lim sarim is abused by her father, and when sunghoon, her coldhearted and bold classmate, witnesses it, he starts bullying her. but as he gets to know her pain, he realizes he has feelings for her that he can't ignore. ( extended summary inside )
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SUNGHOON stood beside Sarim, watching her tremble slightly as she wiped away her cold tears. He realized he needed to make sure she was okay. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as much as he wanted to comfort her.
"Hey, can you stand?" he gently asked. "We should get you somewhere safe."
Sarim nodded shyly, her gaze fixed on the ground. Sunghoon reached out, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to provide her with support. She flinched slightly at his touch, and he felt a pang of regret, but he kept his hold steady. He needed to be there for her, no matter how shy she seemed.
"Let's get you cleaned up, Sarim" he said, leading her away from the alley. They walked in silence, the weight of the earlier events hanging heavy in the air. Sarim stayed close to him, her eyes darting nervously around the street, avoiding eye contact.
When they arrived at his mansion, Sunghoon quickly unlocked the door and ushered Sarim inside. The warm glow of the luxurious and big living room felt oddly comforting compared to the cold, disgusting apartment she lived in with her father.
"Sit here," he said, motioning to the couch. "I will grab some supplies, Wait a minute."
Sunghoon rushed to the bathroom and pulled out a small first-aid kit. He took a moment to compose himself, knowing that he had to be gentle.
When he returned to the living room, Sarim was sitting on the edge of the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She looked so small and fragile, and he felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him.
"Okay, I just want to check you out, make sure you're not seriously hurt," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. Sarim nodded but didn't meet his gaze, her shyness evident.
"Can you... um, lift your shirt a little?" Sunghoon shyly asked, his heart racing as he tried to remain calm. He felt awkward asking, but he needed to see if she had any bruises on her side. His cheeks slightly flushed. Sarim hesitated, her face turning a deeper shade of red. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her eyes wide with anxiety.
"Just a little," he added, his voice softening, hoping to ease her discomfort. "I promise I'll be quick."
After a moment that felt like an eternity, she slowly lifted her shirt, revealing a bruise blossoming on her side. Sunghoon's breath caught in his throat.
Her pale skin was so delicate, so soft, and he felt a rush of emotions seeing her like this—vulnerable and hurt. He quickly averted his eyes, focusing on the bruise.
"D-Does it hurt?" he asked, trying to maintain a sense of professionalism even as he felt his cheeks heat up.
"J-Just a little," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The way she was trembling made him realize just how shaken she was.
