* * *

And, annoyingly, each response brought another wave of replies, so much so that contacting Ki Beomhyeon seemed impossible.

With his phone vibrating incessantly, Jungin finally turned it off.

“Driver, may I borrow your phone for a call?”

“A call? Yes, here—”

Honk!

At that moment, a car beside them honked.

“Ki Beomhyeon?”

“I said I’d come pick you up. Didn’t you get my messages?”

Taking the back seat in a flash, Ki Beomhyeon looked over with a frown.

It wasn’t even chilly, yet he wore only a shirt with two buttons undone, showing his firm chest.

“Jungin.”

“Huh, wh-what?”

‘Oh, crap… What was I even staring at?! Am I a pervert now?!’

Blushing furiously, he looked away, but Ki Beomhyeon grabbed his chin, examining his face with a concerned expression.

“Did something happen?”

“N-no, nothing! You just startled me, that’s all.”

Today, Ki Beomhyeon’s scent felt unexpectedly sweet.

Was he touch-starved?

What’s going on with me?

Fanning his heated face, Jungin focused on steadying his breath as they chatted until they arrived at the school.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll pick you up at 8:30.”

“You will?”

“Yeah.”

As they walked in, Jungin noticed Im Jungsoo heading their way, someone who’d been a constant source of trouble for him.

Instinctively, Jungin tensed, but Ki Beomhyeon stepped in front of him, staring coldly at Jungsoo.

“Uh, Jungin…”

Blushing, eyes teary, Jungsoo looked ready to cry.

“I’m so sorry! I messed up.”

“Huh? Why, why are you doing this?”

Seeing him kneel suddenly, bowing, Jungin was stunned.

“I’m sorry. I acted that way out of… inferiority, I guess…”

“Enough.”

After everything Jungsoo had put him through, was he supposed to forgive him this easily?

“Sniff, sob…”

As he tried to walk past, Jungsoo’s muffled sobs held him back.

The bruises swelling on his cheeks were hard to ignore too.

“Hey.”

Jungin stopped and approached him.

The boy, still kneeling and crying, slowly raised his head to meet Jungin’s gaze.

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

“I… I do! Lee Jungin, I know I didn’t do anything to deserve being locked in the bathroom, or you suffering more from Hyuntae’s group because I wanted attention. I’m so sorry… really.”

“And you won’t do it again?”

“No, never! If you forgive me this once, I’ll make it up to you.”

Jungsoo’s eyes sparkled, clinging to Jungin’s hand as if it were a lifeline, his grip tight enough to make Jungin wince until Beomhyeon gently pried him off.

“If you really feel sorry…”

Jungin looked down at the hopeful boy, smiling faintly as he continued.

“Then please cooperate with the police investigation.”

“What?”

Was all his remorse just an act?

Seeing his stunned expression, Jungin figured he still had a ways to go before he’d learned his lesson.

“Locking me in a bathroom, spreading rumors, and you even hit me.”

Jungsoo stared blankly at Jungin, who was smiling brightly yet saying the harshest things.

Clicking his tongue, Jungin brushed his hair back, then added.

“Did you think kneeling once would wipe out all the times you tormented me?”

“….”

“Am I a joke to you?”

With a scoff that matched Jungsoo’s own from earlier, Jungin looked down on him with a hardened expression.

“Tell your parents yourself. Then maybe I’ll believe what you’re saying.”

It felt petty, but after all he’d endured, it was satisfying.

This is how it should be.

Noticing the kids who had backed Jungsoo against him freeze as if they finally understood he wouldn’t give in easily, Jungin scoffed, leaving with Beomhyeon as they ascended the stairs.

Then someone called after Beomhyeon urgently.

“Beomhyeon! Beomhyeon!”

They turned to find the principal, his face beaded with sweat, clearly having waited for Beomhyeon.

“Ah, Jungin, are you feeling better? I was really worried.”

The elderly principal climbed two steps at a time, a relieved smile on his face as he checked on Jungin.

“Yes, I’m feeling much better now. Thank you for your concern.”

After exchanging pleasantries, the principal turned to Beomhyeon.

“Beomhyeon, could you spare a moment to talk with the Chairman?”

So that was the purpose.

The school was owned by Beomhyeon’s family’s company, so he’d have to comply.

However, Beomhyeon didn’t let go of Jungin’s arm.

“It’s okay. You can go.”

Curious about what disciplinary actions had been taken against his bullies, Jungin added, “It’s fine. Really.”

“No.”

“I’m serious.”

“If you run into trouble again, then…”

‘Then can I take them down?’

Jungin could almost imagine him saying it.

He’d already caused a stir once before, so Beomhyeon was understandably wary.

The principal looked over nervously, then spotted their homeroom teacher approaching.

“Ah, just in time! Could you accompany Jungin back to class?”

The principal was still unaware their teacher was one of the bullies.

Beomhyeon started to speak, but Jungin responded first.

“Sure, no problem.”

“Lee Jungin.”

Jungin gave Beomhyeon a reassuring smile, tapping his glasses.

“I’ll be okay. I’ll wait for you in the classroom.”

Earlier, he’d told Beomhyeon about the hidden camera in his glasses.

Beomhyeon glanced at the glasses, looking uneasy, but still wouldn’t let go.

“Didn’t you tell me that you have some influence here? Make sure to ask the Chairman to discipline those who bullied me, okay?”

With a sigh, Beomhyeon clicked his tongue.

“Only now do you act cute.”

Jungin chuckled. “I’ll wait. But if I get hurt again, my brothers might just lock you up.”

An Alpha, indeed.

His warning made Jungin’s skin prickle as he awkwardly nodded.

“Alright then, we’re off!”

The principal, now visibly relieved, led Beomhyeon away.

Jungin, now alone with the homeroom teacher, turned to greet him.

“Hello, teacher.”

“Lee Jungin…”

Once alone, the teacher’s face turned dark.

Why did he despise Jungin so much?

Was it an inferiority complex, like the others?

“Did you set all this up, Lee Jungin?”

“Set up what?”

Gritting his teeth, the teacher shouted.

“Do you even know what kind of turmoil you’ve caused? Come with me. We’re having a counseling session.”

The grip on his arm was unexpectedly strong, and the teacher’s scent felt off.

‘Why does he… smell weird?’

Instinctively, Jungin felt he should avoid him.

“No. Beomhyeon told me to wait in class.”

“Are you ignoring me now?”

“Let go of me…!”

“Lee Jungin!”

The teacher dragged him in the opposite direction of the classroom.

Just as Jungin tried to pull his arm free, he lost his balance and began to fall backward.

As he tumbled down the stairs, he met his teacher’s eyes, twisted with glee.

‘I can’t get hurt… I’ll be in trouble if….’

He reached out, trying to grab hold of something, anything, but his body didn’t respond.

Would he really fall from this height?

He bit his lip as terror took over.

“Jungin!”

A voice called his name as someone pulled him close, sheltering his head.

The world went dark, but the familiar scent told him who it was.

‘…Beomhyeon?’

Strong arms protected him, and a dull pain shot through his ankle as they hit the ground.

“Argh….”

“Beomhyeon?”

A faint groan escaped him.

Jungin gently pulled Beomhyeon’s arms down, finally seeing his pained expression.

‘Did he really throw himself down the stairs with me…?’

Thoughts were tangled, and words wouldn’t come out right.

In that moment, a red stain beneath Ki Beomhyeon’s arm caught my eye.

“Ki… Ki Beomhyeon… Beomhyeon!”

* * *