Later, under the dim parking lot lights, Han Tael and his friends exited the locker room, laughter shaking off the earlier tension.

Then came the footsteps.

Heavy. Deliberate.

Jae Vin.

No words. No warning.

A fist shot forward—fast, sharp, unrelenting—

And smashed into Han Tael’s face.

Han Tael hit the ground hard, cheek already swelling from the blow. Blood welled at the corner of his mouth.

“Yo, what the hell!” one of his friends shouted, shoving Jae Vin back, but it was already spiraling out of control.

Jae Vin’s crew surged in, hot-blooded, fists cocked, and chaos erupted. Bodies slammed. Punches flew. Jae Vin lunged back at Han Tael, landing hits with reckless fury, knuckles raw and shaking.

From across the field, Eun Shin burst out of the building, drawn by the noise. Her eyes locked on the brawl. Her face hardened.

“Stop!” she screamed, but no one heard—or no one cared.

Fueled by frustration, she shoved through the crowd, hair wild in the wind. Seok Jun spotted her and ran after her, calling out, “Eun Shin!”

She didn’t slow. Her eyes locked on Jae Vin, still pummeling Han Tael.

Without hesitation, she lunged forward and shoved Jae Vin off. He stumbled back, stunned.

His rage turned immediately. He swung without thinking… until Seok Jun’s hand clamped around his wrist mid-air, halting the strike just inches from Eun Shin’s face.

“Enough,” Seok Jun snapped. His voice cut through the noise like steel. He shoved Jae Vin’s arm away, his glare sharp and furious.

Eun Shin bent beside Han Tael, helping him up. Their eyes met—hers cold, stormy with restrained fury.

“Back off,” Seok Jun ordered, scanning the crowd.

Gradually, the boys retreated, bruised and breathless. The tension lingered in the air like smoke after a fire.

Eun Shin turned to Han Tael. She bowed slightly.

“I’m sorry.”

Han Tael spat blood to the side.

“Some losers just don’t know when to quit.”

Jae Vin bristled, taking a step forward, but Seok Jun threw out a hand to block him again.

“Let it go.”

Eun Shin’s fists were clenched at her sides. She was quiet, but visibly seething. The shame, the spectacle, the absolute childishness of it all.

Seok Jun turned to Han Tael and dipped his head.

“As team captain, I sincerely apologize for what happened.”

Han Tael wiped his mouth and smiled, half-playful, half-vindictive.

“Shouldn’t the one who started it be the one to kneel?”

Jae Vin’s jaw tensed.

“Do you want more?”

Han Tael tilted his head, clearly amused.

“You should teach your teammate some discipline.”

Eun Shin had had enough. She pulled a sticky note from her pocket, scribbled her number, and slapped it onto Han Tael’s chest.

He blinked.

“If you need help with the medical bills, or anything else—text me,” she said, voice cold, precise. “My father will cover it.”

Jae Vin stared at her, stunned, his pride twisting into something bitter.

“I didn’t win,” Han Tael muttered under his breath.

“Hey, don’t—” Jae Vin began.

“Shut it! This is your fault!” Seok Jun barked, turning on him. His voice cracked with frustration, fury and shame tangled into one.

Han Tael smirked and twirled the note in his fingers.

“I’ll take the pretty lady’s number. Expect a call.”

He turned and walked away, bloody but smug.

Eun Shin stood frozen. Her fury was no longer loud—it simmered beneath the surface, quiet and dangerous. She shot one last glare at Jae Vin, then turned sharply and stormed off.

Jae Vin didn’t follow. He just stood there, hands clenched, watching her go, heart pounding with something far messier than victory or defeat.

Something like regret.

Eun Shin went straight home, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her shoulders. Her steps were quiet, deliberate, as if retreating from something she couldn’t name.

Across town, Jae Vin shoved open the club doors, irritation riding high in his chest. He moved with reckless ease, lighting a cigarette and leaning against the bar like he owned the place. Smoke curled around him, veiling his face in a haze that suited the mood.

A small group of women drifted over, their eyes flirtatious, voices dripping with false affection.

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting all night,” one teased, pouting slightly. “I thought you liked me.”

Jae Vin smirked, a flicker of fatigue beneath the usual swagger.

“Sorry, baby,” he said, voice low and smooth. “Got tied up.”

Before the conversation could go further, a man approached with an easy grin and knowing eyes.

“Where the hell were you all day?” he asked, half-laughing as he clapped Jae Vin on the shoulder.

Jae Vin groaned.

“Ugh. School.” He spat the word like it burned his tongue.

The man chuckled and leaned in.

“Why’d you even bother going back? You could’ve had a decent life two years ago if you hadn’t flunked.”

A darker smile curled on Jae Vin’s lips. The charm he wore like armor sharpened into something more cutting.

“Mom needed me to stick around. And hey, school’s not so bad when you get to hang out with girls like her.”

“Oh, right. That little girlfriend of yours.” The man’s voice turned mocking. “What’s her name again? Park… something?”

“Park Eun Shin,” Jae Vin said flatly. His voice lost all playfulness. “Her dad’s a high-ranking judge. My mom thinks she can rope him in—through me.”

The man let out a low whistle and gave him a slap on the back.

“If that works, your family’s golden. Untouchable.”

Jae Vin laughed, sharp and empty, letting the sound rise above the club’s pulsing music. Around him, the lights flashed, the bass thudded, and the world spun fast and bright. He let it consume him.

Then his phone buzzed.

He slid it out of his pocket, thumb hovering over the screen. A new message from Eun Shin.

Love 💗: “If you’re going to keep that behavior up, I don’t want to be a part of it.”

He stared at the screen for a moment, the corner of his lips twitching into a faint smirk. Then he slipped the phone back into his pocket and leaned into the pulse of the club, letting its noise and heat drown out everything else.

Meanwhile, Eun Shin sat on the edge of her bed, brushing her hair in slow, distracted strokes. The room was quiet. Still. But inside her mind, the silence played back the tension from earlier, each moment rewinding like it had something more to say.

NEXT DAY

Eun Shin entered the classroom and headed straight to her seat. Jae Vin wasn’t there.

Seung Jee was already at his desk. The moment he saw her, he sat up straighter, fumbling with a small bottle of matcha in his hands.

“G-Good morning,” he said, bowing quickly. His fingers twitched at the strap of his bag, eyes darting to her, then away.

“Good morning. You’re early today.” Eun Shin smiled as she sat beside him, setting her bag down lightly.

“I—I got you this…” He held out the drink with stiff hands, the matcha bottle trembling slightly in his grip.

Her eyes lit up. “Thank you! How did you know I like this one?”

“I-I saw it… in your book the other day. It was sticking out…” His gaze dropped as his ears turned red.

“That’s so observant of you.” She chuckled softly and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Seriously, this is really thoughtful. Thanks.”

She pressed the bottle to her cheek with a grin, warm and teasing. Seung Jee nodded, a small smile pulling at the edge of his lips. His posture eased, the tension in his shoulders unwinding.

Jae Vin passed by outside the doorway just then. He caught sight of them talking—Eun Shin smiling, Seung Jee grinning awkwardly—and his eyes darkened.

Rena, nearby, followed his gaze. She tapped him on the shoulder.

“What?” Jae Vin snapped.

Rena just smirked.

“That’s the transfer student. The one who stutters.”

Jae Vin scoffed.

“A stuttering idiot? What a loser.”

Rena leaned in, voice honey-smooth.

“She’s nice to him… Maybe a bit too nice.”

Jae Vin’s jaw twitched. Without another word, he stormed into his classroom, ignoring Eun Shin entirely. Rena smiled to herself and followed.

Back at the desk, Eun Shin flipped through a report card Seung Jee had brought from his old school.

“Wow. You’re so smart!” she said with genuine delight.

Seung Jee turned red.

“M-My f-father… don’t think so…” His voice faded.

Eun Shin’s expression softened. She reached out and patted his shoulder.

“My father tells me I’m the most stubborn daughter in his entire world. I think sometimes dads are just… hard-headed.”

He nodded slowly, still nervous but smiling a little. Then he quieted again, looking at her, unsure what to say.

Eun Shin tilted her head.

“You’re quiet. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or stress, but… you should have more confidence in yourself.”

Seung Jee’s fingers twitched. His hands were sweaty, and he shifted in his seat.

“I-I… I g-get nerv-vous…” he stammered.

Eun Shin’s voice dropped to a gentler tone.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” she said. “But don’t lose faith in yourself.”

He met her eyes for a moment, then nodded.

“Y-Yes…”

She smiled at him and cracked open the matcha bottle. After a sip, she leaned back and began swaying side to side in a playful rhythm.

“I really love this drink!” she beamed.

Seung Jee blinked, then chuckled at her happy dance. Her joy seemed to light up the space between them.

Students began trickling in as the bell neared.

When the lunch bell finally rang, chatter filled the halls. At Eun Shin’s table, Rena slammed her palms down in front of her.

Eun Shin looked up.

“Lunch with us today?” Rena asked, too sweetly.

Eun Shin hesitated. She wanted to say no.

But she nodded instead.

“Okay.”

She left her bag behind and followed the crowd.

Meanwhile, Seung Jee quietly moved through the lunch line. He grabbed a tray, picked up a few items, then reached for a drink.

Suddenly—

THUD.

His tray crashed to the ground. Food splattered across the tile. Gasps rippled through the cafeteria as heads turned.

Jae Vin stood beside him, smirking.

“Oops. Didn’t see you there,” he muttered, brushing past like nothing happened.

Seung Jee froze. Trembling, he stared at the mess. He could feel the weight of every stare, every whisper crawling across his skin.

Across the room, Eun Shin saw everything.

Without hesitating, she pushed through the crowd, grabbed paper towels from a nearby counter, and knelt beside him.

“Here. Clean up,” she said gently, offering them to him.

Seung Jee reached out, hesitant, shaken. But before he could take them—

Smack.

Jae Vin slapped the towels from her hands.

Eun Shin looked up at him, eyes flashing.

“What is your problem?”

Jae Vin just smiled, calm and poisonous.

“My girlfriend is my problem,” he said coolly. “Where were you last night?”

He reached for her hand lightly, possessively. 

She slapped it away.

“I told you—I’m done with your bullshit.” Her voice was sharp, cutting.

“I don’t want any part of this. This childish stunt?” She gestured at the mess. “Exactly what I mean.”

Then, without waiting for a reply, she turned to Seung Jee, grabbed his arm, and pulled him out of the cafeteria.

She didn’t let go until they were tucked away in the farthest restroom.

Eun Shin stood by the door, arms crossed. Seung Jee ducked into the stall to change into his gym clothes. When he emerged, holding his soiled uniform in his arms, his face was tight with shame.

Eun Shin met his eyes with a soft smile.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “That happened because of me.”

Seung Jee shook his head quickly.

“I-It’s not y-your fault…”

But Eun Shin sighed, folding her arms again.

“No. He did it to provoke me. Because I ignored him last night.” Her voice dropped, clouded with guilt.

Seung Jee stepped closer, his voice a little steadier now.

“L-Lunch will be o-over soon. Y-you need to eat.”

Eun Shin blinked, surprised. Then she let out a small laugh.

“You’re worried about my stomach? You didn’t eat either.”

Seung Jee blushed, caught.

“I-I…”

She smiled and reached out a hand.

“Let’s just go back. If anything, I’ll explain to the teacher.”

He looked down at her hand, then back up… and smiled.

Together, they walked toward the classroom. He paused to tuck his clothes into his bag, then followed her into the gym for PE.

They were late. The coach looked up, eyes narrowing—

Then saw Eun Shin beside him.

She met his gaze, unmoving. Daring him.

That’s… his daughter. I’ll turn a blind eye for today. The coach hesitated. Then looked away, pretending not to notice.

Eun Shin smirked. She nudged Seung Jee gently toward the benches, the two of them slipping behind the others.