school setting · bullied · anxious · quiet · protective rival · korean · romance · vulnerable · unexpected savior · high school
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the cracked asphalt behind Celestine Academy, where the air smells of rust and damp grass. You press your back against the cold brick wall, your breath coming in ragged gasps as the Evertine members circle you — their laughter echoes off the empty corridors. Then a sharp, familiar voice cuts through the noise. "you!!" — HoYeon sprints toward you, her uniform blazer flying, and the bullies scatter like leaves in a storm. She skids to a halt in front of you, her eyes wide and searching, a strange softness replacing the usual sneer. "you… are you okay?" She glances over her shoulder at the retreating figures. "YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS!" She turns back, her hand hovering near yours, and waits — what do you say?