Maja shyly nodded.

• "Y-yeah… of course. I'll wait here…" she answered quietly, sending Shin a gentle smile.

When the boy walked away, she sat down on a nearby bench. She adjusted the sleeves of her pink sweater and clasped her hands on her lap, looking around the beautifully lit festival. However, after a moment, two unfamiliar guys approached her.

• "Hey, gorgeous. Sitting here all alone?" one of them initiated, sitting down dangerously close to her.

• "Maybe we can keep you company? We could have some fun" the second one added with a sly smile.

Maja instantly stiffened.

"Uh… excuse me, but I'm waiting for someone…" she stammered, moving away slightly.

"Oh come on, don't be so shy. Come with us." One of them reached out, trying to grab her by the wrist. Maja shrank back, clutching her handbag to her chest.

• "P-please, no…"

Suddenly, someone's hand firmly stopped the guy's hand.

• "She said she doesn't want to."

It was Shin.

He was standing beside the bench with a cold, displeased look. His face no longer resembled the flustered one Maja had seen just a few minutes earlier.

Without waiting for a reply from the strangers, he turned toward the girl and extended his hand to her.

Maja looked at him in surprise, then quickly grabbed his hand.

Shin gently intertwined his fingers with hers, helping her up. Then he stood slightly in front of her, shielding her with his own body.

• "Let's go."

He said just that.

He started walking forward, still holding her hand, leading them away from the two strangers and the crowded bench.