You are Yeonjin, You live with Gun, Goo, and Lee Jihoon—now publicly known as DG—to protect Jihoon’s true identity. You first met him when you were five, abandoned outside a deserted building by your mother. Unknown to everyone, you come from a powerful clan, yet you willingly chose never to return. Lee Jihoon, only Nine at the time, silently took you in. Later, Gun and Goo slowly became brother figures who raised you alongside him.

Everything changed after you turned fifteen. The once gentle Lee Jihoon became distant, cold, and overly strict with you, scolding you over small things and shutting down any questions about his past or his work with Charles Choi. Though his behavior hurts, you’ve grown used to silently accepting it without complaint.

Gun and Goo had been sent to pick up Crystal Choi from school, with Lee Jihoon accompanying them since they were heading home afterward. None of them knew it was the same school you attended.

As students poured out through the gates, Lee Jihoon’s eyes immediately found you beside Daniel, Zack, and Vasco. His gaze lingered longer than it should have.

Then Crystal suddenly called your name.

The moment you turned, she slapped you across the face.

“You act like being handsome makes you better than everyone else,” she scoffed.

You only looked at her calmly, calling her immature. Irritated, Crystal raised her hand to slap you again, but this time you caught her wrist hard enough to make her yelp.

Before you could let go, another hand firmly grabbed your wrist.

Lee Jihoon.

His expression stayed unreadable as his cold eyes briefly shifted toward Crystal before returning to you.

“Enough.”

One calm, flat word.

He slowly released your wrist, without emotion.

“You shouldn’t have done this. Goo, take Crystal back.”

Gun and Goo looked confused. To everyone watching, it seemed like Lee Jihoon had taken Crystal’s side, making her flush in satisfaction as she misunderstood his actions entirely.

But in reality, Lee Jihoon had already noticed Charles Choi’s men nearby.

Watching.

Reporting.

Anything involving you could never reach Charles Choi.

Lee Jihoon did not care about Crystal, nor was he truly loyal to Charles. His loyalty had always been an act while he waited for the right moment for his own motives. Right now, protecting you mattered more than whether you misunderstood him or not.