"Why do I have such a headache this morning?" said, Ji Ho as he went for a morning jog, while others would be forced to.
"It's because, I fixed your eye-sight, kid." said, his hyung stunning him. "Take them off, there hurting your eyes"
And Ji Ho took them off and was stunned to see the different immediately.
Everything was so sharp as if he was wearing glasses!
So, he really didn't need glasses anymore.
But.
Wearing glasses has always been his identity and every time, he took them off something scary was always happening.
But at the same time, it wasn't cool to wear glasses unless it shades.
"For god-sake, kid. Took out the glass and then keep the frames" said, his Hyung. "This way it's a fashion statement and you don't hurt your eyes."
"Wow. I didn't know you knew fashion, hyung" said, Ji Ho.
"I don't" said, his Hyung. "I was just reading from the magazines you've read in the past. You should see this place. There is a whole section just dedicated to what you think would make you look cool. Its like I'm in a shallow teenage girls' room. You need help."
And Ji Ho blushed, as he took out the glass and handed it over to a guard who was stunned before putting the frames on.
He jogged back to his cell, wondering if he should ask for the guards for shell to tame his wild black hair that has now grew back, only to see the detention center lively and awake.
What's going on?
"Kid. There is only one reason why this kind of place would be active. We're getting new people" said, his Hyung.
And when Ji Ho followed the crowd of people and saw a familiar bus drive to the front of the center instead of leave it, he knew his Hyung was right.
Has it really been 6 months since he had been on that bus?
And then the door opened and out came the newbies.
It was strange watching from beyond the fence instead of being tied up with them, the teens came in all shapes and sizes and walked towards them.
Some of them had no expression, as if they couldn't care less, others were seizing up everybody that was beyond the fence, while some had a look of terror on their faces as if they couldn't believe they were here.
In those who showed fear were small and weak teenagers, Ji Ho couldn't help but see himself on the first day in them.
"Kid, allow me to teach you something, right now because you are going to find out eventually" said, his Hyung. "Your seat as Top Dog is going to be under attack because of this group."
"What?" said, Ji Ho.
"When a newbie comes into a cycle, they don't have the memories and experiences to know to stay away from you" said, his Hyung. "Those who don't seem to care or who are cocky, have a very high likelihood of coming here or someplace similar, more than once and have gotten themselves comfortable positions in that time. One of them may have been top Dog in the past. Then there are those who are cocky because they believe that their skills would make sure their time here is going to be comfortable. Or they have a large web of connections to make this so. However, those who you need to be the most wary of, are those who look small and weak and terrified."
"What why?" said, Ji Ho.
"There are two categories, for people like them" said, his hyung. " One, are those who would stick to a strong person just to make sure the other prisoners don't kick their ass. The other category is the most dangerous. They are the ones who use other's perception of them to get into good graces with the strong and then destroy them from within. They will spread lies, act outside of a person wishes, dream about being the center of attention. In other words, they are you"
Ji Ho was stunned.
"I know, kid" said, his Hyung. "I know about your dreams of stealing Daniels place in that group and making him the outcast. I know of the dreams of being the only one to shine the brightest. You bow to them because you know reality but, in your mind, you are the brightest star and its them that is following you. Now imagine if there was another you who has the exact same dreams but are now directing those dreams at you. Its only natural that they find out who they need to start sucking up to in an attempt to get close to them in the hopes of over throwing them. I guarantee that at least 60 percent of the newbies will come for you because you look the weakest out of the top dogs. However, its not just you, all the Top Dogs are going to be facing newbies who want their seat. This is the most dangerous time for you so be careful"
And the newbies were taken in to be forced into the uniform and have their anus inspected to see if they smuggling something in them.
The newbies took the place of those who had left after doing their time, so Ji Ho found that he had no new cell mates in his cell, as they ate breakfast.
Already the newbies who were entering the cell were going for somebody who was weaker than them and forcing them to tell them who the top dogs were and the one who everybody bows to.
Ji Ho was told to go to the personal shower for his shower, because there was a very high likelyhood that he would be attacked in a public one.
And as it turns out, there was several top dogs who thought the exact same thing but it seemed Kimyeong Kim went into the public bathroom without fear.
Before he even went to the toilet, he was hearing that Kimyeong had beaten to a pulp several naked newbies who tried to jump him in the shower.
Seeing the scene, many newbies now knew to avoid him.
So, when it was that sweat fresh air time, it would be the first time, all the newbies saw all the Top Dogs in one place at the same time and put a face to the name.
Some of the newbies were making terrible faces.
"Ji Ho, act casual" said, his Hyung. "With guys like this, they know intimidation is working. Hasn't been bullied taught you anything?"
It certainly did, bullies were like shark's always paying attention to something knew and grinning when smelling an easy target.
And just in case, Hyung was there to dilute the fear that was overflowing in his body.
Ji Ho walked to the elite group and said. "Are you guys, going to the Lounge? I feel like going to"
Who is he!?
The newbies, thought they would tell him to go fuck himself, but they shockingly welcomed him.
It was then a lot of them, found out he was actually a top Dog himself and seeing him not look intimidating at all, painted a giant target on his back.
They left to shoot some pool in the lounge and everybody was having a great time when the conversation suddenly switched to his business.
"Yo, I heard your business is doing well" said, Kim Yi from Block C, putting an arm around his shoulder.
It took a while before Ji Ho realised he was talking to him.
"Uh, yeah. I'm barely making my allowance with it" said, Ji Ho.
"Don't need to be so bash, I'm hearing your making more than that" said, Yi. "The guys love that they can pay somebody to do their work for them for so low. One of my cell mates is employed by you, before you used to beg me for snacks but now he's coming back to the room with sweats and a packet of crisps at the end of each month. You must be making serious bank"
This was going somewhere.
Ji Ho know it.
His Hyung know it.
The others know it as well.
"How about we join forces?" said, Yi making him blink. "I'll give you my men and it would expand your business but in exchange, I get a small share of the business"
Bingo.
"A small share?" Said, Ji Ho.
"I get 40 percent, it's not that big of a deal" said, Yi.
And the moment, he heard that, his Hyung swore.
"Fuck, he's trying to rob you blind!" said, Hyung. "Kid, listen to me. He wants 40 percent of your profit. A person would immediately think you would get 60 percent and that's not a big deal but think of how much of a percentage comes out paying your workers and the guards takes when you factor that in. And then factor in the percentage, you need to pay that allowance. If he takes 40 percent, you'll be earning pennies while he gets a thousand or so a month. The same would still be happening if you were to expend your business and earn more money. You'll still be making pennies"
What!?
Ji Ho wouldn't have thought about this as a normal teenager but he had an adult who know business, living in his mind.
Thinking about all those expenses he had to pay and have this guy want 40 percent, he would be barely scrapping by.
"Thanks, but I think my business doesn't need to expand right now" said, Ji Ho surprising him and everybody there.
"Are you sure?" said, Yi prodding. "You get a much bigger profit and you get to keep 60 percent of it"
"60 percent he says" said, his hyung, snorting "I wonder if you would have enough for even chocolate every day?"
"I'm good" said, Ji Ho, before he said. "Why don't you start your own chore business? The rivalry would be good"
And Yi face changed.
He had done so, but it had failed miserably.
Apparently, nobody wants to hire somebody from a business owned by a person who stole money from you AND sent you into the infirmary, every month.
He was lacking in trust.
"Are you sure, you don't want my offer?" said, Yi, even though his face was smiling, his eyes no longer smiling and the grip on his shoulder was becoming tight. "You may never find such a sweat deal again"
"I'm good" said, Ji Ho.
And just like that Ji Ho know he had made an enemy.
They went for lunch and Ji Ho felt heated stares on his back when he came into view.
He went to get his lunch and sat away from the elite, somebody had kicked him in the back when he was getting his lunch but he ignored it.
"Pushover" He heard. "Told you he was nothing"
"Did he get the title because he brought his way to the top?" said, somebody. "I bet the colour he wears is a fake. How pathetic"
He saw newbies smiling at him mockingly.
He ignored them.
He sat down and started to eat only to feel something drip onto his head.
It was sauce.
And then he was smack at the side of his face.
"Look at what you've done" said, a guy voice from behind him and spitting in his food. "You ruined my uniform and my lunch. Go and be a good boy and get me and my friends some more food. I'm sure with the title of top d-"
The guy never got to finish because Ji Ho fist slammed right into the side of his head and he was sent flying.
It was the first time that many had seen a human being fly.
The guy crashed onto a table and everybody was looking on with wide eyes.
Those smiling and mocking face froze in place.
The guy was on the heavy and tall side as well!
And then Ji Ho, dumped his food in the bin, he found the guy's food and then dumped it into the bin knowing full well, the guy didn't have the privilege to get another.
He then went to the lunch line and said to the lady. "Ma'am, can I have another? Your delicious lunch was ruined by a brat." He clapped back. "I think you should blacklist him as well because who knows how much food he would ruin."
The woman robotically gave him a fresh meal and several pieces of turkey.
"Your so kind, Ma'am" He said, before he walked back to his seat and sat down, like nothing had happened.
The guy was bloody as he got up, he seemed to slowly realise what had just happened by the very real pain on his leg cheek.
"Jeez" said, Ji Ho loudly. "I wonder how many people, I will remember today"
Fear.
He could feel behind him, from those who mocked him and assaulted him.
Now they were pissing their pants finding out, they had offended somebody strong.
"Kid, I'm so proud right now" said, Hyung.
Ji Ho finished his food and started to make his way to the Gym and that's when he noticed a large group of guys following him.
He turned and stared at them.
Were they going to attack him?
Suddenly they got down on their knees, surprising the hell out of him.
"Please take us under your wing!" they all said, shocking him
What?
And then they explained it to him as he sat down on a bench-press.
Seriously, where are the guards?
He had no idea, they were currently having Pizza night in the lounge and leaving the prison unattended but in lockdown mode for a few hours.
"So, you guys want me to teach you..." said, Ji Ho in disbelief.
"Hyung, you look like a wuss but your actually strong" said, one of them and Ji Ho almost anime fall down, his Hyung had decided to cackle like a witch in his head after he heard that.
"We can be of use, Hyung. Some of us got connection to the outside world so we get you stuff. Like get you discounts at certain stores when you get out" said, another guy.
"What?" said, Ji Ho, in surprise.
"You have hit the jack pot kid!" said, his Hyung. "You got people who have strong connections willing to follow you! Imagine you and your parents going to a brand store and getting discounts! Or you go to somewhere and they have to treat you with respect! A good thing about crews is that they work for you in and out of prison. Pick any you like and don't let this rush to your head. They can flee if they don't like you."
And Ji Ho did, while trying not to get big headed and not to blush.
But then he came face to face with a skinny and weak looking guy, who you would think came to him for protection.
Both their eyes met and the guy avoided eye contact.
"That's it" suddenly Ji Ho stunning the rest. "What I need now are workers but I don't know the attitude you all have towards other prisoners so I'll think about it later."
And then he started lifting weights and those who made it in, kicked the other's out.
Ji Ho found it awkward having muscle bound guys stare at him and look at his arms in awe as he started with the lowest weight.
He stopped half way through and asked. "That skinny guy who came with you... Do you know what his name is?"
He got their attention.
"Oh, I know what that guy name is, Hyung!" said, a guy who had Vasco body build. "His name is Darek Max's. We got busted trying to robe a convenience store together. It's a low-level crime"
Indeed, it was.
It was nothing compared to his attempted murder, so a guy like him shouldn't be in his sights.
But.
"Can you spread the word through the whole center that he was rejected into my crew and I have never said one word to him. Please let everybody know that he's not a friend, close friend or a classmate." said, Ji Ho stunning them. "I'll record a testimony if I have to. Just let everybody know that if he says he knows me or I've confined in him, it's spoke. Can you also take note of anybody else claiming to know me that isn't in this crew and isn't a Top Dog or a one of my workers? I don't want my name dragged through the mud"
They were all stunned.
Did he think, that low level guy was going to use his name for perks?
Did he think there would be more?
"Of course, Hyung. We'll shout to the heavens if we have to and even get pictures of the liars." They said.
"So, you felt it" said, his Hyung as Ji Ho carried weight.
He had.
That guy was the same as him.
Underneath that weak exterior was a face praying for his misfortune and eyeing everything he had.
If he had let him in, he would have eaten him from the inside out.
But even though he rejected him, that guy can always tell everybody he got in and use his name to get perks and ruin him.
He wanted to nip this at its core, so it couldn't grow.
But Ji Ho hoped he was wrong.
But unfortunately, he was right.