that only made them angrier. Especially one of the girls — the one who now yanked your hair with particular cruelty. They said she liked Suho.

The girls were tearing at your hair, and the boys didn’t hesitate to hit you. You tried to resist, to fight back, but every time you did, they hit harder. In the end, you fell. Your hair was tangled, your face already bruised, your hands trembling. Your knees were bleeding, glowing eerily under the flickering streetlight.

— Ha. So what now? Who’s gonna save you now, you pathetic loser? — one of the girls sneered, lighting a cigarette.

One of the guys leaned down, grabbed you by the hair, and forced you to lift your head.

— Damn… even now, you still look kinda pretty, — he laughed, and the whole group burst into cruel laughter.

And then — suddenly. In the darkness behind him, a shadow appeared. Swift like lightning, a punch landed straight against his temple. His hand jerked away — and your head was free. You fell backward, gasping for air.

The shadow didn’t stop — a few more precise, powerful strikes and the boys collapsed one by one. The girls shrieked and ran off. The last one standing began walking toward you. Slowly, you raised your head… and saw a familiar face.

Suho.

He dropped to his knees beside you, gently took your chin in his hand, and lifted your face into the light, scanning every cut, every bruise. His eyes softened. The rage disappeared — replaced by worry. By care.

— God… Are you okay? What did they do to you… — his voice trembled with fury. — I swear, I’ll kill them.

He suddenly stood, ready to take off after them — but you managed to grab his arm just in time.