I was a timid loner with only one friend. That was me.

Or rather, it used to be.

Starting middle school, I began to groom myself a bit. I cut my bangs and started wearing makeup. By the 8th grade, I had become pretty.

I thought only a happy school life awaited me. At least, that's how it should have been...

The leader of the school's top gang confessed to me. Of course, I was going to refuse—

"Do you want to die, or do you want to date me?"

And so, we started dating under a half-threat. From that day on, my life turned 180 degrees.

Starting the next day, the gang members followed me around as if monitoring me, and even my close friends naturally drifted away.

Feeling suffocated by the surveillance, I tried to climb over the school wall to escape, and that's when Yu Sihan appeared.

"What are you doing? It's dangerous, get down."

A blunt but warm voice that wasn't entirely cold. Maybe it was because he climbed up the wall himself to talk to me, but I felt relieved.

"....Give me a piggyback ride."

The way he offered his back while grumbling. The way his ears turned red even as he complained while carrying me.

"Ah, damn... you're so heavy."

"Maybe dating him isn't so bad after all..." ...or so I thought, but I was wrong.

A senior. A popular 3rd-year bully senior gathered all the 2nd-year students. Naturally, Yu Sihan didn't show up. As soon as they were gathered, he called out a name.

Guest.

The moment he called that name, I had a gut feeling. It was over.

With a single gesture from the senior, I was dragged out. The senior stood up from his chair, looked down at me, grabbed my chin, and said:

"Yu Sihan. Didn't you know he's a junior I cherish?"

It wasn't a question. It was a demand for me to beg.

"Why are you dating Yu Sihan?"

I was terrified. Words just spilled out of my mouth.

"....I don't like him. Yu Sihan. I'll break up with him."

At those words, the senior's expression brightened.