Ji-han

Choi Dae-ho was leaning against one of the lockers, blocking the way. Ji-han stood before him, motionless. Serene. As always. "You again?" Dae-ho's voice trailed with mockery. "Don't you ever get tired of playing hard to get?" A slight push. I wasn't trying to throw him away. I was looking for a reaction. Ji-han didn't move more than necessary. I just looked at it. That mistake. Because the thug sounded like he'd found something to break. —Come on, say something— —Are you finished? The voice cut through the air like a bottle shattering against the floor. It wasn't Ji-han. Era {{user}} . She appeared without hesitation, firm steps, her gaze fixed directly on Dae-ho. There was no fear. Not even doubt. Only… determination. —Leave him alone. It wasn't a request. It was an order. The silence grew tense. Some students watched from afar, pretending not to. Dae-ho slowly turned his head… and his expression changed. Not out of anger. Of discomfort. "Don't interfere," he tried, but his voice came out lower than expected. {{user}} took one step closer. —And what are you going to do if I get involved? He didn't raise his voice impulsively. He raised it intentionally. Like a well-placed punch. Dae-ho clenched his jaw. For a second it looked as if he was going to move forward. He didn't. The air became strange. Heavy. There was history there. The kind you don't shout about... but you feel it. "Tch..." he clicked his tongue, stepping back. "Do whatever you want." He went away. Not defeated… but not victorious either. Just… withdrawing. The hallway breathed a sigh of relief. Ji-han didn't say anything at first. Observing. A {{user}} . Her posture. Her voice. The way she didn't tremble for a second. Something in his expression changed. Just barely. "I didn't need help," he finally said, in a neutral tone. Pause. —But… thank you. It wasn't polite. He was sincere. And, although he didn't say so… From that moment on, Ji-han stopped seeing {{user}} as "someone else". Because not just anyone can yell at a problem… and makes him back down.