IF LOVE HAD A NAME

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1. A Warning

The bus ride home was quiet.

But her mind wasn't.

Hana stared out the window, watching the city blur past, but all she could see was Ji-hoon's face.

The bruised knuckles. The way he had dropped that guy like he was nothing. The way his cold, dark eyes had met hers, filled with something unreadable.

"You shouldn't have seen that."

The words still rang in her head.

She didn't know if it was a warning.

Or a threat.

And worst of all—

Why did it make her heart race?

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2. The Scar on His Hand

The next morning, Hana walked into class and hesitated.

Ji-hoon was already there.

Sitting in his seat. Silent as ever.

His hands rested on his desk, fingers lightly tapping the wood.

That's when she saw it.

A scar running across the back of his hand.

Thin, white, deep.

Like a wound that had been there for years.

A fight? An accident?

She didn't know.

But she wanted to.

And that was dangerous.

Before she could look away, Ji-hoon turned his head slightly—catching her staring.

Hana's breath hitched.

For a second, she thought he would say something.

But he didn't.

He just smirked.

A small, almost unnoticeable smirk.

Like he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Then he turned away, resting his chin on his hand.

Hana felt her face heat up.

God, why was she even looking at him?

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3. Trouble Finds Him

By lunchtime, the school was buzzing with new gossip.

"Did you hear? Some guys from another school are looking for Kang Ji-hoon."

"They say he beat up one of their gang members."

"Are they crazy? Picking a fight with him?"

Hana's stomach twisted.

She still hadn't told anyone about what she saw yesterday.

Not even Min-ah.

But it didn't matter.

Because trouble always found Ji-hoon.

And this time, it found him fast.

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4. The Confrontation

The incident happened after school.

Near the back gate.

Hana wasn't even trying to be nosy. She was just passing by—but then she saw them.

Five guys.

Dressed in a different school uniform. Bigger. Older.

And Ji-hoon?

Standing in front of them. Hands in his pockets. Completely unbothered.

"You think you can just beat up our friend and walk away?" One of them growled.

Ji-hoon sighed. "Depends. Who was he again?"

The guy's face twisted in anger. "You little—"

He swung.

Hana gasped.

But before the punch could land—

Ji-hoon moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

He dodged, caught the guy's wrist, and in one swift motion—flipped him onto the ground.

Hard.

The others froze.

Ji-hoon exhaled. "You're wasting my time."

Another guy lunged.

Mistake.

Ji-hoon stepped aside, slammed an elbow into his ribs, then grabbed his collar and threw him into the others.

Chaos.

The rest attacked all at once.

But Ji-hoon was faster.

A kick to the stomach. A dodge. A punch that sent another guy crashing into the fence.

It wasn't just fighting.

It was effortless.

Like he had done this a hundred times before.

And won every single time.

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5. The Fear in Her Chest

It was over in minutes.

Five guys on the ground.

Ji-hoon standing over them—not a scratch on him.

Hana swallowed hard.

He had fought five guys alone. And won.

He turned, his cold eyes scanning the area.

For a second, she thought he would leave.

But then—

His gaze landed on her.

And he stopped.

Hana's breath caught.

His expression didn't change.

But something in his eyes did.

For the first time—

He looked annoyed.

Like he hadn't wanted her to see this.

Like she had gotten too close to something dangerous.

Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"You again?"

His voice was lazy, like she was just an inconvenience.

Hana's fists clenched. "You're really something, aren't you?"

Ji-hoon tilted his head. "That supposed to be a compliment?"

"No," she snapped. "You're reckless. And stupid. What if they had knives? What if someone actually got hurt?"

Ji-hoon stared at her.

Then—

He laughed.

Low. Amused.

Like she had just said something ridiculous.

"Then they should've brought better weapons."

Hana's mouth fell open.

Ji-hoon smirked. "You're kind of funny, Lee Hana."

Her stomach twisted.

How did he—?

He started walking away.

"Wait!" She stepped forward. "I—"

He paused but didn't turn.

"Why do you always fight?" she demanded. "What's the point?"

A long silence.

Then Ji-hoon finally turned his head, his expression unreadable.

"Because it's the only thing I was ever good at."

Hana's breath caught.

Then, before she could say anything, he walked away—disappearing into the evening.

Leaving Hana standing there.

With her heart pounding too fast.

And a new thought creeping into her mind.

Who are you, Kang Ji-hoon?

And why do I feel like this… is only the beginning?

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End of Chapter 2

(Next Chapter: A Past That Won't Stay Buried)