Chapter 6; Moving Forward
Minkyu stood in front of the full-length mirror in his room, his gaze fixed upon his reflection. At 8 years old, he had blossomed into a young boy with an undeniable charm and striking features. His tousled chestnut hair fell in soft waves, framing his face, while his deep brown eyes held a spark of determination and mischief. His smile, adorned with a set of perfectly aligned teeth, radiated warmth and an infectious enthusiasm.
As he assessed his appearance, Minkyu couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had grown accustomed to the attention his looks garnered, and though he remained humble, he couldn't deny the confidence that came with it. His good looks, a gift from his genes, had become a part of his identity, another aspect that set him apart on his cycling journey.
He knew he was only eight, but he could definitely see the potential. He just had to work hard and take care of himself, with proper skincare and good fashion choices.
Minkyu's youthful features, complemented by his lithe and athletic frame, served him well on the bike. He knew that cycling wasn't solely about physical appearance, but he couldn't deny the advantage it gave him. The combination of his skill, determination, and handsome facade created a magnetic presence that drew others to him, both on and off the road.
However, Minkyu never allowed his looks to define him entirely. He knew that true success in cycling required discipline, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. He had experienced the grueling training sessions, the sweat-soaked jerseys, and the burning muscles that accompanied every pedal stroke. It was his passion and dedication that fueled his journey, not solely his appearance.
Stepping away from the mirror, Minkyu's thoughts shifted back to the world around him. He wondered how his newfound physical allure would impact his future in the cycling world. Would it open doors or create new challenges? Only time would tell.
Gazing at his reflection, Minkyu couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. His hard work and countless hours of training had paid off, and his cycling skills had soared to new heights. What he used to think was impressive skill now looked childish, awkward, and uncertain. Those strange movements on his bike had evolved into graceful and precise maneuvers. His balance was impeccable, his turns sharp, and his speed exhilarating.
Minkyu had honed his craft under the guidance of Mr. Park and Mr. Choi, absorbing their wisdom and expertise like a sponge. Their patient instruction had instilled in him a deep understanding of the nuances of cycling, from proper form and technique to tactical decision-making on the road. Each day brought new lessons, new challenges, and new triumphs. It was amazing and unusual how his older friends were so knowledgeable about cycling.
The parallel world in which he found himself provided ample opportunities for growth. The cycling culture that thrived here offered competitions and races that pushed Minkyu to his limits, allowing him to test his skills against formidable opponents. He relished every chance to showcase his abilities, pushing himself to go faster, further, and beyond his own expectations.
But it wasn't just the physical aspects of cycling that had improved. Minkyu had also developed a strategic mindset, learning to read the road ahead, anticipate the movements of his fellow cyclists, and make split-second decisions that could mean the difference between victory and defeat. His intuition had sharpened, and he had become a formidable force on the road.
To elaborate, Minkyu was actually part of several racing tourneys across the city of Changwon.(can someone tell me what city the entire tourney is located in? I can't find the info anywhere. I mean the tourney where Jay and the crew compete, of course.)
He was eight, but he, and his friends Mr. Park and Choi, knew that his skills were too good to be held back. With a good word from the two of them, Minkyu was able to sign up to several biking races. At first, he was severely underestimated. But after his first race, nobody doubted him again.
The terrain for his first race was simple.
However, despite the progress he had made, Minkyu remained humble and aware of the vast room for improvement. He knew that there were cyclists out there who possessed incredible skills, capable of feats that seemed almost superhuman. These were the athletes who inspired him to push his boundaries, to reach for greatness, and to never settle for mediocrity. He had seen them on television. To put it in words, they were beasts. These competitive cyclists pedaled at an average pace of 55 mph. AVERAGE. When sprinting, professionals could get to 85 mph, and the best among them could go above 110. It was truly insane. This was with air resistance, in a competitive setting. These were speeds that people could barely do in perfect conditions, with all the resources possible.
His favorite of the bunch? Mahon Jo. The man was of his ethnicity, and one of the indisputed greats of the current generation. Everything about Mahon, his energy, his fluidity, his movement, his charisma, they made people gravitate towards him. He was a natural star, and it was all supported by his world-class capabilities. The only thing that was worrying were the rumors that were starting to pop up that Mahon was on drugs during his races. But they were just rumors. They would fade away eventually. Right?
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School. Minkyu had started his studies when he was 4 years old. To him, school was always a secondary importance that was constantly sidelined by his passion for cycling. For his parents, however, it was a different story. He had heard of the brutality of Asian parents, but had assumed that it was an over exaggeration of large proportions. Turn out, Minkyu was dead wrong. Not to say that his parents were overbearing, no. But Minkyu had seen the parents of the other children around him, and the strictness that was displayed was unbelievable. They pushed their children for results at all times, and the harshness was similar to that of an aristocrat.
Minkyu's parents were much better. They were kind, and did not expect much from Minkyu or Eunji. Though, this was because they did not have enough funds to send them to any tutors or academies. Fortunately, his parents received pleasant surprises from their children, as both were inherently excellent students.
As mentioned before, Eunji was an amazing learner. She was attentive and active, and soaked in information as a sponge. In layman''s terms, Eunji was a genius. Minkyu on the other hand had full access to all of the knowledge from his past life. This allowed him to breeze path his earlier school years with ease. In fact, he was so good, that he was told to skip grades. This resulted in Minkyu attending to a prestigious but local highschool at the age of 8. He was hailed as a prodigy, well beyond his peers.
It felt like cheating, honestly. But he liked cheating. And in this situation, cheating was his way to move forward. Being forced to go through school all over again would be torture. Especially middle school, holy-middle school! Just the thought of being in middle school again filled Minkyu with dread. Perhaps in Korea, the culture was drastically different to the point that middle-schoolers weren't hormonal filled brats. He really doubted it.
Not just that, school in Korea would be hell. Students were expected to be studying 24/7. So being able to skip years of school would be a god-send.
As Minkyu biked his way home from school, his mind began to shift from thoughts of his cycling journey to a more immediate concern—his growling stomach. The exhilaration of the road had a way of awakening his appetite, and he found himself eagerly anticipating what he would eat later. His thoughts turned to the flavors and aromas that awaited him—a delectable assortment of Korean delicacies that would satisfy his hunger and nourish his body. The tantalizing scent of sizzling bulgogi wafted through his imagination, accompanied by the vibrant colors of banchan spread across the table. He could almost taste the savory tang of kimchi, the comforting warmth of a steaming bowl of bibimbap, and the crispness of pajeon.
Minkyu's love for cycling was matched only by his love for good food. He had come to appreciate-scratch that, he had come to enjoy-actually, he had come to love-one more time, he had come to a point of obsession with the culinary wonders of Korea. He had the curse of being unable to ever try Korean cuisine in his previous life, only tasting a couple of the American variants of kimchi and Korean beef.
Now that he lived in Korea, he could understand the hype around Korean food. Even on the streets, each dish was a testament to the rich traditions and cultural heritage that surrounded him. From street food stalls to hidden gems tucked away in bustling markets, he had explored the gastronomic delights that this world had to offer.
As his mind wandered, Minkyu couldn't help but smile. Cycling had become not only a means to pursue his dreams but also a gateway to new experiences and connections. Through the bonds he had formed with Mr. Park, Mr. Choi, and his spirited sister Eunji, he had discovered not only the thrill of the ride but also the joy of shared meals and laughter.
Lost in his thoughts, Minkyu's pace slowed slightly, allowing him to savor the anticipation of his upcoming meal. He could almost taste the satisfaction that would follow, the contentment that came from nourishing his body after a day of pushing his limits on the road.
And with that, Minkyu focused his attention on the road once more, his heart filled with determination, his mind filled with dreams, and his stomach filled with the delicious promise of a satisfying meal to come.