Skips to next day
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains as she slowly opened her eyes, the warmth of the light brushing against her skin. She sat up, stretched, and shuffled to the washroom. The cold splash of water woke her fully, and after brushing her hair into a neat ponytail, she changed into a comfy hoodie and jeans—her usual outfit for classes.
Bag slung over her shoulder, she stepped out of her room and made her way to the kitchen, expecting to find Yuri already at the table, probably halfway through his tea with that usual bored expression. But today, the kitchen was oddly quiet.
No Yuri.
She looked around, puzzled, and turned to the maid who was tidying the counter.
"Where's Yuri?" she asked casually.
The maid paused, then looked up with concern in her eyes.
"Young Master wasn't feeling well last night. After you went to sleep, he has a high fever."
Her heart sank.
He didn't say anything…?
Without a word, she turned and rushed back up the stairs, her chest tightening with each step. Reaching his room, she knocked gently at first, trying to keep calm.
"Yuri?" she called, her voice soft and concerned. "It's me… are you awake?"
Silence.
She knocked again, a bit louder this time. Still nothing.
"I'm coming in, okay?" she whispered, pushing the door open slowly.
The room was dim, the curtains still drawn. The air inside was warm, heavy with quiet. There, curled beneath the thick blankets, was Yuri—his face pale and his skin glistening slightly with sweat. He was breathing heavily, his brow furrowed even in sleep.
She stepped closer, her heart aching a little at the sight.
Yuri… you idiot… why didn't you tell me?
She quietly stepped to his bedside, kneeling down beside him. Reaching out, she placed her hand gently on his forehead.
Still burning.
Her brows furrowed with worry. His fever hasn't gone down at all… Without making a sound, she carefully tucked the blanket around his shoulders, trying to keep him warm. As she stood up, she turned, ready to go fetch a towel and some cold water.
But just as she took a step—
A hand caught her wrist.
Startled, she turned back. Yuri's hand, warm and trembling, held her tightly. His eyes were still closed, his breathing uneven. His lips moved faintly, voice barely above a whisper:
"Don't leave me…"
She froze.
For a moment, her heart stopped, caught between confusion and something deeper. He wasn't awake. He was dreaming.
But still—those words. The way he clung to her wrist like she was the last thread holding him together.
She stared at him, her mind racing. Was he dreaming of her? Or… someone else?
Who is it… that he doesn't want to lose?
A strange tightness filled her chest. She wanted to pull away, but a part of her didn't. She stayed still, caught between the warmth of his grip and the storm in her thoughts.
She knelt back down, gently placing her free hand over his.
"Yuri… I'm not leaving, okay?" she whispered softly, trying to soothe him. "I'll just go get a towel. Just a second…"
His grip loosened slightly, and she slowly eased her hand from his, standing quietly so as not to disturb him again.
She walked swiftly to the washroom, her mind still tangled in thoughts. Turning on the tap, she soaked a clean towel in cool water and wrung it out carefully. Her fingers trembled just a little—not from the cold, but from the strange heaviness lingering in her chest.
Returning to his room, she placed the damp towel gently on his forehead. He flinched slightly but didn't wake. She adjusted the blanket again and sat beside him for a while, watching as the rise and fall of his chest began to even out. The fever was still there, but maybe—just maybe—it was calming a little.
Time slipped by unnoticed until she glanced at the clock and her stomach sank.
Class…
She didn't want to leave him, but she knew she had to. After one last glance, she stepped out and found the maid just outside.
"Please watch over him," she said quietly. "Let me know right away if anything changes. I'll come back as soon as I can."
The maid nodded with a warm, understanding smile. "Of course, miss."
She cast one last glance toward Yuri's door before turning down the hall, her footsteps slower than usual.
Time skipped forward.
The classroom was filled with its usual chatter, notebooks flipping, and the low hum of a lecture in progress. But for her, everything felt distant—like she was there, but not really present.
Keifer leaned over from the seat beside her, whispering just loud enough to catch her attention.
"Hey, Y/N… where's Yuri? Didn't see him today."
She turned her head slightly, her voice quiet.
"He had a fever."
Keifer blinked, clearly surprised.
"What? Is it serious?"
She shook her head gently, though the knot in her chest said otherwise.
"He'll be fine. Just needs some rest."
Keifer seemed to accept that, though he glanced at her with concern before turning back to his notes.
But she couldn't focus.
Her pen hovered uselessly above her notebook, her mind replaying every detail of the morning—his pale face, the way his fingers held onto her wrist, that faint whisper… "Don't leave me."
The teacher's voice droned on in the background, words blurring together. She tapped her pen anxiously, her gaze flickering to the clock over and over again.
Why does this class feel longer than usual?
She sighed inwardly. Come on… just end already…
All she wanted was to go back. Back to that dim room. Back to make sure he was okay.
The final bell rang, echoing through the hallways like freedom. She didn't even wait for the teacher to finish the last sentence—her books were already packed, her body halfway out the seat.
She darted toward the door, heart racing with only one thought: I need to see Yuri.
But just as she reached the hallway, a familiar voice called out behind her.
"Y/N! Wait up!"
She stopped and turned.
Keifer jogged up beside her, a bit out of breath but wearing his usual, laid-back smile.
"Lemme drop you off," he offered. "You seem like you're in a rush."
She hesitated for a second, but nodded.
"Thanks, Keif."
Together, they walked out of the building and toward the campus gates. The air outside was crisp, and the late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the pavement.
Just as they were about to reach the parking lot—an uneasy silence fell.
From the side of the lot, a group of guys emerged slowly, casually—but with that certain edge in their walk that made her instinctively tense up.
The Hawl gang.
Their black jackets and cocky grins were enough to darken the whole vibe of the afternoon.
Keifer immediately stepped slightly in front of her, alert.
She scanned around quickly.
David and Felix… not here.
Of all times…
One of the gang members gave a low whistle.
"Look who it is. Little Y/N with a new escort today."
His tone was playful, but the smirk didn't reach his eyes.
Her fingers clenched around the strap of her bag. She wasn't in the mood for this—not today.
Her phone rang, cutting through the moment like a sudden gust of wind.
She flinched, eyes flicking down to her screen.
Yuri.
Her breath hitched. For a second, everything else blurred—the voices, the footsteps, even the sneers from the gang nearby.
She stared at the screen.
He was calling her.
But she didn't pick up.
He's sick… if I answer now and he hears anything strange… he'll worry.
So she let it ring.
Just as the call ended, Keifer's phone lit up.
Yuri.
Keifer glanced at the screen, then at her, brows slightly raised.
"He's calling me now," he murmured.
Before she could say anything, Keifer answered.
"Yuri? Yeah, I'm with her. We're—"