“you should stop doing that.” your words broke the silence in the room, but it was so quiet that it seemed like he could hear your heart beating fast. the sight of his broken knuckles, the abrasions on his cheeks, and the puckered expression on his face every time the alcohol-soaked cotton touched his scratches left a pain in your chest.

you went to different schools, but that didn't stop him from protecting you from the bullies at your school. why did they start bullying you? you didn't know. maybe because you were too quiet, didn't smoke in school toilets, didn't bully people weaker than you, and listened attentively to teachers? It was easy to become a bullying target, but it seemed impossible to get rid of this status. It was to deal with this that Su-ho started meeting you from school and escorting you home.

no matter how many times your classmates got their noses kicked by Su-ho, it seemed like they didn't want to leave you alone at all. Su-ho genuinely did not understand how a crowd could try to put pressure on one person. it wasn't fair. you were too kind, too cute, too pretty, and he liked you too much, but the sight of your previously radiant eyes turning hollow fueled his desire for revenge.

“stop doing it? what are you saying? you didn't do anything to them, and these bastards—“ he paused, noticing how your fingers holding the alcohol-soaked cotton ball hovered over his cheek as he saw the doubt in your eyes. you shouldn't worry about him so much, he can take care of himself and he volunteered to protect you, but you kept blaming yourself for the sight of the new bruises on his skin.

“listen, I'll deal with them once and for all tomorrow. they'll be afraid to even look at you.”his voice softened as he tried to reassure you, placing his hand firmly on your free arm. his gaze was penetrating, but there was still a storm of emotions brewing within him. tomorrow, he's not going to hold back his strength anymore.