From a young age, Renji had always been the fastest, a trait that both fueled envy and earned admiration from those around him.
In middle school, he had gained a reputation no one could refute. His speed, agility, and strategic mind set him apart from others. He was known for his ability to read his opponents and exploit their weaknesses, a trait that earned him both respect and fear.
That was largely due to his father, who honed his skills and turned them into a formidable advantage.
His father owned a boxing gym, where Renji spent countless hours perfecting his technique. The gym was more than just a training ground; it was a crucible where his natural talent was refined into a sharp, competitive edge.
Under his father's relentless guidance, Renji's speed and agility were transformed into a strategic asset. Each training session was rigorous, designed not just to enhance physical capabilities but also to develop a keen tactical mind. His father's methods were tough but effective, pushing Renji to his limits and instilling in him a discipline that extended beyond the gym.
Unfortunately, they no longer get along.
The reason for his conflict with his father crossed his mind, but he pushed it to the back of his thoughts and refocused on the person in front of him, who was struggling with push-ups.
"Are you already tired?" He glanced at his watch and then looked back at Park Woojin, who was gasping for breath and lying on the gym mat.
"You haven't even done ten push-ups yet," he remarked.
He rubbed his forehead, realizing that he hadn't expected this person's body to be so weak.
He knew that physical endurance was only part of the challenge; mental toughness was just as crucial.
When he agreed to teach Woojin how to fight, he hadn't anticipated how challenging it would be. Now that he was facing him, he almost wanted to back out. If not for Woojin's pitiful state at school, he might have reconsidered. Shaking his head, he instructed Woojin to stand up.
"We'll do this again next time. Just make sure to keep up with your running routine." He said with a frown as he sat down on the bench.
Woojin looked up, sweat dripping from his forehead, and nodded weakly. Renji could see the determination in Woojin's eyes, but it wasn't enough yet. It would take more than just willpower; it required the right mindset and consistent effort.
He still wondered why he'd agreed to help Woojin in the first place. He hadn't planned on getting involved in the school's drama, but now that he was here... never mind.
He reached for his bag and pulled out a small notebook. Woojin looked at it in confusion as he handed it over.
"Take this. It'll help you train your body. Make sure to follow all the routines inside," he reminded him.
"So many…" he marveled, examining each page. Renji looked away, staring up at the gym's ceiling.
"Those are my old notes. They're important to me, so take care of them."
"Really?" Woojin asked, surprised. "But is it okay for you to give this to me?"
"Tsk. I know everything in there by heart, so it's fine."
Park Woojin once again scanned every pages until his eyes hurt from looking at it. Everything written in the notebook seemed hard and disciplined.
Looking back, Park Woojin had initially found Renji distant and intimidating. If not for Renji's help, he wouldn't have been able to approach him so easily.
"Whose gym is this, by the way?" he asked. He had been wondering for a while, as there was no one around and only one staff member had greeted them at the entrance.
He had followed Renji inside and had forgotten to ask.
"It's my father's," Renji replied dismissively.
"Oh? It's yours?"
"By the way, why are those people bullying you?" Renji changed the subject. Although curious, Woojin decided to let it slide and answer the question.
"Actually, that's the same question I ask them," Woojin said sadly. It's also what I keep asking myself, but he always end up with the answer that it's because of how he look. He's basically an easy target for bullies—someone they can easily pick on.
Renji listened, his expression softening slightly as Woojin spoke. It was clear that the bullying had taken a toll on him, both emotionally and mentally. Renji's own experiences with intense training and the pressure of expectations suddenly seemed less daunting compared to the emotional struggles Woojin was facing.
"You know," Renji said after a pause, "it's not just about how you look. It's about how you handle yourself. You need to find a way to stand up for yourself, not just physically, but mentally. It's about confidence and resilience."
Woojin looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "But how do I build that confidence when everyone keeps putting me down?"
Renji sighed. "It's a process. You start by believing in yourself and your abilities, no matter what others say. Training will help, but it's also about developing a strong mindset. Keep working hard and push through the doubts. It won't happen overnight, but you'll get there."
Woojin nodded, absorbing the advice. "Thanks for the notebook and for this talk. I'll do my best to follow the routines and improve."
Renji gave a small, approving nod. "Good. Remember, improvement takes time and effort. Just don't give up."
"Thank you..."
Before their training session ended, Woojin quickly asked, "So, what's your plan?"
"What do you mean?" Renji raised an eyebrow.
"Your plan against Donghyun."
Before they started earlier, Park Woojin had mentioned what he learned from Kang Dae, but Renji hadn't given an answer at the time, so Woojin let it slide, thinking he might be contemplating what to do.
Now that their session was over, Woojin wanted to hear Renji's plan.
"I'll handle it. Don't get involved. You might get hurt," Renji said nonchalantly.
Woojin felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing that. Honestly, what could he do in this situation?
_______________________
The classroom was a hive of activity, a reflection of the bustling life outside its walls. As the bell rang, signaling the start of the lunch break, students flooded in, each carving out their own corner of the room to unwind or engage in their pursuits.
At the front of the room, Yumi was sprawled on the floor, her backpack serving as a makeshift cushion. With her headphones on, she was lost in the world of her music playlist, bobbing her head in rhythm. Her friend beside her, was busy flipping through a stack of comic books, occasionally bursting into laughter at the antics of her favorite characters.
At the center of the room, a lively discussion was taking place. Two students seated across from each other, were engrossed in a heated debate about the latest K-drama episode. Their animated gestures and enthusiastic voices drew curious glances from nearby students, but neither seemed to notice the audience.
In the back row, Jihoon sat at his desk, surrounded by scattered textbooks and notes. His eyes were glued to his laptop screen, furiously typing away as he worked on a group project. His brow furrowed in concentration. He shot a surreptitious glare at someone behind him who was laughing loudly, disturbing his focus.
Rolling his eyes, he tried to concentrate on his work again.
He knew he couldn't do much about it. Complaining might only bring more trouble, and he'd probably end up worse off.
He would have preferred to do this in the library, but his group wouldn't let him, fearing he might not include their names in the project.
He wanted to yell at them and say that they weren't contributing, but he didn't have the courage to do so. So he had no choice but to finish the project despite the constant noise inside the classroom.
Baek Jihoon, Section 1-D. He was probably the only one in the classroom who cared about their grades. No matter where he looked, his classmates were busy chatting and doing other things that had nothing to do with their subjects.
A man sitting behind him was busy sucking on a lollipop while his hands were occupied with a game on his phone. He had one foot propped up on the desk and seemed oblivious to the disturbance he was causing, cursing loudly as he played.
"This freaking dimwit!"
Beside him was another member of Baek Jihoon's group. His head was resting on the desk, completely unfazed by the noise thanks to the earphones blocking out the commotion, allowing him to sleep peacefully.
Soon enough, a group of students appeared at the door, causing a stir among those inside the classroom. Even Baek Jihoon, engrossed in his laptop, glanced up at the newcomers.
Everyone turned their attention to Donghyun and Gunwoo from Section 1-A. The loud bang of the door had grabbed everyone's attention.
"What the heck?" Wang quickly stood up in irritation and grabbed Donghyun by the collar, catching him off guard.
Wang shot a sharp, angry look at Donghyun's group. He was close to winning his game, but the arrival of these bastards had disrupted him.
He glared at Donghyun's group, his hostile look evident. He had always disliked them, and if it weren't for Minhyuk, he wouldn't have agreed to help them.
"That's enough," said a voice from behind him. Wang had no choice but to release Donghyun's collar and turn to face Minhyuk, who had just woken up from his nap.