Chapter 3 – Bruises could play out:

The day had been normal enough—meaning Eric had annoyed Sunwoo every possible chance he got. By the time evening study hours ended, Sunwoo was more than ready to go home.

But the streets outside the school were unusually dark. A group of older guys loitered near the alleyway, leaning against walls, cigarettes glowing faintly. Sunwoo tightened his grip on his bag and kept walking.

“Hey, kid.” One of them stepped forward, blocking his path. “Got some cash?”

Sunwoo’s throat tightened. He wasn’t helpless—he had his tongue and a mean glare—but these weren’t classmates he could sass and get away with.

He opened his mouth to say something sharp anyway—when a voice cut through the tension.

“Back off.”

Eric.

He strolled out of the shadows like he owned the place, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes dark.

The older guys sneered. “What’s this? Your boyfriend coming to save you?”

Sunwoo’s ears burned. “He’s not—!”

But Eric didn’t flinch. He stepped closer, his tone dropping. “Say that again.”

The air shifted. The easygoing smirk Sunwoo was used to wasn’t there. Eric’s jaw was tight, shoulders tense like he was seconds from throwing a punch.

The group hesitated, muttered curses, then scattered, not willing to test him.

Sunwoo exhaled shakily, knees weak. “You—what the hell are you doing here?”

Eric turned, his usual grin sliding back into place like a mask. “You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t ask you to save me.”

“You didn’t have to.” Eric’s eyes flicked over him, checking him up and down so quickly Sunwoo almost missed it. “You’d probably get yourself killed with that mouth of yours.”

Sunwoo bristled. “Excuse me?”

Eric leaned in close, voice low and taunting, but with an edge that wasn’t there before. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I just don’t like anyone else messing with you.”

Sunwoo froze, caught between outrage and… something else. His heart pounded, louder than it should.

Eric stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets again. “C’mon, I’ll walk you home before you pick another fight.”

Sunwoo wanted to argue, to shake him off, but his legs moved anyway, following. The night air was sharp, and every step beside Eric felt heavier than it should.

Sunwoo’s cheek stung every time the wind touched it. He kept his head down, hoodie pulled up, wishing no one would notice. But bruises that dark weren’t easy to hide.

The thugs from before had cornered him again, furious that he’d slipped away last time. This time, Eric hadn’t been there.

Sunwoo clicked his tongue. “Tch. Figures. The so-called ‘hero’ only shows up once.”

He wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of tears, but his lip throbbed with every word.

At school the next morning, Eric spotted him immediately. Sunwoo had thought the hoodie would cover enough—but Eric’s eyes narrowed the moment he saw the edge of purple peeking out from under it.

“What the hell happened to your face?” Eric’s voice was low, sharp.

“None of your business.” Sunwoo tried to push past him.

Eric grabbed his wrist, harder than usual. “Don’t play games. Who did it?”

Sunwoo yanked back, glaring. “Why do you care? This probably happened because of you.”

The words landed harder than Sunwoo expected. Eric’s hand dropped. His jaw clenched, but he didn’t say anything at first.

Finally, his voice came out rough. “…Those bastards from the alley?”

Sunwoo stayed silent, which was answer enough.

Eric let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Of course. Should’ve known. I scare them off once, and they take it out on you.” His voice rose, angry—not at Sunwoo, but at himself. “Damn it.”

Sunwoo blinked. Was Eric… blaming himself?

“Stop making that face,” Eric snapped suddenly, noticing his stare. He shoved his hands into his pockets, like he needed somewhere to put the frustration. “I’ll handle it.”

“Handle it? What are you, some kind of vigilante?” Sunwoo scoffed, but his voice was weaker than usual.

Eric stepped closer, eyes burning. “If anyone’s gonna mess with you, it’ll be me. Got that?”

Sunwoo’s chest tightened, heat rushing up his neck. He hated that his heart skipped at those words—that Eric could turn even something so twisted into… something else.

He forced a smirk. “Wow. What an honor. Should I thank you for being my exclusive bully?”

Eric rolled his eyes, but a corner of his mouth twitched, almost a smile. “Damn right.”

Sunwoo turned away quickly before Eric could see his ears turning red.

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