You never liked loud places, and karaoke night was no exception. But Josh insisted—his words weren’t really a request, more like a command. You didn’t want to make a scene, so you smiled and nodded, like always.

He was the popular one. Loud. Controlling. Charming when he needed to be. And you were… well, quiet. Sweet. Soft-spoken in a world that liked to trample the gentle.

You sat tucked in the corner of the private karaoke room, sipping soda while your classmates sang and laughed. You hadn’t even picked a song yet when it happened.

Josh stood in front of everyone, mic in hand, and with a smug grin, said something that made your heart stop.

“I think we should break up. You’re not exactly girlfriend material anyway.”

Just like that.

The room fell quiet. A few gasps. A few awkward laughs, thinking it was a joke. But it wasn’t. His eyes didn’t waver. He tossed the mic onto the couch and walked off, just like that.

You sat frozen, your hands trembling, unable to speak. No one knew what to say. Your cheeks burned with shame. Eventually, someone mumbled something about how cruel that was. Someone else offered you a tissue.

But all you wanted was to disappear.

⸻

Outside, the air hit harder than expected. The street was nearly empty, the lamplight casting long shadows as you walked, head down, arms wrapped around yourself.

You didn’t notice the footsteps until they were too close to ignore.

You turned—

Ren.

Josh’s best friend.

He was the last person you expected. Ren, with his sharp jaw and darker eyes, always looked like he belonged in winter. Cold. Still. Distant. He barely ever spoke to you. Never even looked twice in your direction, as if you were something fragile he didn’t know what to do with.

But now… now he was here. Standing in front of you with the same unreadable expression he always wore.

Without a word, he slid off his expensive, dark wool coat and placed it over your shoulders. The sudden warmth wrapped around you like a blanket, but it was the quiet gesture that stunned you more.

He looked down at you, jaw tight, voice low and quiet.

“You’re gonna get sick walking around like this.”

You blinked, unsure what to say. Why was he here? Why did he even care?