Skips to morning
She woke up in an unfamiliar room, blinking at the soft morning light spilling through the curtains. For a moment, she forgot where she was—until the memory hit her like a wave. Right. Yuri's place.
She sighed and got up, dragging herself to the bathroom to wash up. As she changed out of the pajamas, her fingers paused on the fabric. Yuri. Just thinking about him made her chest tighten. She was going to class with him today—the most dangerous gangster in the university.
What kind of twisted plot is this?
She shook her head, snapping herself out of the thought. No use spiraling now. She stepped out of her room, trying to act natural, only to see Yuri walking down the stairs without sparing her a glance.
Good. Stay that way, she thought, creeping past her door like a ghost.
But then, she heard something. The soft clink of dishes. She turned her head—and there he was. In the kitchen.
Why is he always so early?!
He didn't even look at her. That was her chance. If she could just sneak past, she could avoid the walk of shame through campus with the gang leader. What would people think? A new student, already involved with him?
"No, no," she muttered under her breath. "Snap out of it. You're not involved. You're just—coexisting."
She took a deep breath and tiptoed toward the door, praying he wouldn't notice.
But then—
"Hey, Miss. Where do you think you're going?"
She froze like a deer caught in headlights.
His voice was smooth, almost lazy, but it carried a weight that stopped her in her tracks.
"Have your breakfast before sneaking out," he added without even turning around, casually placing a steaming mug on the counter like this was his morning ritual.
She stared at his back, heart thudding.
Seriously? How did he even know I was trying to sneak out? He didn't even look!
Her pride screamed to bolt for the door, but her stomach grumbled in betrayal.
"…I'm not sneaking," she muttered, barely loud enough to be heard.
He glanced over his shoulder then, one eyebrow raised, a smug grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Sure you aren't."
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. There was no point arguing—not with him. With a quiet sigh, she turned and walked back to the table, pulling out a chair and sitting down like a scolded kid.
Yuri didn't say anything for a moment, just sipped his coffee while scrolling through something on his phone. Then, as if reading her thoughts, he added without looking up:
"And don't try to escape from my sight again."
His tone was calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.
"It's an order, not a request."
She looked at him, trying to mask the flicker of irritation—and maybe a little fear—in her eyes.
"Right," she muttered, picking up the fork. "How charming."
But he only smirked, like he was enjoying every second of this. Like he knew she wouldn't disobey.
After breakfast, they headed to the university together.
The car ride was silent—uncomfortably so.
Y/N kept glancing at him, waiting for him to say something. Anything.
"Can you… please drop me off one stop before the university?" she asked hesitantly, voice soft but clear.
Yuri didn't respond. His gaze stayed fixed on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gearshift. Completely unreadable.
"Yuri" calls again but no response
Y/N frowned and leaned back with a sigh. "What the heck is going on… Why am I even with this crackhead? I swear, if I had the guts, I'd open the door and jump onto the street."
She breathed heavily, frustrated, watching the scenery blur past.
Yuri caught her anxious expression in his peripheral vision, and a faint smirk tugged at his lips.
She turned to him slowly, eyes narrowing. Her last card was on the table. Okay, Y/N, you got one shot. You HAVE to get off before the university. If people see me with him—game over. They'll tear me apart.
With every ounce of courage she had, she reached out—
Her fingers trembling slightly—and gently touched his cheek with her fingertip.
Yuri flinched, surprised, eyes flicking from her to the road.
"What are you doing, Miss?" he said, his voice low but noticeably shaken.
Y/N leaned in a little closer, eyes locked on the side of his face.
"If you're not going to drop me…" she said slowly, her second finger joining the first to lightly trace his cheek again,
"…then I'll do this," she finished, suddenly pinching his cheek
Yuri flinched, jaw tightening in shock.
Her grip wasn't painful—more like annoying in a deliberately bratty way. Her face was dead serious, though. Deadly serious. And yet somehow still cute.
"I'll grab your cheek like this all the way to our classroom," she threatened, holding his face hostage.
For a moment, Yuri didn't say anything. Just glanced at her, then back at the road. His lips twitched like he was trying not to laugh.
"You're insane," he muttered, voice low but laced with amusement. "Seriously."
But she didn't let go.
Yuri glanced at her sideways, his smirk deepening.
"Miss .. If you want skinship with me," he said casually, voice low and maddeningly calm, "that's not the only option."
Before she could process what he meant, his free hand shot out—firm but smooth—and grabbed her wrist.
In one swift motion, he pulled her hand down and let it rest on his lap, trapping it there with ease.
Her eyes widened. "Hey—! Let go!"
She struggled, trying to pull back, but he didn't even flinch. His grip wasn't painful, but it was unshakably firm—like trying to move a mountain.
"Stay still," he said, eyes still on the road
Y/N squirmed in her seat, face burning. "Y-You're insane! I was just trying to get dropped early, not—whatever this is!"
Yuri let out a low chuckle. "You started it, Miss. Now finish the ride like a good girl."
Her heart pounded so loud she could barely hear the engine anymore. But one thing was clear:
She was not winning this round.
She sat there, fuming. Her wrist still pinned firmly on his lap, and no matter how she tried, she couldn't break free. His grip wasn't hurting her—it was just maddeningly secure.
The seconds dragged like hours until finally, the car eased into a parking spot.
Yuri turned the engine off, then slowly looked at her, one brow raised with that signature smirk tugging at his lips.
"Miss," he said smoothly, "shall we go like this? Or…?"
She groaned, rolling her eyes so hard it was a miracle they stayed in her head.
"Yuri. Yuri, you are so childish," she muttered.
His expression didn't change. Still that cool, confident look.
"Miss, it's not my fault. You know that," he replied with a shrug, like she had somehow caused all of this.
"Let go of my wrist, Yuri—it's late!" she snapped, tugging again.
He leaned in just slightly, voice dropping with quiet warning.
"Don't try me."
Her breath hitched. She knew that tone—it wasn't a joke anymore.
But then again… maybe it never really was.
Yuri finally loosened his grip and let her wrist go.
The moment she was free, she flung the door open and bolted toward the hallway without looking back. Her hair fluttered behind her, and her steps were quick, like she was running from danger.
Yuri just sat there for a moment, watching her with a faint smirk on his lips.
⸻
Yuri's POV:
Damn it… What was that?
She really grabbed my cheek—the cheek of the Shadow Leader?? Who even does that?!
He scoffed under his breath, running a hand through his hair, trying to cool off the heat creeping up his neck.
And why the hell was I just sitting there, letting it happen like an idiot?
His heart was still pounding, steady but loud. Too loud.
Calm down, Yuri. Calm the hell down.
But then he remembered the feel of her fingers—soft, warm, unafraid.
Aghhh—stop thinking about that!
He hit the steering wheel lightly, annoyed at himself.
Yuri. Snap out of it. She's just a bratty transfer student. That's all.
But his smirk refused to leave. Not fully.
Just as Yuri was about to shut the car door, something caught his eye on the seat.
A small plastic card
He picked it up—her student ID.
He stared at it for a moment, thumb brushing over her picture. Her expression in the photo was nothing like the fiery girl who had just stormed off seconds ago.
With a sigh, he slipped it into his pocket.
Careless.
He closed the door with a quiet thud and leaned back for a second, gaze lingering on the hallway where she'd disappeared.
Then, without a word, he turned and made his way toward the classroom—
The classroom was already settled when Yuri walked in.
The teacher glanced up from the whiteboard, arms crossed. "May I come in, sir?" Yuri asked, tone cool and unbothered.
The teacher raised an eyebrow. "Why are you late, Yuri?"
Yuri shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Babysitting," he said flatly—and then tilted his head ever so slightly in Y/N's direction.
A wave of laughter erupted through the class. Whispered giggles, exchanged glances, and even a few raised eyebrows.
Y/N's face went blank. She rolled her eyes hard enough to strain a muscle.
Seriously?! This guy is unbelievable!
The teacher sighed. "Take a seat."
Yuri walked in like he owned the place—because, well, he kind of did.
Y/N didn't even look at him. She kept her eyes on the board, pretending he didn't exist. Her jaw was clenched, her hands folded tightly on her desk.
Then—
A soft thud.
Something landed in front of her. Her student ID.
She blinked, confused for a second, then looked down.
Her ID… the one she didn't even realize she had left behind.
She glanced sideways at him, but he was already leaning back in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, eyes on the board like he hadn't just casually returned a piece of her life.
No smirk. No comment.
Just silence.
she murmured,
"…Thanks."
Yuri didn't look at her.
But she noticed the subtle twitch at the corner of his lips—barely there, but enough to catch.
He heard her.
And for some reason… that made her chest tighten a little.
She quickly turned back to face the front, pretending to focus on the lesson, pretending like nothing just happened.
Time Skip: Break
Y/N's POV
The classroom buzzed softly with chatter, students pulling out snacks, stretching, checking their phones. Yuri, as usual, was laid out like he owned the world—head resting on his folded arms, eyes closed, completely unbothered.
I glanced over at him, about to look away again when I heard hurried footsteps pounding toward us.
A guy ran up, breathless.
Keifer.
I recognized him immediately. He looked flustered, borderline panicked.
"Yuri," he said quickly.
Yuri didn't even lift his head at first. Just turned his face slightly and opened one eye lazily. "What?"
Keifer leaned in, lowering his voice. "Back gate."
That made Yuri sit up slowly, eyes narrowing. "What happened?"
Keifer's gaze shifted to me for half a second, hesitant—but then he said it anyway. "Cin. he's been beaten. The Hawl gang. David and Felix are involved."
My mind blanked.
What?!
I stood up so fast my chair nearly toppled over. "Cin is beaten??!"
I didn't wait—I ran for the door. But just as I reached the threshold—
My wrist yanked back.
I gasped and looked behind me.
It was Yuri. His hand wrapped around my wrist again, firm, just like in the car. His expression was unreadable—but his eyes… sharp.
I could barely breathe.
"Let me go!" I shouted, heart racing.
But he didn't move.
His grip stayed firm on her wrist, grounding her.
"You don't have to come," Yuri said flatly, eyes locked on hers. "I'll go."
But Y/N yanked her arm, eyes burning. "She's my friend, Yuri. You expect me to sit here and go easy when Cin's been beaten? No way."
He exhaled through his nose, sharp and quiet.
"This isn't your fight," he said, voice low. "Don't involve yourself, Miss… or else you'll end up in danger too."
Their eyes clashed—his cold, warning; hers, blazing with defiance.
"I don't care," she shot back. "I won't just stand by while my people get hurt."
For a second, neither of them moved. The air between them was thick—too many things unsaid, too many emotions threatening to spill.
But then…
Yuri's jaw clenched. His grip loosened.
"Y/N," Yuri said firmly, his voice low but final, "stay by my side."
Something in his tone made her freeze. Not a request. A command—but one laced with something softer beneath it. Protection, maybe.
She didn't reply, only nodded slightly, heart pounding in her ears as they moved fast toward the back gate.
The moment they turned the corner, chaos unfolded in front of them.
Cin was on the ground—drenched in blood, her uniform torn, one eye swollen shut. Her body lay twisted, limbs trembling as she groaned in pain.
Y/N's eyes widened in horror. "Cin!"
A few feet away, fists flew. David and Felix were brawling with members of the Hawl gang, knuckles slick with blood, rage written across their faces. The sound of punches, grunts, and bodies hitting pavement echoed in the alley.
Yuri's eyes flicked over the scene like a predator scanning the battlefield, but Y/N didn't wait.
She broke into a run and dropped to her knees beside Cin, her hands trembling as she touched her friend's bloodied arm.
Tears welled in her eyes instantly.
"Cin… Cin! Are you alright?" Her voice cracked. "Please say something—"
Cin's eyes opened halfway, barely able to focus. "Y/N… why are you here…? It's dangerous…"
But Y/N shook her head, ignoring him completely. "I don't care. You're hurt. I'm here."
She gripped Cin's hand, trying to stop her own sobs from spilling out, brushing matted hair away from her friend's face.
Behind her, Yuri stepped forward—his entire presence changing. Calm no longer. His eyes sharpened into something deadly.
"You two," he growled at David and Felix. "Step back."
The tension in the alley shifted. Like the storm had just arrived.
"Oh… the leader is here," one of the Hawl gang members sneered, stepping back slightly as he caught sight of Yuri approaching.
The tension in the air snapped.
Yuri didn't say a word.
Didn't warn.
Didn't flinch.
In a blur of motion, his fist flew—clean, fast, and brutal.
CRACK.
The Hawl guy's head snapped sideways as Yuri's punch landed square on his jaw. The guy dropped like a sack of bricks, groaning as he hit the ground.
The entire area fell into a stunned silence for a split second.
Even David and Felix paused mid-swing to glance at Yuri.
Y/N looked up from Cin, eyes wide, heart hammering.
Yuri stood tall, his knuckles already red, expression blank—but his eyes? Dark. Dangerous.
Then, without breaking his gaze, he spoke—voice low and sharp like a blade.
"David. Felix. Take Cin to Infirmary"
David blinked. "What about you—?"
"I said," Yuri cut him off, "take him."
Felix didn't argue. He moved quickly, kneeling beside Cin and helping him up with David's support.
Y/N started to rise with them, panic in her chest—but—
Yuri turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers with quiet finality.
"Keif and I will handle these bastards."
Keifer grinned beside him, eyes already scanning the Hawl gang like prey. "Been waiting all day for this."
Y/N froze, torn. Cin was her best friend—he needed her—but so did this moment. Whatever was about to go down… it wasn't small.
Yuri's jaw tightened, his stance like a coiled weapon. He didn't look at her again, but his meaning was clear:
Trust me. I've got this.
Infirmary Room
The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air, the fluorescent lights buzzing quietly above.
Y/N sat beside the infirmary bed, gently pressing a cold cloth to Cin's bruised forehead. His breathing had evened out, and the color was slowly returning to his face.
But her hands were trembling.
Not from fear anymore—but from everything left unsaid.
Cin stirred slightly, mumbling her name.
"I'm here," she whispered, brushing a strand of hair off his sweaty forehead. "You're safe now."
But even as she said it… her thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
Yuri.
The way he looked back at her.
The weight in his voice when he told her to stay close.
The raw, deadly calm in his eyes when he stepped forward to fight.
She'd never seen anyone like that before.
Why was he all she could think about?
Why did it matter so much… that he told her to stay by his side?
She pressed her lips together, heart pounding—not from fear now, but something she couldn't name.
She looked at Cin, who was still barely conscious. Her best friend. Her safe place.
And yet her mind wandered… back to the chaos.
A sudden sound snapped her from her thoughts.
Footsteps.
Heavy. Rushed. Getting louder.
Then—
The door flung open.
"Cin!" a voice cried.
Y/N turned just as Rakki burst into the room, face pale, eyes wide with panic.
She rushed to the bedside and looked at him, horrified. "What happened?!"
Y/N opened her mouth—but for a second, nothing came out. Everything in her head felt tangled. The timeline, the shock, Yuri, the blood…
"I—" she swallowed hard, steadying her breath. "I don't know where it started. I was in class and then Keifer ran in. Said something about the back gate. Cin was… already down when I got there. Felix and David were fighting… and Yuri…"
She paused. Her throat tightened at the memory.
Rakki placed a hand gently over Cin's arm. "Is he okay now?"
Y/N nodded. "I think so. We got here in time."
But her eyes drifted again—toward the door.
Where's Yuri now?
The silence between them settled thick like dust.
Y/N stood suddenly, the chair scraping softly against the floor.
Rakki looked up, surprised. "Y/N?"
She didn't answer right away—just stared down at Cin, brushing his arm once more before turning to her friend.
"Rakki," she said firmly, "please take care of him."
Rakki blinked. "Wait—where are you going?"
Y/N didn't look back. Her voice came out cool, but laced with steel.
"I have unfinished business."
Before Rakki could respond, Y/N was already gone.
The door swung shut behind her.
Vanished from sight—
But not from what burned in her chest.
She wasn't done yet.
Not with Yuri.
Not with the truth.
Not with this fight.