Tae thanked his grandfather for breakfast before stepping out of the house into the bright London morning. The rain from the night before had left the air cool and fresh, and the grey skies matched his subdued mood. Slinging his backpack over one shoulder, he walked slowly, his heart hammering slightly as the reality of his first day at a new school hit him.
He told himself repeatedly, Blend in. Keep your head down. No one here knows me, and it needs to stay that way. Tae didn't want to stand out or attract any attention. The idea of being a background character, someone unnoticed and unremarkable, seemed perfect after everything that had happened back in Korea.
But as he stepped into the school hallway, his plan unraveled almost immediately.
Heads turned. Quiet murmurs began rippling through the crowd as students noticed the new boy. Tae's sharp features, defined jawline, and styled black hair stood out in a way that was impossible to ignore. London wasn't teeming with Koreans, especially not ones like Tae.
"Who's that?"
"New kid, huh? Where's he from?"
"He's kinda cute…"
Tae caught snippets of conversation as he walked, trying to block them out. His palms started to sweat, and his chest tightened. For a moment, a horrifying thought crossed his mind: What if they know? What if they've seen the video?
He kept his head low, gripping the strap of his backpack tightly, and quickened his pace to avoid any eye contact.
When he reached the form room, he slipped inside, grateful for a moment of reprieve. But the reprieve was short-lived.
As soon as he stepped in, every pair of eyes turned to him. The class went silent, and Tae felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. The teacher, a middle-aged man with a neat suit and a warm demeanor, clapped his hands together.
"Everyone, we have a new student joining us today. Please give him a warm welcome." He gestured for Tae to step forward.
Tae reluctantly shuffled to the front of the room, his heart pounding in his ears. He hated this. The attention, the stares, the whispers—it all felt too familiar, too much like the nightmare he'd just left behind.
"Introduce yourself," the teacher encouraged.
With a deep breath, Tae forced a polite smile onto his face, though it felt more like a grimace.
"Hello, everyone," he began, his voice calm and measured despite the strange feeling inside him. "I'm Tae Kang, and I've come from Korea to take my education to the next level. Nice to meet you all."
A ripple of murmurs swept through the class as Tae finished and bowed slightly before walking to an empty seat at the back of the room.
As he sat, he could feel eyes boring into him. Most of the girls were staring openly, whispering among themselves about how handsome the new boy was. But it wasn't their attention that unsettled Tae the most.
The boys, particularly a group near the middle of the classroom, glared at him with thinly veiled hostility. Their annoyance was palpable, their whispers sharper and less kind.
Tae kept his eyes on his desk, refusing to meet their gazes. Don't react, he told himself. If I keep quiet, this will pass. If I don't stand out, I won't end up back where I was in Korea.
But deep down, a nagging fear lingered: no matter how far he ran, the shadows of his past would always find him.
Tae sat down at the back of the classroom, his nerves still on edge as the chatter from the students swirled around him. A boy slid into the seat next to him, dropping his bag casually onto the floor. He had a lean physique, a trendy London haircut—curly at the top with a skin fade on the back and sides—and an air of calm that contrasted sharply with the buzzing atmosphere around them.
"Hey, you're the new guy, right? Tae, wasn't it?" The boy's voice was soft but confident, his tone welcoming.
Tae turned, hesitant but polite.
"Yeah, that's me. And you are?"
"Ryan," the boy replied, leaning back in his chair.
"Nice to meet you, G. I guess I'll see you in the next class too—we've got ten minutes between periods." He extended his hand, dap-style, and Tae hesitated for a split second before returning the gesture.
Tae nodded, forcing a small smile. Ryan seemed genuine enough.
"Just a heads-up," Ryan continued, his voice lowering slightly. "Don't get involved with any of the weird groups around here. You know the type—wannabe gangs who think they own the school. Some of them are insecure as hell and love picking on people, especially new faces or anyone who looks like they've got it together."
Tae's chest tightened as Ryan's words sank in. Flashbacks of Minho, the humiliation, and the laughter of the crowd flooded his mind. His breath hitched, and his hands clenched beneath the desk.
"Hey," Ryan said, his brows furrowing. "You listening?"
Tae snapped back to the present, nodding quickly. "Yeah, I got it. Thanks. I'll be careful."
Ryan studied him for moment and didn't press any further.
The bell had just rung, and as Tae made his way to the hallway, the atmosphere shifted. Several girls were surrounding him, asking for his number and excitedly trying to chat him up. Tae smiled awkwardly, trying to keep things friendly but distant. He didn't want to get tangled up with any girls, not after everything that had happened in Korea.
"I don't have a phone," he replied with a small, almost apologetic grin, trying to brush them off gently.
The girls giggled at his accent but that was when a group of boys approached. They were a few steps behind the girls, watching the scene unfold. One of them, a guy with messy hair and a smirk that screamed trouble, stepped forward.
"Oh, so the new guy is too good for a phone, huh?" he sneered. The group chuckled, clearly trying to make Tae look bad in front of the girls.
"What, don't you want them to talk to you? You think you're too good for them init pretty boy."
The group of boys, acting like they were the kingpins of the school, edged closer, crowding Tae. His heart began to race, his mind flashing back to the laughter of his classmates and the humiliation in Korea. He didn't want to cause a scene, but his body tensed, ready to react if needed.
Just then, a voice cut through the tension. "You've got a problem, G?"
Ryan stepped into the circle, his calm but confident demeanor immediately changing the atmosphere. He stood a bit taller than most of the boys in the group, his lean muscular frame radiating a silent threat. His hands were in his pockets, but the way he looked at the boys told them he wasn't someone to mess with.
The leader of the boys sneered at Ryan, but quickly looked away when Ryan stepped closer, his presence enough to make them hesitate.
"Nah, we're just having a little fun," one of them said, but it was clear they didn't want to escalate things with Ryan there.
"Good," Ryan replied coolly. "Just remember, messing with him isn't going to end well for you."
The group of boys looked at each other, clearly unwilling to push things further with Ryan around. With a few grumbles, they turned away and walked off, leaving Tae and Ryan standing there.
"Thanks, man," Tae said quietly, genuinely grateful. Ryan just nodded, offering a small smile.
"No problem. You're good, don't worry about it."
The rest of the girls, though still curious about Tae, didn't press him any further, sensing the tension had shifted.
"Anyway," Ryan added, "we've got class in 5 minutes . I guess I'll see you then." He gave Tae a small fist bump before turning to leave, his calm demeanor now seeming to make the others steer clear.
Tae watched him go, feeling a little more at ease. For the first time in a while, he wasn't alone in dealing with this kind of situation. Ryan had a way of making people back off without even trying too hard. It was a relief to have someone like him around.
The rest of the day passed by smoother than Tae expected. Ryan stuck by his side, and the more they hung out, the more Tae appreciated his calm, easygoing presence. Ryan didn't push him to talk or act a certain way; he just existed, letting Tae follow his own pace. It was a relief—something Tae hadn't realized he needed until now. His mind wandered back to Jinho and the others in Korea. Ryan was nothing like them. He didn't treat Tae like a punchline to a joke, or like someone to be embarrassed in front of others. No, Ryan was dependable, and he had a quiet confidence Tae admired.
As the bell rang signaling the end of school, Tae found himself walking out of the building with Ryan, along with two girls and a guy he hadn't met before. One of the girls, with caramel -like hair and a sparkling smile, was named Jewel. The other, wearing a hood pulled low over her face, didn't say much. Her quiet presence felt oddly familiar to Tae, but he shook the thought away as quickly as it came. The guy was named Leo, and he was tall with messy brown hair and a laid-back vibe.
"So, you're the new guy?" Leo said with a grin, nudging Tae. "What's Korea like? I mean, I've seen a lot of dramas, but I'm sure it's different in real life." Tae chuckled, feeling a bit awkward but thankful for the distraction.
"It's… different, I guess," he said. "But mostly, it's just like here, you know?" Jewel laughed, and the hooded girl remained silent, her gaze unreadable beneath the shadow of her hood. Tae felt a faint unease but dismissed it, thinking he was overanalyzing things.
"You're pretty cool for a new kid," Jewel said, her tone teasing but kind. "Not bad, Tae." Tae nodded, flashing a small smile.
"Thanks." Ryan walked beside him, hands in his pockets, as they all laughed and joked about various things. Tae felt a bit out of place but grateful for the company. He wasn't used to this—people showing interest in him without any strings attached. As they reached the corner of the street, Tae felt a sense of calm that had been missing from his life for a long time. Maybe London wasn't so bad after all.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Tae," Ryan said with a slight nod, as the others waved goodbye.
"Yeah, see you," Tae replied, offering a small wave as they parted ways.
Walking home, his thoughts drifted again. This was the life he wanted. Simple, calm, with a few people who actually cared. He wasn't the center of attention here, and that was perfect. The weight of his past life in Korea felt farther away now, a memory fading as time passed.
When he entered the house, the smell of his grandfather's cooking greeted him. The quiet hum of the evening filled the space, and Tae was surprised to realize that he hadn't felt this peaceful in a long time. He could hear his grandpa humming softly in the kitchen.
Tae walked over, his voice filled with ease. "Hey, Grandpa, dinner smells great."
His grandfather, who had been setting the table, looked up with a warm smile.
"Ah, Tae, you're home early. How was school?"
Tae sat down at the table, smiling back.
"It was great. Everyone's really nice, and there's this guy, Ryan, who helped me today. He's pretty cool. The people here… they're different from Korea."
His grandfather nodded knowingly.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad you're adjusting well."
Tae dug into his meal, his mind kept replaying the day's events. It was easy to get lost in thoughts about school, about Ryan and the new friends he'd made, but as the evening went on, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were finally falling into place.
After dinner, he helped his grandpa clean up, and when they were done, he made his way to his room. He sat on his bed, looking out the window at the soft rain falling over the quiet London streets.
Everything felt… right.
For the first time in a long time, he didn't feel the weight of expectations on his shoulders. He didn't have to be the strongest, the smartest, or the most impressive. He could just be Tae Kang. Just another kid who wanted to start over.
As he lay back on his pillow, a small, genuine smile spread across his face.
"This truly is a new beginning for me," he whispered to himself, the words feeling real for the first time in a long while.
The next day, Tae's granddad suggested they go out to buy some new clothes.
"It's been a while since you've had a proper shopping trip, Tae. You need a few new things to start your life here," his granddad said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Tae agreed, grateful for the thought. It felt nice to be treated like a regular person again, not the object of ridicule or a symbol of wealth. He had learned the hard way that it wasn't worth having nice things if it meant being seen as a target.
Together, they walked to the nearest shopping center, RwestField which was buzzing with activity. The air was colder than usual, but the brisk walk felt refreshing. They passed shops filled with flashing signs, neon lights, and clothing racks that seemed to call out to him. Tae felt a small flutter of excitement as they approached the designer section.
"I'll let you pick something nice," his granddad said, gently nudging him in the direction of the jacket section. "But don't go crazy, alright?"
Tae wandered between the rows of coats, trying to find something that felt right. Then, something caught his eye—a sleek black jacket with gold zippers and a subtle sheen. It looked expensive, but it was perfect. He could already picture himself in it. The last one left in stock, too.
He picked it up carefully, glancing at the price tag. His stomach turned slightly at the cost, but he pushed it aside. It was the kind of jacket he'd seen people wear in the movies, the kind that said you had style without even trying.
"Grandpa, this is all I want. Just this jacket. I'll be happy with it," Tae said with an earnestness he hadn't shown anyone in a while.
His granddad smiled softly, his gaze fond. "You sure? It's quite expensive…"
"I'm sure," Tae said, smiling back. "I promise. This is all I need."
After they purchased the jacket, Tae's granddad suggested they take a short break.
"I'll rest here for a moment. You go get us some drinks, alright?"
"Thanks, Grandpa," Tae said with a smile, the jacket in his arms feeling heavier with each step. He felt proud walking through the mall, as if this jacket was a sign that things might finally go his way.
Tae made his way to the corner shop, feeling light on his feet, until he was interrupted by a group of three guys around his age. They were wearing all black and had balaclavas pulled low over their faces. They stepped into his path, blocking his way.
"Ayo, nice jacket you got there, fam," one of the guys called out, his voice laced with a cocky tone.
Tae's heart skipped a beat, and his mind raced. He forced a nervous smile.
"Th-thanks... my grandad got me this," he stammered, hoping his calmness would deter them.
The guy took a few steps closer, sizing Tae up. "That's a funny accent you got there, mate. But I'mma make this quick. Run me that shit right now."
Tae froze, unsure of what to do. His eyes flicked toward the group, his brain struggling to process the situation. He didn't want to give up the jacket, especially not after his granddad had been so kind to him. He stuttered out,
"I can give you the money I have on me right now. You can have it...if that's what your asking for…?"
One of the others snickered. "Money ain't enough, fam. Run me your shit now!"
The wannabe gangster grabbed Tae's arm, his grip cold and unyielding. Tae flinched, his heart hammering in his chest. He could feel the panic creeping up on him as the tension in the air thickened.
"W-what do you mean?" Tae asked, still confused about the slang, but it didn't matter. The wannabe gangsters weren't listening.
Before he could react, the guy raised his fist, preparing to strike. Tae's heart dropped into his stomach. There was no Ryan here. No one to help him. He was on his own, and the fear, the anxiety that had been building up since Korea, surged to the surface. He had no choice but to face the consequences of his past, all alone.
But just as the fist was about to connect, a voice cut through the tension.
"No, please wait!" the voice shouted. "Please don't take my grandson's jacket!"
Tae's head whipped around, and his eyes widened when he saw his granddad. The old man hobbled over, his steps slow but determined.
"Please, just take anything else but his jacket," he pleaded, his voice trembling.
The gangsters stopped, eyeing Tae's granddad curiously, taking in his appearance. They seemed to hesitate for a moment, perhaps seeing the fragility in the old man. Tae's granddad didn't stop. He didn't have any more so he reached up and pulled off a necklace from his neck, revealing a silver chain with a pendant shaped like a black dog.
"Take this," he said, his voice low and steady despite the situation. "It's worth more than you think. Just leave my grandson alone."
The gangsters looked at the chain, and one of them stepped forward, inspecting it closely. The sympathy on his face was evident now as he glanced back at Tae's granddad's hand, noticing it was missing a finger.
The thug looked back at his friends, and after a brief exchange, they nodded.
"Alright, old man," the leader said, giving a small nod. "We'll take the chain, but don't let us catch you slippin' again, you hear?"
Without another word, they took the chain and left, disappearing into the growing darkness of the alleyway.
Tae stood frozen, his body trembling from the shock of it all. His granddad turned to him, his face calm, almost serene.
"It's alright, Tae. Don't worry about it."
But Tae could barely process the words. His fists clenched, his chest tight with rage and humiliation. This was different from Korea, but the feeling of being powerless, of losing something important, was the same. His grandad had sacrificed his special chain which Tae could feel just from the looks and how his granddad cleaned it everyday that it highly precious to him, maybe more precious to his granddad than Tae himself.
And Tae had let it happen. He had let himself be weak. Again.
They both finally got home. Tae rushed to the bathroom looked down at the ground while biting his lip to the point it started to bleed, the anger building inside of him like a storm. His mind was consumed with a single thought.
"I'll kill them. I'll kill them. I'll erase them from this earth."
He repeated the words in his head, the feeling of helplessness gnawing at his insides, this wasn't overwhelming embarrassment that could change his life like in Korea but it was on a similar level, SELF HATRED beyond what Tae had experienced. He couldn't let this go. Not again. He needed to CHANGE. He hanged his new jacket in his wardrobe swearing he will never wear it again until he gets that chain back…