✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

As the tension in the air grew heavier and before anyone could say a word, the girl standing just a few steps behind Hyungsik suddenly sprang forward without warning, her intentions clear. She aimed straight for Y/N, her movements quick and precise, going for a stranglehold.

But Y/N was faster. She stood up in an instant, sidestepping the attack with ease, her eyes never leaving the girl. The rest of her group tensed, ready to jump in, but Y/N raised a sharp hand, signaling them to stay back. Her unspoken command was clear-no one was to intervene. Hyungsik, watching the scene unfold with widened eyes, gestured for his own group to stand down as well, silently granting permission for the clash to continue.

The girl, undeterred, charged at Y/N again, her movements fueled by frustration and determination. Y/N, however, was composed and calculated, dodging each strike with an ease that only came from experience. Her sharp gaze locked on the girl, studying every move, anticipating the next attack as if it were a mere rehearsal.

Hyungsik, though taken aback, allowed a small smirk to creep onto his face, impressed by Y/N's control over the situation. His group, on the other hand, watched in silent awe, unsure whether to root for their own or simply admire Y/N's skill. Meanwhile, Y/N's group stood firm, their expressions a mix of trust and intrigue, knowing Y/N always had a reason for handling things her way.

The backyard was alive with the sound of swift movements, the clash of wills, and the palpable tension between the two women. It was clear this wasn't just a fight-it was a statement.

---

As the fight continued, Y/N's sharp eyes caught something beneath the girl's aggression-a deep, unresolved grief. It had been years, yet the weight of that day still lingered in her every move. Y/N understood it all too well; she carried her own scars from that day, though she had learned to bury them deep. Letting the girl vent her frustration, even like this, was something she was willing to allow. No resistance, no retaliation-just understanding masked behind her composed demeanor.

Lee JongSuk, watching intently, clenched his fists, his gaze shifting between the girl and Y/N. He wanted to rush forward, to stop it, but something in Y/N's calmness kept him back. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was something she needed to do on her own.

The girl charged again, her strikes growing wilder with each attempt. But this time, she managed to grab Y/N's wrist, her grip firm and unyielding. Slightly taken aback, Y/N didn't react. She remained still, letting the girl dictate the next move. In a swift motion, the girl pushed Y/N back, pinning her to a nearby tree.

"You left them!" the girl shouted, her voice breaking with raw emotion. Her clenched fist came down hard, landing a punch on Y/N's already bruised face. Y/N's lip, already busted from the previous night, split open again, a trickle of blood staining her chin.

Jin's face paled, and his hands shot up in a reflexive attempt to rush in. But before he could move, RM placed a hand on his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "Wait. Let her handle it," RM said, his voice quiet but firm.

Jin's jaw tightened, but he reluctantly stepped back.

Despite the blow, Y/N didn't flinch or fight back. She stayed silent, her gaze steady but softened with an unspoken understanding. Minho watched the exchange from the corner of his eye, arms crossed, his gaze sharp. He wanted to protect Y/N-his protective instinct was strong-but he couldn't help but feel that Y/N's silence was a form of control, a way of handling the situation that none of them had expected.

Hyungsik and both groups watched in stunned silence, their confusion and concern growing with every passing moment. This wasn't just a fight-it was something deeper, something personal. And Y/N, as always, seemed to have a purpose behind every action, even if no one else could yet see it.

The girl's strikes came harder, each fueled by an unrelenting storm of frustration and grief. As she raised her fist to strike again, Y/N swiftly caught her wrist mid-air. Her voice was calm but carried the weight of understanding as she asked, "Is that my fault?"

The girl froze for a moment, her gaze faltering. She turned her head to the side, her expression conflicted, but the hesitation was fleeting. Opening her eyes again, now blazing with renewed anger, she wrenched her hand free and lunged toward Y/N once more. Y/N dodged smoothly, but the girl's momentum carried her into the tree behind them, her foot colliding hard against the trunk. She stumbled to the ground with a thud.

Hobi felt a rush of empathy. He could see how much the girl was struggling, and it hurt him to watch. Still, he admired the strength in Y/N's eyes. "She's letting her let it out," he muttered to no one in particular.

Y/N sighed and stepped forward, extending a hand to help. But the girl wasn't ready to stop. Her frustration still boiling over, she overturned Y/N, pinning her to the ground. Now on top, the girl grabbed Y/N's collar, her eyes red and glistening with unshed tears. "Then why aren't you fighting back?" she snapped, her voice trembling with anger and pain. Without waiting for an answer, she kneed Y/N hard in the stomach.

Taehyung's heart skipped a beat, and he clenched his fists in frustration. "Stop it!" he shouted, his voice raw with concern. But Jimin, his expression tight, held him back.

Y/N winced, her hand instinctively moving to the spot as she curled slightly in pain. She stayed silent, though, her composure unwavering. Jungkook, his lips pressed into a thin line, barely restrained himself. He shot a look at RM, who shook his head in warning.

"Let her," RM muttered, watching Y/N with a keen eye. "She's stronger than she looks."

Slowly, Y/N stood, walking to the nearby tree and leaning against it. She slid down to sit at its base, clutching her stomach but offering the girl a faint smile.

Sehun's chest tightened, his eyes narrowing. He wanted to call out to her, to tell her to stop, but Y/N's calm demeanor kept him in check. She was saying more with her silence than he ever could with words.

The girl's frustration only grew at Y/N's refusal to fight back. "Why?!" she screamed, her voice cracking, tears now streaming down her face. She charged forward, grabbing fistfuls of her own hair in frustration before launching a kick at Y/N's side. Y/N winced again, but still, she didn't retaliate.

Suga's brow furrowed deeper. "This isn't just about her," he muttered under his breath. "This girl... she needs someone to show her that it's okay to break."

Jin bit his lip, finally allowing himself to take a step closer, but still refrained from intervening.

The girl crouched down, her hands shaking, and reached for Y/N's throat, her grip tightening as her voice broke. "What's with this behavior, Y/N?!" she demanded, her tears falling freely. "Why aren't you fighting back?!" Her voice cracked again, and before Y/N could answer, the girl collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Hobi's expression softened as he watched, his heart aching. He took a small step forward, but stopped when he saw Y/N's gentle, almost motherly embrace. She was giving the girl what she needed most-comfort.

"Why?" the girl choked out between tears, her fists clutching Y/N's shirt tightly. Y/N's arms slowly encircled her, pulling her closer in a comforting embrace.

Her own eyes reflected a deep grief, but no tears fell. She gently stroked the girl's hair, her voice soft and steady. "Because I understand," she whispered. "And I'm here for you."

Jimin, finally relaxing, let out a long breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. It was over. The storm had passed.

The girl cried harder, releasing years of pent-up pain. Both groups stood watching, stunned into silence, as the raw emotion of the moment played out before them. Y/N remained quiet, holding the girl tightly, her presence alone a source of comfort amidst the chaos.

Hyungsik's eyes lingered on Y/N, a smile tugging at his lips as he took in the calm and strength she exuded. It wasn't just her combat skills-she had a way of earning respect in the most unexpected ways. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she found a new way to surprise him. This moment was no different. Shaking his head in disbelief, he couldn't help but think, She does it again. Never underestimating her.

His team, witnessing Y/N's actions, couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and confusion. They knew her as a fierce fighter, someone who could tear through enemies without breaking a sweat, but seeing her embrace the girl, despite her own injuries, left them speechless. It was a level of strength they hadn't anticipated-the kind that made them question the very definition of power. They respected her more than ever, realizing that her strength wasn't just in her muscles, but in her heart.

---

Before anyone could even blink, Y/N's reflexes took over. The girl who had collapsed in her arms was swiftly shifted, almost like Y/N was casually tossing her out of the way. Everyone stood there, momentarily frozen, trying to figure out if they'd seen what they thought they'd seen. But before anyone could process it, a blade flashed dangerously close to where the girl had just been, its sharp edge a reminder that Y/N was still in danger.

Without wasting a second, Y/N shot up like a startled cat, and then, with the grace of a confused squirrel on espresso, sprinted toward the nearest tree. Two strides later, she was on the other side of the wall, leaving behind nothing but a faint breeze. It was as if she'd been swapped out with a clone. The group blinked, trying to understand if they'd just witnessed her invent a new form of teleportation or if she'd been playing a prank on them. One second, she was there; the next, she was gone, and no one was quite sure whether to be impressed or worried for their own ability to keep up.

They exchanged bewildered glances, too stunned to speak. And then-thud. A loud crash echoed from the entrance, followed by a boy's scream. Panic spread like wildfire. The group bolted toward the sound, all wondering the same thing: What in the world had just happened? None of them had a clue, but at least they all knew one thing-things were about to get even weirder.

---

Y/N landed hard on her knees, barely slowing her momentum as she slid to a stop. In one fluid motion, her hand shot down to her boot, pulling the blade that had always been there. Without hesitation, she hurled it toward the direction of the faint figure she'd spotted, but before the blade left her hand, a sharp pain hit her upper elbow.

Blood began pouring out, fast and thick, soaking her hand and dripping down the side of her half-sleeve shirt.

But Y/N didn't flinch, not even a little.

She had no time to care about the blood soaking her T-shirt as she watched the blade arc through the air. It hit its mark with precision, and she wasted no time. She bolted toward the figure's last known position, adrenaline spiking as she raced in pursuit.

And there he was-Bang Chan. Y/N stopped dead in her tracks, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow, silently asking, What's he doing here now?

Chan cursed under his breath, standing up with a sheepish grin. He gave her a shrug, clearly caught in the act, but the smile never quite reached his eyes. Before he could say anything, footsteps echoed from behind him, and Hyunjin and Yeonjun appeared, checking if Chan was alright.

They froze when they saw Y/N, their awkward glances quickly darting between the ground and her unfazed stance. The trio stood there in uneasy silence, unsure whether to speak up or just dig a hole and disappear into it. Y/N stayed where she was, arms still crossed, watching them all with an expression that said she was both unimpressed and entertained by the spectacle.

Y/N stood there, arms still crossed, the air thick with tension. "Now, care to explain what you're doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp as she raised an eyebrow.

Chan sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly caught in an awkward position. "We got word that Minho's group, AL (Apex Legion), is having a meeting with KM (Khaos Manifest)," he explained, glancing at Hyunjin and Yeonjun. "We knew you were here at Minho hyung's base, so for safety, we thought it best to keep watch. That's why I came myself, and these two insisted on tagging along." He paused for a moment before continuing, "And when we saw the girl there, trying to choke you, we couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

Y/N cut him off, her gaze narrowing. "So you just threw a blade?"

Yeonjun nodded with a sheepish smile. "Exactly, but-" His voice dropped to a softer tone, "Sorry about that."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing. "But why, Chan?" she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.

Chan shifted, glancing between his two companions. "We're allies, have you forgotten?"

Y/N gave him a long look, her smirk never faltering. "From when?"

Hyunjin, eager to back up Chan, jumped in. "From when you saved that trio! And that wasn't the first time. Why not? We're not enemies. We were just checking on our one and only friend from another group to make sure you're alright."

Y/N's smirk widened into a grin, the playful edge never leaving her expression. "Well, if you were really worried, maybe you should've knocked first."

As the others came running from inside, their footsteps quickening, they skidded to a halt upon seeing the group already engaged in conversation. Minho, RM, and Hyungsik raised their hands, signaling their respective groups to stop.

"Hold up," Minho called out, his voice steady yet firm. "Let them talk."

Sehun nodded, a glance passing between him and Y/N. He stood back, his sharp gaze scanning the scene, assessing what was going on. Hyungsik, who had been about to charge forward, hesitated and fell into line behind Minho, waiting for further instruction.

The tension in the air lingered for a moment, the two groups eyeing each other, but it was clear that Minho wasn't about to let things escalate. Everyone stood still, watching the subtle exchange between Y/N and Chan, waiting for the next move.

Chan, Hyunjin, and Yeonjun stood there, exchanging glances, unsure of what to make of Y/N's playful tone.

"Why not just come inside, then?" Y/N said with a smirk, her arms still folded. "It's practically your first time here, too. Don't worry, things go according to me, and you can come meet me whenever you want." She said it casually, as if offering them a VIP pass to her world.

Chan scratched the back of his head, his smile widening. "Well, that's... generous of you. I thought you'd throw more knives first, but okay, we'll take the invitation."

Hyunjin chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, and if you throw another blade, we'll be sure to catch it. Or at least try." He added with a playful grin, winking at her.

Yeonjun, always quick to join in, tilted his head. "Is this how you usually greet your 'allies'? I'm starting to think we need a 'Welcome to Y/N's Base' survival guide." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "We'll behave, promise."

Y/N shot them a teasing glance, her smirk never fading. "You three? Behave?" she chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "I'd be more worried about you keeping up with the rules. But fine, you're welcome-just try not to make a mess."

The trio exchanged amused looks as they playfully accepted her teasing, clearly enjoying her company and the moment. They hadn't expected this level of sass from the usually intense Y/N, and it made them laugh even harder.

"Alright, alright," Chan said, holding up his hands. "We'll follow your rules, just don't start throwing anything sharp at us again."

"Deal," Y/N replied, her smirk widening. "But only because you're cute when you're confused."

The banter continued as the group shared a laugh, the tension from earlier dissolving into an easy camaraderie, all thanks to Y/N's unexpected and playful charm.

As they continued laughing, Chan's gaze landed on Y/N's arm, noticing the blood dripping down her hand. It was clear now that it wasn't just from the blade she'd thrown earlier.

"Uh... Y/N, what's with the blood on your arm?" Chan asked, his smile fading a bit, now concerned. Hyunjin quickly added, "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to-" but Y/N cut him off with a sharp wave of her hand.

"Oh, this?" she said, still with that playful, sarcastic tone. "Just a little thing. You know, my personal fashion statement for the day. It's all the rage right now-blood-soaked sleeves. Very trendy."

Hyunjin looked guilty, but Y/N's tone was so casual that it made him feel even more awkward. "Seriously, though," he said, his brows furrowing, "are you alright? What happened?"

"Relax, it's nothing. Just a little love tap from our guest earlier." She gave them a sly smile, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You know, the girl who thought she could take me on? I guess she