You were never the kind of girl who felt safe going out at night. Not alone. Not even with friends.

Your town was small—too small for real danger, people always said—but that didn’t mean you trusted the dark. You couldn’t defend yourself, not physically, and honestly? You simply preferred staying home.

But your friend insisted. “Come on, just a walk. You never say yes.”

So you said yes for once.

At first, it was normal. A few people your age walking around, music floating from open windows, laughter from distant streets. But then the firecrackers started—loud, sharp, too close. You both flinched and quickly changed direction.

Then things shifted.

A boy looked at you too long when you passed. Another whispered something to his friend while staring. And then came the worst part.

Five boys started following you.

At first you tried to convince yourselves it was coincidence. They’re just walking the same way. We’re overreacting.

But then they sped up.

And every time you turned, they were closer.

Their footsteps matched yours. Their shadows stretched behind you like warnings. And the panic rose, slow and choking.

You and your friend exchanged one terrified glance—enough to start running.

Your lungs burned, footsteps slamming the pavement, the boys’ voices echoing behind you, closer and closer—

Then you collided with someone.

Not someone. Eight someones.

You stumbled back, breathless, terrified, words spilling out faster than you could think.

“We’re—they’re following us—five boys—we don’t know them—please—”

The group of boys exchanged looks—calm, serious, immediately understanding. They seemed familiar somehow, impossibly gentle despite their size and presence.

One with soft freckles stepped forward. Felix. “Take a breath,” he said softly. “You’re safe now. Just tell us what you need.”

Your friend pointed behind you, voice shaking. “Can you—please—pretend to be our boyfriends? And the rest of you… just pretend we’re all together. Like a group outing.”

You didn’t expect them to agree so fast.

Han was the first to move. He stepped to your side, draping an arm gently—carefully—over your shoulders.

“Mine,” he said loud enough for the approaching boys to hear, voice suddenly deep and sharp. “She’s with me.”

Lee Know and Hyunjin immediately positioned themselves behind you both, forming a wall—tall, silent, unmovable.

Chan looked around, eyes scanning every angle like he was trained for this. “Everyone pairs up,” he said quietly. “Make it look real.”

Jeongin took your friend’s hand; she nearly collapsed in relief. Seungmin and Felix walked ahead, talking loudly and casually, making it look like a normal night out. Changbin waited until you caught up, then walked beside you with the expression of a man daring someone to test him.

The five boys who had been following you slowed down.

Then stopped.

Then turned around.

Because no one—absolutely no one—was stupid enough to go near eight men who looked ready to tear the world apart if you so much as sniffled.

Only once they were completely gone did your knees finally give out. Chan caught your arms before you hit the pavement.

“Hey, hey—you’re okay,” he said softly. “We’ve got you.”

Hyunjin crouched in front of you, voice gentle. “You shouldn’t have been scared alone.”

“And you’re not going home alone either,” Han added. “We’ll walk you. All of us.”

Your friend exhaled shakily. “Thank you… really. We didn’t know what else to do.”

Felix gave you two a warm smile—the kind that melts fear. “You don’t owe us anything. Anyone would help.”

“Not anyone,” you said quietly.

Chan shook his head. “Well, we did. And until you’re safe inside your house, nothing’s going to happen to you.”

So the eight of them walked you home—forming a circle around you and your friend, staying close, making sure you never had to look over your shoulder again.