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Chapter 14

It was around the age of fifteen when Kang Hae-ju, who had merely been a young girl, began to be perceived as a woman. The moment he recognized the smooth lines of her neck and the gentle curve of her chest, middle-schooler Seok-eon found himself unable to sleep through the night for the first time.

His efforts to remain unaware only made things more painful for the boy. As Hae-ju's body began to fill out along with her fair skin, she stimulated the adolescent boy's imagination to its limits. Whenever he saw her washing her face in the yard with her sleeves rolled up, or on nights when he dreamed of kissing her distinctly shaped red lips, his body would betray him, arousal raging through the night regardless of his will. Waking to find his underwear stained, Seok-eon had to face a shameful self-loathing.

The only thing he could do was to thoroughly turn away from Kang Hae-ju. Otherwise, he felt sure his own hidden desires would be exposed.

But the problem wasn't just him—all the boys his age had begun to notice Kang Hae-ju's beauty.

Seok-eon was restless and anxious. He couldn't let the impure intentions of the neighborhood boys, now in their adolescence, involve Kang Hae-ju. He wanted Kang Hae-ju, who still reminded him of the red roses on the green gate, to remain his precious possession alone. No one should easily cast their eyes upon what was his.

'Hey, starting today, Kang Hae-ju is mine. And just you wait—see how fast I make that girl fall.'

The moment he heard Kim Kyu-hong's voice in the practice room before the match, bragging and putting Kang Hae-ju on his lips, everything after that was a blank.

Seok-eon was simply protecting what was his. No one dared to speak Kang Hae-ju's name carelessly. That day also marked an end to the years of turmoil that had settled within him.

---

Thud, thud— Seok-eon's heavy fists relentlessly slammed into the already unconscious Kyu-hong's jaw. Even knowing the man had long since passed out, the repetitive blows felt like the malfunction of a broken machine.

As Kyu-hong lost consciousness under Seok-eon's relentless assault, the club guards who had burst into the room desperately tried to separate them.

"Let go!"

But Seok-eon didn't stop, lunging at Kyu-hong again.

"Are you insane?"

The words didn't reach his ears. Just then, Yang Man-ho entered the room.

Watching the commotion that showed no sign of subsiding, he picked up a whisky bottle and smashed it against the table. Then, without hesitation, he drove the jagged broken bottle into Seok-eon's thigh.

Huff— Seok-eon felt a thick, wet pain in his right thigh and rolled to the side. In the flashing lights, he saw the ruthless man standing with the broken bottle in his hand.

Dazed, he looked up, then slowly lowered his head at the stinging pain. His right thigh, pierced by the broken glass, was oozing dark red blood.

---

The raging chaos had subsided into a silence as still as death. Amid the searing pain in his thigh, Seok-eon slowly opened his eyes. Through his blurred vision, a middle-aged man stood watching him.

He introduced himself as Jung Ji-man. His cane, which seemed out of place on his solid frame, caught Seok-eon's attention. People were shouting around him, but he couldn't hear a word.

"Kim Kyu-hong is my asset. You've ruined that asset. So, what do you plan to do about it?"

The first words that reached Seok-eon's ears were the bored voice of this man called Jung Ji-man. His words felt distant, barely registering on his skin. He couldn't understand the absurd idea that a person could be someone's property—and now this man was holding him responsible.

"..."

When Seok-eon just stared without answering, Ji-man slowly continued. "How about working for me, as a condition for settling this? In place of your friend lying over there."

Lying there covered in blood, Kyu-hong didn't seem to be in his right mind either. Especially the way he trembled in fear before this man called Jung Ji-man.

"No!"

Refusing to be cowed, Seok-eon answered firmly. Ji-man looked with interest at the defiant young man who spoke so resolutely. At his unyielding gaze, Ji-man merely tilted his head and watched the blood flowing from Seok-eon's thigh as if admiring it.

"Fearless. I like that even more."

He nodded as if it couldn't be helped. "But I can't force you."

After looking down at Seok-eon for a while, Ji-man casually said, "You can go."

"Sir!"

The bulky men around him, startled, tried to dissuade him, but Ji-man's expression remained relaxed.

"But we'll meet again before long. As much as I'll need you, you'll need me too."

Leaving those cryptic words, the man pulled out his business card, tucked it into Seok-eon's school uniform pocket, and left the room leaning on his cane.

---

Hae-ju was studying at her desk, the lamp on. Glancing at the clock, she saw it had just passed midnight. Even after dinner with Ja-young, she hadn't been able to focus on anything. From the moment she sat down to study, every sound of the wind outside set her nerves on edge.

'You don't think he's trying to get back at Lee Seok-eon?'

She had pretended not to care, but her fingers had been stiff all evening. What if it was true? What would she do if Ja-young found out? What in the world was happening to Seok-eon? Her heart had been uneasy all night.

Since entering adolescence, Seok-eon only spoke to her and Ja-young when necessary. There was a distance to him, as if he was always a step removed—and it stung a little.

She couldn't even ask what was going on. Would she have to watch him from that same distance for the rest of her life?

As she put down her pen and massaged her fingers, she heard the familiar creak of the gate. Seok-eon had definitely come in.

Hae-ju, wanting to confirm what Yeo-eun had said, quietly opened the door and stepped onto the veranda. Seok-eon had already gone into his room. Through the door, she could see his shadow as he took off his school jacket. His movements were slower than usual—strangely so.

---

"Hah..."

Seok-eon let out a deep sigh and leaned against the wall. He looked down to confirm the source of the pain. His right thigh was bleeding through the torn fabric of his uniform. He could barely remember how he'd escaped that chaotic, darkened scene.

As he wrestled with how to handle the situation, an unexpected wave of pain made him frown unconsciously.

'How about working for me, as a condition for settling this?'

Seok-eon recalled the man who had introduced himself as Jung Ji-man. Even just his cold face and presence conveyed immense power and resilience. He had to admit, the man's unexpected depth had felt overwhelming. One thing was certain—he was no easy opponent.

'No!'

The man had watched his defiant attitude with interest, then nodded as if it couldn't be helped.

'But we'll meet again before long. As much as I'll need you, you'll need me too.'

As he mulled over Jung Ji-man's cryptic words—

Ahem.

A dry cough sounded from outside his door. It was Kang Hae-ju. Startled by the unexpected sound, Seok-eon grabbed a nearby blanket and covered his bloodied leg.

---

"What do you want?"

Seok-eon's voice was tense. Hae-ju, standing at the door, carefully spoke. "I just want to talk for a moment."

"..."

Perhaps it was unusual for Hae-ju to approach him first; Seok-eon remained silent for a while.

"I'm tired."

His low, languid voice drifted into the yard. Hae-ju stood frozen, straining to hear.

Normally, she would have accepted that and left, but after worrying all night, she couldn't back down so easily.

"I heard... you went with Kim Kyu-hong today..."

The door slid open. Seeing Seok-eon sitting there, Hae-ju gasped in shock. "You...!"

"Shh!"

Seok-eon pressed a finger to his lips in warning. His low voice was stern. Caught off guard by her own loud tone, Hae-ju quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth. But her startled eyes continued to examine him.

His lip was split, his cheekbone swollen. Near his clear, pale eye, a small gash had formed. Removing her hand from her mouth, Hae-ju cautiously asked, "How... did this happen?"

"Keep your voice down. Do you want to wake everyone?"

"Then tell me why! If you don't, I'll tell Auntie."

At her unwavering determination, Seok-eon let out a scoff of disbelief. As if tired of arguing, he nodded toward the room. "If you want to hear, come in."

"What?"

At his unexpected invitation, Hae-ju flinched. Apparently displeased by her reaction, Seok-eon frowned and tried to close the door.

"Suit yourself."

Seeing him turn away without hesitation, Hae-ju quickly grabbed the door.

"Wait!"

Their eyes locked. Her heart began to race uncontrollably at this unimagined situation.

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