Our Protector ✔ || All of Us are Dead x Reader

Chapter 1

A peaceful night shattered by your mother's shout left you staring at the marble floor, your chest tight with the heavy tension in the living room. You wished your brother was there; his achievements could distract your furious mother and indifferent father. Though he had promised to take care of you, he was too far away to help, and you weren't angry with him. You were grateful he was free from this toxic household.

Your mother constantly belittled your choices, and now she slapped you for cutting your hair, which she saw as an attempt to be a boy, while you thought it was just a trendy, gender-neutral style. Your father was indifferent to your actions, failing to stop her, believing that tough love would strengthen your mind.

"You're a failure!" your mother shouted. "Do you want to be like those people with no future? With this... this ridiculous look?"

Your cheek throbbed from the slap, but her venomous words crushed your heart. You thought of Min-Ji's family, who accepted you as one of their own. Then you were jolted back to your hell when your mother threw money at you, shouting there would be no dinner and insulting Min-Ji's family for being ordinary, which made you snap.

You kicked the heavy coffee table in anger, glaring at your shocked parents. They had never seen this rebellious side of you, and for the first time, you scared them. "They have nothing to do with my haircut! Mom, it's just hair!" you yelled.

"How dare you shout at your mother!?" your father hissed, finally breaking his silence.

"And you yelled at your late mother, God bless her, for accidentally peeing her pants. Who are you to teach me respect?" You didn't know why you were so angry lately. You missed your late grandmother, whom you cared for until her last breath. "Karma is a bitch, isn't it?" you mocked, and for the first time, your mother looked bewildered by your sudden defiance.

Silence engulfed the house after the intense fight that seemed to happen nightly. "Get out!" your father shouted while your mother stood speechless. "When we get home, I expect you to apologize, understood?"

"I'd rather die than apologize for something so stupid," you replied darkly, earning another slap from your father that left a bruise on your lip. Your mother reached out to check your face, but you stepped back, expressionless, grabbing your motorcycle key, helmet, and hoodie before heading for the door.

Unbeknownst to you, this might be the last time you saw your parents.

The roar of your motorcycle echoed outside the hell you called home as you headed to your usual refuge, the CU store. Upon arrival, you found only the friendly manager, a friend of your brother's, and a middle-aged woman.

You removed your helmet, revealing a black mask that concealed the bruise on your face. The woman seemed uneasy, possibly intimidated by your height. She purchased a box of cold Coca-Cola, likely for her children.

"Like usual, kiddo?" the manager asked. You nodded in response. His smile faltered, aware of your troubled night. "Tough night?" he inquired with concern.

"Worse."

"Want to talk about it?"

You shook your head, fatigue washing over you as the anger subsided. The manager understood your home situation; his place felt safer than your own. He sighed and rang up the woman's items before turning back to you with a bowl of tteobokki, your favourite sandwich, sparkling water, and oden. Before you could reach for your wallet, he stopped you.

"My treat."

"But—"

"It's fine, kiddo. I'm just glad you're okay. If only I—"