Why do you defend me?

Ren Nakamura knew how to handle fights.

That's just how life was. You learn to hit before you get hit.

But there was one thing he wasn't prepared for.

Yuki Hoshino getting involved.

After School – Back of the Gym

Ren had been in a bad mood all day.

His conversation with Yuki yesterday? Still replaying in his head.

The way she had smiled—just a little smaller.The way she had walked away—just a little too fast.

Tch. Why did that bother him?

So when a group of second-years decided to start something with him after school, Ren welcomed the distraction.

"Tch. You guys again?" Ren muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.

It was the same group from before. The ones he humiliated when they tried to jump that first-year kid.

"Think you're tough, huh?" the blonde sneered. "You got lucky last time."

Ren laughed dryly. "Right. Because it takes a real genius to pick on a kid half your size."

The guy's eye twitched. "You little—"

He lunged.

Ren dodged easily. Too slow.

"Pathetic," Ren muttered.

Another guy came at him from the side. Ren ducked, twisted, and slammed an elbow into his ribs.

A grunt. A curse. Someone hit the ground.

Ren cracked his knuckles. This was almost too easy.

And then—

A voice that shouldn't have been there.

"Ren!"

Oh, hell no.

Ren's head snapped up—

And there she was.

Yuki.

Standing a few feet away.

Watching him.

And for the first time in his life—

Ren hesitated.

That second of distraction cost him.

A fist slammed into his side.

Ren gritted his teeth, stumbling back.

Shit. That actually hurt.

He barely had time to recover before another guy grabbed his collar, ready to swing—

And then, something happened that made Ren's blood run cold.

"Stop!"

Ren's heart froze.

Because Yuki stepped between them.

Between him—and the guy who was about to hit him.

What. The. Hell.

The entire group went silent.

Ren's stomach dropped.

Yuki stood there, arms stretched out like a damn shield. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, her small figure completely out of place in this situation.

She wasn't scared.

She should have been scared.

But she wasn't.

"Move," Ren growled.

Yuki didn't move. She just turned her head slightly, looking at him.

And she smiled.

"It's okay, Ren."

Ren's pulse roared in his ears.

No. It was NOT okay.

He could handle this. But if they touched her—

The blonde sneered. "Look at this. Your little girlfriend coming to save you?"

Ren's jaw locked. "Say that again, and I'll break your face."

Yuki sighed. "Seriously, Ren?"

Ren glared at her. "Are you an idiot?! Why are you here?"

Yuki tilted her head. "Because you looked like you needed help."

Ren couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Help?!" His voice rose. "Do you have a death wish, Hoshino?"

Yuki smiled lightly. "Not today."

Ren clenched his fists. This girl was actually insane.

The blonde scoffed. "Tch. Whatever. We'll deal with you later, Nakamura."

He shot Yuki a dirty look. "You're lucky we don't hit girls."

Yuki didn't flinch. "And you're lucky I don't punch idiots."

Ren almost laughed. Almost.

The guys clicked their tongues and backed off, mumbling curses as they left.

Silence.

Ren exhaled slowly, forcing his body to relax.

And then, before he could stop himself—

He grabbed Yuki's wrist.

"Are you stupid?" His voice was low. Sharp.

Yuki blinked. "Ren—"

"What the hell were you thinking?"

She frowned. "I was thinking I didn't want to see you get hurt."

Ren let go of her wrist.

Tch. Why did she have to say it like that?

Like it was so simple.

Like he mattered.

Yuki sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "You're not mad, are you?"

Ren ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "You don't get it."

Yuki tilted her head. "Then explain it to me."

Ren glared. "If something happened to you—"

He cut himself off.

Yuki's eyes softened.

And just like before—she smiled.

"Then why do you always let things happen to you?" she asked quietly.

Ren stared at her.

His chest felt tight.

Yuki…

She wasn't talking about the fight anymore.

Ren looked away. "Tch. Stop saying weird things."

Yuki laughed. "I could say the same to you."

Ren sighed, turning away. "I'm taking you home."

"Huh? Why?"

"You're an idiot, and I need to make sure you don't get yourself killed before tomorrow."

Yuki giggled. "Aww, are you worried about me?"

Ren scowled. "Shut up."

Yuki beamed.

And just like that—

The tight feeling in his chest didn't seem as bad anymore.

That Night – Ren's Room

Ren stared at the ceiling.

Again.

Tch. What the hell was wrong with him?

This girl—

She was making everything complicated.

She made him hesitate.

She made him think.

And worst of all—

She made him feel.

Ren sighed