Chereads / Requirements Of Life / Chapter 3 - Chapter 3 - Life

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3 - Life

Jin-ah sat in her room, staring at the ceiling as she replayed the events of the day in her head. She couldn't believe what had happened in the courtyard. Jake, a descendant of a well-known hero, had attacked Alex out of nowhere, simply because he was rumoured to have parents who were convicted supervillains. Jin-ah couldn't believe the level of discrimination and prejudice that existed at the school.

She turned to look at Alex, who was sitting on the bed opposite hers, a deep frown etched on his face. "I can't believe that just happened," Jin-ah said, shaking her head.

"It's not the first time it's happened," Alex replied, his voice laced with bitterness. "It's just the way it is here. Kids from hero families look down on us villain kids. They think we're all evil and untrustworthy, no matter what we do."

Jin-ah felt a surge of anger and frustration well up inside her. She couldn't believe that people could be so narrow-minded and judgmental. "That's not right," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, no matter where they come from."

Alex gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Jin-ah. It means a lot to hear you say that."

Jin-ah returned the smile, determination filling her. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure people like Jake and the others see that. We can't let them get away with treating us like this."

Jin-ah couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. She had always known that there was some sort of prejudice towards children of villains, but she had never seen it firsthand like this before. It made her heart ache for Alex, who had done nothing to deserve the harsh treatment he received from Jake.

As she walked back to her dorm room with Ben, Jin-ah couldn't shake the feeling of sadness and anger that had settled in her chest. "I can't believe how Jake treated Alex," she said to Ben. "It's not fair that he's judged just because of his parents' actions."

Ben nodded in agreement. "I know, it's really messed up. But it's not just Jake. There are a lot of kids here who have a chip on their shoulder because of their family's hero status. They think they're better than everyone else."

Jin-ah sighed. "It's so stupid. We should all be judged on our own actions, not because of who our parents are."

"Absolutely," Ben agreed. "But It's a never-ending cycle of hate and prejudice."

Jin-ah nodded. She had never really thought about it that way before. "It's like we're all trapped in this cycle of hatred and discrimination, and it's never going to end."

Ben shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe one day we'll all learn to rise above it and just be judged for who we are as individuals."

Jin-ah hoped that was true as she walked off. As she walked through the halls of the superhero academy, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Despite the fact that she had just discovered her powers were much greater than she had initially thought, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. As she turned a corner, she came face to face with a group of kids standing in the hallway, all of whom seemed to be glaring at her.

"Hey, you're that new girl, right?" said a tall, muscular boy with short, spiky hair. "What are you doing hanging out with Alex? Don't you know who his parents are?"

Jin-ah frowned, not understanding what the boy was talking about. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean," she said.

"Oh, come on," said another boy, this one with curly hair and a mischievous grin. "Everyone knows that Alex's parents were super villains. It's not exactly a secret."

Jin-ah's heart sank. She had had no idea that Alex's parents had been villains. She had just assumed that he was a normal kid, like the rest of the descendants at the academy.

"That doesn't matter," she said, trying to defend her new friend. "Everyone deserves a chance, no matter who their parents are."

The boys snorted in disbelief. "You're just saying that because you're new here," said the first boy. "You'll see. Villain kids are nothing but trouble. They'll do anything to get ahead, even if it means hurting someone else."

Jin-ah's heart was heavy as she walked away from the group of boys. She couldn't believe the level of discrimination that seemed to exist at the academy. She had always thought that superheroes were supposed to be fair and just, but it seemed that wasn't always the case. She made a mental note to be more understanding and supportive of kids like Alex in the future.

Jin-ah watched as the situation unfolded in front of her, feeling a mix of anger and sadness for her new friend Alex. She couldn't believe that kids her age could be so cruel and judgmental, especially when they hadn't even given Alex a chance to prove himself.

But then, Madison appeared out of nowhere, walking up to the group of boys and standing tall and proud. "I don't know what you guys are talking about, but I don't think it's right to judge someone just because of their parents," she said, her voice firm and unyielding.

The boys looked at her in surprise, clearly not expecting anyone to stand up for Alex. "What do you care, Madison?" one of them sneered. "You're the daughter of one of the greatest heroes of all time. You don't know what it's like to be looked down on."

Madison's eyes narrowed. "Just because my parents were heroes doesn't mean I can't understand what it's like to be discriminated against," she said. "I may not have faced the same kind of judgement that Alex has, but that doesn't mean I can't try to make things better for him and others like him. And if you can't see that, then you're not the kind of hero I want to be."

Jin-ah watched in awe as Madison stood her ground, her words ringing with conviction. She knew that she had a lot to learn from this strong, compassionate girl, and she was determined to do whatever she could to help make the world a better place.

But their conversation was cut short by the arrival of one of their teachers, a man with a stern expression and cold, calculating eyes. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

The boys quickly backed down, mumbling apologies and excuses. But Jin-ah could see the way the teacher looked at Alex, his gaze filled with disdain and contempt. She knew that this man was no hero, and she made a mental note to be on her guard around him.

As the group dispersed and went their separate ways, Jin-ah couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. She knew that there was still a long way to go in the fight against discrimination and prejudice, but she was determined to do whatever she could to help make the world a better place for people like Alex.

As Madison continued to speak, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for her friend. She had always known that Madison was a strong and powerful person, but seeing her stand up for what she believed in and for her fellow students made Jin-ah admire her even more.

"I'm sorry, Madison," the teacher said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "I didn't mean to offend anyone. It's just that, well, you know how it is. People with villainous parents tend to be more...troublesome."

Madison's eyes narrowed and Jin-ah could see the anger emanating from her. "That's not true," Madison said firmly. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, no matter who their parents are. And I won't stand for anyone being discriminated against because of something that they had no control over."

The teacher's face turned red and she looked as if she was about to say something, but Madison didn't give her a chance. "Now, if you'll excuse us," she said, turning to Jin-ah and the other students. "We have a class to get to. Come on, guys."

Jin-ah and the others followed Madison out of the classroom, grateful for her support and strength. As they walked down the hallway, Jin-ah couldn't help but think about the discrimination that she had witnessed. It was a harsh reminder of the reality of the world they lived in, where people were judged and discriminated against based on things that were beyond their control.

But Jin-ah knew that she couldn't let it get her down. She had a purpose, a reason for being here at the school. And with Madison and the other Descendants by her side, she knew that she could face any challenge that came her way.

As Jin-ah walked through the halls of the school, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had always known that there was a divide between the descendants of heroes and those with more questionable parentage, but seeing it play out in front of her was a different experience altogether. She couldn't believe the way that teacher had spoken to the student with villain parents, and the way the other students had stood by and done nothing only made it worse.

Jin-ah shook her head, trying to push the negative thoughts out of her mind. She had more important things to focus on, like her own powers and figuring out how to control them. She had a feeling that they were going to be more important than ever in the days to come.

As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with a group of students. "Watch where you're going," one of them snapped, before realising who she was. "Oh, sorry, Jin-ah. We didn't realise it was you."

Jin-ah smiled, trying to brush off the confrontation. "It's okay," she said. "I wasn't paying attention either."

As she walked away, she couldn't help but overhear the whispers of the students behind her. "I can't believe she's hanging out with the descendants," one of them said. "Are you sure she's the one from the rumours..." They would keep whispering.

Jin-ah sighed, feeling a familiar sense of frustration welling up inside of her, seriously status was everywhere.

But she couldn't let the negativity get to her. She had a job to do, and she couldn't let anything stand in her way.

Jin-ah sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone as she listened to music. She had just finished up her homework for the day and was looking forward to a relaxing evening. She had always enjoyed the peacefulness of her room, with its soft blue walls and comfortable furniture.

As she scrolled through her social media feeds, she couldn't help but smile at all the photos and updates from her friends. It was nice to see everyone doing well, even if they were all scattered around the world.

As the night went on, Jin-ah found herself getting lost in her music and her thoughts. She thought about her powers and how she had been using them more and more lately. It was still strange to think that she had the ability to manipulate kinetic energy, but she was starting to get the hang of it.

She also thought about Alex, the student who was rumoured to be the child of supervillains. Jin-ah had been surprised to find out that they had similar powers, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with him. It was clear that he had faced a lot of discrimination and negativity because of his parentage, and Jin-ah wanted to do what she could to support him.

Before she knew it, it was late and Jin-ah realised she should probably get some sleep. She put away her phone and settled into bed, feeling grateful for the warm blankets and the cosy atmosphere of her room.

Jin-ah was busy preparing dinner for her and Alex that night. They had decided to have a movie marathon in her dorm room and wanted to have some snacks to munch on while they watched. Jin-ah was heating up some leftovers in the microwave, while Alex was in charge of making popcorn.

"Hey Jin-ah, do you think you could use your powers to make the popcorn cook faster?" asked Alex.

Jin-ah thought about it for a moment. "I don't think that's a good idea. My powers can get pretty destructive if I'm not careful, and I don't want to risk setting the whole dorm on fire."

"Well, how about using your powers to cool down the soda in the fridge? It's been in there for hours and it's still not cold enough," suggested Alex.

Jin-ah nodded. "Yeah, I can do that. Just give me the can and I'll take care of it."

Alex handed her the can of soda and Jin-ah focused her powers on it, using her control over kinetic energy to lower the temperature of the liquid inside. Within seconds, the can was ice cold and ready to drink.

"Wow, that was fast!" exclaimed Alex, impressed by Jin-ah's abilities.

"Yeah, my powers come in handy for a lot of everyday tasks," said Jin-ah with a smile. "But like I said, I have to be careful not to use too much or I could cause some serious damage."

As they watched the movie, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder. She had always loved superhero movies and TV shows, but now that she knew that they were real, it was a whole different level of excitement.

"This is so cool," Jin-ah said, her eyes glued to the screen. "I can't believe I'm actually watching a movie about people with powers like mine."

"Yeah, it's pretty wild," Alex said, smiling. "I've always loved superhero stuff too. It's amazing to think that we could potentially have powers like the ones on screen."

"It's definitely mind-blowing," Madison agreed. "I mean, we've always known about the superhero world, but it's a whole different experience when you're actually living it."

As the movie continued, the group couldn't help but get caught up in the action and excitement. It was a welcome break from the stresses of school and their powers, and they were able to just relax and enjoy the movie.

As the credits rolled, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel grateful for this new group of friends. Despite their different backgrounds and powers, they had all come together and were able to enjoy a simple movie night together. It was a reminder that no matter where they came from, they were all just kids trying to make the best of their circumstances.

"Hey Jin-ah, want to arm wrestle? I think I can beat you," Madison said with a sly smile.

"Sure, bring it on," Jin-ah replied with a grin of her own.

The two girls sat down at the table and locked arms. Madison flexed her biceps, showing off her impressive strength. Jin-ah, on the other hand, closed her eyes and focused on channelling kinetic energy into her arm.

"Go!" Ben shouted, acting as the official referee.

At first, it seemed like Madison had the upper hand. She was able to push Jin-ah's arm down to the table with ease. But then, Jin-ah's arm started to shake and vibrate. It was as if she was infusing it with energy.

"What the heck?" Madison exclaimed, clearly surprised.

Jin-ah's arm suddenly shot up, sending Madison's arm flying into the air.

"Ha! I won!" Jin-ah exclaimed, laughing triumphantly.

"That was so cool! How did you do that?" Ben asked, amazed by Jin-ah's powers.

"It's just a matter of channelling kinetic energy into my muscles," Jin-ah explained. "It allows me to increase my strength and speed for a short period of time."

"Wow, that's awesome. I wish I had that power," Ben said, still in awe.

"Yeah, it definitely comes in handy," Jin-ah agreed. "But it's also important to remember to control it and not let it get out of hand."

"Yeah, I can see how that could be dangerous," Madison said, rubbing her arm.

"Exactly. That's why it's important to practise and control your powers," Jin-ah said, nodding in agreement.

Jin-ah and Madison continued their conversation, with Ben and Alex awkwardly sitting on the couch a few feet away. "So, what's your favourite part about being a Descendant?" Jin-ah asked, still keeping a firm grip on Madison's hand as they arm wrestled.

"Hmm, that's a tough one," Madison replied, straining to push Jin-ah's hand down. "I think it's the fact that we get to use our powers for good. It's a huge responsibility, but it's also really rewarding."

Jin-ah nodded, finally giving in and letting Madison win the arm wrestling match. "I can see that. It must be cool to be able to use your powers to make a difference in the world."

"Definitely. And it's not just about fighting crime and stuff like that. We can use our powers to help people in all kinds of ways. Like, I can use my strength to lift heavy objects and help with disaster relief, or use my speed to deliver important documents or get people to the hospital quickly."

"Wow, that's really cool," Jin-ah said, impressed. "I never really thought about it like that."

"Yeah, it's definitely a lot more than just being able to fly or shoot lasers out of our eyes," Madison laughed.

"Speaking of which, what about your powers, Jin-ah? You never really told us what you can do," Ben piped up from the couch, finally breaking his silence.

Jin-ah hesitated, still feeling a little self-conscious about her powers. "Well, I have the ability to manipulate, produce, and convert kinetic, potential, and vector energy. It's kind of a mouthful, but basically it means I can control and create different types of energy, and use them for different purposes."

"That's so cool!" Alex exclaimed. "I can control molecular and energy manipulation, so I guess we're kind of like energy twins!"

Jin-ah smiled, feeling a little more at ease now that she had explained her powers. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. It's definitely been a learning process, but it's also been really interesting to see all the different things I can do with my powers."

"Hey Madison, I think it's my turn to challenge you," Ben said with a sly grin.

"You think you can beat me, little guy?" Madison teased.

"I might surprise you," Ben replied, flexing his muscles.

Jin-ah chuckled as she watched the two of them get ready for the second round of arm wrestling. She couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Madison. They both had super strength, but Jin-ah's powers were more focused on kinetic energy manipulation, while Madison's were based purely on physical strength.

As the two of them locked arms and began to struggle, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel a little impressed by Ben's determination. He may have been the youngest of the Descendants, but he was no slouch when it came to strength.

After a few tense moments, Madison finally managed to overpower Ben, slamming his hand down onto the table with a triumphant grin.

"Looks like I'm still the strongest one here," Madison said with a wink.

"Well, I'll just have to keep practising," Ben said, rubbing his sore arm.

Jin-ah couldn't help but laugh at the two of them. It was moments like these that made her feel grateful to have met these amazing people. Despite their differences in powers and backgrounds, they all had a deep sense of friendship and camaraderie. She couldn't wait to see what the future held for them all.

Jin-ah and Alex lined up opposite each other, with their arms resting on the table between them. Ben counted down from three, and on the count of one, they both began to arm wrestle.

At first, it seemed like a fairly even match. Both of them were using their powers to enhance their strength, and the table shook as their arms strained against each other. But as the seconds ticked by, it became clear that Jin-ah had the upper hand.

Her powers allowed an extra boost of her strength that Alex couldn't match. Despite his best efforts, he was no match for Jin-ah, and she easily pinned his hand down to the table.

"Looks like Jin-ah is the winner!" Ben declared, grinning widely. "I knew you had it in you!"

Jin-ah let out a triumphant laugh as she stood up, flexing her arm in triumph. "Thanks for the challenge, Alex. It was fun."

"Yeah, no problem," Alex said, rubbing his hand ruefully. "You definitely have some serious power there."

As they all settled back onto the couch to continue watching the movie, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. She was finally starting to get the hang of using her powers, and it felt good to see that she was getting stronger every day. She couldn't wait to see what the future held for her as a superhero.

Madison let out a sigh as she watched Ben's triumphant grin. "I can't believe I lost another bet to you again," she said, shaking her head as he gave his money to him.

"Hey, I'm just that good," Ben replied, still grinning.

Jin-ah chuckled and stood up, stretching her arms. "Well, I'm glad we could all have some fun together. It's been a while since we've all just hung out and relaxed like this."

"Yeah, it's been nice," Alex agreed, standing up as well. "But I should probably head home now. My parents will be expecting me soon."

"Same here," Madison said, standing up and stretching. "I'll see you all tomorrow at school."

The group said their goodbyes and went their separate ways, each looking forward to more fun and relaxation in the future.

Jin-ah walked into her math class, feeling a little bit tired after the arm wrestling competition with Madison. She took her seat and pulled out her textbook and calculator, ready to focus on the lesson.

As the teacher began going over the material, Jin-ah tried her best to pay attention, but she couldn't help but feel a little bit envious of her classmates who seemed to have a natural talent for math. She had always struggled with numbers, and it wasn't until she started using her powers to enhance her concentration and calculation skills that she began to understand math a little bit better.

After math class, it was time for gym class. Jin-ah groaned inwardly as she made her way to the gymnasium. She wasn't exactly the most athletic person, and she always dreaded having to participate in physical activities.

But as she began stretching with her classmates, she found herself getting into the rhythm of the warm-up exercises. She even managed to keep up with the rest of the class during the running drills, using her powers to give her an extra boost of energy.

As she finished the last lap, Jin-ah was panting and sweaty, but she felt a sense of accomplishment. She had survived gym class without using her powers, and that was something to be proud of.

As the students filed into the combat room, Coach Thompson stood at the front of the class, arms crossed over his chest. He was a tall, burly man with short-cropped hair and a no-nonsense expression on his face.

"Welcome to combat class," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I'm Coach Thompson, and I'll be your instructor for the next semester. This class is meant to teach you how to use your powers effectively in combat situations, whether it's against supervillains or just in self-defence.

"Now, I know some of you are already skilled fighters, while others are still learning. That's fine. We'll work at your own pace and help you improve as much as possible. But I expect everyone to try their best and give it their all. Got it?"

There was a chorus of nods and murmurs from the students. Coach Thompson nodded back, satisfied.

"Alright, let's get started. First, let's go over some basic hand-to-hand combat techniques. Who can tell me what the three most important things to remember are when fighting someone without powers?"

There was a moment of silence before Alex raised his hand. Coach Thompson nodded at him.

"The three most important things to remember are to stay aware of your surroundings, to keep your guard up, and to aim for weak points," Alex said confidently.

"Exactly," Coach Thompson said, impressed. "Good job, Alex. Now let's practise some basic moves. Pair up and practise blocking and dodging attacks. And remember, no powers in this exercise. We want to focus on your physical skills."

The students paired up and started practising their hand-to-hand combat techniques, Jin-ah and Madison facing off against each other. As they moved and parried.

"Alright everyone, let's get properly started with the important part of this." Coach Thompson said as he stood in front of the class. "Today we're going to be focusing on martial arts. Now, I know a lot of you have powers that give you physical strength or abilities, but it's important to remember that not everyone you come up against will have powers. And even if they do, it's always good to have a backup plan. So let's get started with some basic techniques."

As Coach Thompson demonstrated different punches and kicks, Jin-ah and the rest of the class watched attentively. "Remember, it's not just about brute force," Coach Thompson explained. "It's about using proper technique and strategy to take down your opponent. Now, who wants to come up and give it a try?"

Jin-ah raised her hand and stepped up to the front of the class. "I'll give it a shot," she said, eager to try out her new skills.

Coach Thompson nodded and gestured for her to come closer. "Alright, let's start with a basic punch. Remember to keep your fist clenched and your arm straight. And always make sure to turn your hips and use your body weight to add power to the punch."

Jin-ah nodded and tried out the punch, feeling the satisfying thud as her fist connected with the padded practice dummy. "Nice work," Coach Thompson said with a nod. "Now let's try a roundhouse kick."

Jin-ah grinned as she tried out the kick, feeling a rush of excitement as she moved through the different techniques. By the end of the class, she was sweating and out of breath, but she couldn't stop grinning. It was exhilarating to learn new ways to use her body.

Coach Thompson stood in front of the class, his arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the group of students. "We'll be starting basic martial arts sparring," he announced. "This means no powers. Just pure skill and technique."

There were a few groans from the class, but most of the students seemed excited for the chance to test their skills. Coach Thompson divided them into pairs and had them start practising different martial arts moves and techniques on each other.

Jin-ah found herself paired with Alex, the rumoured villain descendant. She had to admit, he was surprisingly skilled in martial arts. They moved around each other, each trying to outmanoeuvre the other and land a hit.

As they continued to spar, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Alex. Despite the discrimination he faced, he had clearly put in a lot of hard work and dedication to become skilled in martial arts.

After a few rounds, Coach Thompson called a stop to the sparring and had the students gather around him. "Good work, everyone," he said, a proud look on his face.

"Remember, it's important to be able to defend yourselves even without your powers. Keep practising and always strive to improve your skills." The students nodded, still panting from the intense sparring session. 

As Jin-ah and her friends made their way to the cafeteria, they were met with the bustling energy of their fellow classmates. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, causing Jin-ah's stomach to growl in hunger.

"Hey, Jin-ah," Madison called out as they walked towards the line to get their food. "What do you feel like eating today?"

Jin-ah thought for a moment before responding. "I think I'm in the mood for some pasta. How about you?"

"Sounds good to me," Madison said, nodding in agreement. "I'll go get us some drinks while you grab a table."

Jin-ah nodded and headed off towards an empty table, scanning the room for any familiar faces. She spotted Alex and Ben sitting together at a table near the back, and made her way over to join them.

"Hey guys," Jin-ah said as she sat down. "How's your lunch so far?"

"It's been good," Alex replied, taking a bite of his sandwich. "We were just discussing our plans for the weekend. Do you have anything planned?"

"Not really," Jin-ah said, shrugging. "I was thinking about maybe catching a movie or something. What about you guys?"

"We were thinking about going to the beach," Ben said, his eyes lighting up at the thought. "It's supposed to be really nice out this weekend."

"That sounds like fun," Jin-ah said, grinning. "Count me in."

Just then, Madison returned with their drinks, taking a seat next to Jin-ah.

"So, what are we all doing this weekend?" Madison asked, taking a sip of her soda.

"We were thinking about going to the beach," Ben replied. "You in?"

"Definitely," Madison said, grinning. "I can't wait to feel the sand between my toes and soak up some sun."

As they continued to chat and discuss their plans, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel grateful for the close-knit group of friends she had made at the school. As the group arrived at the beach, they spread out their towels and set up their things. Ben immediately ran towards the water, eager to take a dip in the cool, refreshing waves.

"Come on, guys! The water's perfect!" he shouted, diving into a wave.

Jin-ah, Madison, and Alex followed suit, running towards the water and diving in. They splashed around, enjoying the feeling of the cool water against their skin.

"This is so much fun!" Madison said, grinning as she swam towards a wave.

Jin-ah nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of freedom and joy wash over her as she swam through the waves. She had always loved the beach, and being able to enjoy it with her new friends made it even better.

As the group played in the water, they couldn't help but laugh and joke around with each other. They were just a group of kids, enjoying their summer vacation and each other's company.

Eventually, they all made their way back to their towels, tired but happy. They lay out in the sun, chatting and relaxing as they dried off.

As the day went on, they played beach games, built sandcastles, and ate their packed lunches. It was a simple, carefree day, and Jin-ah couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to spend it with her new friends.

The group spent the rest of the day swimming, playing beach games, and soaking up the sun. Jin-ah tried her hand at building sandcastles, but found that her powers made it a little too easy for her to accidentally create towering monstrosities. Ben and Madison had a water balloon fight, laughing as they splashed each other with the cold, wet orbs. Alex showed off his molecular manipulation skills by creating intricate ice sculptures out of the seawater.

As the sun began to set, they settled down on a blanket to watch the sunset. "This has been such a great day," Jin-ah said, laying back on the blanket and closing her eyes. "I'm so glad we all got to hang out like this."

"Me too," Madison agreed, lying down next to her. "It's nice to just relax and have fun without worrying about anything else."

"Yeah, no powers, no hero or villain stuff, just us being kids," Ben added, grinning.

"Exactly," Jin-ah said. "I'm so glad I met all of you."

"We're glad we met you too," Alex said, lying down on the other side of Jin-ah. "You're a cool person, Jin-ah."

Jin-ah smiled. "Thanks, Alex. You're pretty cool too."

As the sun disappeared below the horizon, the group continued to chat and laugh, enjoying each other's company. It was a rare moment of peace and normalcy in their otherwise extraordinary lives.

As the group lounged on their beach towels, Ben and Madison started a game of beach volleyball. Jin-ah and Alex watched from the sidelines, cheering them on.

"Come on, Ben, you got this!" Jin-ah shouted as Ben served the ball over the net.

Madison leapt up and smashed the ball back with a powerful swing of her arm. "Yeah, try to keep up, little brother!" she taunted.

Ben chased after the ball and managed to return it with a well-placed hit. "Ha! Take that, sis!" he exclaimed.

Alex chuckled. "You guys are pretty competitive."

"Ah, it's just a friendly game," Madison said, grinning as she prepared to hit the ball again.

As the game continued, Jin-ah and Alex joined in, and soon all four of them were laughing and sweating as they chased the ball back and forth.

"Woo, I can't believe how much energy we're burning just by playing this," Jin-ah said, panting as she took a break.

"Well, we do have powers, so I guess it's natural for us to be able to keep going for a long time," Alex pointed out.

"Yeah, but it's still fun to just be normal kids and do normal kid stuff like this," Madison said.

As the afternoon wore on, the group cooled off in the ocean, played frisbee, and even built sandcastles. As the group watched the sun dip below the horizon, they knew that they had created memories that they would always cherish.

As the sun began to set, the group decided to pack up their things and head back to their respective homes. They had spent the entire day at the beach, swimming, playing beach volleyball, and having picnics on the sand.

"That was so much fun!" Madison exclaimed as they packed their things into their beach bags.

"Yeah, it was a great day," Jin-ah agreed.

"I can't wait to come back here again," Ben said, grinning.

"Me neither," Alex chimed in. "This was definitely a day to remember."

As they walked back to their cars, the group chatted and laughed, already making plans for their next outing. It had been a perfect day, filled with fun and friendship. And as they drove off into the sunset, each of them couldn't help but feel grateful for the amazing group of friends they had found at their new school.