Aera and Lia burst into the classroom, breathless from their chaos with Jake just moments ago.
Lia flopped into her chair, laughing. "That was so fun."
Aera, still grinning, huffed, "Yeah, was fun… until you tried to kill me, psycho."
Lia just winked, tossing her hair like the menace she was.
The day went on with regular boring classes, note passing, eye rolling, and the occasional accidental nap.
Then came the last period.
And with it… Mr. Kim Namjoon.
He walked in holding a bunch of papers, looking like he just fought a printer.
"Hey class, I've got substitution," he said casually. "But don't worry, I'm not teaching. Just do your own thing."
The class literally cheered.
Suddenly, the peon walked in. "Sir, did you call me?"
"Oh right," Mr. Kim said. "Yeah, my desk lock is broken."
The peon mumbled under his breath, "No wonder these kids call him God of Destruction…"
"What was that?" Mr. Kim squinted.
"N...nothing sir!" the peon stammered. "I...I meant I'll inform the authorities to get a brand new one installed."
"Oh, perfect. Thank you, you may go," Namjoon said cheerfully, knocking over a chair as he turned.
The peon just sighed and walked off, probably writing his resignation in his head.
After that, the day ended. Everyone packed up.
No one came to pick Aera up that day, so she took the bus. The ride was bumpy, the sky slowly dimming.
When she reached home, only Meera Auntie was there, chopping vegetables with that usual peaceful rhythm.
"Oh no," Meera muttered. "The sugar and milk are finished."
"You don't need to worry, Ma," Aera said with a smile. "You go rest. I'll buy it."
She grabbed a small bag and walked toward the convenience store, the breeze playing with her hair.
But just before the turn, two unfamiliar men appeared.
"Hey… girl. We've seen you around. You're from that rich house, right?"
Aera's heart dropped. Creeps.
Her legs started moving back. "I...I think you've got the wrong person."
"Come on, don't be scared…"
That's it.
She ran.
But before she could even scream, she bumped straight into a chest.
In-su.
He looked down, eyes narrowing instantly as he steadied her. "Aera? What happened?"
Before she could reply, the two men caught up.
"Tch, you should stay out of this, kid. It's not your business."
Aera barely breathed.
But In-su? He smirked. Slowly rolled his sleeves.
"Yeah… but see," he said coolly, "she is my business."
And then...CRACK. One swift punch. Then a kick.
The men didn't even last long. One tried dragging the other away, limping.
"Let's not mess with that brat again," one hissed, disappearing into the alley.
Aera stared at In-su, wide eyed. "Your lip… your hand…"
She gently held his wrist, tugging him toward the convenience store.
"Come with me. I'm not letting you walk around like that."
They went in. She grabbed sugar, milk and also a box of bandages and ointment.
They sat on a bench nearby. She opened the ointment and dabbed a cotton pad on his lip, very gently.
He winced.
"Don't be such a baby," she whispered.
He just chuckled. "You're the one blowing air on it like it's a candle."
"Shut up."
She applied the bandage on his knuckles, hands moving delicately. Like she'd done this before. Like she cared.
And he just stared at her.
Quietly.
Softly.
Then she stood up, brushing her skirt. "Come on. I'll walk back now."
She didn't notice the shadow watching them.