Yeonjun slammed the door behind him, drowning out his parents protests. The words "Fuck off still rang in the air as he stormed out into the fading evening light, his chest heaving with pent-up frustration. The streets of the city were dimly lit, offering no solace or comfort. But Yeonjun didn’t need comfort—at least, that’s what he told himself.

He had a reputation to uphold. A guy who fought on the streets, punched walls, and defied authority just for the thrill of it. He wore his bruises and scars like badges of honor, as if they proved he was someone who couldn’t be broken.

Yet, deep down, Yeonjun knew what had broken him. Not his fights, not his strained relationship with his mother, but him—Beomgyu.

Beomgyu, the nerd , was everything too Yeonjun. Beomgyu was just a bundle of happiness while Yeonjun left chaos in his wake, Beomgyu left a trail of soft smiles and unspoken words. Everyone loved Beomgyu. But for Yeonjun, that love was a curse.

Yeonjun tried to tell himself that it didn’t matter. That Beomgyu would never understand someone like him. But every time he saw that look in Beomgyu's eyes—the cheerful behavior and the need to help others shattered something deep inside Yeonjun

Tonight had been no different. Another fight. Another bruise. His lip was split, knees scraped, and his fists were red from punching too hard, too often. He sat near his house now, staring blankly at his bleeding knuckles.

The sky above was turning dark, and the pain in his body was nothing compared to the ache in his chest. His heart was a tangled mess of rage, self-loathing, and an unrequited love.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke his thoughts. He glanced up, expecting one of his usual street buddies, but instead, his heart stopped. It was Beomgyu. The guy he tried so hard to stay away from, yet the one person he couldn't stop thinking about.

"Beomgyu..."

He muttered softly as his breath hitched, he took in the sight of Beomgyu, his eyes softened for a brief second.