IF LOVE HAD A NAME

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1. The First Light

The morning sun slipped through the curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the room.

Hana stirred, warmth enveloping her.

She blinked.

Then froze.

Ji-hoon was beside her.

His arm draped over her waist.

His face—so close.

His breathing—deep, steady.

For a moment, she didn't move.

Didn't dare.

She simply watched him.

The sharp angles of his face.

The way his dark hair fell over his eyes.

The way his lips—lips that had kissed her last night—were slightly parted.

Her heart pounded.

She should move.

She should wake him.

She should—

Ji-hoon shifted, his grip on her tightening.

A soft breath against her neck.

Hana's body tensed.

He's still asleep.

But he was holding her like he didn't want to let go.

And God, she didn't want him to.

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2. A Rude Awakening

A knock.

Loud.

Sharp.

Ji-hoon's eyes snapped open.

Hana barely had time to react before he moved.

Fast.

Defensive.

His body shielded hers before he was even awake.

Then—

Another knock.

Ji-hoon exhaled sharply.

"Stay here," he murmured.

Hana grabbed his wrist.

"Ji-hoon—"

He gave her a look.

One that stopped her words.

Then he was up, moving toward the door.

Hana sat up, wrapping the blanket around herself.

The air was thick with tension.

Ji-hoon reached for the door handle.

Paused.

Then—he opened it.

Hana held her breath.

And then—

A familiar voice.

"Hyung."

Her heart dropped.

It was him.

The man from last night.

The one Ji-hoon owed.

And judging by the look on his face—

He was here to collect.

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3. A Deal Hanging Over Their Heads

Ji-hoon didn't say a word.

Neither did the man.

The silence between them was heavy, charged.

Hana felt it from across the room.

Then—

The man smirked.

"Didn't take you for the type to play house, Ji-hoon."

Ji-hoon's jaw tensed.

"Say what you came to say, Seok-jin."

Seok-jin chuckled, stepping inside uninvited.

His eyes landed on Hana.

"Morning, sweetheart."

Ji-hoon moved.

Fast.

Hana barely saw it happen, but suddenly—

Seok-jin was against the wall.

Ji-hoon's forearm was pressed against his throat.

Hard.

"Don't look at her," Ji-hoon said, voice low, dangerous.

Seok-jin laughed, unfazed.

"Relax, hyung. Just making conversation."

Ji-hoon didn't move.

"Get to the point."

Seok-jin smirked.

"Fine."

Then—his eyes darkened.

"You owe me, Ji-hoon. And it's time to pay up."

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4. An Impossible Choice

Ji-hoon let go.

Slowly.

Seok-jin fixed his collar, rolling his shoulders.

Then he pulled out a small slip of paper.

Slid it onto the table.

Ji-hoon didn't even glance at it.

"What's this?"

"Your job."

Ji-hoon finally looked.

Hana did too.

Her stomach dropped.

It was an address.

Seok-jin grinned.

"Simple. Go there tonight. Take care of a little problem. Then we're even."

Ji-hoon's fingers curled into a fist.

"You want me to kill someone."

Seok-jin didn't even blink.

"That's how this works, hyung. You knew that when you came to me."

Silence.

Thick. Suffocating.

Hana could feel the tension in Ji-hoon's body.

He didn't want this.

But he had no choice.

Seok-jin stepped closer.

"You have until midnight."

Then—he turned to Hana.

And smiled.

"Unless you'd rather I collect another way?"

Ji-hoon moved before she could react.

A fist.

A crack.

Seok-jin stumbled back, laughing.

"Easy, hyung."

Ji-hoon's voice was ice.

"Get out."

Seok-jin smirked.

And left.

The door clicked shut.

Ji-hoon stood there.

Breathing hard.

Then—

Hana touched his arm.

Soft.

He flinched.

She ignored it.

"Ji-hoon—"

"I'm fine," he muttered.

She didn't believe him.

And as he turned away, shoulders tense, jaw tight—

She knew.

He was about to do something he'd regret.

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5. A Heartbreaking Decision

Ji-hoon didn't speak.

Not for a long time.

He just stood there, his back to her.

Hana hated it.

She stepped closer.

"Ji-hoon, talk to me."

He exhaled.

"It's nothing."

"Liar."

He finally turned.

And for the first time—

She saw it.

The storm in his eyes.

The war inside him.

"I made a mistake," he said, voice rough.

Hana swallowed.

"You were desperate."

Ji-hoon shook his head.

"That doesn't matter."

His jaw clenched.

"Now I have to fix it."

Hana's chest tightened.

She knew what that meant.

Knew what he was about to do.

She reached for him.

"Ji-hoon, you don't have to—"

"I do."

His fingers curled around hers.

Tight.

Almost desperate.

Then—he leaned down.

Pressed his forehead against hers.

And whispered,

"Stay here. Don't follow me."

Then—

He let go.

And walked away.

Hana stood there.

Alone.

Heart pounding.

And she knew.

This wasn't just about Ji-hoon's debt anymore.

This was about them.

And whether they would survive it.

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End of Chapter 9

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