* * *

They crossed the intersection and entered a clothing store that sold uniforms.

Mannequins displayed summer, transitional, and winter uniforms.

“Excuse me, I’d like to buy uniforms for Jiha University. Do you offer delivery?”

“Of course. Are they for you?”

“No, they’re for a friend whose house got flooded. They need replacements.”

“Wow, you’re as kind as you look. I’ll give you a discount.”

“Thank you.”

Yeo Woohee bought summer, transitional, and winter uniforms for Na Taejoon.

Earlier today, he’d noticed his old uniforms were stained yellow, likely from being hand-washed after getting soaked in muddy water.

They were also wrinkled and shabby.

He wrote Na Taejoon’s new address on the delivery form and listed the sender as “Jiha University Student Council.”

Seeing this, Kang Dohee handed over his credit card at the counter, trying to act cool as always.

“Why are you paying for this?”

“Why are you paying for it, Woohee?”

“Because I’m Na Taejoon’s friend.”

“And I’m the official boyfriend. In situations like this, the boyfriend should pay.”

“You two are actually dating?”

“Do you really think I’d date that ill-tempered chihuahua? Sir, please use this card. I just don’t like seeing him spend money on that guy.”

The clerk, hesitating between the two cards, accepted Kang Dohee’s.

Feeling uneasy about taking on a strange debt, Yeo Woohee left the store.

“Fine, but you’re treating me at the arcade later.”

“But that’s not fair; the prices aren’t even close!”

“Then treat me today, tomorrow, and the day after.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll cover everything whenever we hang out from now on.”

“Wow, I’m in luck.”

Laughing, Kang Dohee ruffled Yeo Woohee’s hair.

“Stop it! You’re messing up my hair.”

Yeo Woohee pouted and tried to fix his hair with his hands.

As they walked down the sidewalk, Kang Dohee pulled him closer to the inner side, taking the outer side near the traffic as if to shield him.

‘What the hell is this heart-fluttering move? This guy’s a total player.’

But even if he was sweet, a romantic relationship wasn’t something Yeo Woohee found palatable.

He made a dismissive noise and fussed with his hair.

“Yeo Woohee, you look good even now. Stop fixing it.”

Without realizing it, Yeo Woohee froze in place.

‘This feels like a date. Should I tell Yeo Jinwoo? What’s he up to, anyway? Probably working. Why hasn’t he called me? Have his feelings cooled?’

“Wait, Dohee, look out!”

A motorcyclist in a black helmet sped toward them at alarming speed.

The rider, wearing a leather jacket, pulled out a baseball bat and swung it at Kang Dohee, who was standing by the road.

Kang Dohee raised his arm to block the blow aimed at his head.

“Ugh.”

Clutching his arm, Kang Dohee collapsed.

The motorcycle sped off, leaving the scene. It felt surreal, like something out of a movie.

In a daze, Yeo Woohee calmly called 911 and reported to the police.

“This is at the intersection near Jiha University. My friend was attacked by a motorcyclist with a baseball bat. Please check the nearby CCTV and trace them. The license plate is G-○○○○.”

After ending the call, Yeo Woohee teared up seeing Kang Dohee holding his arm and sweating profusely.

They weren’t close, but seeing someone he knew injured made him worry.

“Dohee, don’t move your arm recklessly. If the bone’s out of place, surgery will be harder. Hang on.”

From his experience with minor injuries during SM play, Yeo Woohee had learned basic first aid.

He ran into the clothing store and borrowed transparent tape used for packaging.

Then he opened his bag, pulled out the thickest TOEIC prep book he had, and used it to splint Kang Dohee’s arm, securing it with tape.

“It hurts a lot, right? Don’t worry; the ambulance will be here soon.”

“You’re amazing, Woohee.”

“Are you seriously joking right now?”

“But you really are amazing. I think I’m falling for you all over again.”

Yeo Woohee used his handkerchief to wipe the sweat off Kang Dohee’s forehead.

Hearing the ambulance’s siren, he raised his hands and shouted.

“Over here! Here!”

Paramedics got out and asked if Kang Dohee could walk.

“Yes, I can.”

They helped Kang Dohee into the ambulance.

Yeo Woohee sat with the paramedics while Kang Dohee lay on a stretcher, receiving painkillers.

Thanks to courteous drivers clearing the way, they quickly reached the university hospital emergency room.

The doctor cut the tape and removed the TOEIC book splint, while a nurse led Kang Dohee to get an X-ray.

Exhausted from the tension, Yeo Woohee, drenched in sweat, unbuttoned his shirt slightly to cool off.

Once calmer, he waited for Kang Dohee.

When Kang Dohee returned with a cast on his arm, he looked surprisingly fine.

“How’s your arm?”

“The doctor said thanks to the first aid, I don’t need surgery. It’s just a minor fracture, so I’ll wear the cast for a month.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

Smiling brightly, Kang Dohee looked down at the visibly relieved Yeo Woohee.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Thanks, Woohee.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for.”

“If it weren’t for you, I’d probably need a metal plate in my arm.”

“Anyone would’ve done the same thing.”

“No, anyone would have panicked and wasted time in that situation. You’re really amazing.”

Woohee felt a flush of embarrassment at Kang Dohee’s constant flattery.

As Kang Dohee called his driver on the phone, Woohee hesitated, considering whether to arrange a ride as well.

But Kang Dohee stopped him.

“Of course, I’ll drop you off first. What kind of person do you think I am?” he said with a warm smile.

“Oh…” Woohee muttered, taken aback.

“I just need to pay the hospital bills and pick up the medicine. Let’s go,” Kang Dohee added, his tone reassuring.

After collecting the medicine from the hospital’s pharmacy, they returned to the ER, where several men in black suits were waiting.

One of them retrieved the bag Kang Dohee had left on the bed.

“We’re here to escort the young master,” one of the men announced.

Kang Dohee glanced at Woohee, his expression briefly flickering with uncertainty, as if gauging his reaction.

Woohee, perceptive as ever, wondered what Kang Dohee was worried about.

“They’re bodyguards who work for my family. Your family has them too, right?” Kang Dohee said casually, attempting to downplay the situation.

Woohee recognized the truth Kang Dohee was trying to hide.

His family’s connection to the underworld was something he likely didn’t want exposed.

Woohee decided to feign ignorance.

After all, without knowledge of the original story, he wouldn’t have known.

“Yeah, we have some too,” Woohee replied, playing along.

The two got into the black luxury car together.

During the ride, Kang Dohee lamented losing his TOEIC workbook in the chaos of his treatment.

Despite all the notes he had taken, it had disappeared.

“I’ll give you my TOEIC workbook tomorrow,” Woohee offered. “I’m taking the same elective.”

“No, it’s fine. What will you use to study then?” Kang Dohee asked, concerned.

“I’ll just photocopy my notes. I can always buy a new workbook,” Woohee reassured him.

“Alright, let’s do that,” Kang Dohee agreed.

Woohee didn’t refuse his kindness.

Serious about his grades, he couldn’t risk anything less than a perfect score—it would tarnish the flawless image he worked so hard to maintain.

The car eventually stopped in front of the OL Group’s main mansion.

Only then did Woohee realize he hadn’t given Kang Dohee his address.

A chill ran down his spine as unease set in.

* * *