With an echoing bang, the teenage boy hit the garbage can and fell over. He coughed and curled up a little as the garbage can nearly fell on top of him, trash littering the ground. Laughter rang around him as he slowly pushed himself back up onto his hands and knees.

“Just do yourself a favor and stay down,” another young voice sneered, and a boot slammed into his stomach. The downed teen hit the ground again and coughed harshly. “ing queer, come near us again and you’ll get worse.” Jeers of agreement accompanied the statement. The boy grunted in pain as he was kicked again.

Finally the group of teens grew tired of kicking the boy who wouldn’t fight back, their voices fading as they left. Their target waited until they were gone before slowly sitting up, bloodied lips pressed together in pain as he took stock of his injuries.  He staggered to his feet, finally letting the tears out and scrubbing at his face with grimy hands. The boy made a face when he looked down at his shirt and saw the faded pink marred by dirt, trash, and spots of blood.

“I actually liked this shirt too,” he mumbled, wincing at the pain of talking and wiping away the blood that dribbled from a split lip.

Turning to continue down the street with a slight limp, the boy paused when he heard a faint whisper. He glanced around, not sure where it was coming from, before his eyes found a soft pink glow reflecting off the brick wall.

Making his way over, he saw the glow was originating from between the brick wall and the dumpster he’d been beat up beside. Frowning, the teen crouched down when he heard that whisper again, more like a child’s whimper than anything. Was there a kid back there?

Illuminated by the pink glow he could see the silhouette of a small animal. It was tiny, barely bigger than his hand, and quivering slightly. “…What are you?” He murmured when bright pink eyes appeared in the darkness, blinking back at him.

Whatever it was, it seemed to be stuck. Steeling himself for a potential bite and hoping whatever it was didn’t have rabies, the teenager reached in with both hands to carefully free the animal from behind the dumpster. It didn’t protest, and he felt soft, warm fur against his hands as he lifted the creature out and into his lap.

The boy stared down at the rabbit that seemed to be made entirely out of pink light, curled up in his lap and quivering. He’d never seen anything like it before. “…You’re injured?” he whispered when he saw the way the animal favored two of its legs. The rabbit was covered in dirt and didn't look much better than SungMin himself.

”I found you.”

The child’s voice rang through his ears as his mouth fell open in surprise. The rabbit had spoken to him, and now looked up at him with large pink eyes. “…What…what are you?”

” I looked for so, so long. My name is Yuetu. I finally found you, SungMin, my Keeper.”