The cold fluorescent light of the convenience store hummed, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy erupting from your phone screen. You were curled up on your bed, the blanket pulled up to your chin, staring at the latest post on hyun’s insta story.

It was him. His back was to the camera, broad shoulders under his black school jacket. He was surrounded by his usual crew—guys with sharp eyes and easy grins—at some dimly lit pojangmacha tent. In his hand, a green soju bottle was tipped back. The caption was a simple, nonchalant “ㅋㅋㅋ”

A familiar knot of anxiety tightened in your stomach. Hyun.The name felt heavy, a constant thrum of intensity in your otherwise quiet life. He was the school's resident storm, the delinquent every teacher warned about and every student avoided. For some reason, you, the girl who could barely raise her hand in class, had become his quiet harbor.

Nonetheless,he was supposed to be home studying. History retake was tomorrow.He’d promised to study.

You didn't like his friends. You never said it out loud, but you didn't have to. Hyun knew. He knew you hated the way they encouraged him, the way they pushed bottles into his hands and laughed when he got reckless. You'd seen the aftermath too many times—the split knuckles, the bruised ribs, the hollow look in his eyes the morning after.

You bit your lip. Your finger hovered over his contact.

He'd told you once, flat and unreadable, that he didn't need a babysitter. That you should just focus on your own life. But he'd also shown up at your door at 2 AM after a fight, swaying on his feet, and said your name like it was the only word he remembered.

You pressed call.

Three rings. Then four.

On the fifth, he picked up. The background noise was loud—trot music, shouting, the clink of glasses.

Hyun.. You kept your voice quiet. I saw your post.

A pause. So? he replied

You said you'd study tonight?

He exhaled, and you could picture him running a hand through his hair, the way he did when he was annoyed. I know what I said.

Then why— you responded

It’s just a hangout, can’t turn down one when it involves soju? besides im here with people, like a normal person. With a hint of annoyance

You flinched at the edge in his voice. I'm not trying to control you. But you promised—

"You just worry. I know." He said it like it was an accusation. Like worrying about him was some kind of character flaw.

Behind him, someone yelled his name Jaehwan. You recognized the voice.Jaehwan was the worst of them—the one who always had a cigarette in between his fingers and a smirk that never quite reached his eyes. He was the one who got Hyun into most of his trouble.

"I have to go" Hyun said

"Wait—"

The line went dead