I hear shouts, punching, and people falling to the ground as I slowly stand on my feet.

"No, Kyung Mi! Get down!"

Before I could listen, a kick to my back sends me flying back to the ground.

Oh, isn't the floor nice and cold...

+++

When I gain consciousness, I am laying down on something. As I slowly open my eyes, I realize I'm in a bed in a hospital room. My back and stomach hurt, and my hands and neck are sore.

I look to my left and see Jimin pacing around, looking stressed.

"What happened, Jimin?" I say weakly.

He immediately looks over, eyes wide. He runs over to my side. "Oh my God, are you okay, Kyung Mi?"

I give him a tired smile. "Try protecting me next time, please."

He smiles sheepishly. "You're right. I was an idiot to walk pass you, and I'm sorry."

I nod, accepting his apology. "But yeah, I'm okay. My body's a little sore, though."

He nods his head, understanding. "It won't happen again."

He seems to go through an inner conflict as his eyes darken, searching the floor.

"Jimin."

He looks at me. "Yeah?"

"Please don't blame yourself. I'll be fine in a little bit, so there's nothing to worry about."

He sighs. "Okay, I'll try."

Suddenly, realization hits me. "Oh! What happened?"

He looks down. Is he embarrassed? "I fought them...and beat them all."

"Woah! But there were so many of them!"

"Yeah, I guess. They were Sparked Mafia and were taken away, but this means they're serious about hurting you. We need to be careful from now on."

I nod, take his hand, and look up at him. "I understand. But thank you, Jimin. Really."

He smiles. "That's my job, to protect you, no? Now, it'll take you some time to recover and in that time I will be your caretaker." He pulls his warm hand away and sits on the bench by my bed. He puts one leg over the other, crosses his arms and looks at me expectantly. "I'm here if you need me."

We stay silent for a while as I let my thoughts fall upon me.

I'm angry at myself for not taking them down with me. How could I let this happen?! I've been taking classes for years now! Well then, next time those bastards try attacking me, I'll be ready. No doubt.

+++

Jimin slowly gives me spoons of soup, his eyes crinkling in happiness every time I open my mouth and consume the liquid food.

The door slides open and I see my dad come in. Coincidentally, Jimin brought me to the hospital he works at, so he visits me during his breaks.

"Annyeong, Appa."

"Oh good, you're voice sounds better now. Must be the soup! So make sure you take it well." He exaggerates the words of the last sentence.

I make a face at him and Jimin playfully hits my arm. I look at him and he smiles a fake smile.

"Arm wrestle?" Jimin asks randomly.

I take the arm closer to him and put my elbow on the tray table. In a few moments, neither of us can overthrow the other, until Jimin uses his other hand to push down in his direction.

When he does so, some of the soup spills onto his shirt. Jimin curses, then his eyes go wide as he apologizes to my father.

Dad leaves chuckling and Jimin immediately pulls off his white tee, revealing the long black shirt underneath.

I give him a look and he points at the stain. "Would you wanna go around with this on your shirt? I didn't think so."

"Well, that's what you get for cheating." I mutter childishly.

Jimin nods his head in defeat and a feeling of victory washes over me. I hold the soup in one hand take the opportunity and push down his head so that it hits the table.

"Yah!" He exclaims, zipping his head up. He then groans and rubs his forehead. "What was for?!"

I giggle like an idiot. I don't know why, I just found it funny. He's an entertaining guy.

Maybe you'll do more than protect me, Park Jimin.