invisible string theory 𝙟.𝙮𝙝 ✓

twenty one

⌒౨ৎ

As they walked in silence, the tension between them still lingered.

Mi-cha suddenly stumbled on the uneven curb and her foot twisted painfully beneath her.

Before she could react, her body pitched forward and Yunho's heart stopped. He reached out for her, but he wasn't fast enough.

Mi-cha had let out a sharp gasp and she landed on the pavement, her ankle screamed in pain and she tried to stand.

The moment she put weight on her ankle, the pain shot up her leg, and she collapsed back down with a gasp.

"Mi-cha!" Yunho cried out, rushing to her side.

She winced, her face pale, and her hands gripped the pavement as she tried to assess the damage, "I-I'm fine," she mumbled.

The tears in her eyes and the way she was biting her lip told a different story.

Yunho crouched beside her, his expression filled with concern, "No, you're not," he said firmly.

He knelt to check her ankle and it was already swelling rapidly.

She winced when he gently touched it, "This doesn't look good."

"You think?!" Mi-cha yelled, her head was spinning with the pain and the alcohol was not helping the situation.

She barely noticed when Yunho scooped her up into his arms and she gasped in surprise.

However, she didn't have the energy to protest.

"Yunho!" she exclaimed, her voice was shaky but he ignored her.

His face was a picture of concentration and worry as he held her close, adjusting his grip so she was cradled against him comfortably.

"Just relax," he said with a soft tone.

Despite the soft tone, there was still a hint of urgency in his voice, "We need to get you off of that foot."

"But... my house is far, I don't even know why we were walking towards it to begin with," Mi-cha protested weakly.

Her head was spinning with a mix of embarrassment and discomfort settling in, "I don't want to trouble you."

Yunho shook his head and didn't break his stride as he walked briskly down the street, her body cradled securely in his arms.

"Your place is too far," he replied with a calm tone but it was determined.

"I'll take you to mine. It's only two minutes away, and I can take care of you there."

Mi-cha blinked up at him with her vision blurred slightly from the alcohol and pain.

She could barely think straight, but something about the way Yunho was handling the situation—so calmly, so effortlessly—made her feel both embarrassed and oddly comforted.

"You sure?" she asked, her voice shaky, "I mean... I'm not in any condition to be at your place right now."

Yunho glanced down at her with a soft smile, though his brow was still furrowed with concern, "I'm sure. It'll be fine. You just need to rest, and I'm not letting you walk on that ankle. Besides, I'd rather have you close so I can make sure you're okay."