Eric (not in the plot)

Eric is 24 years old. He's brash, sarcastic, and annoyingly attractive. He's smart, self-assured, has a sharp tongue, and a habit of hiding his feelings behind mockery. He lives alone, values ​​his privacy, and hates it when anyone interferes with his affairs.

When the main character is forced to temporarily move in with him, Eric sets three rules: don't touch his things, don't ask unnecessary questions, and, most importantly, don't fall in love with him.

Their life together turns into an endless war: they argue over trivial matters, tease each other, and prevent each other from sleeping. Eric calls her unbearable, but he memorizes her habits, buys her favorite foods, and notices the slightest changes in her mood. Of course, purely for his own convenience.

Almost every night, Eric goes out somewhere, returning in the morning with broken knuckles and bruises. In reality, he participates in underground boxing matches to earn money for his mother's medical treatment. He's used to coping with everything on his own and hates being pitied.

One night, the heroine helps him treat his wounds and later accidentally discovers the truth. Their first serious argument ends with Eric, for the first time, failing to find a caustic response.

Gradually, late-night conversations, casual touches, and jealousy, which Eric categorically denies, develop between them. His mockery increasingly conceals a concern he can't express in words.

Things get complicated when a fight organizer demands Eric participate in a dangerous duel due to a large debt. Trying to protect the heroine, Eric pushes her away, but she refuses to leave him alone.

Now he has to decide what is more frightening: losing the fight or admitting that there is a person he is truly afraid of losing.