Minjae sat quietly in class, pretending to listen, but his eyes were dull, staring through the window at nothing in particular. His body was there, but his mind was still stuck on the threat note crumpled in his pocket.
He'd been avoiding both Hyunwoo and Jisoo for days now, slipping away during breaks, making excuses after school.The less they knew, the safer they'd be.
That's what he kept telling himself.
But Jisoo wasn't the type to let things slide.
When the final bell rang, Minjae was the first out the door, trying to disappear into the crowd, but Jisoo's sharp gaze was already locked on him.
"Minjae!" she called out.
He flinched but kept walking.Faster.Faster.
"You're running now?" her voice came again, closer this time. "Wow, didn't know you joined track."
He turned a corner, hoping to shake her off, but she was already there, leaning casually against the wall like she'd been waiting all along.
"You're bad at hiding," she said, her tone bored but her eyes serious.
Minjae avoided her gaze. "I'm just in a rush today."
"Liar." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "What's going on? You've been dodging me and Hyunwoo for days."
"It's nothing. Just school stuff."
She clicked her tongue, crossing her arms. "Try again."
Minjae's grip tightened around his bag strap. "Jisoo, I… I just don't want you guys to get involved."
Her expression didn't change, but there was something sharp beneath her usual laziness now.
"Too late," she said.
That evening, Jisoo hung around outside the convenience store where rumors said the debt kids usually lingered.She'd heard enough whispers. If someone was threatening Minjae, they'd have to go through her first.
Two guys appeared — not much older, rough uniforms, smug grins.They were loud, pushing some first-years around for pocket change.
Jisoo's sharp eyes locked onto them.
"Hey," she called out, her voice flat and disinterested, like she was barely awake.
One of the guys turned, sizing her up. "Huh? You lost, girl?"
"I heard you've been bothering someone," she said, stepping closer.
"And who's asking?"
She shrugged lazily. "Minjae's friend."
The name made them pause.
The taller guy laughed. "So? What, you gonna fight for him?"
Jisoo tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint, cold smile. "Maybe."
The taller one swung first, a cocky jab straight at her face.Jisoo dodged effortlessly, her body moving like she was dancing.
With a swift step, she drove her knee into his gut. He doubled over.
His friend cursed and rushed her. Jisoo spun, delivering a sharp kick to his ribs, sending him crashing into the wall.
Her expression never changed — bored, cold, effortless.
"You think he's alone?" she said softly, dusting off her uniform. "Think again."
The two struggled to their feet, groaning as they limped away.
"You'll regret this!" one spat.
Jisoo shoved her hands in her pockets, her lazy air returning. "Yeah, yeah. Tell your boss to come find me if he's got a problem."
When she saw Minjae the next day, she didn't mention the fight.
She just sat next to him like nothing happened, popping a piece of gum into her mouth.
But Minjae noticed her scraped knuckles.
He opened his mouth to ask — but she cut him off with a look.
"Don't overthink it," she said lazily. "I'm just bored."
But Minjae knew.Deep down, he knew.
She was already fighting for him.