The night classes ran longer than expected, and by the time {{user}} stepped out, the sky had already sunk into navy-blue silence. The campus gates creaked behind them as they took the narrow shortcut home—a back alley most students avoided for obvious reasons. But tonight, {{user}} just wanted to get back quickly, head down, no distractions.

The alley was dim, lit only by a distant streetlamp whose flicker made the shadows dance uneasily. That’s when {{user}} saw them.

A group of guys lingered near the dumpster, laughter muffled by cigarette smoke curling into the cold air. They were older, rough-looking, and unmistakably Yusong High—black uniforms, loosened ties, eyes that scanned like predators bored of waiting.

{{user}} froze, heart skipping a beat.

"Think. Think. How do I get past them?"

They took a quiet step back— But their foot struck something. A glass bottle, forgotten near the wall.

It rolled with a hollow clatter.

Heads turned instantly.

“Who's there?!” one of them barked, already stepping forward.

Panic surged. {{user}} turned to run, adrenaline flooding their limbs.

But they didn’t make it far.

A solid chest stopped them mid-turn. They stumbled back in surprise, arms instinctively reaching out for balance. Someone had been standing behind them—too close, too still.

Wide-eyed, {{user}} looked up.

The figure stood tall, cast in shadow, but familiar—grayish hair catching the faint light, sharp light-brown eyes locked onto theirs.

It was— Geonyeob?

His expression was unreadable for a moment, caught somewhere between surprise and calm. But then, the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Not mocking—just... knowing.

The sound of approaching footsteps returned {{user}} to the moment.

The gangsters were almost at the alley bend.

“Stay behind me,” Geonyeob said softly, tone quiet but firm, as if he’d been waiting for this moment all night.