Alice smiled at Sana, her cheeks slightly red.
"Sana… I'll treasure that name. You're my hero."
Sana smiled back softly.
"I'm just a normal guy… but it feels nice to be someone's hero."
Alice shook her head.
"No… you really are my hero."
Sana felt a little awkward and quickly changed the topic.
"So… did you call your parents and tell them about this?"
[I hope it's not like the Alice I knew…]
Alice nodded.
"Yes, I already told them. Don't worry."
Sana let out a small breath.
"That's a relief. I'll apologize to them for… borrowing their daughter when I recover."
Alice smiled faintly.
"They're very busy… I wish they could come see you—their hero."
Sana looked at her calmly.
"It's okay. I understand. They're working hard to take care of you."
Alice lowered her gaze.
"I've never thought of it that way… They're always working… they don't really care about me."
Sana replied gently,
"Maybe they have their own problems they can't tell you. No matter what… they're still your parents."
Alice looked at him quietly.
"You're… different. More mature than I thought."
Sana scratched his head with a small smile.
"Maybe…"
Alice leaned closer, worry in her eyes.
"Are you still in pain?"
Sana was hurting badly, but he hid it.
"I'll recover soon… don't worry."
Alice smiled in relief.
"That's good to hear."
She picked up her phone. In truth, she hadn't called her parents. She didn't want to bother them. They always came home late anyway.
As she unlocked it, a flood of notifications appeared.
Sana frowned slightly.
"Is something wrong?"
Alice checked them. Not from her parents—
but from her childhood friend.
Her expression darkened as she read.
[Why does he keep bothering me… even after I rejected him?]
Sana gently held her hand.
Alice flinched slightly.
"Oh… it's nothing. Just something annoying…"
But she didn't pull her hand away.
Sana slowly tried to let go, but she held on tighter. Her cheeks turned red.
"I… I was just thinking too much…"
Sana smiled softly.
"It seems like you're having trouble."
Alice sighed.
"It's my childhood friend… I've rejected him many times, but he won't give up. I told him clearly—I don't like him."
She looked down.
Sana nodded.
"I understand why he keeps trying… you're beautiful. And to him, you're someone special."
Alice shook her head.
"We just happen to live near each other. That doesn't mean anything. I never wanted to be close to him."
Sana hesitated for a moment, his heart beating faster.
"…I might have a way to help you."
Alice looked up, curious.
"What is it?"
Sana took a small breath.
"I'll… pretend to be your boyfriend."
His voice trembled slightly.
Alice smiled—warm, and a little shy.
"Okay… my hero. You're the only one I can trust."
She tightened her grip on his hand.
Sana's face turned slightly red.
"…Then in return, you have to take good care of me."
Alice nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. I promise."