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"What's going on here?" Yunah asked, her brows knitting as she looked at Noah.
Her gaze flicked briefly to the man clutched in his grip, then snapped back to Noah.
"Why are you holding his collar?"
"It's not what you think, Di," Noah said, his voice losing its usual steadiness. He swallowed, still refusing to let go. "Just… let me explain."
"Oh?" Nerav stepped forward, his shoes crunching over crushed vegetables. He stopped beside Yunah, his presence cold and commanding. "Then explain. We're very curious to know why you chased a man like a lunatic through a crowded street." His eyes swept over the mess—spilled fruit, overturned baskets, furious vendors."Do you have any idea what kind of mess you've created, Noah?"
"Who's going to pay for all this?" an elderly vendor shouted, pointing at the scattered produce.
"That's right!" another man added angrily, pulling out his phone. "Pay up, or we call the police."
"Noah," Yunah said again, her voice quieter but firmer now, deliberately ignoring the shouting around them. She searched his face."Why did you chase him? What did he do?"
Noah's jaw tightened. His grip on the man faltered for a split second—just enough to show hesitation—before his eyes darkened again, torn between speaking the truth and protecting her.
"I-I chased him because he was stalking us," Noah said, his words stumbling but his resolve firm. "He's been taking our pictures since the moment we arrived." He shoved a hand into the stalker's pocket and ripped out a phone."If you don't believe me," he added, thrusting it towards Yunah, "check it yourself."
Yunah stepped closer and took the phone. She unlocked it by forcing the stalker's face towards the camera.
The screen lit up.
Her fingers froze.
Photo after photo—her and Noah laughing, walking, eating, holding hands. Close-ups. Angles taken from hiding. Moments stolen without consent. Nerav and Serena moved in beside her. One look was enough.
The temperature dropped.
"So you thought you could spy on my—" Nerav began, fury sharpening every syllable as he stepped forward. He didn't get a chance to finish when serena surged ahead and struck the stalker on the head.
The crack echoed.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Noah tightened his grip instantly, holding the man upright before he could collapse or run.
"How dare you stalk my friend?" Serena shouted, eyes blazing. "Who sent you, huh?" She raised her hand again, ready to strike—but Yunah grabbed her from behind, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back.
"Serena, calm down," Yunah said, firm but gentle.
"Calm down?" Serena snapped, struggling against her. "You're telling me to calm down? I won't let this bastard walk away without telling us who sent him!" She broke free and stepped forward again. "Tell us—who—"
The stalker flinched, squeezing his eyes shut, bracing for another blow. Noah let out a soft, almost amused laugh under his breath.
Yunah pulled Serena back once more, this time laughing lightly herself. "Calm down. Seriously."
Nerav watched the scene, eyebrows lifting just a fraction."…Whoa," he muttered to himself. "She's terrifying."
"What's going on here?"
The police pushed through the crowd, boots crunching against scattered fruit. But the moment the senior officer's eyes landed on Nerav, his entire demeanor shifted.
"Oh—Mr. Nerav," he said instantly, posture straightening, voice dropping into polite deference. "What brings you to a place like this?" He smiled nervously. "Is someone troubling you? Just say the word—I'll handle it personally."
Before Nerav could reply, the old vendor from earlier stepped forward, trembling with anger.
"Officer, they are the ones who destroyed our goods," he said, pointing at the mess on the road. "We survive by selling vegetables and fruits. Everything is ruined. Please, do justice."
Nerav didn't argue.
He calmly reached into his coat, pulled out his checkbook, and tore out a blank check.
"Don't worry, Grandpa," he said evenly, handing it over. "You'll be compensated. Fill in the amount you lost."
The old man froze.
"Huh…?" He stared at the check, then at Nerav—disbelief melting into gratitude. "T-thank you. Thank you so much." Clutching the check like treasure, he turned back to the other vendors. "Come on, let's go."
The murmurs shifted. The tension didn't.
Noah shoved the stalker forward. The man stumbled and fell at the officer's feet.
"This man was stalking us," Noah said coldly. "His phone has all the evidence—photos, videos. Make sure he pays for following us."
The officer frowned, bristling at the tone. "Watch your mouth, kid. Who do you think you are, ordering me around?"
Before Noah could respond, Nerav stepped forward."He's my little brother," he said, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "And you'll do exactly what he said."
The officer's face drained of color."O-Oh… I see," he muttered, instantly bowing his head. "Of course. We'll take care of it properly."
The balance of power snapped back into place. And everyone felt it.
"Noah, are you okay?" Yunah rushed to him, hands already on his arms, eyes scanning his face, his shoulders—turning him left and right in panic. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Di," Noah said quickly, flashing her a reassuring smile. "He's the one who got hurt." He tilted his head slightly, trying to lighten the moment. "I'm pretty good at fighting, you know."
"That's not the point," Yunah snapped, her worry sharpening into anger. "Why didn't you tell me someone was stalking us huh? You should have me."
"I didn't wanted to scare you," Noah replied softly, watching her expression. "So I handled it myself. I was going to hand him over to the police anyway." He hesitated, then added gently, "Don't be angry, hmm?"
Before Yunah could respond, Serena barged in dramatically.
"Woww," she exclaimed, placing a hand over her chest. "Yunah, you are heartless. How could you ignore your best friend like this?"
Yunah rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Stop overacting, Serena."
Noah chuckled under his breath, then straightened. "You two talk. I need to make a quick call." He turned to leave—but Yunah grabbed the sleeve of his jacket instantly.
"Where are you going?" she asked, worry flashing across her face again.
"I'll be right here, Di," Noah said, turning back, his voice dropping into something calm and gentle. "I won't leave your sight. I'll just talk on the call."
She studied his face for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Don't go far. Stay where I can see you. Okay?"
"Okay," Noah replied, giving a small nod.
He stepped away, stopping just a little distance off—close enough to remain in her line of sight—while Yunah and Serena watched him go, the tension easing only slightly.
"Ohooo—what's going on between you two, huh?" Serena teased the moment Noah walked away, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Serena, don't start again," Yunah replied sharply. "He's a kid. At least leave him out of your wild theories."
"But he doesn't look like a kid when he's around you," Serena said, her gaze drifting to Noah. He stood a short distance away, phone pressed to his ear, expression cold and unreadable. "Look at him. He looks dangerous. Untouchable. And then—around you—he softens. Becomes calm. Almost… grown." Yunah followed her gaze despite herself.
"When I saw him chasing that stalker," Serena continued, her voice dropping, "he didn't looked like a teenager. He looked terrifying. I literally got chills. This Noah…" she paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully, "He's more than what meets the eye."
"Not again, Serena," Yunah sighed, folding her arms. "You always jump to conclusions. He's just an ordinary high school kid. That's all. And he thinks of me as—"
"As a sister?" Serena cut in, laughing softly. "Seriously, Yunah?"
Yunah shot her a warning look.
"You have no idea," Serena went on, unfazed. "I can feel it. That kid doesn't look at you like a sister. He has—"
"What are you two discussing so seriously?"
Nerav's voice interrupted them as he walked over, fresh from speaking with the police.
"Nothing," Yunah replied quickly, shrugging. "Just girl stuff."
"Oh…" Noah said awkwardly as he returned, glancing between them, sensing he'd walked into something he wasn't meant to hear.
Yunah raised an eyebrow, clearly changing the subject. "By the way—how did you two end up together?"
"Well," Nerav replied calmly, flicking a brief glance at Serena, "I gave her a lift."
Yunah turned slowly towards Serena, eyes narrowing. Then she looked back at Nerav. "Did she do something crazy to force you to give her a lift?"
Serena stood stiffly, instantly putting on her most innocent expression.
Nerav scoffed. "Well… kind of. But it wasn't that crazy."
"I knew it," Yunah muttered, lightly smacking Serena's back. "This girl—when will you stop doing reckless things, huh?"
"Hey!" Serena protested, rubbing her back. "it was urgent, okay?" She quickly explained, voice soft and pleading. "My scooty broke down, the mechanic said it'd take an hour, so I—I just took a lift."
"I don't have a problem with you taking a lift," Yunah shot back. "I have a problem with how you do it." Her eyes sharpened. "You didn't stand in the middle of the road again, did you?"
I told you it was urgent—" Serena started.
Yunah didn't wait. She hit her lightly again. "I knew it. I knew it. When will you stop doing crazy things?"
"Stop hitting me!" Serena laughed, blocking Yunah's hand as the tension finally broke into playful chaos.
Nerav stood a little apart, watching the scene unfold with a faint, unguarded smile. His gaze lingered on Serena more than once, drawn to her unfiltered energy, the way she laughed without restraint. He didn't even realize when his eyes began searching for her in the chaos—until he did.
A short distance away, Noah stood still, phone pressed to his ear. His aura was cold, almost lethal—an invisible line no one dared cross. Yet his body was turned towards Yunah. He was listening to the call. But his focus was on her. The corner of his lips curved into a soft smile—one that existed only for her. His eyes gleamed, warm and alive, silently drinking in her laughter, her playful chaos, the light she carried so effortlessly.
"Young master. Young master." Ashish's voice snapped him back.
Noah inhaled sharply, straightening. "Ah—" He cleared his throat, the warmth vanishing behind practiced composure. "Yes. Were you saying something?"
Ashish paused."Young master… you were the one speaking."
"Oh." Noah's jaw tightened as memory returned. His voice dropped—cold, precise. "That man. The one who was stalking us today. Get him out of jail."
Ashish stiffened. "Out… of jail?"
"Bring him to headquarters," Noah continued, eyes still fixed on Yunah. "Make him talk. I want to know who sent him."
"Yes, young master," Ashish replied without hesitation.
The call ended.
Noah lowered his phone but didn't move his gaze. Yunah was laughing now—Serena beside her, Nerav nearby. She looked free. Unaware. Safe. Something fierce settled in his chest.
That laugh…His fingers curled slowly. I won't let anyone take it away. I'll protect it at any cost. From anyone. Even—him. Even if I have to stand against my grandfather…
I will. Noah took a silent vow to himself.