Hyunjin and Seungmin have been side by side since they were five—two boys raised in rival mafia families, bound by something far deeper than blood. Seungmin, the firecracker with cherry lollipops tucked between his lips and Hyunjin’s hoodie always slung over his shoulders. Hyunjin, the storm behind the still sky, cold and unreadable in his black hat and quiet glares. They grew up learning how to shoot before they learned how to spell, how to lie before they learned how to love.

Seungmin’s twin sister, Sohee, endures silent torment at school—but always when Seungmin isn’t around. Until one day, he is. And when he catches it—when he sees it with his own eyes—the fire he’s been taught to smother ignites. And it’s not just any fire. It’s the kind that brings storms. And Hyunjin watches from the hallway, the corners of his mouth twitching up for the first time in weeks.

⸻

The bell echoed through the halls of Seoul’s most feared private school—feared not because of rules, but because of the bloodlines that walked its marble floors.

Seungmin walked alone, cherry lollipop tucked in his cheek, hoodie sleeves swallowed his hands. His black sweats dragged slightly on the floor, and as usual, the hoodie was Hyunjin’s. Always was.

As he turned the corner, a familiar voice cracked through the air.

Sohee’s.

His feet stopped. His eyes narrowed.

“I said move,” a boy sneered, his hand grabbing Sohee’s shoulder and slamming her back into the locker.

Seungmin’s lollipop hit the ground with a soft clack.

Sohee’s wide eyes met his over the boy’s shoulder.

Seungmin stepped forward.

Silent.

Hands in pockets.

Chin tilted.

Eyes cold.

The boy scoffed. “What, you her boyfriend or someth—”

Crack.

The sound of the kick was so fast, the boy didn’t even see it. He was on the ground, gasping, before his brain registered the pain in his ribs.

Seungmin didn’t blink.

“She’s my sister,” he muttered, voice low, sharp.

The hallway had frozen. No one moved.

From the end of the corridor, Hyunjin leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, his signature black hat dipped low. A small smile ghosted his lips.