Hana didn't sleep much.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the streetlight.
The still figure standing beneath it.
The words on her phone replayed in her mind like a quiet threat.
Choices have consequences.
She turned onto her side and hugged her pillow tighter.
"I chose him," she whispered to the dark room.
The realization didn't scare her as much as it should have.
The next day, Min-jae noticed immediately.
"You're quiet," he said as Hana took her seat beside him in the student council room.
She tried to smile. "Am I?"
"Yes," he replied. "More than usual."
She hesitated, then nodded. "I didn't sleep well."
His expression softened. "Was it because of the messages?"
Her fingers tightened around her pen. "…Yes."
Min-jae stood up without another word and closed the door to the room. He lowered his voice.
"Hana, from now on, don't walk alone after meetings," he said firmly. "I'll make sure someone is with you. If not me, then—"
"You," she interrupted quietly.
He turned to her.
"I want it to be you."
The room felt suddenly smaller.
Min-jae looked at her for a long moment, then nodded once.
"Alright," he said. "Then stay where I can see you."
Her heart fluttered at the words.
Preparation for the school festival intensified.
Posters were taped to walls. Decorations filled the storage room. The student council room became crowded and noisy, but somehow, Hana always found herself beside Min-jae.
He handed her supplies without asking.
Saved her a seat.
Walked slightly behind her in the halls, like he was making sure she was safe.
Others noticed.
Whispers followed them.
"Are they dating?"
"She's always with him."
"I thought the vice president—"
Yuri noticed too.
Hana felt it during meetings—the way Yuri's eyes lingered on her, the way her smile sharpened whenever Min-jae sided with Hana's suggestions.
During one discussion, Hana nervously spoke up.
"What if we move the booth closer to the stage?" she suggested. "It'll get more attention."
Silence followed.
Then Min-jae nodded. "That's a good idea."
Yuri's pen paused mid-note.
"President Park," she said calmly, "are you sure? It complicates the layout."
"I'm sure," he replied. "We'll adjust."
Yuri looked at Hana.
"You're very influential lately," she said sweetly.
Hana swallowed. "I'm just helping."
Yuri smiled. "Of course."
But her eyes said something else.
Later that afternoon, Hana waited outside the school gate.
Min-jae was finishing something inside.
She checked her phone.
No new messages.
Still, she felt uneasy.
"Hana."
She turned.
Yuri stood a few steps away.
Alone.
"I thought Min-jae would be with you," Yuri said.
"He's coming," Hana replied carefully.
Yuri stepped closer. "You really trust him, don't you?"
Hana hesitated. "Yes."
Yuri tilted her head. "Do you think he'll always choose you?"
Before Hana could answer, footsteps approached.
Min-jae appeared, his expression tightening when he saw them together.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
Yuri smiled. "No. Just chatting."
Min-jae stepped closer to Hana, his presence unmistakably protective.
"Then we're leaving," he said.
As they walked away, Hana felt his hand brush against hers.
This time, he didn't pull away.
They walked in silence until they reached the familiar street where Hana usually turned.
"Hana," Min-jae said.
She stopped.
"I meant what I said yesterday," he continued. "If you're scared… you don't have to face it alone."
She looked up at him. "Are you scared?"
He smiled faintly. "A little."
"Of what?"
"Of letting you get hurt," he admitted.
Her chest tightened.
She took a small step closer. "Then let me stay."
His breath hitched.
For a second, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just them.
Then a phone vibrated.
Hana's.
She froze.
Min-jae noticed. "Another message?"
She nodded slowly and looked at the screen.
Unknown number:
He can't protect you forever.
Min-jae watched her expression change.
"Hana," he said gently, "what does it say?"
She looked up at him, fear and determination mixing in her eyes.
"They think you're a weakness," she whispered.
His gaze hardened.
"Then they're wrong," he said.
Hana didn't know what would happen next.
But as Min-jae walked her all the way to her gate—and waited until she was safely inside—one thing became clear to her.
Whatever this was becoming…
it wasn't something either of them could walk away from anymore.