"What's going on here?"
A senior volunteer pushed through the gathered crowd, two companions close behind him. The chatter died instantly.
"N-nothing, sir. Just a misunderstanding…" Ivan stepped forward quickly, forcing a nervous smile as he tried to defuse the situation.
"Misunderstanding?" The college student Noah had punched snapped, his voice thick with anger. He pointed at his swollen cheek. "This kid attacked me. Look at my face!"
The senior volunteer's gaze shifted to Noah, cold and assessing. "You're the president of St. Augustin, aren't you?" He took a step closer. "Should I report this behavior to your principal, hmm?"
The threat hung heavy in the air. Before Noah could react, Yunah moved. She released her grip on his clenched fist and stepped forward, placing herself between him and the senior volunteer.
"You've only heard one side of the story," Yunah said, her voice cold and unwavering as she met the senior volunteer's gaze. "You should ask why he did it." She didn't hesitate."I trust Noah. He's not someone who raises his hand without reason." Her eyes shifted sharply towards the college students. "So if he did this, then they must have crossed the line."
Noah's heartbeat stumbled. She had seen him lose control. She hadn't heard his explanation. And yet—she believed him. Without question.
"This di is right," Ivan stepped up beside Yunah, his voice steadier now. "They were flirting with Nisha, bothering her for her number. When I told them to stop, this arrogant guy punched me first." He pointed at the student. "Noah stepped in for me. They started it."
The senior volunteer scanned the crowd. "Is that true?"
A murmur of agreement rose immediately. Heads nodded. Voices overlapped in confirmation.
His expression hardened as he turned to the college students. "You three—come with me. I'll be reporting this to your professor."
Then his gaze returned to Noah, stern and warning. "You may have acted to protect your friend, but violence is still not the solution. Be careful next time. If I see you involved in another fight, I won't let it slide. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Noah replied, lowering his head, suddenly looking every bit the obedient, harmless student.
The senior volunteer let out a short chuckle. "You really know how to play innocent, don't you?" He turned away, waving his hand dismissively. "Everyone, back to work. Show's over."
The crowd slowly thinned, the tension easing with each step away.Yunah turned back to Noah, her eyes sweeping over him—from his face to his shoulders, then down—searching.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly. "Did they hit you too?" Her gaze stopped at his reddened knuckles. Without thinking, she reached for his hand, her fingers brushing over his bruised skin. "Does it hurt?"
Noah smiled, watching her worried expression. To him, she had never looked cuter."No," he shook his head gently. "I'm fine."
But his heart was not.
Meanwhile, Ivan and Serena watched them closely—both suspicious, though for different reasons.
Ivan already knew.
But Serena… she felt it.There was something unmistakable in the way Noah and Yunah stood so close, eyes locked, the world shrinking to just the two of them. Affection lingered openly between them—especially in Noah's gaze.The way he looked at Yunah wasn't casual. It was possessive. Devoted. Like she was his entire world. As if no other girl existed.
Even Sharon noticed it. And what unsettled him more was Yunah herself. The concern in her eyes, the softness in her touch—he had never seen her look at anyone like that before. A sharp pang of jealousy settled in his chest. Unable to watch anymore, Sharon turned and walked away.
"Noah—"
The fragile bubble between Noah and Yunah burst as Nisha stepped in, holding a small first-aid kit. She lifted a tube of ointment. "I brought this… for your hand."
"Bad timing," Ivan muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
"I agree," Serena said calmly, arms folded, eyes narrowed. "I was enjoying the show."
Yunah immediately let go of Noah's hand, embarrassment flushing her face—but Noah caught it again, his jaw tightening as he shot Nisha an irritated look.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone sharp, clearly offended.
"I—I brought ointment," Nisha replied nervously, holding it up. "If you don't mind… I can apply it. I wanted to thank you—for standing up for me."
"No need," Noah said flatly. But Yunah gently pulled her hand free this time, making Noah look at her in confusion.
"Don't be rude, Noah," Yunah said firmly. Then she turned to Nisha with a polite smile. "She's just trying to help." Her gaze returned to Noah, unwavering. "Let her treat your hand."
"I don't need it, Di," Noah argued, irritation slipping into his voice. He hated the idea of someone else touching him. Anyone other than Yunah.
"This feels like a melodrama," Ivan commented, arms crossed.
"Hm," Serena hummed. "I'm enjoying it though."
"You need to disinfect the wound, Noah," Yunah said, her voice rising slightly. "I don't want to hear any excuses. Go. Let her do it."
Nisha froze, startled. "You two must be… very close," she said softly. She had never seen anyone speak to Noah like that. Order him. Raise their voice.
"You don't need to know that," Noah snapped, already turning away. His irritation wasn't directed at Nisha—but at Yunah. At the fact that she was sending him to someone else instead of tending to him herself.
"What's wrong with him?"Yunah murmured, staring at his retreating back. "Why is he suddenly angry?"
She raised her voice. "Noah! Shall I wait for you or not?"
No answer.
He kept walking, shoulders stiff, sulking—while Nisha hurried to match his pace.
"Yunah," Serena said, slipping an arm around her shoulders with a smirk. "How could you let another girl treat your boyfriend?"
"What—!" Yunah flailed her arms. "Don't say things like that casually! What if someone hears and believes it?"
Serena laughed. "Relax. I was just teasing." She leaned in and whispered, "Unless… you want it to be true."
"You're unbelievable," Yunah muttered, walking off, flustered and speechless.
Serena followed her, smiling knowingly.
----------------------
Half an Hour Later.
Noah sat on the ground, drinking cold water straight from the bottle. A few drops spilled, sliding down his neck and soaking into his color-splattered T-shirt. Under the stadium lights, the sight alone was enough to make a few girls nearby swallow hard and look away.
He checked the time.
8:40 p.m.
Too late.
His jaw tightened. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Yogesh's number. He didn't wanted to disturb Yunah's sleep and only wanted to confirm if she had reached the apartment safely. Just to be sure.
The call rang… and rang.
Finally, a groggy voice answered.
"Hello…?"
"Yogesh," Noah said quietly but firmly. "Did di reached home?"
"Huh?" Yogesh mumbled, half-asleep. "Di…?" A pause. "I don't think she's back yet…" He yawned loudly.
"What?" Noah shot up to his feet so fast that it made Ivan to flinch, instantly alert at the panic flashing across Noah's face. "Are you sure? Check her room. Now."
The urgency in his voice snapped Yogesh fully awake. "Okay, okay." The sound of footsteps echoed through the phone, each one pounding in Noah's chest. Seconds felt unbearable.
"She's not in her room," Yogesh said after a moment, yawning again. "She's probably out with friends. Tomorrow's a holiday so don't worry."
The words did nothing to calm him.The moment Noah heard she hasn't arrived, the color drained from his face, replaced by something dark—something dangerous. His grip tightened around the phone.
He shouldn't have left her.
He shouldn't have walked away angry.
Images spiraled through his mind—streets, shadows, worst-case scenarios stacking one after another. Regret clawed at his chest, sharp and unforgiving.