CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER-159.

Cutie turned to Veer, his eyes blazing like fire—nothing like the soft warmth Kaya was used to. The calm in him was gone, replaced by a storm she’d never seen before.

"How dare you," he growled, his voice low and sharp.

Kaya’s breath hitched.

She had never heard him sound like that.

Never seen him look so furious.

It was like standing next to a stranger wearing Cutie’s face.

Her eyes shifted to Veer, who was now sitting up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes met Cutie’s, a crooked smirk playing on his lips.

"Wow," Veer scoffed, "I didn’t know even a rabbit could throw a punch. Impressive."

He chuckled dryly, then added with a mocking tilt of his head,

"What now? Still pretending like you’re all innocent?"

The tension between them crackled in the air, so thick Kaya felt it press on her chest.

Hearing those words, Cutie took a few steps forward. His hands were clenched so tight that the veins in his arms stood out, his jaw locked in quiet fury. Without warning, he raised his leg to strike Veer again.

But this time, Veer was ready.

He caught Cutie’s kick mid-air, gripping it with surprising strength. Their eyes met — and before Cutie could react, Veer shoved him back with a forceful kick, sending him stumbling.

Cutie tried to steady himself, reaching his hand out to brace against the ground. But then... his eyes met Kaya’s.

She was staring at him — eyes wide, lips slightly parted, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. It was the first time she had seen him like this.

Cutie froze.

For a split second, something in his chest tightened. And just like that, the hand he had raised to catch himself... dropped.

His body hit the ground with a harsh thud.

"Ugh—!" he groaned, a sharp cough tearing through him. Blood splattered across the dry earth as it spilled from his lips. And then... he went still, collapsed against the dirt with a shaky breath.

Veer just stood there, blinking.

"What the—?" he muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing.

He hadn’t hit him that hard.

Sure, the kick had been strong enough to push him back — but not enough to knock him down like that. Definitely not enough to make him spit blood.

Something wasn’t right.

Kaya stared at the scene before her, completely frozen. Just a moment ago, they were fighting—and now, it wasn’t Veer, but Cutie lying on the ground? For a second, her brain refused to make sense of it. What the hell just happened?

But before her thoughts could catch up, her feet moved on their own. Instinctively, she rushed toward Cutie, her heart thumping in her chest.

She crouched beside him, her hands trembling as she scanned him quickly with her eyes. A light kick. From what she could see, it didn’t seem to have hit any vital spot. Maybe the blood came from inside his mouth—he might’ve bitten his tongue or lip from the force. He wasn’t seriously injured... at least, not enough to make him collapse like that.

Still, Kaya leaned in and gently reached her hand toward him.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Cutie gave a slight nod. "Mm, yeah."

Relieved, Kaya helped him sit up. But just as she steadied him, from the corner of her vision—just barely in her peripheral sight—Cutie turned his face toward Veer and gave him a small, smug, mocking smile.

Veer blinked.

For a moment, his entire mind went blank.

And then—

Boom.

It was like a firework of rage exploded inside his head.

That damn rabbit... he knew it.

That little bastard had been acting.

Veer took a step forward, his voice low and edged with anger, "You—"

Before he could finish, Kaya turned to look at him.

Her expression was black—completely dark.

The shift was so sudden, so sharp, that it made Veer freeze mid-sentence. Like a child trying to explain he didn’t do anything wrong, he mumbled, "I don’t..."

But Kaya’s voice cut through him—blank, cold, and final.

"Out. Right. Now."

There was no room for argument. No opening for excuses. Just those four words. Flat. Emotionless.

Veer’s lips parted as if he wanted to say something—anything—but he clenched them shut instead. His jaw tightened in frustration. Then, with a sharp exhale, he turned around, his figure breaking into that familiar volatile blur, and flew off.

The flamboyant boy who had been standing beside him—still clinging to drama like glitter—hesitated for a second, then scoffed and flew after him with a lazy flap.

But the eldest one—the calm, composed brother-like figure—he stayed.

He didn’t move. Just stood there, still and steady, eyes quietly watching Kaya.

Kaya gently helped Cutie to his feet, her arms steady under him. Then, she turned her gaze to the man still standing nearby. Her tone was sharp, unyielding.

"What? Are you not going?"

The man didn’t flinch. His calm eyes met hers, voice steady.

"Calm down. I just want to talk."

Kaya looked like she was about to shut him down right away, the word no almost at her lips. But something in his expression gave her pause—just enough to make her stop and think. After a short silence, she gave a small nod.

Then she turned her head and shouted, "Rin!"

From a distance, Rin came rushing over. Without hesitation, Kaya passed Cutie into his arms.

"Take care of him. I’ll be back soon."

Cutie, startled, looked up at her. His hand lifted toward her slowly, "Wait—" he began, but she cut him off gently.

"Go and rest."

Her voice wasn’t cold, but firm—gentle, with that unshakable edge only she had.

Cutie froze for a moment, then slowly brought his hand back down. His lips pressed into a thin line as he nodded—soft, understanding.

As Rin helped him walk away, Cutie couldn’t stop himself from glancing back at her—once... twice... and again, until she was out of view.