Joon's breath caught as Daewon's hood fell away, revealing the familiar face underneath. Time seemed to slow, and the noise of the classroom became a distant hum as Joon struggled to grasp what he was seeing. The confident, sneering grin Joon had worn moments earlier was now replaced by a look of shock and fear.
This couldn't be real. Daewon wasn't supposed to be here, wasn't supposed to look like this. The weeks had changed him in ways Joon hadn't expected. The old Daewon, the one Joon had so easily bullied, was gone. In his place stood someone else entirely—Daewon now had a powerful, confident look that Joon had never seen before. He was more muscular, with a hardened expression that made Joon shiver.
Joon tried to say something, anything, to regain control, but no words came. The weight of Daewon's gaze was heavy, colder and more intense than he remembered.
The classroom buzzed with a new kind of energy as students began to whisper among themselves. They had been watching the tension between Joon and the new student, but now, as Daewon's identity was revealed, the whispers grew louder.
"Wait... isn't that Daewon?" one student asked, leaning over to his friend.
"No way, it can't be... but it looks just like him!" the friend replied, eyes wide with shock.
"How is he back already? And what happened to him? He looks so different..." another student added, unable to look away from Daewon.
Seojun, sitting near the front of the class, turned at the sound of the whispers. His eyes widened as he saw Daewon, his heart racing. He had been so worried about his friend, and now Daewon was right in front of him, looking so changed. The way Daewon stood, the way he looked at Joon with such a cold expression, made Seojun's heart skip a beat.
"Hyeri," Seojun whispered, nudging her. "Look..."
Hyeri, who had been distracted by her phone, glanced up. Her breath caught as she saw Daewon. The shock in her eyes mirrored Seojun's, but there was also a hint of relief or admiration. She had never seen Daewon so composed and confident.
"That's... Daewon," she murmured, more to herself than to Seojun. "It's really him."
Seojun nodded, eyes fixed on his friend. "Yeah, but... he's different now. Look at the way he's standing. And his face..."
"I know," Hyeri said softly, narrowing her eyes as she tried to understand Daewon's new expression. "He's not the same Daewon we knew."
Joon took a step back, his hands trembling. The confidence he had walked into the classroom with was gone, leaving him feeling exposed and uncertain. He wanted to reassert his dominance, but Daewon's gaze made him hesitate. There was something in Daewon's eyes that warned Joon he would regret any further action.
Old habits die hard. Desperate to regain control, Joon clenched his fists and tried to muster the courage to speak, to challenge Daewon again. He raised his hand, the same hand he had used to intimidate others, and swung it towards Daewon's face.
In a split second, Daewon moved. His reflexes were sharp and precise. He caught Joon's wrist mid-air, his grip firm and unyielding. The classroom fell silent, every eye on the two boys.
Daewon's expression remained unchanged, but there was a deadly calm in his eyes as he held Joon's wrist. He applied just enough pressure to show Joon he wasn't playing around anymore, that the power dynamics had shifted dramatically.
"Don't," Daewon said, his voice low and steady. It was a single word, but it carried the weight of all the weeks of pain, anger, and change that had led to this moment.
Joon's eyes widened as he stared at Daewon. There was no mistaking it—this wasn't the same Daewon he had bullied before. The boy who had once cowered in fear now looked like he could break Joon with a single move, and for the first time, Joon felt real fear.
Daewon's grip tightened slightly, and then, without another word, he released Joon's wrist. He pulled his hood back up, revealing his full face to the class.
Joon staggered back, eyes wide as he recognized Daewon. But this time, there was no mistaking the change in him. The classroom was eerily quiet, the tension palpable as Daewon continued to stand there, his presence alone keeping everyone on edge.
Joon swallowed hard, his bravado crumbling. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a shaky breath.
"...You..." Joon finally managed, his voice trembling as he took another step back, realizing the power had shifted completely in Daewon's favor.
The silence in the room was deafening, the suspense thick in the air as Daewon remained unmoved, his presence commanding the room's attention.
Joon's voice cut through the air sharply. "We'll settle this after class, Losermon." He sounded confident, his tone full of scorn. Even though Daewon had clearly changed, Joon still saw him as the same old target, a loser ready for his ridicule.
As the bell rang to start the class, the students moved to their seats. Mrs. Han, the teacher, began the lesson on ancient civilizations. Her voice was a steady background noise as she introduced the day's topic with detailed explanations and stories from history.
Alright, class," Mrs. Han said, adjusting her glasses and looking around the room. "Today, we'll learn about Roman society. I expect everyone to pay attention and participate."
Joon's attitude stayed cold and distant as he settled into his seat. He exchanged a few quiet words with his friends, his gaze occasionally flickering toward Daewon, who was sitting at the back. Daewon, though focused on the lesson, couldn't ignore the feeling of Joon's eyes on him.
Daewon turned to Mrs. Kim with a polite smile. "I'm ready to learn Mrs. Han."
"Good to hear, Daewon," Mrs. Han replied with a nod. "If you need any help or have questions, just ask."
Joon leaned closer to Daewon, whispering so only he could hear. "You won't be okay forever. After I deal with you, you'll regret messing with me."
Daewon's expression stayed calm as he faced forward. Meanwhile, Joon discreetly pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to his friends, asking them to meet him during lunch break. His message was clear: he needed their support.
leading a discussion about Roman political systems. The room buzzed with conversation as students shared their thoughts and asked questions. Joon, despite the earlier tension, joined in with his usual sarcastic remarks, while Daewon answered questions thoughtfully, maintaining his calm and polite manner.
As the class ended, students began to pack their things. Daewon gathered his notes and prepared to meet his friends, Seojun and Hyeri. Just as he was about to leave, Joon and his friends surrounded him, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Time to settle this outside," Joon said firmly. "We'll sort it out on the school yard."
Seojun and Hyeri, who had been watching from a distance, exchanged worried looks and quickly followed Daewon, their concern growing.
Outside, the school yard was filled with students who had heard about the confrontation. As Daewon and Joon faced off in the open space, a crowd gathered, whispers and murmurs spreading through the group.
Seojun leaned toward Hyeri, speaking quietly. "I hope Daewon's ready for this. Joon's got a tough reputation."
"I know," Hyeri replied, her eyes fixed on the crowd. "But Daewon has changed. He might just be able to handle this."
Joon and Daewon squared off in the middle of the yard, the tension clear. Joon's confidence was obvious as he threw the first punch, a wide, aggressive swing aimed at Daewon. Daewon, however, moved quickly and easily dodged Joon's attack.
"Come on, is that all you've got?" Daewon taunted, his voice steady.
Joon's frustration grew as he threw a series of wild, powerful punches. Daewon skillfully dodged most of them, occasionally striking back with sharp, accurate moves. Each of Daewon's moves was smooth and controlled, a stark contrast to Joon's raw power.
As the fight dragged on, Joon's frustration turned to panic. He began swinging wildly, his strategy falling apart. Daewon seemed to almost shine with a new energy, his movements smooth and confident. He landed several precise blows, pushing Joon back.
Joon's panic was clear as he stumbled, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and anger. "You... you're going to pay for this!" he shouted, but his voice lacked certainty.
The crowd, now fully engaged in the fight, whispered among themselves. "Look at Daewon! Joon's losing it."
Seojun and Hyeri exchanged concerned glances. "Daewon's really turning things around," Seojun said. "I hope he can handle whatever comes next."
Joon, seeing his friends nearby, suddenly shouted, "Get him!" His voice was desperate.
Without hesitation, Joon's friends charged at Daewon, creating a 5v1 situation. The crowd's whispers grew louder, the mood shifting to one of disbelief and concern.
Seojun, unable to stand by, called out, "This isn't fair! Stop it!"
As the five friends of Joon took turns attacking Daewon, the fight became chaotic. Daewon, though outnumbered, fought with fierce determination. He took hits but continued to defend himself with skillful blocks and counterattacks. The battle was long and grueling, Daewon's stamina and resolve clear as he fought back fiercely.
Joon, watching from the sidelines, felt his fear grow as he saw Daewon overpowering his friends. His earlier confidence was replaced by growing dread. Daewon's strength and calmness were undeniable, and Joon's fear became more visible.
As the fight reached its peak, Daewon's moves were methodical and precise. He took down Joon's friends one by one, each strike showing his skill. Though Daewon wasn't invincible and took hits, he remained determined throughout the brutal fight.
Finally, as Joon's friends lay defeated, Daewon approached Joon, who was now clearly scared. "This is what happens when you push too far," Daewon said coldly.
The crowd erupted in cheers for Daewon, their voices a mix of relief and admiration. Students clapped and shouted positive remarks about Daewon's victory, their earlier worries replaced by a sense of triumph.
As Daewon was heading to the school gates, to meet with Seojun and Hyeri , he noticed Joon approaching him again. This time, Joon's demeanor was different—less confrontational, more curious. Daewon was surprised but remained wary.
Joon stopped a few feet away from Daewon, his expression a mix of confusion and begrudging respect. "Hey, Daewon. Can we talk for a second?"
Daewon raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Sure, what's up?"
Joon looked around to ensure they were out of earshot from others. "I've been wondering… how did you change so much in just two weeks? I mean, you were always this quiet, easy target. Now, you're… different. Stronger. What happened?"
Daewon took a deep breath and decided it was time to show Joon the extent of his transformation. He slowly removed his hoodie, revealing a muscular physique that had undergone a significant transformation. His tattoos, once hidden, were now visible—vivid and detailed, covering parts of his left arm and back.
Joon's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight. "What the hell…? Where did all this come from?"
Daewon met his gaze steadily. "I've changed a lot during the break. I used that time to train, not just physically but mentally. I'm not the same person you used to bully. I won't back down or chicken out anymore. If you or anyone else tries to mess with me or my friends again, I promise I'll be even more relentless."
Joon seemed taken aback, struggling to process what he was seeing. "So, you think you're untouchable now? You've gotten strong, but don't get cocky. It's not over just because you won this fight."
Daewon's expression hardened. "This isn't about being untouchable. It's about standing up for myself and my friends. You crossed a line, and I'm making it clear that I'm not someone you can push around anymore. If you really want to test me, go ahead. But know that I'm not backing down."
Joon's bravado faltered slightly. "Alright, alright. I get it. You've changed. Just don't think you're invincible."
Daewon nodded. "Good. Let's keep it that way. I'm done with the old me and the old ways. And if you try to mess with me or my friends, you'll only make things worse for yourself."
Joon gave a curt nod, clearly rattled by Daewon's resolve. "Fine. We'll see how things go."
With that, Joon turned and walked away, leaving Daewon standing there, feeling a mix of relief and determination. He was glad that Joon had finally understood that things had changed.
After his conversation with Joon ended, Daewon made his way towards the school gates. As he walked, he noticed Seojun and Hyeri hurrying toward him. They had clearly been waiting anxiously, and their faces were filled with concern. When they reached him, Daewon gave them a reassuring smile. "I'm okay," he said calmly. "Thanks for sticking with me."
Seojun, still catching his breath, nodded. "That was incredible. I knew you had it in you, but that was something else."
Hyeri added, "We were worried, but you handled it well. How do you feel?"
Daewon took a moment to compose himself. "I'm fine. It's over now. I just needed to show that I'm not the same person I used to be.".
As they were walking home together, Daewon explained what had happened and how he had been dealing with the situation.
As Daewon arrived home, he was greeted by his family, who had been eagerly waiting for his return. His mother, father, and younger brother enveloped him in a group hug. The warmth and familiarity of home were comforting after the intense day he'd had.
His mother looked at him with a mix of happiness and concern. "We've missed you, Daewon. It's so good to see you back. You seem different… more confident."
Daewon smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I've been working on myself a lot. There's been a lot going on, but I'm finally feeling like myself."
His father, always the practical one, asked, "What's been happening? You seem like you've been through a lot."
Daewon hesitated, unsure how to explain everything. "It's a long story. I've had to face some challenges, but I'm handling it. I've learned a lot about myself and grown stronger."
His younger brother chimed in, "You look so much happier. We're really proud of you."
Daewon's heart warmed at their support. "Thanks. I'm really glad to be back with you all."
As the family continued to talk and catch up, Daewon tried to avoid mentioning his tattoos, feeling unsure about their reaction. Instead, he focused on reassuring them and sharing his progress without delving into the specifics.
The evening was filled with laughter and family stories, but as the conversation wound down, his mother suddenly pulled out her phone. She showed Daewon a video clip.
"Daewon," she said, "now that everything's settled, would you mind explaining this?"
The video played, showing Daewon's earlier confrontation with Joon. In it, Daewon could be seen pulling down his hoodie, revealing his tattoos to Joon. The footage captured the shock on Joon's face and Daewon's firm stance as he addressed him.
Daewon's eyes widened as he watched the video. He turned to his mother, caught off guard. "How did you—"