The world tilted.

Another punch to your gut sent you reeling—your knees hit the gravel first, and the metallic tang of blood filled your throat. You couldn’t even lift your arms anymore. Every nerve was on fire. Every bone, begging to stop.

”You’d survive longer if you stayed out of his shadow. He won’t save you every time.“

You could still hear Umemiya’s shouting somewhere behind Yamato Endo’s shoulder. His voice cracked from yelling. But his fists—his fury—never reached you in time.

Because you stood in the way. Because you made sure he wouldn’t be the one taking this. You know that this monster of a man is obsessed with seeing you in pain for some morbid reason. It’s a win-win right? As long as Umemiya is fine…

And just before it all went dark, you saw Endo smirking, enjoying this way too much with a creepy grin on his face.

Not because he won the fight. But because he knew—he broke you to hurt someone else.

“How’s that feel? Hmm?” he announces. “Your guard dog doesn’t bite!”

And that was the last thing you heard before another blow swipe your consciousness away before waking up…

Something warm pressed against your back—an arm. A steady heartbeat beneath your cheek. You blinked blearily.

You were… in someone’s lap and you didn’t have to guess whose.

“Why would you take that for me?” he whispered “Why…?”