High school began as just another place to exist — not to live. The MC kept his distance from everyone, even when old classmates tried to reconnect. His cold eyes and quiet presence made people avoid him… or fear him. Rumors started spreading. Some said he was violent. Some called him a delinquent. None knew the truth.
But beneath the emotionless mask, a storm raged inside.
One day, during gym class, he noticed a girl sitting alone — someone who didn't fit in, just like him. She had transferred recently and never spoke unless called on. Their eyes met once. She didn't flinch or look away. She simply nodded.
For the first time in years, someone saw him… not his reputation.
They didn't talk much at first. Just shared silence during lunch, standing near the same tree outside. Eventually, words slipped in — small ones, quiet ones. Her name was Reina, and she had her own scars. She didn't push him to talk. She didn't ask him to smile. She simply stayed.
At home, the same quiet war continued. His stepmother left food at his door. His stepsister waited outside his room, trying to say something — anything. But his door remained closed, his heart locked.
They didn't know how to say what they felt. He didn't believe they ever would.
Then, something changed.
One night after work, MC was ambushed by a group of thugs from another school. They'd heard about "the quiet freak who beats up bullies." But they didn't know he'd learned how to fight — and he fought back. Fiercely.
When he staggered home covered in bruises, his family panicked. His father, for the first time, didn't yell — he froze in fear. His stepmother ran to get medicine. His stepsister cried silently.
But still, he said nothing. He walked past them all and locked himself in his room.
> "Why… won't he just let us in?"
his stepsister whispered.
> "Because," his stepmother replied,
"we weren't there when he needed us most."
At school, Reina noticed the bruises. She didn't ask questions. She just walked with him that day, her silence louder than sympathy. He was beginning to understand that not everyone wanted to hurt him. But he didn't know how to trust again.
Then, everything changed the day Reina was targeted by bullies.
He found her in the hallway, bruised and crying — the same way he used to be.
He snapped.
The MC fought them — harder than he ever had. Teachers intervened, police were called, suspensions handed out. He didn't speak a word. Reina was safe, but he was labeled again — a problem. A violent case. Someone to watch.
But Reina didn't abandon him.
That evening, she came to his part-time job and waited outside. When he walked out, surprised to see her, she bowed deeply.
> "Thank you," she said.
"Even if no one else sees it… you're still a good person."
He didn't respond.
But something cracked inside him.