Days passed, one after another.
Since Karu appeared, the rhythm of Nao's life had slowly begun to change, even though she tried hard to keep everything balanced.
At school, Karu grew more aggressive—not openly in front of teachers, but obvious enough to draw attention. He always appeared just a little too close, greeting Nao with a familiarity that made the hairs on her neck stand.
"Nao, want to go home together?"
"Nao, you still like milk tea, right?"
"Nao, you've gotten even prettier."
Nao always answered briefly. Sometimes she didn't answer at all.
But Karu didn't care.
Six days before the one-month mark
Nao began to look for Ayano more often.
Not out of fear—but because his presence calmed her. On the rooftop, in quiet hallways, or simply sitting side by side without speaking, Nao felt like herself again.
Ayano stayed the same.
He didn't interfere.
He didn't come closer when Karu was around.
He showed no expression when rumors spread.
Nao felt annoyed at times.
Why isn't he angry?
Why doesn't he ask more?
But every time she returned home, Ayano was still there—waiting with warm dinner and light conversation. No judgment. No pressure.
And somehow, that made Nao's heart lean toward him even more.
Five days before the one-month mark
Karu started using the crowd to his advantage.
He sat behind Nao when the classroom was empty, casually resting his hand on the back of her chair. He spoke as if their past had been something sweet.
"You weren't this tense before."
"You used to laugh when I touched your hair."
Nao gripped her pen tightly.
"That was before," she said coldly.
"Now, don't bother me."
Karu only smiled.
A smile that made Nao remember something she wished she could forget.
Four days before the one-month mark
That day looked normal.
The sky was clear. Laughter echoed across the field. Gym class was always noisy—shouts, footsteps, whistles.
Nao changed into her gym clothes quickly, trying to focus.
But from the very beginning, she could feel Karu's gaze.
During warm-ups, he stood too close.
During jogging, he slowed down on purpose to match her pace.
"Still get tired easily?" he teased.
Nao didn't respond.
She moved away, switching lines.
But after class ended, as students started heading back to the locker rooms—
Karu grabbed her arm.
"Nao," he said softly. "Come with me for a bit."
Nao pulled her hand back immediately. "I don't want to."
"Just for a moment," Karu said. "Behind the school."
Nao glanced around. It was crowded. Teachers were still nearby, but busy.
Reluctantly—and not wanting to cause a scene—Nao followed, keeping a safe distance.
They walked to the back of the school, toward an old storage building that was rarely used.
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
Nao stopped a few steps before the door.
"Just say it here."
Karu turned to face her.
"Nao," he said, his tone changing. No longer casual.
"Let's get back together."
Nao froze.
"What?"
"We were good together," Karu continued. "You know that. We were before, too."
Nao clenched her fists.
"Don't compare the past to now," she said sharply.
"Back then… you changed."
Karu frowned. "I was just being firm."
"You were rough," Nao's voice trembled.
"You yelled at me. You forced me. You—"
She stopped.
Her breathing became uneven.
"I don't want to go back to that."
Karu's expression shifted.
Then—
he smiled.
A thin, cold smile.
"Oh," he said softly.
"If you're refusing… that's fine."
Nao let out a breath of relief—just for a split second.
But the smile didn't fade.
"Then," Karu continued as he stepped forward,
"I'll just destroy you instead."
Nao stepped back.
"What do you mean…?"
Karu didn't answer.
He moved closer.
Nao felt that old fear—the one she had buried—rise again.
And then—
Karu slowly began touching his own uniform.
Nao froze.
The storage room was silent.
And the air felt too heavy to breathe.
The gym storage room was cramped, damp, and rarely used. Sunlight barely filtered through the dusty high windows. The smell of old wood and rubber filled the air.
Nao stepped back until her back hit a storage rack.
"Karu… stop," her voice trembled, but she tried to stay firm.
Karu let out a small laugh. Not friendly—more like mockery.
"Why? You weren't this stiff before."
He stepped closer. Nao instinctively raised her hand to push him away, but Karu was faster. He grabbed her wrist and pinned it upward, pressing her harder against the rack.
"I said stop!" Nao struggled, but Karu was much stronger.
He leaned his face closer, wearing an irritating smile—calm, confident, as if all of this was his right.
"You're still the same. Always pretending to be strong."
His free hand began tugging at the edge of her uniform.
Nao held her breath. Her mind went blank. Her heart pounded so hard it rang in her ears.
"Don't…" tears began to fall uncontrollably. "Please…"
For a moment, the storage room felt like the past again—too silent, too tight.
Nao felt alone.
BANG!
The storage door burst open.
The sound echoed, shattering everything.
Karu turned, startled. His grip loosened instinctively.
Standing at the doorway was Ayano.
His gym uniform was slightly wrinkled. His breathing was steady—but his eyes—
cold.
Very cold.
Behind him, two students who had been standing guard lay unconscious in the hallway.
"You…" Karu clicked his tongue. "What are you doing here?"
Nao turned.
Her tear-filled eyes widened.
"A… Ayano…"
Ayano stepped inside.
"I came to pick someone up."
Karu scoffed. "Seriously? Sticking your nose into other people's business?"
Ayano gave a faint smile.
"Other people's business?"
He looked at Nao—her raised arm, her tear-streaked face.
"She's my fiancée."
The words fell heavily in the air.
Nao froze.
Karu blinked. "Huh?"
Ayano stepped closer, slow and measured.
"Let her go."
Karu smirked. "What if I don't?"
His tone turned mocking.
"What if I really do ruin your fiancée?"
That was enough.
In one swift motion—almost invisible—
Ayano struck.
Karu was sent flying to the side, slamming into the floor with a loud crash. Nao gasped, covering her mouth.
Ayano didn't stop.
One punch.
Two.
Three.
Each strike precise. Clean. Without hesitation.
Karu tried to get up—Ayano kicked him back down. The room echoed with impacts and heavy breathing.
Ayano's face showed no exaggerated emotion.
That was what made it terrifying.
He was angry—
but controlled.
Focused.
Deadly.
Minutes passed.
Karu stopped fighting. His body was battered. But Ayano still stood over him.
Nao finally moved.
With trembling legs, she stepped forward.
"Ayano…" her voice was small, but clear.
"That's enough… please."
Ayano's fist stopped mid-air.
He closed his eyes briefly. Took a deep breath. Then stood up.
Without looking at Karu again, he walked toward Nao.
He took off his jacket and gently draped it over her, fixing her wrinkled uniform. His hands trembled slightly—not from hesitation, but from realizing how close he had been to losing control.
"Are you hurt?" he asked softly.
Nao shook her head, then—without realizing—held onto his sleeve.
"Thank you…"
Ayano didn't reply.
He simply took her hand and led her out of the storage room.
As they crossed the doorway, Nao glanced back once.
Karu lay there, helpless.
Then she looked at Ayano.
It was the first time she had seen him like that—
so angry, for her sake.
And somehow…
her heart felt calm.
Warm.
As if, finally,
she wasn't alone anymore.
Ayano didn't let go of her hand even after they left.
His steps were quick, but not rough—as if he was afraid, not of what would happen next, but of losing her again.
Nao walked beside him, her body still trembling, her breathing uneven. Her hand was cold, yet firmly held by his.
The school hallway felt strangely quiet, even though classes were still in session. A few teachers and students glanced at them in confusion, but no one dared to ask.
Ayano stopped in front of the principal's office.
Knock.
Without waiting, he opened the door.
The principal, who had been reading documents, immediately straightened at the sight—Nao's pale face, tearful eyes, slightly disheveled uniform. And Ayano…
too calm for someone who had just been in a fight.
"What is going on?" the principal asked firmly.
Ayano took a breath and spoke clearly, without excess emotion.
"Sir, there was an assault incident in the storage building. The perpetrator is a new student named Karu. I caught him cornering Nao."
Nao gripped the edge of her uniform. Her chest tightened just hearing his name.
The principal stood up.
"Assault?"
"Yes," Ayano continued. "There were others involved. I had to stop them."
The principal's face grew serious. He looked at Nao more gently.
"Nao… is that true?"
Nao swallowed. Her voice was small, but clear.
"…Yes, sir."
That was enough.
The principal immediately pressed the intercom, calling staff and security. He promised to handle the case fully and ensure Karu would not approach Nao again—he wouldn't even remain at the school for long.
Ayano bowed politely.
"Thank you, sir."
The principal nodded, then looked at Nao.
"You're safe now. If you need to go home or want assistance, you may."
Nao shook her head softly.
"I… want to stay."
Ayano glanced at her, slightly surprised.
The principal noticed the small detail—their gaze, the almost nonexistent distance. He let out a quiet breath.
"Ayano, you look pale. Sit down."
And right after that—
Ayano staggered slightly.
Nao caught his arm immediately.
"Ayano?!"
He tried to stand straight, but his head felt heavy. His vision blurred.
The principal called out.
"Take him to the infirmary. Now."
The infirmary felt warm and calm, in contrast to the chaos before.
Ayano lay on the bed while the nurse treated his injuries—bruises on his face, a small cut at the corner of his lips, and most of all, his hands. His knuckles were swollen, skin scraped.
Nao sat beside him, not moving even for a second.
"Don't get up yet," she said softly when he tried.
"I'm fine," Ayano replied, quieter than usual.
"You don't look fine."
He gave a faint smile, then leaned back.
After the nurse left, silence filled the room.
Nao took cotton and ointment, her hands trembling slightly as she treated his injuries.
"…Does it hurt?" she asked.
"Not much."
Nao didn't respond. She focused, careful and gentle.
Ayano watched her face closely—the slight crease in her brows, her pressed lips, the lingering fear in her eyes.
Suddenly, Nao spoke.
"Ayano…"
"Hm?"
"…What did you mean earlier?"
Ayano went quiet.
Nao finally looked at him, her face red but serious.
"In the storage room. You said… 'I came to pick up my fiancée.'"
At that moment, Ayano looked away.
"…Ah."
Nao waited.
Silence.
Ayano scratched his cheek with his uninjured hand.
"That… was reflex."
"Reflex?" Nao repeated.
"I panicked," he said honestly. "I wanted him to stop touching you. I wanted him to know you weren't alone."
Nao stared at him for a long moment.
Then—
she let out a small laugh.
Not mocking. Not teasing.
A soft laugh that eased something in his chest.
"You're kind of funny when you panic," she said.
Ayano turned quickly.
"Hey—"
"It's fine," Nao cut him off. "I don't mind."
Her voice softened.
"…Thank you, Ayano. For coming. For not hesitating."
Ayano looked up at the ceiling.
"Actually…" he said quietly, "I had heard a little about Karu."
Nao went still.
"I don't know the details," he continued. "And if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I won't force you."
Nao lowered her head. Her fingers stopped moving.
Seconds passed.
Then she took a deep breath.
"…I'll tell you," she said. "Because… I don't want to keep it to myself anymore."
Ayano turned to her, his gaze gentle, not demanding.
Nao began to speak.
About middle school.
About how Karu had once seemed kind, popular, attentive.
About how their relationship had started like a dream.
And how slowly it changed—hurtful words, jealousy, hands that began to push… then hit.
About how she kept blaming herself.
About how she became quieter, more afraid to speak, feeling worthless.
"…I broke up with him because I was afraid I'd die if I stayed," Nao said, her voice trembling. "And I thought… I had escaped."
Tears fell onto the back of Ayano's hand.
Ayano clenched his fist—slowly, holding back anger that came too late.
"…I'm sorry," he said softly. "I wasn't there back then."
Nao shook her head.
"You're here now. That's enough."
And for the first time in a long while—
Nao truly felt safe.