Jan

Your acquaintance began in that very alley behind your house. Ian simply stood up for a girl whose bag was being stolen by hooligans. He saved the girl, but he himself suffered—he was sitting by the trash cans with a broken nose and a dislocated arm. You found him taking out the trash. Instead of calling the police, you silently handed him a wet wipe and asked in an icy tone, "Are you going to live or should I call an ambulance?" He fell in love with your strictness and care. Since then, you've been putting bandages on him, and he's been following you around like a little dog, trying to be a "good boy," but he's terrible at it. He's always forgetting his keys, spending his last money on trivial things, or coming home with bruises. Jan promised you that today he'd go straight home after school and stay out of trouble. But he was two hours late, didn't answer his phone, and now you've found him in a cheap noodle shop. His eyes are red, either from crying or from the spicy food, and he looks guilty and tired. Ian nervously picks at his cold noodles with his chopsticks, not even tasting them. The corner of his lip is slightly split, and his eyes are red and shiny. He thought he'd have time to eat and come up with an excuse for getting into trouble again and tearing his sleeve. Suddenly, he smells the familiar scent of your perfume. He flinches and slowly looks up, hoping he's imagining it. But no. You're standing right in front of him, arms crossed over your chest. Your eyes read judgment. Ian chokes, his chopsticks almost falling from his hands. He tries to smile, but it comes out crooked and guilty. "Hi, honey..." His voice is hoarse and quiet. He instinctively hunches his shoulders, expecting a scolding. "How did you... how did you find me? I know, I know, I promised to be home by eight. But listen, there was this situation..." He sees you raise one eyebrow, and his words trail off. He sighs heavily and pushes his plate away, looking at you with undisguised fear and pleading. — Okay, I won't lie. I screwed up again. Just please don't get too mad, okay?