『Neizan: And what the hell do you want? 』
Joel and Elena, who were also sitting next to him, watched silently, worried about the intimidating group of teenagers. Joel, in fact, didn't even dare to look them in the eye and turned his gaze away as much as he could.
『???: Don't you dare talk to me like that, idiot. 』
The leader of the group stepped up until he was standing directly in front of Neizan. It was clear he had too much confidence, enough to try to impose his authority, this time over Neizan.
『Neizan: I know who you are, idiot, so I'll talk to you however I want. 』
Neizan stood up from his seat on the bench.
『???: Ohh, he's giving Tom a hard time. 』
Both were now face to face, with Neizan looking up due to the height difference. Meanwhile, the others in the group laughed and egged them on, adding fuel to the fire.
『Tom: You want a fight? 』
『Joel: Neizan, let's go… 』
『Tom: You shut up! I'm not talking to you. 』
『Neizan: Look, you see that bar over there? 』
After a few seconds of staring each other down, Neizan nodded and pointed to a metal bar hanging off to the side.
『Tom: What about it? 』
『Neizan: I challenge you to try to beat me up there, you moron. 』
『Tom: Ha! And why the hell should I listen to you? 』
『Neizan: Nah, you're just a coward. 』
『???: Don't chicken out, Tom, don't be a wimp. 』
『???: He challenged you; don't be a coward—accept it. 』
『Tom: Shut the hell up already. What do I get if I beat you? 』
『Neizan: Easy. If I lose, we leave. But if I win, you get lost from here. 』
Without another word, the two walked over to the bar. Neizan took off his black shirt and threw it on the ground, revealing his skin and the well-defined muscles of his abs and arms. Although slim, he was strong and athletic. Both got up on the bar and began doing pull-ups; the challenge was to see who would tire out first and fail to lift his head over the bar.
『???: Yeah! Let's go! All the way up! 』
After the first minute, both were getting a bit tired. They had each done over twenty pull-ups, pausing briefly on each descent. Tom was trying to keep up with Neizan, but he was falling behind. Finally, as he struggled to lift his chin above the bar, he let go, breathing heavily. Neizan kept going for two or three more reps before stopping.
『???: Hahaha, you lost, Tom! He totally beat you! 』
『Tom: Try doing half of what I did, you moron. 』
『???: Hey, it was just a joke, chill. 』
Neizan picked up his shirt and put it back on. As he got closer to Joel and Elena, they noticed a scar on his chest, right above his heart.
After the group left, the three sat on the bench again, calm.
『Elena: Neizan. 』
『Neizan: What's up? 』
『Elena: Where did that scar come from? 』
『Neizan: Which one? 』
『Elena: The one on your chest. 』
『Neizan: Ah, that one. It was a few years ago when I was eleven. I got jumped in an alley on my way home and ended up fighting three kids my age who had an issue with me. 』
『Elena: They gave you that scar? 』
『Neizan: One of them pulled out a knife during the fight and stabbed me. When they saw I was bleeding, they ran off. 』
『Joel: Nothing serious happened? 』
That unforgettable summer came to an end, along with the long afternoons filled with laughter and adventures, giving way to the start of a new school year. Back in high school, Neizan continued to stand out academically. His performance in exams and his active participation in class helped him maintain good grades, something he might not have achieved without the support of his new friends, Elena and Joel. Both frequently helped him with subjects he found challenging, motivating him and helping him stay focused. Although Neizan hadn't had a structured education during his early years, his determination, along with the support of his friends, enabled him to succeed.
Many of Neizan's old friends, those he had met on the streets, barely attended school, and even fewer were interested in studying. These friends had taught him about life on the streets, but they had also pulled him into behaviors inappropriate for his age, exposing him to an environment of crime and constant trouble. Living in certain areas of New Jersey meant staying alert and knowing how to move with caution, as violence and crime were common.
Over time, Neizan realized that his life was changing, and his new friendships offered him a positive environment, helping him discover healthier interests. His circle of friends was smaller but meaningful, providing him with stability and motivation to keep moving forward.
However, when he turned fourteen, Neizan suffered a loss that marked him deeply. His pet, a loyal companion of four years, fell ill unexpectedly. Despite the veterinarians' efforts, they couldn't save him in time, and his passing left a void that was hard to fill. This blow forced him to confront the reality of loss and led him to reflect on the value of the bonds he was building with others. In those difficult days, Joel and Elena's presence was essential, helping him cope with his grief and find comfort in their friendship.
Time passed, and although the sadness over his pet's passing didn't entirely fade, Neizan learned to find strength and support in his friends. That summer had been a turning point; he was now on the path to a new chapter, more aware of the importance of the people and experiences that shaped his life.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Entering his room to rest, Neizan found Lina sitting on the bed, waiting for him. When she saw him, she stood up, fixing her gaze on him with a serious expression. Neizan frowned, indicating that he wasn't in the mood for a discussion and only wanted to rest.