The rain fell in thin silver needles, trailing down the tall windows of the elite campus Seung-Woo now ruled like a ghostly king. Ji-Ho walked quickly through the corridors, gripping the strap of his bag tightly. Despite being surrounded by people, he felt watched—every step shadowed by something unseen.
Or someone.
"You should stop running away from me," a voice murmured from the empty hallway ahead.
Ji-Ho froze. Han Seung-Woo stood casually under the flickering light, red-wine eyes glowing softly in the dimness.
"Why are you here?" Ji-Ho asked, voice shaky but not quite afraid anymore. "You said you'd leave me alone."
"I lied," Seung-Woo said smoothly, stepping closer. "I always lie… when I want something."
Ji-Ho's heart thundered. He looked away, trying to seem annoyed, but the warmth rising in his chest betrayed him. "I'm not something."
Seung-Woo's gaze softened. "No. You're everything."
There was silence. Heavy. Unspoken things hanging in the air.
Ji-Ho turned his back. "You're messing with me. You only came because of my blood. You said it smells sweet to you, right? That's all I am to you. Just… prey."
He didn't expect Seung-Woo to step closer and whisper behind him, "Do you want me to prove that wrong?"
Ji-Ho turned fast—and suddenly, Seung-Woo was right there, closer than ever. His hand gently touched Ji-Ho's face, thumb brushing over the bruise from the earlier bullying.
"Who did this?" he asked, voice low and dangerous.
Ji-Ho stared up at him, breath catching. "Why do you care?"
"Because if anyone else lays a hand on you again," Seung-Woo said, eyes flashing with predatory fury, "I'll tear them apart."
The air between them shifted. Ji-Ho should have been scared. He should have pulled back. But instead… he stayed. His voice barely a whisper.
"Are you really a monster?"
Seung-Woo's hand moved to Ji-Ho's neck, thumb resting on the pulse beating wildly under soft skin.
"Maybe," he murmured. "But I only bite if you let me."
Ji-Ho blushed violently, stepping back, flustered. "Y-You're impossible!"
"I am," Seung-Woo agreed. "But you're stuck with me now, husband."
"Stop calling me that!"
A smirk. "You accepted my proposal."
"I was drunk!"
"And adorable."
Ji-Ho made an exasperated noise and turned to flee—but this time, he didn't feel like running from danger. He felt like running from something warmer… scarier… something like falling.
Meanwhile…
Far away, in a hidden part of Seoul, a cloaked figure walked into a room lit by candles and ancient books. A vampire elder slammed his fist on the table.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" he growled. "The cursed blood. It's awakened."
Another elder leaned forward. "Han Seung-Woo is drawing too much attention. The boy… the bond… it will lead to ruin."
"Then we end it," the first said coldly. "Before the Blood Vow is fulfilled."
Back at the university…
Later that evening, Ji-Ho sat in his dorm, the lights off, replaying every word, every touch. He touched his neck, remembering Seung-Woo's fingers resting gently there.
Why does my heart race when he's near?
He didn't know what scared him more—the danger around him or the feelings growing inside.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:Come outside.
He hesitated, then peeked out the window.
Seung-Woo stood in the rain with an umbrella, wearing a dark coat, looking like something out of a dream. Or a nightmare.
Ji-Ho's heart skipped.
He grabbed his hoodie and walked out, rain softly tapping against the pavement.
"What is this?" Ji-Ho asked, trying not to shiver under Seung-Woo's gaze.
"A date," Seung-Woo said, offering the umbrella.
Ji-Ho hesitated, then took it. "You're really weird, you know that?"
Seung-Woo chuckled. "Only for you."
As they walked together under the same umbrella, Ji-Ho finally smiled. Just a little.
But far above them, watching from the rooftops, a pair of glowing yellow eyes narrowed.
To Be Continued...