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"What's going on here?"
Serena's confused voice cut through the tension as she walked towards them, eyes darting from one face to another. "Why does it feel like I just walked into a crime scene?" She frowned, then narrowed her gaze at her brother before turning to Noah—who was still gripping Yunah's wrist. Her eyes dropped pointedly to his hand."You… you're Noah, right?"
Sharon scoffed, irritation flashing across his face. "Do you know what this kid just said to me?" he snapped, glaring at Noah. The air around Noah felt heavy—intimidating, sharp.Yunah tried to pull her hand free. Only then did she realize how tight his grip actually was.
"What did he say?" Serena asked casually, almost bored—clearly not sensing the brewing storm.
"Don't call me a kid." Noah's voice was low, cold, clipped as he stared straight at Sharon.
Sharon let out a mocking laugh and stepped closer, standing nearly chest to chest with him."Then what should I call you? Da? Uncle? Or maybe grandfather?" His tone was deliberately rude, pushing limits.
Noah's jaw clenched—but he held himself back, only because Yunah was there.
"Serena," Sharon continued, "you won't believe this. He told me not to touch Yunah. Like she's some object that belongs to him."
Serena's expression hardened instantly. She snapped her gaze to Sharon.
"Did you touch her?"
"No!" Sharon shot back. "I was just removing a piece of paper from her hair. That's all." He glared at Noah again. "And he goes, 'don't touch what's not yours.' Seriously?"
"I warned you," Noah said quietly, eyes dark. "Don't. Call me. A kid."
"Enough."
Yunah's voice finally cut through—sharp, controlled, angry. "Both of you, stop." She turned to Noah, her eyes cold. "And Noah—let go of my hand."
For a second, Noah hesitated.
Then slowly—reluctantly—he released her hand.
Sharon exhaled and straightened. "Now," he said, calmer but curious, "can someone explain who this guy is?"
"Yunah?"
Meanwhile, in that exact moment, a familiar voice came from behind which made Yunah stiff in where she was standing. She turned—and her expression dropped instantly after seeing Meena approaching them. Serena's face turned visibly soured too.
"It's so nice meeting you all here," Meena said brightly, her smile painfully fake.
"Yeah. Yeah," Serena replied flatly, offering a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Meena leaned closer to Yunah, lightly bumping her shoulder. "Oh! I didn't realize your boyfriend was here too." Her tone was teasing—too teasing.
"Boyfriend?" Sharon echoed, startled.
"Oops," Meena gasped, placing a hand over her mouth. "Did I spill the tea?" She tilted her head, pretending to be cute. Serena looked like she might throw up any moment feeling cringe and disgusting.
"Wait," Sharon said slowly, staring between Yunah and Noah. Then his eyes widened in realization. "So… he's—"
"I'm so sorry," Meena interrupted sweetly. "I thought you knew, Sharon da. Since you all are together."
"This cunning fox," Serena muttered—loud enough.
"Did you said something, Serena?" Meena asked, hiding offense behind her smile.
"Nope," Serena replied with exaggerated cheer.
"Well," Meena said smoothly, "I'll see you all tomorrow at the reunion." Her eyes flicked to Noah. "I hope you'll be there too." Then she walked away, leaving a bad taste behind.
As soon as Meena left, Noah turned his gaze towards Sharon "Got your answer now?" Noah asked Sharon coldly.
"Noah, don't start," Yunah snapped. "Go back to your work."
"Noah!"
A young woman hurried towards them. She was beautiful—fair-skinned, model-like, long softly curled hair loose over her shoulders. She wore baggy jeans and a white T-shirt, effortlessly radiant.
Noah didn't respond —his attention was still on Yunah.
She reached him, slightly breathless. "Everyone's looking for you. What are you doing here?" Her gaze shifted to Yunah, Serena, and Sharon. "Who are they?"
"You don't need to know," Noah replied flatly.
"Noah," Yunah said firmly. "Don't be rude." She turned to the girl with a gentle smile. "I'm his sister. And you are?"
The word sister made Noah's expression harden instantly.
"Oh!" The girl bowed politely. "I'm Nisha—Noah's classmate." There was a glow in her eyes that Yunah didn't miss.
"No need to bow like that," Serena said casually, stepping in. "You look like someone meeting her boyfriend's guardians."
Nisha's face turned crimson while Yunah laughed softly and nudged Serena. "Stop teasing."
"Di, I'll go now," Noah said, ignoring Nisha completely. "Please wait for me. Let's go home together."
Yunah nodded. Noah shot one last warning glare at Sharon and walked off. Nisha hurried after him.
Yunah watched them go—his tall figure beside her youthful brightness. A strange heaviness settled in her chest. He deserves someone like her, she thought. Young. Cheerful. Uncomplicated.
"Yunah—" Sharon began.
"He's not my boyfriend," Yunah said immediately, not letting him finish. "He's my brother's friend. I can't explain more—but he's not my boyfriend."
Sharon smiled, relief clear on his face. "I knew it," he said softly. "Still… I needed to be sure."
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Everything had been going fine.The band practice filled the stadium with rhythmic beats and laughter. Yunah, Sharon, and Serena sat on the bleachers, watching, relaxed—until a sudden surge of noise erupted from the far corner of the field. Shouts. Chaos. A ripple of panic.Yunah's attention snapped toward it. Her breath caught when saw Noah. He was in the middle of a fight with a group of college students. His body was tense, coiled like a spring ready to snap. Ivan was gripping his arm, desperately trying to pull him back, but Noah was barely registering it.Yunah stood up instantly and ran towards him.
"Yunah—!" Serena called, jumping up. Sharon followed close behind.
With every step Yunah took, Noah's face became clearer—and more terrifying. His eyes were dark, feral, bloodthirsty. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone white. Ivan lost his hold and Noah broke free.
His fist swung.
The punch landed with a sickening thud. The boy collapsed on the ground, unconscious before he even hit it. Girls screamed. Panic spread through the crowd.
"Stop!" someone shouted.
Nisha rushed forward, grabbing at Noah's arm, pleading with him—but he didn't hear her. He didn't hear anyone.
Yunah pushed through the crowd, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. Noah raised his fist again—ready to strike another boy—
"NOAH!"
Yunah stepped directly in front of him freezing the time for Noah. His fist stopped mid-air.The moment his eyes met hers, something in him cracked. The rage wavered.
Yunah reached out slowly, carefully, wrapping her fingers around his clenched fist. Her touch was gentle, grounding—anchoring.
"It's okay," she whispered.
His body stiffened… then softened. The storm in his eyes began to fade. His breathing slowed, each harsh inhale easing into something steadier. His fingers loosened in her grasp.
For the first time since the fight started, Noah finally let himself breathe. And everyone around them stood frozen—watching the one person who could stop him… do exactly that.