Kyung-jun didn't hear the whole story. He didn't need to.

All it took was one glance at Minji—tear-streaked cheeks, trembling lips, and red-rimmed eyes—and something inside him snapped.

He had been heading toward the cafeteria when he saw her standing outside the classroom, visibly shaking. Jin-ah and Seungbin were with her, whispering frantically, trying to comfort her, but Minji just shook her head, wiping at her tears like she hated that she was crying.

And Kyung-jun?

He saw red.

"Who did it?" His voice was low, sharp, deadly.

Seungbin hesitated. He had seen Kyung-jun like this before—cold, terrifying, the side of him that made the whole school fear his name.

Jin-ah swallowed hard, glancing at Minji, as if unsure whether to tell him.

But Minji, voice small and wobbly, whispered, "It doesn't matter. Let's just go—"

"Who. Did. It." Kyung-jun's voice dropped dangerously.

Minji flinched, not because she was scared of him—but because she knew what he was about to do.

Jin-ah sighed, casting a nervous glance toward the hallway. "It was Jae-ho. He said some things. He—"

That was all Kyung-jun needed to hear.

The next second, he was already moving.

"Kyung-jun, wait!" Minji grabbed his wrist, her grip desperate. "Please, don't—"

He turned to her, his rage barely controlled.

"You're crying, Minji." His voice was tight, seething, barely human. "And you expect me to do nothing?"

She looked at him, pleading, but it was too late.

When Kyung-jun found Jae-ho, the cafeteria fell silent.

People moved out of the way without him even asking.

Because everyone knew.

When Kyung-jun was angry, he was a storm waiting to hit.

Jae-ho was laughing at his table, completely unaware of the disaster heading straight for him. His friends were grinning, joking—until one of them froze and elbowed him.

"Bro, Kyung-jun's coming."

Jae-ho barely had time to look up before Kyung-jun was on him.

Without a word, Kyung-jun grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the cafeteria table. The entire room gasped.

"You think you're funny?" Kyung-jun's voice was deathly calm.

Jae-ho choked, struggling, his face twisting in panic.

"H-Hey, man—what the hell—"

"Did you laugh when Minji cried?" Kyung-jun's grip tightened. His eyes, dark and merciless, bore into Jae-ho's soul. "Did you find it funny?"

Jae-ho's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

Kyung-jun leaned closer, his tone pure venom. "You like running your mouth? Say something now."

The cafeteria was dead silent.

No one moved. No one dared.

Because Kyung-jun—the untouchable, feared bully—had just reminded everyone why they were terrified of him.

Jae-ho was shaking. "I-I didn't mean—"

"Shut up." Kyung-jun's voice was ice. "I don't care what you meant. You made her cry. You humiliated her."

He shoved him back onto the table, the sound echoing through the silent room.

"You ever talk about her again—" Kyung-jun's voice dropped lower. "I will ruin you."

Jae-ho frantically nodded, looking like he wanted to disappear.

Satisfied, Kyung-jun let go, stepping back, his glare still burning.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.

Minji was waiting outside the cafeteria.

The second she saw him, she rushed to him.

"Kyung-jun—" Her hands cupped his face, searching his eyes, worried. "Are you okay?"

He blinked at her. She was asking if he was okay?

Even after someone had hurt her?

His heart clenched.

"I'm fine," he murmured, his voice softer now. He placed his hands over hers, leaning into her warmth. "Are you?"

Minji bit her lip, eyes glistening. "You didn't have to do that for me."

Kyung-jun exhaled sharply. "Minji." His voice was firm, but gentle. "If anyone hurts you, I will always do something about it. Always."

She stared at him, then—without warning—wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest.

Kyung-jun froze.

Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her too, holding her tight.

"I love you," she whispered.

Kyung-jun closed his eyes, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead.

"I love you more."

Kyung-jun held Minji tightly, his heart still hammering from the anger that had burned inside him just moments ago. But now, feeling her warmth against him, her delicate fingers clutching at the fabric of his jacket, the fire inside him began to settle.

She was safe.

That was all that mattered.

Minji pulled back slightly, tilting her head up to look at him. Her eyes were still glassy, but she wasn't crying anymore.

"You're crazy, you know that?" she whispered, brushing a hand over his cheek. "You didn't have to go that far."

Kyung-jun scoffed, his grip on her unchanging. "I didn't go far enough."

Minji sighed, pressing her forehead against his chest. "You're impossible."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "And yet, you love me."

She let out a soft laugh, light and sweet, the sound melting away the last of his anger.

The hallway was quiet, the echoes of the cafeteria still lingering in the distance. Kyung-jun knew that by now, the whole school had heard. They would be whispering, eyes wide, reminding themselves why he was not someone to mess with.

But right now, he didn't care about any of that.

"Did he say something really bad?" Kyung-jun finally asked, his voice softer now.

Minji hesitated. "He... he said I only got into a good university because of you. That I was just some stupid girl hiding behind her scary boyfriend."

Kyung-jun's jaw locked.

Minji quickly placed a hand over his chest, feeling the way his muscles tensed. "But it's okay now," she whispered. "I know none of that is true. And so do you."

He let out a slow breath, trying to calm down again.

Because, of course, Minji had gotten into university on her own. She was brilliant, hardworking—everything he admired. If anyone was hiding behind anyone, it was him, hiding behind her light.

"Next time," he muttered, brushing a thumb over her cheek, "Tell me right away. Don't try to handle it alone."

Minji smiled softly. "What, so you can terrorize more students?"

He shrugged. "If necessary."

She giggled, the sound so gentle that Kyung-jun couldn't help but relax.

He bent down, pressing another lingering forehead kiss against her skin. It was his favorite thing, something only she got from him.

Minji hummed, closing her eyes. "You really love doing that, don't you?"

"Shut up," he murmured, but his lips lingered a little longer.

Minji grinned, stroking his hair the way she always did, and Kyung-jun knew—no matter how much of a nightmare he was to the world, she was the only one who could tame him.