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Noah froze. The phone nearly slipped from his hand as the cigarette fell, scattering sparks across the concrete. Slowly, he turned — and his stomach dropped.
Yunah stood a few steps away, arms crossed, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You smoke?" her voice sliced through the cool rooftop air. "How could you? You're just a high—" she stopped herself, exhaling sharply in frustration before striding toward him. "Who taught you to smoke, Noah?" she demanded, stopping right in front of him. Her tone softened only enough to sting. "Look at me and answer."
Noah's gaze stayed low, fingers fidgeting. "I… I learned it myself."
"Learned it yourself?" Yunah repeated, incredulous. "Seriously?" Her brow furrowed deeper. "Why?"
Noah hesitated, voice barely above a whisper. "I just... wanted to try. Out of curiosity, that's all."
"Curiosity?" Yunah scoffed, shaking her head. "Unbelievable." She extended her palm towards him. "Give me everything you have. Now."
Without a word, Noah reached into his hoodie and placed a half-empty packet of cigarettes in her hand.
"From today, you're done. Promise me you won't smoke again until graduation," she ordered, her voice firm but faintly pleading beneath holding the packet of cigarettes tightly.
Noah lifted his eyes — finally meeting hers. "I promise I won't smoke again," he said quietly, his tone suddenly serious. Then, with a faint smirk tugging at his lips, he added, "Not for the rest of my life... as long as you stay in it."
Yunah's heart skipped. For a split second, her composure cracked. She coughed lightly, face flushed. "Ugh, stop talking nonsense," she muttered, tucking the packet into her hospital gown pocket. "Let's go. Didn't you say you wanted to have a walk on the hospital garden?"
"Hm." Noah nodded, falling into step beside her.
Their height difference was noticeable — he towered over her, yet somehow looked younger, softer in that moment.
"I thought you were in your ward waiting for me," Yunah said after a moment, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "But instead, I find you up here... smoking and talking on the phone. Who were you talking to?" She paused, biting her lip. "Was it your girlfriend?"
"No," Noah replied a little too quickly. "I don't have a girlfriend." Then, his lips curved into a teasing smile. "But... I do have a fake one named Yunah."
Her breath hitched as the memory of their kiss flashed before her eyes. "W-What?!" she stammered, glaring at him, cheeks crimson. "You— stop saying things like that! I'm serious, Noah!"
He chuckled softly, enjoying the way her steps quickened. "Di, wait for me," he said, jogging slightly to catch up, his smile faint but genuine.
Yunah didn't look back — but the corner of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
And Noah, walking beside her in silence, found himself admiring the warmth in her presence — the kind that even smoke and secrets couldn't cloud.
**************
"NOAHH!"
The sharp voice echoed through the hallway, slicing the quiet like a blade. Noah and Yunah froze mid-step, turning around toward the sound. Nerav was storming toward them, his expression blazing with anger.
"Where have you been, huh?" Nerav demanded, his tone hard enough to make heads turn.
Before Noah could answer, Yunah stepped in front of him—her stance firm, eyes locked on Nerav like a shield ready for battle.
"And who exactly are you to talk to him like that?" she asked, her voice clear and cutting, making even Nerav hesitate for a second.
Noah couldn't help it—his lips curved into a soft smile. The way she stood up for him, fierce and unflinching, made his heart feel light. He watched her profile with quiet adoration, his gaze softening while she stood there like his own tiny warrior.
"I'm his brother," Nerav said finally, scoffing as he placed a hand on his waist. "Got a problem with that?"
Yunah raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so you're the useless brother," she said bluntly, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Miss, mind your language," Nerav shot back, his irritation rising.
"Why should I?" Yunah retorted instantly, unbothered by his tone. "Where were you when your brother was getting whipped like that, huh? What's the point of showing up after the damage's already done?"
Her words struck deep. Nerav's mouth fell silent. Because she was right. He hadn't done anything. Couldn't. And that guilt had been gnawing at him ever since.
Noah noticed it—the flicker of regret in his brother's eyes—and finally stepped forward.
"Di," he said softly, glancing at Yunah, before turning to Nerav. "It's not his fault. He didn't know anything. I never told him."
Nerav lowered his gaze. "No," he muttered, voice rough. "It is my fault. I should've protected you. I failed as a brother."
Yunah's expression softened instantly, guilt washing over her face. "I... I'm sorry for earlier," she said quietly. "I'll leave you both to talk with one another. Maybe he'll tell you what really happened."
Noah looked at her, his eyes soft again, that innocent warmth returning for just a moment. "Where are you going, di?" he asked, his voice almost boyish—leaving Nerav momentarily stunned.
"I'll be right outside, in the garden as we have planned. Come find me there." she replied with a faint smile, giving Nerav a polite bow before walking away.
Noah's gaze followed her until she disappeared from sight. And the instant she was gone, the softness drained from his eyes. What remained was the cold, sharp aura Nerav knew too well—the one that made people hesitate to even speak near him.
"You shouldn't have come here," Noah said, his voice low and icy.
"I knew you'd say that," Nerav replied, managing a weary smile. "But I didn't know you could be that warm to someone." His tone turned more sincere. "How's your back? Still hurting?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Noah said flatly, brushing past him. "Pain's nothing new to me." He didn't look back as he continued walking. "Let's talk in my ward."
Nerav exhaled quietly and followed him.
**************
At the Hospital Garden.
The night was quiet, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the hum of insects. Yunah sat alone on a wooden bench beneath a tall tree, the lamplight casting a warm glow around her. The cool night breeze played with her hair, brushing against her face as she stared into the distance, lost in thought.
"I've seen his brother somewhere before..." she murmured, frowning slightly. Her fingers scratched her temple, trying to dig through the haze of her memory. "But where?"
Her eyes narrowed, mind racing through every face she'd seen in magazines, news channels, and in business events.
Then suddenly—
"Oh my God!"
She jolted upright, startling a few patients and visitors taking their evening strolls nearby. Her heartbeat quickened, and disbelief flashed across her face.
"He... he..." her voice trembled as she clutched her mouth with one hand, eyes wide in realization. "He's the chairman of N&N Enterprises!"
She froze for a moment, processing what she'd just said.
Her breath quickened, panic rising in her chest. "Then that means..." she whispered, her voice barely audible now, "Noah... is the heir to N&N..."
The truth hit her like a wave. She took a sharp breath, sitting back down slowly, still dazed. The night breeze felt colder now, brushing past her like a shiver of fate she wasn't ready to face.