– Chapter 3
The bell rang, slicing through the murmur of the classroom. Minjun lifted his water bottle to take a sip, trying to calm the fluttering in his chest. But the relief was short-lived. A group of bullies smirked, their eyes glinting with mischief, and snatched the bottle from his desk.
"Look at this weakling. Can't even drink water without shaking," one sneered, passing the bottle around and pretending to drink from it. Laughter bounced off the walls, cruel and mocking. Minjun's fingers curled around his notebook, nails pressing into the paper, but he stayed silent, shoulders slumping under the weight of humiliation.
The classroom door creaked open. Yo Chan, Joon, and Joungki strolled in, carefree, skipping their own class. The bullies perked up immediately, eager to impress.
"Yo Chan-hyung, want to see something funny?" one asked, and with a sly motion, squirted water from Minjun's bottle onto the floor. Laughter erupted—mocking, loud, unrelenting.
---
In another part of the school, Anna's peace shattered. A boy burst into her classroom, panic written across his face.
"Anna! Your brother… they're bullying him again!"
Her notebook slammed shut, the sound sharp as a gunshot in the quiet room. She bolted, Seirin close behind, worry etched into every line of her face.
---
Anna stormed into Minjun's classroom like a whirlwind.
"Oh… Anna? So he's your brother? Totally different from you," Yo Chan said, surprised and smirking.
Ignoring him, Anna knelt beside her brother. "Minjun-ah, what happened? Sit down." She helped him back into his chair, heart hammering. Then, with blazing eyes, she pivoted, grabbing Yo Chan's collar with iron grip.
"Don't touch him—" Joungki started, but Yo Chan raised his hand, stopping him.
"No. I've got this," he said, a dangerous smirk curling across his face.
---
"What are you gonna do? Hit me?" Yo Chan taunted, raising a hand to strike.
But Anna was faster. Her fist connected with his face, sharp and unrelenting. Gasps filled the room, whispers trailing like sparks.
Joungki lunged toward Anna, fists clenched—but Seirin stepped in, her own punch landing squarely on Joungki instead. For a split second, Anna's eyes met Seirin's—that's my girl, a silent acknowledgment of loyalty and trust.
---
Yo Chan's face darkened with fury. He grabbed a chair, swinging it toward Anna with deadly intent. Minjun reacted instinctively, pushing his sister out of the way—but the chair slammed into him instead. He collapsed, unconscious for a moment, the world narrowing to pain and panic.
"Minjun-ah!!" Anna screamed, fury erupting uncontrollably. She kicked Yo Chan hard, sending him crashing into a desk.
At that exact moment, the door burst open. The teacher stood frozen, eyes wide.
"What is happening here?!"
---
Later, in the quiet of the nurse's office, Minjun lay bandaged, fragile on the bed. Anna sat beside him, guilt and worry heavy in her chest.
"You shouldn't have done that… I can protect myself," she whispered, voice trembling slightly.
Minjun looked down, tears glistening.
Seirin entered softly. "Anna. The principal wants to see you. And Yo Chan."
---
By evening, Anna and Yo Chan stood side by side in the principal's office, heads bowed.
"Both of you have crossed the line. Violence will not be tolerated. Your parents will be informed," the principal said sharply. Yo Chan smirked faintly, glancing at Anna. She clenched her fists, refusing to meet his eyes.
---
Outside, the school grounds were quiet. Anna and Seirin walked home.
"You have to control your anger. The principal will call your father. He's already worried about you," Seirin warned. Anna didn't reply, jaw tightening, silent resolve simmering beneath the surface.
---
Back at home, Anna's father paced the living room, fury radiating off him in waves.
"How many times must I say this?! Stop fighting! You're going to ruin your life just like your mother did!"
Anna lowered her head, fists trembling, heart pounding, fire smoldering inside her chest.
---
Meanwhile, in his room, Yo Chan applied an ice pack to his cheek, replaying Anna's punch in his mind. A chuckle escaped him.
"Crazy girl… who the hell are you?"
---
Seirin sat at her desk, diary open. Her pen moved steadily.
She fights for everyone. But no one protects her. How long can she carry all this pain alone?
---
Minjun, curled up in his bed, whispered into the darkness, tears streaming.
"I'm sorry, noona… I'm useless… I couldn't protect you."
---
Night enveloped them all, the quiet punctuated by lingering echoes of the day.
Anna, staring at her bruised knuckles, fire still burning in her chest.
Yo Chan, grinning faintly in the shadows, thinking of her unrelenting spirit.
Seirin, sighing softly, closing her diary.
Minjun, silently crying under his blanket, heart aching for his sister.
Tomorrow promises new battles—and none of them will be easy.