IF LOVE HAD A NAME

---

1. A Fragile Peace

Hana lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

She should have been asleep.

But Ji-hoon's words kept replaying in her mind.

No matter what happens… I love you.

Her heart ached.

Not with pain.

But with something heavier.

Because deep down—she knew.

Something was coming.

Something they might not survive.

---

2. The Whispered Warning

Hana walked into school the next morning, expecting things to be normal.

They weren't.

Whispers followed her.

Stares.

Like everyone knew something she didn't.

She opened her locker.

Another note.

Run while you still can.

Hana's fingers shook.

Ji-hoon had told her not to worry.

That he would handle things.

But now—she wasn't so sure.

---

3. The Storm Breaks

Lunch break.

Hana was heading to meet Ji-hoon when—

BAM!

Someone shoved her against the wall.

Pain shot through her shoulder.

She looked up—

And froze.

Min-jae.

Smirking.

Dangerous.

"You should have taken my deal."

Hana's heart pounded.

"Get away from me."

Min-jae leaned in.

"Too late for that, sweetheart."

Hana tried to push past him—but he grabbed her wrist.

Tight. Bruising.

Fear coiled in her stomach.

Then—

"Let. Her. Go."

Ji-hoon's voice.

Cold. Deadly.

Min-jae sighed.

"You always ruin my fun."

Ji-hoon's fists clenched.

"I won't say it again."

Min-jae chuckled, letting go of Hana.

Then—he leaned in and whispered.

"She won't always be safe."

Ji-hoon snapped.

One punch.

Fast. Brutal.

Min-jae staggered back, wiping blood from his lip.

Then—he smiled.

"I'll be seeing you."

And just like that, he was gone.

Hana exhaled shakily.

Ji-hoon turned to her.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded, but her hands shook.

Ji-hoon cupped her face.

Soft. Gentle.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered.

Hana looked into his eyes—

And knew he meant it.

But the problem was—

Some battles couldn't be won.

---

4. The Calm Before the War

That night, Ji-hoon climbed through Hana's window.

He shouldn't have.

But he needed to see her.

To hold her.

To remind himself that she was real.

She didn't say anything.

Just pulled him into bed.

Arms wrapped around each other.

Warm. Safe.

Even if only for a moment.

Then—

"Hana," Ji-hoon whispered.

She looked up.

And for the first time—she saw it.

Fear.

Not for himself.

For her.

"I don't deserve you," he admitted.

Hana's heart clenched.

She cupped his face.

"You're mine," she whispered.

Ji-hoon closed his eyes.

Like it hurt to hear.

Then—he kissed her.

Slow. Desperate.

Like he was memorizing her.

Like he knew—

This might be the last time.

---

5. The Final Choice

Ji-hoon woke before dawn.

Slipping out of bed, careful not to wake her.

Because tonight—

It all ended.

Either he walked away from this fight.

Or he didn't walk away at all.

And no matter what happened—

Hana could never know.

---

End of Chapter 20