Chaeyoung's P.O.V.

The drive back to Bangkok was serene, the sun dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and amber. For Mina and me, this trip marked the start of something profound—a bond forged in trials and tender moments, a new chapter of our intertwined lives.

As we reached the familiar meeting spot, Chanda was already there, her cheerful demeanor lighting up the area. Her warm smile greeted us as she asked, "Hey, how was the trip?"

Before either of us could respond, Mina and I exchanged a knowing look, our smiles mirroring the joy in our hearts. In perfect unison, we answered, "Good!"

Chanda tilted her head, clearly intrigued by our synchronized reply but didn't press further. She gestured for Mina to step into the car, ready to escort her home. I walked Mina to the car, holding the door open for her like it was second nature.

"Text me when you get home," I said softly, my voice carrying the affection I couldn't fully put into words yet.

She nodded, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "I will. Don't forget to keep me updated too, okay? Wherever you go."

Her concern warmed my heart, sending a flutter through my chest. I watched as the car disappeared into the bustling streets of Bangkok, already missing her presence.

Chanda returned not long after, her expression unusually grim. "We have a problem," she said, her voice low but firm.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my brows furrowing.

"Tetsu and his gang are looking for you guys—all of you who helped rescue Honjo. I heard about it yesterday from Bob," she explained. "They didn't tell you then because you were with Mina, and they didn't want to ruin your day."

Hearing Tetsu's name brought a wave of irritation, but also caution. Tetsu's gang was notorious—not just for their numbers, but their unpredictability. They thrived on intimidation, looking for fights to assert dominance.

After processing the news, I decided to head to Hyuga's place. I texted Gin to meet us there and shot a quick message to Mina, explaining where I was going. She replied almost immediately:

"Okay. I'll take a nap for now, but text me wherever you go, even if I'm asleep. Keep me updated, okay?"

Her concern brought a smile to my face, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly cared for. She wasn't just worried about me; she trusted me enough to share her vulnerability.

When I arrived at Hyuga's place, Gin's motorcycle was already parked outside. The sight made me chuckle—Gin never failed to be the first to show up, even if he pretended to be the laid-back type.

I knocked, and the door swung open almost instantly. Gin greeted me, gesturing for me to come in. Inside, Bob and Honjo were sprawled on the couch, their attention glued to the screen. Hyuga sat cross-legged on the floor, a bowl of chips in hand.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, glancing at the TV.

Bob grinned sheepishly. "Watching porn."

I stared at him, momentarily dumbfounded. "Seriously? I thought you'd be strategizing or something!"

Hyuga shrugged. "Hey, stress relief is important. Join us?"

I shook my head, half-exasperated, half-amused. Trust these guys to find humor in any situation. But I wasn't here to watch X-rated movies.

I brought up the news about Tetsu's gang. "Chanda says they're looking for us," I started, leaning against the wall.

Gin snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Let them look. What can they do?"

"They outnumber us," I pointed out. "Besides, they're real gangsters. 

Honjo spoke up, his tone dismissive. "Numbers don't mean strength. One-on-one, they don't stand a chance against us."

"That's true," Hyuga agreed, though his expression was more thoughtful. "But we can't ignore the possibility of them attacking us together. That's when things get tricky."

Their confidence was reassuring, but I couldn't ignore the weight of Mina's safety. 

Bob and Honjo stared at me, their jaws practically on the floor. They couldn't believe what I'd just told them. Mina—the graceful ballerina they once admired from afar, the girl they both dreamed about—was now officially my girlfriend.

"Mina?" Honjo echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "As in Mina Mina?"

I nodded, feeling a mix of pride and awkwardness under their shocked gazes.

Bob smirked, crossing his arms. "Man, you've got some guts. Congrats, I guess."

"Thanks," I said, chuckling. Despite their initial reactions, I knew they'd be happy for me in the end.

The conversation soon dwindled, and the weight of the day began to settle on me. I stretched and yawned. "I'm heading home. We've got school tomorrow."

They both nodded. "See you tomorrow, lover boy," Honjo teased.

I rolled my eyes, waved them off, and climbed onto my bike. Before leaving, I shot Mina a quick text to let her know I was heading home. When no reply came, I figured she was still probably asleep.

The streets of Bangkok were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. As I cruised down the road, I spotted a familiar figure walking aimlessly along the sidewalk. It was Kai, Mina's older brother.

I slowed down and stopped beside him. "Kai!" I called out.

He looked up, startled, and offered a weak smile. His shirt was rumpled, and there was a tiredness in his eyes that set off alarms in my head. I didn't ask what had happened—it was written all over him.

"Where are you headed?" I asked.

"Nowhere, really," he muttered, avoiding my gaze.

"Hop on," I said, gesturing to the back of my bike. "Let's go for a ride."

Kai hesitated but eventually climbed on. I didn't press him for details; instead, I took him for a casual drive through the city, hoping to lift his spirits.

As we rode past Khao San Road, an idea struck me. "Ever been to any bars around here?" I asked.

Kai shook his head. "Not really my thing."

"Well, there's a first time for everything," I said, grinning.

I called up my friends—Gin, Hyuga, Honjo, and Bob—and invited them to join us. I figured it would be a good opportunity for Kai to meet them. Mina had told me about the bullying he endured at school and his struggles to make friends. I wanted to change that, to show him that he wasn't alone.

We headed to our usual bar, a lively spot filled with music and laughter. I introduced Kai to the group, and as I expected, he warmed up to them quickly. By the time we were a few drinks in, he was laughing and joking like he'd known them for years.

But the night took an unexpected turn when Kai suddenly disappeared.

"Weird," Hyuga said, frowning. "He said he was going to the restroom, but it's been almost twenty minutes."

Worried, we decided to look for him. It didn't take long to find him—he was outside the bar, cornered by a group of guys who looked vaguely familiar.

"Hey!" I shouted, striding toward them.

The bullies froze, their smug expressions replaced by fear. These were the same guys Mina had told me about—the ones who'd tormented Kai since high school.

It didn't take much for my friends and me to put them in their place. We dragged them to the back of the club, where no one would disturb us.

"Scream all you want," Honjo said, cracking his knuckles. "No one's going to help you."

I turned to Kai, my anger barely contained. "How long have these guys been doing this to you?"

"Since high school," he admitted quietly, his voice trembling.

Hearing that made my blood boil. "You've been putting up with this for years?"

Gin confiscated their wallets and phones, handing them to Kai. "Here, take these. Consider it payback for everything they've stolen from you."

Kai shook his head. "I don't want them."

"Fine," Gin said, pocketing the cash. He tossed the phones back at the bullies, hitting one square in the face.

"Kai," I said, gripping his shoulder. "Your turn. Teach them a lesson."

Kai hesitated, his fists clenched but unmoving.

"If you don't," I said coldly, "we'll take care of them for you. But don't expect them to walk out of here in one piece."

Finally, one of the bullies spoke up, his voice shaky. "It was Jo Hyuk's idea! He told us to do it because he wanted revenge on Mina. She rejected him in front of everyone, and he blamed Kai for it!"

The mention of Mina's name sent me over the edge. Without thinking, I grabbed the guy by his collar and slammed him against the wall. "Stay away from Kai. Stay away from Mina. If I see you near them again, I'll make sure you regret it."

He nodded frantically, tears streaming down his face. Satisfied, I let him drop to the ground.

After dealing with the bullies, we returned to the bar. Gin and Hyuga, however, had their own ideas of revenge.

"We told them to run down Khao San Road in their underwear," Hyuga said, laughing. "Pretty sure they're still running."

Kai laughed too, his earlier tension finally melting away. For the first time that night, he looked genuinely happy.

We ended the night at the Bangkok Riverside, our favorite spot to unwind after a long night. The cool breeze and gentle sound of the river were calming, a stark contrast to the chaos of earlier.

Kai looked at me, a curious smile on his face. "Why are you all so willing to help me? You don't even know me that well."

I shrugged. "Everyone deserves to have friends."

Kai's smile widened. "Thank you. I've never had friends like this before."

"You're always welcome with us," I said.

Honjo chimed in, his voice playful. "But first, there's a rule. To join our group, you have to trade underwear with me."

We all burst into laughter when Kai, without hesitation, started pulling off his underpants. Gin's eyes widened in shock, and we all doubled over in hysterics.

By the time we decided to head home, it was past 2 a.m. I offered Kai a ride back, and as we reached his house, he stopped me before going inside.

"Thanks for tonight," he said sincerely. "It means a lot."

"Anytime," I replied.

Before starting the engine, I glanced up at Mina's window. It was dark, and I imagined her sleeping peacefully.

"Goodnight, my love," I whispered a soft smile on my lips, before driving off into the quiet night.