Levi's voice trembled as he cupped Eren's shoulders.
"Are you okay, Eren? Do you even realize how terrified I was? If something had happened to you today… I would probably die."
Eren froze, his wide green eyes reflecting pure confusion.
"Why are you so worried about me, Levi? We've only known each other for a few days. Why are you acting like… like I'm everything to you?"
Levi stepped back for a moment, struggling to control the storm inside him. But then, almost impulsively, he pulled Eren close—so close their breaths mixed in the tiny space between them. His voice dropped into a whisper, heavy with unspoken truth.
"Do you really think we've only met for a few days, Eren?"
Before Eren could reply, a deafening gunshot shattered the fragile moment. Mafia Two burst forward, gun blazing, and the bullet tore into Levi's arm. Blood sprayed. Officers reacted instantly, firing back, and Mafia Two collapsed to the ground. The guards rushed, dragging Levi and Eren out, escorting them to the hospital in chaos.
Outside the Hospital
Mona's furious voice echoed like thunder.
"What use are you guards if you can't protect my son Levi and Eren? I hired you to shield them—not to let them bleed!"
The guards lowered their heads in shame.
Zack placed a calming hand on Mona's shoulder.
"Calm down, Mona. Everything is fine. Both Levi and Eren are safe."
But Mona's trembling hands betrayed her fear.
In Levi's Room
Levi lay pale against the hospital sheets, bandaged. As soon as his eyes fluttered open, the first words slipped from his lips were not about himself but—
"Eren… are you okay?"
Eren shouted, his voice cracking with emotion.
"After everything that just happened, you're still worried about me? Levi, you've been shot! If that bullet had hit anywhere else, you could've died! Why would you risk your life for me?"
Levi smiled faintly, the corners of his lips curving despite the pain.
"Because it makes me happy… to see you worry about me, Eren."
Eren's breath caught. He stared at Levi in shock, unable to understand why this boy cared so much.
"Levi…" he stammered. "Why? Why do you care about me so much? How I am, what I'm doing, where I'm going… You're not even my real brother. Then why… why do I matter to you?"
Levi's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with suppressed emotion. His teeth ground together as he finally opened his mouth—
"Because—!"
But the door swung open before the words could spill.
Mona's Guilt
Mona rushed in, her voice breaking with guilt.
"My son… Levi, this is all my fault. If I hadn't let you go to the university, if I hadn't sent you off on that bike, none of this would have happened!"
Eren shook his head, his voice trembling.
"No, Mom… this is because of me. Levi is in this condition because of me. If I had just taken my medicine on time, I wouldn't have ended up in trouble. He wouldn't have been shot…"
Mona cupped Eren's face gently.
"No, Eren. Don't blame yourself. This is fate… it was written long before today."
But in her heart, she wondered bitterly: Or maybe someone else wrote this fate for us…
Zack's Rage
Zack slammed his fist onto the wall.
"Enough! I won't forgive them. I'll crush every single one of those mafia dogs until they beg for mercy. No one dares harm my children!"
His phone rang. The name flashing on the screen sent ice through his veins—
Master.
With trembling hands, Zack answered.
"H-hello, Master…"
The voice on the other side was laced with fury.
"Zack, I gave you one job. One! To protect Eren. And you failed. Because of your incompetence, you'll now suffer. You'll pay the price. Get ready."
The line went dead, leaving Zack drenched in cold sweat.
White House
Back at the family mansion, Mona ordered the servants, "Redesign Levi and Eren's room. Replace all the furniture with new. Make it safer."
Levi chuckled weakly.
"Mom, what's the point? You just bought new furniture… and honestly, I like it the way it is."
But Mona ignored him, lost in her own restless worry.
The Next Day
The storm had already begun. Zack's company plunged into heavy losses.
"It's him," Zack whispered bitterly. "The Master. He called me last night. He's behind this destruction."
Mona's lips curved into a bitter smile.
"Yes… he called me too. He said we would pay a heavy price. But Zack… what does he even want from Eren?"
Zack's fists trembled. "I don't know. But if anything happens to Eren, the Master will destroy us all."
Mona's voice cracked with panic.
"Find out, Zack. Who is this Master? What is his connection with Eren? And how does he know every one of our secrets?"
Zack sent a coded message to an unknown number. Moments later, a reply came.
Unknown number: "Which plan?"
Zack: "Plan… Reveal Master's Face."
Morning
Eren sat by Levi's bedside, smiling softly.
"Look at you… the early riser who's still asleep today."
Levi slowly opened his eyes.
"I wasn't sleeping. I didn't close my eyes all night. I was waiting… waiting for you to come so we could go to university together."
Eren laughed. "You're impossible. Fine, let's go then. But wait—your hand… are you really okay?"
Levi smiled sadly.
"Why? Do you wish I wasn't okay?"
Eren flinched. "No! That's not what I meant. It's just… yesterday you were shot. You were in critical condition. But today… you seem completely fine."
Levi smirked and pulled Eren close, so close his lips brushed the edge of Eren's ear.
"Then… let's celebrate with ramen after class."
Eren's face turned crimson. His heart pounded.
"Levi… what are you doing? Why are you so close?"
Levi's smile deepened, teasing.
"Why? Are you scared… or just shy? You've never been this close to anyone before, have you?"
Eren stumbled back, flustered.
"No, I just…"
Levi cut him off with a mischievous grin.
"You're just staring at me, aren't you?"
"Ramen," Eren muttered in confusion.
Levi laughed. "Exactly. We'll eat ramen."
Dining Table
Meanwhile, Mona and Zack sat with them at breakfast.
"We've made a decision," Mona announced.
Eren tilted his head. "What decision, Mama?"
"You and Levi won't stay with us anymore."
"What?" Levi and Eren said in unison, shocked.
Eren's voice broke. "Did I… did I do something wrong?"
Mona smiled softly. "No, Eren. You've done nothing wrong. But our company is drowning in losses. So, Zack and I have decided… if you don't mind, Eren, we'd like you to join us. Work as an assistant in our company."
Eren's hands shook. "Mama… Dad… I… I can't. I don't want to add to the company's burden."
Levi leaned in with a mischievous grin.
"Eren… you really think you can escape that easily?"
TO BE CONTINUED…