Daewon walked into the gym, his mind still buzzing with the events of the previous day. He could feel the soreness in his muscles, but it didn't deter him. If anything, it fueled his resolve. He needed to get stronger, faster, more skilled. The memory of being beaten down by Joon was still fresh, and the frustration gnawed at him like a constant itch he couldn't scratch.
He set his bag down and began to stretch, the familiar routine bringing him some comfort. This gym was usually his safe space, where he could focus on himself without the fear of being judged or attacked. But today, as he began his warm-up, something made him look toward the entrance.
His heart sank as he saw Joon walk in with his gang, their loud laughter cutting through the usual hum of the gym. Daewon's muscles tensed, his breath catching in his throat. He quickly turned away, hoping they hadn't noticed him yet.
But the urge to leave was overwhelming. He wasn't ready to face them again—not here, not now. He didn't want another confrontation, especially when he was still reeling from the last one. Without a second thought, Daewon packed his things, moving swiftly but quietly toward the exit.
As he left, he glanced back once to make sure they hadn't seen him. The last thing he saw before slipping out the door was Joon smirking at something one of his friends said, completely oblivious to Daewon's presence.
Joons POV
Joon swaggered into the gym, the familiar smell of sweat and rubber greeting him. This place was like a second home to him and his crew—a playground where they could blow off steam and mess around. As he entered, his eyes briefly scanned the room, not really looking for anything or anyone in particular. It was just a habit.
He didn't notice Daewon, who had already slipped out, but he did notice that the gym was quieter than usual. No matter. He had his friends with him, and they were all the noise he needed.
"Yo, check this out," Joon called out to his friends as he walked over to one of the machines. He exaggeratedly flexed his arms, causing his friends to burst into laughter. They began teasing each other, each trying to one-up the others with jokes and mock challenges.
Joon grinned as he playfully shoved one of his friends. This was his domain. Here, he was the king, and everyone else was just background noise. He didn't care about the other people in the gym; they were all just extras in the movie of his life.
He pulled out his phone, taking a quick selfie with his friends, their grins wide and confident. It was just another day of fun for him. The thought of Daewon, or anyone else he had bullied, didn't even cross his mind.
Daewon's POV
Daewon walked briskly down the street, the cool air brushing against his skin. He was still shaken by the near encounter with Joon and his gang, but relief began to wash over him now that he was out of their sight. His focus was on getting home and away from any potential trouble.
As he walked, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from his mom:
"Daewon, can you stop by the supermarket and pick up a few things for dinner? I forgot some ingredients. Sorry to ask you at the last minute."
Daewon sighed, but he didn't mind. He didn't have the energy to argue, and besides, a little detour might help clear his mind. He replied with a quick "Sure, Mom," and turned in the direction of the local supermarket.
When he arrived, the store was bustling with people finishing up their shopping before dinner. He grabbed a basket and began picking up the items his mom had listed: vegetables, some spices, a pack of tofu. The familiar routine of grocery shopping was calming, a brief escape from the chaos of his thoughts.
As he approached the checkout counter, he noticed someone familiar standing in line ahead of him—Seojun Lee. Seojun had been one of the few people at school who didn't treat him like a pariah. Their interactions had always been brief, but polite.
Seojun noticed Daewon and gave him a small wave. "Hey, Daewon," he said, smiling.
"Hey, Seojun," Daewon replied, feeling a bit more at ease. It was nice to talk to someone who wasn't part of Joon's gang. "How's it going?"
"Not bad," Seojun said as he shifted his basket from one hand to the other. "Just picking up some stuff for my mom. You?"
"Same here," Daewon said, glancing at the items in Seojun's basket. "Looks like we're both on errand duty."
Seojun chuckled. "Yeah, guess so. Well, it's good to see you. Take care, alright?"
"You too, Seojun," Daewon replied as Seojun stepped up to the counter to pay.
As Seojun finished paying and waved goodbye, Daewon stepped forward, placing his items on the counter. The cashier, a girl from his class named Hyeri Kang, scanned the items with practiced ease. When she looked up and saw Daewon, she offered him a small smile.
"Hey, Daewon," Hyeri said as she rang up the last item. "That guy, Seojun, is he your friend?"
Daewon hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
Hyeri nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if those jerks keep messing with you, let me know. I can get my brother to have a word with them. He's good at that kind of thing."
Daewon shook his head quickly. "Thanks, Hyeri, but it's okay. I think it'll just make things worse if I don't handle it myself."
Hyeri's expression softened. "Alright, but just know the offer stands. No one should have to deal with that crap alone."
Daewon gave her a grateful smile. "I appreciate it, really. Thanks, Hyeri."
He paid for the groceries, said his goodbyes, and left the store. As he walked home, his phone buzzed again—this time, it was a notification from WaveLink. Hyeri had added him as a friend. The corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile as he accepted the request. It was a small thing, but it felt good to know someone cared.
When Daewon got home, he was greeted by the familiar sounds of dinner being prepared. The smell of sizzling vegetables and tofu filled the air as he walked into the kitchen, setting the groceries on the counter.
"Thanks for picking these up, Daewon," his mom said, not looking up from the stove. "You're just in time for dinner."
"No problem, Mom," Daewon replied, his voice a little softer than usual. He wasn't sure if he should bring up what happened at the gym earlier or just let it go. He didn't want to worry her more than she already was.
They sat down to eat a few minutes later. The table was filled with their usual dishes—rice, kimchi, and a steaming pot of jjigae. As they ate, the usual small talk filled the room, but Daewon's mind was elsewhere. His mom noticed his distraction and the bruises that were still visible on his face.
"Daewon," she began, her voice tinged with concern. "What happened to your face? Are you getting into fights again?"
Daewon looked up, caught off guard by the directness of her question. He sighed, knowing he couldn't lie to her. "I got into a… situation at school," he admitted. "But it's nothing I can't handle."
His mom's expression darkened with worry. "Daewon, you promised me you wouldn't get hurt again. I don't want to see you like this. Can't you talk to someone? A teacher, or maybe your brother?"
Daewon shook his head. "Mom, I'll be fine. I'm dealing with it in my own way. I just need some time, okay?"
She sighed deeply, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and helplessness. "Just promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to lose you, Daewon. I can't stand seeing you hurt."
Daewon swallowed hard, the weight of her words pressing down on him. "I promise, Mom. I'll be careful. I won't let them get to me."
His mom nodded, but the worry didn't leave her eyes. They finished the rest of the meal in relative silence, the tension lingering in the air.
After dinner, Daewon retreated to his room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. He leaned against the door for a moment, letting out a long breath. Today had been rough, but it had also given him a glimpse of something else—support. From Seojun, from Hyeri, and even from his mom. They all cared in their own ways.
He walked over to his desk and pulled out the scrolls and books from their hiding place. The words "Learn how to fight" seemed to leap off the page as he unrolled one of the scrolls. He traced the characters with his fingers, the weight of their meaning sinking in deeper than before.
Daewon wasn't alone, and he didn't have to be. But this was still his fight, and he was determined to see it through, no matter the cost. He took a deep breath and focused on the scrolls, determined to make sense of what was written there. It was time to commit to the path he had started, to use every tool at his disposal to defend himself and those who might be vulnerable.
The evening stretched on as Daewon studied the scrolls under the dim light of his desk lamp. The instructions were detailed, with step-by-step illustrations and explanations of various martial arts techniques. The language was archaic, but Daewon was determined to understand it. Each move seemed complex, but the more he practiced, the clearer it became.
At one point, Daewon paused and glanced at his phone, noticing a new message from Hyeri:
"Hey, Daewon. Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I hope the groceries were okay. If you need to talk or anything, I'm here."
Daewon smiled faintly at her message. It was nice to have someone checking in, even if it was just through text. He quickly typed back:
"Thanks, Hyeri. I'm doing alright. The groceries were fine. Just working on some stuff now. Appreciate the offer to help."
He put his phone aside and returned to his studies. He spent hours going over the techniques, practicing the moves in the small space of his room. His body ached from the unfamiliar exercise, but he pushed through, driven by the need to improve.
As midnight approached, Daewon finally decided to call it a night. He carefully rolled up the scrolls and set them aside, feeling a sense of accomplishment for having made progress. He knew the journey ahead would be long and arduous, but he was ready to face it head-on.
He crawled into bed, the fatigue settling over him like a heavy blanket. His mind was still racing with thoughts of the day—his mom's worry, Seojun's unexpected kindness, and Hyeri's offer of support. It was a lot to process, but he felt a small spark of hope amidst the confusion.
Just before he drifted off to sleep, his phone buzzed again. It was Hyeri:
"Goodnight, Daewon. Hope you get some rest. See you at school tomorrow!"
Daewon chuckled softly and typed a quick reply:
"Goodnight, Hyeri. Thanks for being so supportive. See you tomorrow."
He set his phone on the nightstand and closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion carry him into sleep.