Warning to Readers: This novel will involve many detailed fight scenes in the future showing the advantage of self defense and the realistic use of different martial arts, there may also be some "steps" taken to increase the character development of the Main character. Some readers may find these "steps" cruel and if you're one of those readers I do not recommend you reading this novel...
Tae Kang walked through the school hallways with a quiet confidence. His looks were above average, grey eyes,black middle parted hair, nothing that turned heads, but his reputation spoke for itself—top marks in class, a standout on the basketball court, and the kind of student others respected, even if they didn't always know why. His friends, always laughing and joking around him, followed close behind, eager to bask in his popularity. They were loyal, at least for now. Tae's eyes flicked to Jiwon, the girl he'd been daydreaming about and talking to for weeks. Jiwon reminded Tae slightly of someone from his past. She smiled briefly as they passed, and for a moment, Tae allowed himself to imagine a future. It felt right. Nothing could ruin his perfect world.
Later that afternoon, Tae and his friends gathered by the lockers, talking about the weekend plans and laughing about a recent sports competition. His best friend, Jinho, clapped him on the back.
"You're basically a legend, man. Everyone's talking about how you aced that test and scored the winning point."
Tae Kang smiled, leaning against the locker.
"Just doing what I do," he said, brushing it off with a casual shrug, though inside he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
"But hey, don't act like you're not part of the reason I'm killing it. Gotta keep the team strong, right?"
His friends laughed, clearly enjoying the moment. But it was Jiwon who occupied his thoughts. She was always around, always smiling in that way that made Tae's heart race. Today, he couldn't help but believe something was about to change.
As Tae talked with his friends, his eyes kept drifting toward Jiwon. She was talking with a group of girls a few steps away, laughing at something one of them said. Tae couldn't help but smile. His heart raced a little, but he quickly masked it with his usual swagger.
"I'll be right back," he told Jinho, pushing off from the locker.
He walked toward her, trying to act casual, but inside, his pulse quickened. He had no idea why he felt this way—Jiwon had always been kind to him, just friendly—but today, it felt different. Today, maybe... just maybe, something can happen that will change everything .Tae approached Jiwon's group, his steps casual but his heart picking up speed. She glanced up as he neared, her lips curving into a small smile.
"Hey, Tae," she greeted him, her voice light but warm.
"Hey, Jiwon. How's it going?" Tae asked, leaning against the nearby wall. He felt a thrill at the way her eyes lingered on him for just a second longer than usual.
"I saw you out there during practice. You were incredible," she said, tilting her head slightly, eyes twinkling.
Tae grinned, feeling a rush of pride.
"Just doing what I do."
Jiwon laughed lightly, and Tae couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through him.
"Seriously though, you make it look easy. I think everyone's been talking about you."
"Talking about me?" Tae raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smirk. "Guess I'm just that good." He leaned in slightly, enjoying the attention, yet still trying to play it cool.
Jiwon's smile softened, but she quickly looked away, as if trying to hide a hint of nervousness.
"I guess so," she said, her voice a little quieter. "I'm sure there's a lot of people who admire you."
Tae paused, his heart thumping a little harder now. Was she flirting with him? He hadn't expected it. "Well, I wouldn't mind getting a little more attention from the right people." He let the words hang in the air, hoping she'd pick up on the hint.
Jiwon met his eyes again, her smile lingering a bit longer.
"Maybe I could help with that sometime." Her voice was casual, but there was something more there. Something Tae couldn't quite place, but he liked it.
As she turned back to her friends, Tae felt his chest swell with pride. Maybe today really was the day everything changed. Tae stood there for a moment, watching Jiwon as she returned to her group, his mind racing. Was that flirting? No, it couldn't be. But the way she looked at him—there was something there, something different.
Jinho's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Yo, Tae, what's the deal with you and Jiwon?"
Tae shook his head, still smiling.
"Nothing, just talking."
"Uh-huh," Jinho said, his grin widening.
"I saw the way she looked at you. Man, you're definitely in there."
Tae didn't respond right away. He felt a mix of excitement and disbelief. Could Jiwon actually like him? It seemed impossible, but in that moment, with the way she'd smiled at him, he couldn't shake the thought.
"Yeah, maybe," Tae said with a shrug, his confidence back. "But I don't chase anyone. If she wants me, she'll come to me."
Jinho laughed. "Damn, you really are something, huh?"
Tae only smirked. Today, everything felt possible. Tae walked home happily while talking to all the friends that surrounded him about the game winning point he scored in basketball. They all laughed gracefully at how Tae explained it. Tae finally got home.
"I'll see you all tomorrow don't be late." He said while smiling and waving his hand to his many friends who were walking off waving back.
Tae closed the door behind him, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he entered the house. It had been a good day, but he knew better than to get too excited. His mom wasn't one to show much enthusiasm, especially when it came to anything other than his grades.
She sat at the kitchen table, papers and bills scattered around her, her attention focused on the paperwork.
"Hey, Mom," Tae said, his tone casual.
"Got an A on the last test in English."
She didn't look up from her work but nodded, as if it were expected.
"Good. You should be getting A's in all your subjects, not just English. You've been slacking off in math lately."
Tae's shoulders tensed slightly, but he kept his voice steady.
"I've been doing fine. It's just harder than the other subjects."
"Excuses," she replied, her tone sharp.
"If you want to have a future, you need to be the best. Don't make excuses. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I get it," Tae said, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice. After his dad left them, he always felt like he was never quite good enough in her eyes, no matter how well he did.
"Good." She glanced up briefly, eyes cold and calculating. "You've got a lot of potential, Tae. But you're wasting it if you don't work harder. Don't think you can coast through life just because you've got a few decent grades."
"I'm not coasting," Tae muttered, though the words felt hollow.
"Then prove it," she said, returning to her papers. "And don't be late for dinner. I don't want to hear any more excuses about not being on time."
Tae nodded silently, feeling a familiar weight settle over him. His mom always had a way of making everything seem like it wasn't enough. He grabbed a snack from the counter and left the kitchen without another word, the echo of her small disappointment lingering behind him. Tae went to his room and lay in bed, his thoughts drifting. School was great—everything was easy. Good grades, recognition in sports, and the occasional smile from Jiwon kept him feeling on top of the world. He couldn't help but replay the moments they'd shared today, the way her eyes had lingered on him, the lightness of her voice. Maybe, just maybe, there was something more there. With a satisfied sigh, he closed his eyes, the thoughts of her easing him into sleep. Everything was perfect... for now.
Tae woke up with a start, his phone buzzing relentlessly on the nightstand. He glanced at the time squinting—8:15 AM. His heart skipped a beat. He was late. He never slept in. His mind scrambled as he shot out of bed, cursing under his breath. The usual calm of his mornings had vanished, replaced by a rush of panic.
He quickly pulled on his uniform, barely managing to tie his shoes as he darted downstairs. His mom wasn't home yet—probably off doing one of her errands. He barely had time to grab breakfast before rushing out the door.
The bus was already pulling away when he reached the stop. Tae cursed again, his usual composure completely shattered. This wasn't how his days went. Something felt off.
Tae sprinted down the hallway, his shoes thudding against the floor as he desperately tried to make it to class. He'd never been late before—not like this. The bell had already rung, and the hallways were almost empty, the quiet adding to his growing anxiety.
By the time he reached his classroom, he paused at the door, breathless, gathering his composure. He hated being late. It wasn't like him. He pushed the door open, his gaze immediately falling on the teacher who was already at the front of the room.
"Late, Tae Kang?" Mr. Park said, his voice flat but cutting. The entire class turned their heads to look at him, the moment stretching uncomfortably.
Tae nodded quickly, avoiding their eyes.
"Sorry, sir. I... I lost track of time."
He took his seat at the back of the room, feeling the weight of the stares on him. Tae sat at his desk, trying to shake off the discomfort that lingered from walking into class late. His usual confidence was nowhere to be found. The quiet hum of the classroom felt heavier than usual, the silence almost suffocating. He glanced around, noticing the way his classmates seemed to look at him differently today. Some were whispering, others avoiding his gaze altogether.
He tried to focus on the lesson, but his mind kept drifting. The unease wouldn't leave him. Why was everything so off today? His thoughts went back to the morning—how everything had seemed to go wrong all of a sudden. He'd never felt so out of control.
Even Jiwon hadn't noticed him the same way this morning. Sure, they'd exchanged a few words, but the spark he'd felt the day before wasn't there. It was as though everything was slowly slipping through his fingers.
Tae leaned back in his chair, staring at the board, but his mind was a thousand miles away. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something that would change everything.
He just didn't know what yet.
As the class droned on, Tae's thoughts wandered again. He tried to focus, but the unease from earlier still lingered, gnawing at him. He glanced at Jiwon, who was sitting a few rows ahead of him. The memory of their brief exchange this morning flashed in his mind, the hope he'd felt now seeming fragile and distant.
Suddenly, Jiwon stood up and walked over to the desk next to him. She sat down without a word, her presence shifting the air around him. Tae couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building, but he tried to push it aside, unsure of what was coming.
Jiwon hesitated for a moment, before speaking softly, her voice uncharacteristically serious. "Tae, I need to tell you something."
Tae's heart skipped a beat. His stomach twisted as he leaned forward, bracing himself. "What is it?"
She bit her lip before continuing, her gaze briefly dropping to the desk.
"I... I have a boyfriend. And he doesn't like me talking to you like this."
Tae's chest tightened, the words striking deeper than he'd anticipated. His mouth went dry, but he forced himself to stay still, to hide the sting that was quickly spreading within him.
She shifted uncomfortably, her eyes flicking to him, then away. "I'm sorry, Tae. It's just... he's kind of possessive, and I don't want to cause any problems. I really like you as a friend, but..."
The words echoed in Tae's mind, each one landing harder than the last. "So that's it? Just like that?"
Jiwon's gaze softened with regret. "I never meant to hurt you. But it's better this way, for both of us. I hope you understand."
Tae didn't say anything at first. He felt a sharp, painful pressure in his chest as her words settled in. He swallowed, blinking away the ache threatening to show. "Yeah," he muttered quietly. "I understand."
He nodded stiffly, his expression unreadable, but inside, everything felt like it was crumbling. The cool detachment in his voice was a mask. The real Tae, the one who had let himself believe for just a moment that maybe—just maybe—something could happen between them, was hurting more than he wanted to admit. But he wouldn't show it. Not here. Not now.
As Jiwon turned back to her desk, Tae sat there, feeling the weight of her rejection press down on him. The realization hit him like a blow to the gut: reputation, looks, money—that was the world they lived in. That was the only thing that mattered.
"But just who was this guy to have a higher reputation than me , I'm good looking aswell right..?" Tae Kang said to himself in his mind several times while trying to balance the inner pain he had never experienced before.
Tae sat back in his chair, hands gripping the desk as he fought to steady his breath. The hurt was sharp, but he wouldn't let anyone see it. He wouldn't let anyone see how much it stung. The school day ended in a blur, the bell signaling freedom, but Tae felt trapped in a different way. The usual group of friends, the laughter, the casual conversations, all seemed distant now. Only Jinho walked with him, his footsteps steady and rhythmic beside Tae's, but the silence between them spoke volumes. Jinho didn't ask anything, didn't try to fill the empty space with meaningless words.
Tae appreciated it, but the silence gnawed at him. His mind replayed the conversation with Jiwon, the way she'd rejected him so easily. He didn't even know why it hurt so much. He'd never really cared for someone like that before. Or had he?
They reached the street where they parted ways, and Jinho muttered something about studying before walking off. Tae gave a half-hearted nod, barely hearing him. He didn't want to go home. Didn't want to face his mother's cold indifference or the loneliness that had been growing in him for years.
He pushed open the door to his house, walking in without a word. His mom was sitting in the living room, eyes glued to the TV, but Tae didn't even glance at her. He just walked past, heading straight for his room.
The door clicked shut behind him, and he leaned against it for a moment, staring at the floor. His breath was shallow, and he could feel the weight of everything pushing down on his chest. He clenched his fists, trying to hold it all together, but the hurt wouldn't leave.
He sank onto his bed, curling up slightly as he pressed a hand to his chest, trying to block out the ache. What had gone wrong? Was he really that easy to throw away?
A thought flickered in his mind. It was stupid, he knew it was, but...
He grabbed his phone, his fingers trembling as he opened YapChat. He quickly typed a message to Jiwon.
"Hey, can we talk? I know things are complicated, but I don't want to leave things like this."
He stared at the screen for a moment, unsure if he should send it. But the desperation inside him won out. He hit send before he could second-guess himself.
A few moments passed, the screen still empty. Then, the notification pinged.
"Meet me at the back of the school tomorrow. I'll be there after class."
Tae's heart leaped, a surge of hope rushing through him. She was willing to meet him? Maybe this wasn't over after all. Maybe they could work things out.
He quickly typed a reply. "I'll be there. Thanks, Jiwon."
As he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, a small part of him felt relieved. He hadn't expected a response at all, let alone a meeting. Maybe things could still change.
But in the back of his mind, something gnawed at him—a feeling that something wasn't quite right.
The night dragged on, but Tae couldn't shake the anticipation. He lay in bed, turning the conversation over and over in his mind, wondering what tomorrow would bring. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, Jiwon hadn't completely turned her back on him. Maybe they could find a way to move past this.
But as he lay there, staring at the ceiling, the nagging feeling still lingered. Something wasn't adding up. Jiwon had never been distant like this before. Her words, her actions—they didn't seem to match the girl he thought he knew.
Tae shook his head, pushing the thought aside. He needed to focus on what mattered now—getting to the back of the school tomorrow. He wouldn't let his doubts ruin this.
The next day dragged by at school. Tae barely listened to the lessons, his mind fixated on the meeting he'd arranged. When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the day, his heart began to race. He walked out of class, trying to act casual, but his thoughts were a whirl of excitement and uncertainty.
He made his way to the back of the school, the same spot he'd always seen students hang out after hours. There was no one there when he arrived. His eyes scanned the area, but the only figures he saw standing in the shadows weren't who he expected.
Jiwon was there, standing near the wall with her arms crossed, looking... uncomfortable. Her face was a mask of regret, and her eyes darted nervously to the ground when Tae met her gaze. She hesitated, then looked up at him, biting her lip.
"Jiwon?" Tae called softly, his voice tentative, unsure.
She forced a small, apologetic smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Tae... I... I didn't know how else to say this, but—"
Before she could finish, the sound of footsteps interrupted, and a tall figure stepped out from the shadows. He had an undeniable presence, and as he moved into the light, Tae could see him clearly.
The guy was everything Tae wasn't—handsome in a way that made heads turn, with sharp, chiseled features and a strong, confident stance. His clothes looked expensive, the latest brand name plastered across his jacket. His aura was one of power and dominance, a man who was used to getting what he wanted. He looked like he could snap someone in half with his bare hands.
"This is him, huh?" The guy's voice was smooth, laced with arrogance. He smirked as he took in Tae's slightly confused expression. "I'm Jiwon's boyfriend—Minho. Nice to meet you. Not like you don't know who I am."
Tae's heart sank, a deep ache settling in his chest as Minho's words hit him.
Minho was the type of guy everyone admired, feared, and respected. The strongest in the school—his reputation was built on his ability to fight and his family's wealth. He was the guy who always had the best of everything. And he had Jiwon.
Tae stood there, frozen, his mind racing as the pieces fell into place.