IF LOVE HAD A NAME

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1. The Note That Changed Everything

Hana stared at the note in her hands, her fingers trembling.

The letters were bold, dark, threatening.

You should have stayed away.

Her heart pounded.

The hallway around her was buzzing with students, but she felt alone.

Someone was watching her.

She swallowed, forcing herself to act normal.

Then, she felt a presence behind her.

"Hana."

Ji-hoon's voice.

She turned—too fast.

His eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong?"

She hesitated.

Then—silently—she handed him the note.

His expression darkened.

The easy-going Ji-hoon from yesterday? Gone.

This was the Ji-hoon who had fought in the streets. The boy who didn't trust easily.

His grip on the note tightened.

"Who gave this to you?"

"I… don't know," she admitted.

His jaw clenched.

Then, he did something unexpected.

He reached out—and pulled her closer.

His voice was low.

"I told you this wasn't going to be easy."

Hana looked up at him.

"I don't care."

A ghost of a smirk played on his lips.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

For a moment, it was just them.

But then—

The warning bell rang.

Ji-hoon exhaled, slipping the note into his pocket.

"We'll talk later."

Hana nodded, but something in her chest tightened.

She had a feeling this wasn't over.

Not even close.

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2. An Unwanted Visitor

The day dragged on.

Classes blurred together.

Hana couldn't focus.

Not when she felt like someone was watching her.

When lunch finally came, she made her way to the rooftop.

Ji-hoon was already there.

Leaning against the railing. Waiting.

She sighed.

"Are you always this dramatic?"

He smirked.

"Only for you."

Her cheeks heated.

She walked over—but before she could say anything—

The door behind her slammed open.

Hana turned—

And froze.

A boy she didn't recognize stood in the doorway.

Tall. Lean. Sharp eyes.

He looked at Ji-hoon.

And smirked.

"Long time no see, Ji-hoon."

Ji-hoon's entire body tensed.

Hana's heart skipped a beat.

Something told her—

This wasn't just a random visitor.

This was someone from Ji-hoon's past.

And that meant—

Danger.

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3. The Boy From the Past

Ji-hoon pushed away from the railing, his usual smirk gone.

His voice was cold.

"What do you want, Min-jae?"

Min-jae.

Hana committed the name to memory.

Min-jae chuckled, stepping closer.

"Relax. I just came to see how my old friend was doing."

Ji-hoon's eyes darkened.

"We were never friends."

Hana's stomach twisted.

There was history here. Bad history.

Min-jae's gaze flickered to her.

And something in his eyes sharpened.

"So this is the girl?"

Ji-hoon stepped in front of her.

His voice was deadly.

"Stay away from her."

Min-jae smirked.

"No promises."

Then, he turned and walked away—like he hadn't just dropped a bomb between them.

Hana released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

Ji-hoon ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

"I should've known he'd come back."

Hana hesitated.

"Who is he?"

Ji-hoon didn't answer immediately.

But when he did—his voice was low.

"A mistake."

---

4. Under the Streetlights

The day felt heavy.

Ji-hoon was tense.

Hana could tell—Min-jae's appearance had shaken him.

After school, Ji-hoon walked her home.

They didn't talk much.

Not until they reached her street.

Then, Ji-hoon stopped.

Hana turned.

"What is it?"

He exhaled.

Then—he took her hand.

It was warm. Steady.

"I'm not good at this," he admitted.

Hana's chest tightened.

"At what?"

His eyes met hers.

"Keeping the people I care about safe."

Her heart skipped.

"You care about me?"

He didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Hana's pulse raced.

Then—Ji-hoon pulled her closer.

"I don't want you to get hurt, Hana."

She reached up, touching his face.

"I won't leave, Ji-hoon."

His jaw tightened.

Then—he leaned down.

And kissed her.

Soft. Slow. Like she was something precious.

When they pulled apart, Ji-hoon rested his forehead against hers.

"I don't deserve you."

Hana smiled.

"Tough. You're stuck with me."

Ji-hoon chuckled.

For the first time that day—he looked at peace.

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5. The Calm Before the Storm

But peace never lasted long.

The next morning, a new rumor spread.

Min-jae was back.

And he wasn't alone.

Whispers filled the hallways.

Something was coming.

And Hana had a sinking feeling—

This was only the beginning.

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End of Chapter 15