The bell rangs ..
(Recess time)
A soft murmur of chatter filled the room as students stretched, pulled out snacks, or left to roam the hallways.
Yuri had laid his head down again, resting it on his folded arm across the desk. His eyes were closed, lashes casting faint shadows against his cheeks, and his chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. Almost like he was asleep—but not quite.
Y/N glanced toward the hallway, where most of the class had already poured out, laughing and snacking, trading stories and candies. A few stayed behind, but they were caught up in their own little cliques, chatting in low voices or scrolling through their phones.
But Yuri… just sat there. Alone. Still. Unbothered.
Why didn't he go out with the others? she wondered, It's recess… doesn't he want to eat something? Or maybe talk to someone?
She watched him for a few more seconds, hesitant thoughts flickering in her mind. He always had that mysterious air about him—present, but never truly part of the crowd. Like he was in the same room but living in a different time.
Y/N quietly closed her book and stacked it on top of her notes. She stretched her arms a little, letting out a small yawn. Just as she was about to pull out her water bottle, a voice called out from the doorway.
"Hey, Y/N!"
She looked up, blinking in surprise.
There, leaning casually against the doorframe, was a guy with tousled hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes. He had that lazy kind of charisma, like he didn't try to be charming—he just was. He raised his hand in a small wave, and beside him stood a bright-looking girl with her hair down in , She grinned wide, mouthing a big "HELLO" in all caps without making a sound.
Y/N stood up a little straighter, practically glowing.
"Finally!" Rakki laughed, stepping in first. "I thought we'd have to drag you out of here again."
Cin tossed her a small pack of pie . "You didn't eat during first period, right?"
Y/N caught it with a grateful grin. "You guys are the best."
"Obviously," Cin said, casually leaning against the desk beside hers.
Rakki plopped into the chair in front of her, flipping it backwards so she could lean her arms across the top.
"Lets go to canteen " said Rakki
"Ok sure" y/n said
When she tries to stand up Yuri said something in a lazy voice without open his eyes .. " class will starts at 10 minutes" and sleep again
Time skips to Canteen
Soon, the three of them—Y/N, Cin, and Rakki—headed to the canteen to grab something to eat.
The place was already filling up. The smell of warm bread, fried snacks, and sweet milk tea floated in the air. Students stood in lines, some chatting loudly, others scrolling through their phones.
As they walked in, Y/N noticed something strange.
People were looking at her. Not everyone, but enough to feel it. Some whispered to their friends while glancing her way.
She shifted uncomfortably.
Cin noticed and leaned over. "Ignore them," he said casually, handing her a juice box. "We'll sit in the corner."
"More space over there anyway," Rakki added with a grin, pretending not to notice the stares.
They went to a table in the corner, where it was quieter and roomy. Y/N unwrapped her sandwich but couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her.
Then, she saw him.
Yuri walked into the canteen with his group of friends. He didn't laugh or talk much, just followed quietly behind. They took the front table—not far from where she sat.
As he sat down, Yuri looked at her.
His gaze was calm but deep, like he was thinking something. He didn't smile. He didn't wave. He just looked at her.
And then… looked away, as if nothing happened.
Y/N blinked and looked down at her sandwich.
"…weird," she whispered to herself.
Rakki leaned over. "What's weird?"
Y/N shook her head. "Nothing."
But she couldn't stop thinking about his eyes.
Y/N took another bite of her sandwich, trying to ignore the strange feeling settling in her chest. But she could still feel that one look—Yuri's eyes, calm and unreadable, like he knew something she didn't.
Cin suddenly leaned in across the table, lowering his voice.
"Why is your bench mate looking at you like he wants to devour you?"
Y/N's eyes widened. "Huh?"
Cin nodded toward the front table. "Yuri. He keeps glancing this way."
Rakki made a face and waved it off. "Ignore, girl. He's the most dangerous one."
Y/N blinked. "Dangerous? Why? Who is he?
Rakki sat up a little, her tone turning more serious. "This university… it's not just about classes and clubs, Y/N. There's a lot going on behind the scenes. Stuff most students never talk about."
Y/N frowned. "Like what?"
Rakki pointed with her eyes—subtle, careful. "You see Yuri, right? He's the leader of a group called Shadow. Not an official club or anything, but people know. Everyone knows."
Y/N looked back at the table. Yuri sat straight, quiet, saying nothing while his friends joked around.
Rakki continued. "That tall guy sitting beside him? That's Keifer. His right hand. Smart, serious. Handles things quietly."
"And the one with vest?" Cin added. "David. He's a fighter"
Rakki grinned. "And the cute one with soft hair .. That's Felix. Don't be fooled. He's sweet, but he's in deep with the Shadow gang too."
Y/N stared at them, heart skipping a bit. "Gang? Like… real gang?"
"They don't bother normal students," Rakki said. "But they have their world. And you just got noticed by their leader."
Y/N felt her fingers tighten around her juice box.
"Why would he be looking at me?"
Rakki shrugged. "That's the part we don't know."
After lunch, Y/N said goodbye to Rakki and Cin at the canteen doors. Their sections were in a different building, and she had to head back alone.
The hallway was quieter now. Most students were already settling into class. Y/N walked slowly, her strawberry juice still in hand, her heart beating just a little faster.
She reached the classroom and stepped in. A few students looked up, but no one said anything. She quietly made her way to her seat—beside Yuri.
He was already there, his notebook closed, head leaning slightly against the window as if lost in thought.
Y/N hesitated, then sat down beside him.
"…Hey," she said, her voice soft.
She gave him an awkward smile, her eyes not quite meeting his.
Yuri didn't look at her. Instead, his eyes dropped to her hand—the one holding the strawberry juice. He said nothing, just stared at it for a second longer than usual.
Y/N blinked, confused. Does he want it?
She gently placed the drink on the desk between them and nudged it toward him. "You want?"
Finally, Yuri spoke, his voice low and calm.
"…Strawberry smells like girls."
Then, without another word, he turned his head and looked out the window.
Y/N sat frozen, not sure how to react. Her hand hovered near the drink, unsure if she should take it back or just let it sit there.
What does that even mean? she wondered, stunned.
Before she could say anything else, the class teacher walked in.
"Everyone, take your seats. Let's begin."
Y/N sat up straight, her heart still doing little flips.And beside her, Yuri didn't say another word.
Flashback – One Day Before Y/N's Transfer
The front door clicked open as Yuri stepped inside, his bag slung over one shoulder. It was late. The hallway lights were dim, and the house was quiet, except for one light coming from the living room.
As he walked in, a deep voice called out.
"Let's talk, Yuri."
Yuri stopped in his tracks. His father was sitting on the sofa, arms crossed, waiting.
Yuri let out a quiet sigh and walked over. He dropped his bag beside the couch and sat across from him, leaning back lazily.
His father looked serious. "You have a duty from tomorrow."
Yuri raised his eyes slightly, saying nothing.
"It's simple," his father continued. "You know Uncle Fernandez, right?"
Yuri gave a small nod.
"He has a daughter. Same age as you. They've been close to us for years—we do business together, and he's my old buddy."
There was a short pause. His father's voice softened a little.
"Uncle Fernandez is in the hospital now. Serious condition. His daughter is transferring to your university starting tomorrow. He asked me to look after her."
Yuri stayed silent, his face unreadable.
His father looked him straight in the eyes. "I want you to protect her. That's all I'm asking."
Yuri leaned his elbow on the armrest, fingers against his cheek, still not replying.
His father added, "Just keep her safe. That's your job now. I'll explain everything to you… someday."
Yuri finally gave a small nod, quiet and calm.
"Understood."
Present time
The classroom was quiet. The teacher's voice echoed through the room as the lesson went on, but Yuri wasn't listening.
He sat still beside Y/N, his gaze fixed on the window, but his mind somewhere else.
Protect her… that's all I'm asking.
His father's words echoed again and again.
Yuri kept his face calm, but inside, something didn't sit right. He wasn't the type to ask too many questions—but this time, something felt different.
Why her?
He glanced at Y/N from the corner of his eye. She was scribbling something in her notebook, eyes focused, brows slightly furrowed in thought.
She doesn't even know anything, he thought. She's just… normal. Quiet. A little awkward.
He looked back out the window.
Uncle Fernandez is in the hospital. The business…
Yuri's fingers tapped the edge of the desk slowly.
Is there something I don't know?
His family's business had always been a shadowy thing. Deals, names, people he was told not to ask about. He never cared much—until now.
Because now, there was someone sitting beside him who didn't belong in that world.
And yet, somehow, she was part of it.