The laughter and jeers of the boys froze the street around them. Ara's chest heaved; every muscle tensed as the one boy who had tried to touch her arm earlier sneered again.
Then—sharp, sudden—Yoonseok Bean stepped forward. His fist connected with the boy's jaw with a resounding crack. Time seemed to split. The street grew silent. Even Ara's breath caught in her throat.
She stared at the figure beside her, heart hammering—not just from fear, but disbelief. Someone was actually standing there for her. Protecting her.
> "What… what the hell?!" the boy spat, clutching his face, shock wide in his eyes.
> "You just lost, buddy," Yoonseok said calmly, his dark eyes narrowing, lips tilting in that faint, confident smirk that somehow made the air around him sharper.
Ara's hands trembled at her sides. She wanted to step back—but she couldn't. Her body froze, too much fear and too many memories swirling together: the alley, the panic, the feeling of helplessness from six years ago.
The remaining boys advanced, anger burning in their eyes, but Yoonseok didn't flinch. He moved like a storm contained in calm skin, fists striking, elbows dodging, every motion precise. Ara could only watch, heart thundering, as they staggered back, each hit landing with a mix of awe and fear.
Then… silence. The boys ran. Ara blinked, chest heaving, and noticed the phone lying abandoned on the pavement.
Yoonseok bent down, grabbed it—but his eyes snapped back to her. And in that instant, he saw her falter.
She crumpled to the ground like a shadow folding in on itself, her body limp. Ara's eyes were half-closed, pale, lips parted. The past—memories of 2014—hit her like a tidal wave, dragging her down into a whirlpool of fear and helplessness.
> "Ara!" Yoonseok's voice cut through the haze. Panic sharpened his tone as he rushed forward.
He didn't hesitate. Arms wrapping firmly around her, he lifted her bridal-style, cradling her like she was weightless and priceless all at once.
> "Stay with me, please… don't you dare pass out on me!" he muttered, voice rough but laced with urgency.
Ara's body remained limp against him, heart thrashing, but somewhere in that desperate, flaring panic, a sliver of safety settled in. For the first time in years, someone didn't scare her.
Yoonseok dashed through the streets, each step pounding with fear, anger, and determination. Her head rested against his chest, hair brushing his collarbone, and he felt every shiver, every trembling breath.
[Hospital Scene – Late Evening]
The steady beep… beep… of the heart monitor echoed faintly. Ara stirred on the bed, eyelids fluttering open. The white ceiling light stung her vision at first. She blinked, trying to adjust, her breath uneven as she slowly realized—she wasn't outside anymore.
Her fingers clutched at the sheets. Confusion and frustration flickered across her face. She shifted, trying to sit up, but a dull ache shot through her back. She winced.
The door creaked open.
Yoonseok stepped in, carrying a small pharmacy bag in one hand. His tall frame filled the doorway before he calmly walked in.
"Hey," his voice was low, steady. "Go easy on yourself. Don't push too hard… just rest."
Ara froze at the sudden presence of a stranger. Her body stiffened, eyes narrowing in instinctive alertness. But then memory hit—this was the man who had stepped in earlier… the man who had saved her. A wave of relief softened her expression, though caution lingered in her eyes.
He walked closer and pulled out the chair beside her bed, sitting down casually but not carelessly. The paper bag rustled in his hand as he placed it on the small side table.
> "Are you okay?" he asked, his gaze steady.
Ara hesitated before answering, her voice quiet.
> "Yes… I'm fine. Thank you… for earlier."
Yoonseok's lips curved into the faintest smile, though his eyes betrayed concern.
> "Just take good care of yourself. That's what matters."
Ara gave a slight nod, but her guarded posture didn't change.
The smile faded from his face, replaced with a more serious look. His tone dropped, low and careful.
> "Are you really okay?"
The question struck her like a blow. Ara flinched, looking away, her fingers gripping the blanket tightly.
> "I… I said I'm fine," she murmured. "I just collapsed because of stress. That's all."
For a long second, silence hung between them. Yoonseok studied her, his jaw tightening as if he wanted to press further. But instead, he leaned back, crossing his arms.
> "Fine. If you say so… it's good to know."
His voice was calm, but his eyes told a different story—he didn't believe her.
Because earlier, when Ara had been unconscious on this very bed, the doctor had entered with an injection. Yoonseok had watched silently as the man gently rolled up Ara's sleeve. What he saw had frozen him.
Her upper arm… lined with faint, healed scratches. Some deeper, more jagged, scars that told stories he couldn't piece together.
Yoonseok had cursed silently under his breath. What the hell happened to you…
The doctor's hand had paused for a moment too long, his expression shadowed with worry, before he continued with the injection. Afterward, as he lowered the sleeve back down, the doctor's eyes briefly met Yoonseok's. Serious. Unspoken.
> "Meet me outside when she's resting," the doctor had whispered before leaving the room.
Now, sitting beside Ara, Yoonseok's mind replayed that moment. He kept his expression composed, not wanting to alarm her, but the weight of those scars gnawed at him.
He looked at her—frail, yet trying to act unshaken—and quietly clenched his fists beneath the table.
[Scene: University Health Cabin – Afternoon]
The white curtains sway softly from the breeze coming through the slightly open window. Ara sits quietly on the bed, her hands gripping the blanket. Yoonseok sits in the chair beside her, leaning forward slightly, as if debating whether to say something. His jaw tightens, worry flickering in his eyes.
Yoonseok (hesitant, softly)
"…You really should be more careful. Don't just… walk around like that when you're not feeling well."
Ara looks at him, startled by the gentle tone. She opens her mouth, but before she can respond, the door bursts open.
[Enter Mina – dramatically rushing in]
Mina
"Araaaa! Are you okay?!"
She hurries over, her face full of worry, clutching Ara's hand tightly. Ara flinches almost imperceptibly at the sudden touch—but hides it quickly, forcing a smile. Mina notices, her eyes softening with quiet guilt.
Ara (softly)
"Mina… I'm fine. Really."
Mina (shaking her head, whispering fiercely)
"No, you're not. Don't you dare say you're fine when you look like this."
Ara lowers her gaze. Mina squeezes her hand again, gentler this time, careful not to trigger her trauma. She knows Ara's secret, the fear that never fully leaves her. She swallows down her own tears, trying to act normal.
Yoonseok stands slowly, slipping his hands into his pockets. His eyes linger on Ara with a warm, protective look, but he doesn't push.
Yoonseok (quiet, steady)
"…Take care of yourself, okay? That's all I'll say."
Ara blinks, surprised by his restraint. He gives her one last glance—something heavy, something unspoken—and then walks out of the cabin. The door shuts behind him.
Silence lingers for a beat before Mina plops into the chair Yoonseok left behind, sighing dramatically.
Mina (leaning close, whispering like gossip)
"…Ara. I heard he's from your high school. Do you know him?"
Ara (frowning, confused)
"…High school? Him?"
Mina (throwing her hands up)
"Yes! How can you not recognize him? He's so handsome!"
Ara looks genuinely lost, trying to recall. She shakes her head slightly.
Ara
"I… don't remember. I've never seen him before."
Mina (gasping, clutching her forehead like it's a crime)
"Unbelievable! Ara Jeon, how can you not remember a face like that?! He's not just anyone—he was from your school!"
Ara presses her lips together, staring down at her hands.
Ara (soft, guilty)
"…Back then… I didn't really pay attention to people. I guess…"
Mina watches her for a moment, her dramatic expression softening into sympathy. Then she crosses her arms and huffs, switching back into her teasing self.
Mina
"Well, his name is Yoonseok. Crime Major. Same year as us—second year. Oh, and he took a study gap too, like you."
Ara's head lifts slightly at that.
Ara (thinking aloud)
"…He's… like me then."
Mina (nodding quickly)
"Mmhm! But don't be fooled. That jerk doesn't act like his father at all. You know the rumor? His father's a police officer."
Ara (eyes widening)
"…A police officer?"
Mina (rolling her eyes)
"Yeah. But Yoonseok? Pfft. Totally the opposite. Always fighting, acting tough, being a bad boy… and don't even get me started—he's a total flirt!"
Ara lets out a quiet breath, looking down again.
Ara (inner monologue, softly)
"…First of all, he saved my life. He can't be all that bad. Maybe… the rumors don't tell the whole story."