They're so damn persistent.

It feels like over fifteen minutes have passed already. But they're still right after me, and I just can't seem to lose them. Every time I think I do, they just show up right there again, hot on my tail.

I'm starting to slow a little. Most men would've given up way earlier than this.

I curse, feeling my breaths run rougher as I glance over my shoulder.

These stupid—

Then an arm snakes around my waist, pulling me into the shadows of an alley even before I can make the tiniest squeak. I'm crushed into the cramped space, my back pressed against the wall and my face buried into someone's chest.

Panic starts to run wild.

Not again.

Not—

"Shh."

My frantic eyes find a steady, darkened gaze.

"Jungko—?!"

He winces, and the rest of my words crumble into a muffled sound as he covers my mouth with his hand. His voice is sharp and lowered.

"Hush."

Then I hear the men, shouting in confusion when they realize they've lost me. I hear rough cursing, and swallow down a knot in my throat.

Instinctively I press closer, trying to silence my rapid breaths. My fingers grip tightly onto the front of his shirt.

I squeeze my eyes close.

It feels safe, here.

It feels—

"Why would you do this?"

I blink. And I look up, a little bit taken aback by the tone of his voice. It's so unexpected how stern it is.

"...what?

"Why would you start something so reckless?" He repeats. "Back in the bar. Did you think that what you did was a good idea?"

I flush angrily.

Never mind.

I'd forgotten he was an annoying piece of shit.

"Then what was I supposed to do?" I breathe, my voice rising now that the men are gone. "They called out Aeri. I—"

"I understand." He murmurs.

"But throwing your glass on his head is only what fools would do. What if you'd gotten caught? Were you planning to run forever?"

My expression turns sour.

"I would've gotten away."

"Let's say you did, then." He says sharply. "What about Miss Aeri, who you seem to care so much about? Men stayed behind— not all of them came after you."

My face pales.

They hadn't?

I'm suddenly so freaked out that I can't even talk in a straight line.

"T-T-They didn't? What happened to her?"

"Hyung got to her," He sighs, and I go slack in relief. "But do you understand what I'm trying to say, Miss Rin."

I swallow again. Had Jungkook and that guy hadn't been there, today could've been the last day for both Aeri and I.

My voice is tiny. It's barely audible.

"...yeah."

But he keeps going.

"You're more impulsive than anyone I've ever met before, Miss Rin. And I'm worried that your fierceness is going to be what might kill you one day, because it isn't something that someone can easily fix."

I have to press down the urge to roll my eyes.

Hadn't he said enough? I—

"I'm saying that I'll teach you how to fight."

I stop.

Everything seems to stop.

"R-Really?"

He sighs again, his expression twisting into a grimace. Like he really doesn't want to be saying this right now.

"Yes. Really."

A smile widens.

No take backs.

"No take backs!" I yell, about to bounce excitedly when he suddenly hisses, his arm wrapping around my shoulders and the other pressing my face right back into the front of his shirt.

"No take—"

"They're still around, Miss Rin."

His lips flatten.

"I can still call off the entire thing."

"Okay— okay, I'll keep it quiet." I say, giggling as I hug him tightly. Then I grip his shoulders, trying so hard not to jump up and down.

I'd wanted to learn how to fight since forever. Because of all the times I'd seen my mother not being able to say a single thing to those big strong guys, because of all those times I couldn't do a single thing except for watch.

"When? What time?" I exclaim, looking up into his eyes. "I'm free all day, like I can do morning if you want and evening if you want too. Afternoons too."

"Miss Rin."

"Or I can do nights, if you're too busy during the daytime—"

"Miss Rin."

I look up.

"Tomorrow," He murmurs. "Be over by ten."

"Ten? At your place?"

He nods. Then he shifts out of the narrow alley, and I stare at him as a faint smile tints his lips.

"Sixth house. First street."

"Don't forget this time."

________________________________

"Wait."

"Aeri."

I sigh sharply at his call. And when I turn, my gaze is iced over like the snow-covered plains in Arctic winter. My voice is full of thorns.

"What."

In a second his figure shadows mine.

"Did he touch you?" V whispers, his fingertips fixing the loosened collar of my shirt. "Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere? The glass—"

Is he an idiot?

"Go take care of your own hand," I hiss. "Who are you even worrying for?"

His eyes flicker down at his right palm when I snap. The skin there is torn, bleeding heavily from the glass. It makes my expression twist when I see him stand there speechless.

Had he just noticed? That his entire hand was bleeding out on the ground?

I sigh roughly again.

Then I jerk the strip of cloth that I'd used for a ponytail. My dark hair unravels down my back as I click my tongue, my brows furrowed in annoyance. I snatch his wrist closer, not gentle with him at all.

"Didn't you think your hand was going to get screwed up if you did that?" I growl, wrapping the cloth as tight as I can over his palm. The white material already starts to turn red, with the blood.

My teeth clench.

"Straighten your fingers, dammit. Like do you think before you act, V? Or are you just always this reckless?"

"I thought you—"

Why isn't he saying anything?

I glance up. And the words instantly die in my throat as I see his face inches away from mine, the tip of his nose almost brushing against my own.

His lashed eyes, the shade of the ocean in midnight, blink slowly.

"I'm sorry."

He's so close that I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cold cheeks. There is a soft, pleasant afterscent of alcohol. Like he'd been drinking before this.

Fuck.

I shove him away.

"You do the rest." I snarl, so surprised how close he had been that it turns the tone of my voice even harsher. My body whips around.

"I'm leaving."

"Alright. Good night, Aeri."

A blush climbs up my neck as I walk briskly, wanting to get as far away as I possibly can. I only take the risk of glancing over my shoulder when I feel like I've widened the distance enough between him and I.

My hands curl into fists inside my jacket pocket when I see his dark silhouette, in the exact same spot. His eyes watch me.

And I see the faint smile that tints his lips, even with how far away he is. His bandaged hand lifts in the slightest wave.

I turn away.

And I can only pray that he doesn't see the bright scarlet curves of my ears.