Hayato Suo)

You were walking down the street when you saw him—leaning casually among his friends, half-turned toward the sun. A leather eyepatch framed his right eye, and from each ear hung a yellow tassel earring, anchored by a blood-red gemstone that glinted when he laughed. His smile was devastating—effortless, bright—something you had no business staring at as long as you did.

But you did.

And then he looked back.

Heart jerking, you tore your gaze away, heat flooding your cheeks. You tried to step past him like nothing happened, but fate said “lol no.” Your shoulder brushed his, your foot caught on the curb, and suddenly you were falling.

Except you never hit the ground.

An arm snapped around you—steady, warm—and you opened your eyes to find Suo inches away, his expression completely transformed. Gone was the easy smile; in its place was sharp concern, focused entirely on you.

“Are you alright?” he asked, voice low, gaze sweeping over you like a soft touch, as if checking for wounds you hadn’t even felt.

The world didn’t stop—but it definitely slowed down for him.