IF LOVE HAD A NAME

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1. A New Threat

Hana sat at the back of the classroom, her fingers gripping the edge of her desk.

She wasn't listening.

Not to the teacher. Not to the students chatting around her.

Not even to Min-ji, who was whispering something about a new celebrity scandal.

Her mind was elsewhere.

On him.

Ji-hoon hadn't come to school today.

Not that it was unusual—he skipped often.

But after what happened last night…

Something felt wrong.

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2. A Stranger in the Hallway

The bell rang.

Hana barely noticed as students gathered their books, laughing and shoving each other on their way out.

She forced herself to move, grabbing her bag and heading for the door.

Then—

She felt it.

A presence.

Someone was watching her.

She turned—

And froze.

At the far end of the hallway stood a man in a black coat.

Tall. Unfamiliar.

And staring straight at her.

Hana's breath hitched.

Something about him felt wrong.

Like he didn't belong here.

Like he wasn't a student.

Or a teacher.

Or anyone who should be in a high school.

Then—

He smirked.

And just like that, he disappeared down the corridor.

Hana stood there, her heart pounding.

Who was that?

And why did she feel like she had just been marked?

---

3. A Message Left Behind

Hana walked faster.

The school suddenly felt suffocating.

She needed to find Ji-hoon.

Now.

She reached her locker, fingers fumbling with the lock—

Then stopped.

A piece of paper had been slipped between the vents.

Frowning, she pulled it out and unfolded it.

Her stomach dropped.

Stay away from him.

That was all it said.

No name. No signature.

Just a warning.

A threat.

Hana's hands clenched.

This wasn't a coincidence.

Someone knew.

Someone was watching.

And they wanted her gone.

---

4. A Familiar Voice in the Dark

Hana didn't go home.

She went straight to the only place she knew Ji-hoon might be.

The old boxing gym.

The one hidden in the city's backstreets, where fighters trained in the shadows.

Where Ji-hoon went when he needed to be alone.

She hesitated at the entrance.

The sound of punches. The smell of sweat. The dim lighting.

She stepped inside.

And there he was.

In the ring.

Fists wrapped. Eyes sharp.

Fighting.

The opponent was bigger. Stronger.

But Ji-hoon was faster.

A dodge. A counter. A brutal uppercut.

The man hit the mat, groaning.

Ji-hoon exhaled, stepping back.

Then—he saw her.

His expression darkened.

"You shouldn't be here."

Hana ignored him.

She pulled out the note and held it up.

"Someone left this in my locker."

Ji-hoon's eyes flickered.

He stepped down from the ring, grabbing the note from her hand.

As he read it—his jaw tightened.

"Where did you get this?"

"My locker. Right after I saw some guy in the hallway watching me."

Ji-hoon's grip on the paper tightened.

"This isn't good."

Hana crossed her arms.

"No kidding."

She stepped closer, voice firm.

"You said I should stay away from you. But guess what? They don't care if I do or not. I'm already a target."

Ji-hoon met her gaze.

And for the first time—he didn't argue.

Because he knew.

It was too late.

Hana was already part of this.

And there was no going back.

---

5. A Deal with the Devil

Ji-hoon didn't take her home.

He took her somewhere else.

A bar.

Hidden in the outskirts of the city.

Dark. Quiet. Filled with the kind of people who didn't belong in normal society.

Hana swallowed.

"Why are we here?"

Ji-hoon didn't answer.

Instead, he walked straight to a man sitting at a booth.

Tall. Older. Dressed in black.

His presence—commanding.

"Hyung," Ji-hoon said.

The man looked up.

Smirked.

"Well, well. The prodigal son returns."

Ji-hoon didn't smile.

"I need information."

The man leaned back.

"And what makes you think I'll give it to you?"

Ji-hoon's jaw clenched.

"I'll owe you."

Silence.

Then—the man chuckled.

"Interesting."

His gaze shifted to Hana.

"And who's this?"

Hana stiffened.

Ji-hoon's expression darkened.

"She's no one."

The man's eyes gleamed.

"Is that so?"

A slow smirk.

"Then why do you look so ready to kill me for even asking?"

Hana's breath hitched.

She glanced at Ji-hoon.

At the way his fists clenched.

At the storm in his eyes.

The man laughed.

"Fine. I'll give you what you want. But remember—"

His smile faded.

"Everything has a price."

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End of Chapter 5

(Next Chapter: A Debt That Can't Be Repaid)