(Friday, April 26, 2024 – 8:56 PM)
Mira stepped out of the library, stretching her arms as the cool night air hit her skin. She had spent hours reviewing notes, but her mind kept drifting back to Zack. When she finally spotted him, she frowned. His fists were clenched at his sides, veins bulging along his arms and neck while his jaw was tight, his entire body tense.
"Zack?" she called out, stepping closer. "Did something happen? You don't look like you studied much."
Zack exhaled sharply, forcing a half-smile. "It's nothing, Mira. Just some idiots. Let's go."
Before she could ask more, laughter echoed from behind them. A group of guys leaned against the wall near the convenience store, snickering as they whispered among themselves. One of them, a tall guy with a buzz cut, flicked his cigarette and smirked.
"Yo, pretty boy. You still trying to act tough? Thought you quit fighting." he mocked, nudging his friend.
Zack ignored them, taking Mira's wrist to lead her away, but another voice spoke up.
"Hey, isn't that the kid from the bar?" A new lanky guy with a scar on his cheek who wasn't present at the library laughed. "Yeah, the one who got his ass handed to him! Didn't think you'd show your face again, man."
Mira's expression darkened. "Leave him alone. You guys are pathetic."
"Ooh, feisty." One of them chuckled, stepping closer. "Why don't you hang out with us instead? Pretty girls shouldn't waste time on weaklings."
Mira glared at him, but before she could say anything, a hand grabbed her wrist. It wasn't firm, but the gesture was enough. Her body tensed in disgust.
"Let go." she demanded.
The guy sneered. "Relax. We're just having a conversation."
Zack stopped walking.
A slow breath left his lips as his fingers curled into fists. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. The promise he made, to Mira, to himself, rang loud in his mind. But at this moment, it didn't matter. He turned sharply with his eyes locking onto the hand gripping Mira.
Snap.
His patience shattered.
---
Name: Zack Lee
Height: 180 cm
Strength: |-{B}
Speed: |-{B}
Potential: |-{A}
Intelligence: |-{B}
Endurance: |-{B}
---
The next second, Zack's left foot pivoted, his body twisting with explosive speed. His right fist rocketed forward in a jab, smashing into the guy's nose with a brutal crack. Blood sprayed as the thug stumbled back, clutching his face in shock.
"What the?!"
Zack didn't wait. He stepped in, shifting his weight onto his back foot before launching a devastating straight right. His fist buried deep into the guy's solar plexus. The impact sent him wheezing to the ground, gasping like a fish out of water.
The others hesitated for half a second before roaring in anger. One lunged from the side, swinging wildly. Zack slipped the punch effortlessly, bending his knees and rolling under the attack. As he rose, he delivered a brutal uppercut, his knuckles digging into the underside of the man's jaw, sending him flying backward.
Another thug rushed in, throwing a haymaker. Zack parried with his forearm, twisting his torso as he launched a crushing left hook. His opponent barely had time to register the punch before he crumpled to the pavement.
The buzz-cut guy, clearly the leader, wiped his nose and glared at Zack. "Cocky bastard. Think you're a boxer or something?"
Zack's stance shifted, his feet were light while the shoulders relaxed. "I don't think. I know."
The leader roared and charged, aiming for a grab. Zack let him get close, then ducked low, weaving to the side. He countered with a vicious liver shot with his knuckles driving deep beneath the ribcage. The thug's body seized up instantly with his legs buckling.
"Hghh!" A guttural sound escaped his lips as he collapsed to his knees, arms hugging his side.
Zack exhaled through his nose. His body moved on instinct now. Years of training flooded back.
A grunt from behind signaled another attacker. Zack snapped his head around just as the scarred guy charged with a broken bottle. With no hesitation. Zack sidestepped, parrying the arm before hammering a right cross into his temple. The thug's eyes rolled back as he spun and crashed onto the sidewalk.
The last two hesitated, exchanging nervous glances. They had expected an easy target, a guy who wouldn't fight back. Instead, they found themselves in the ring with a boxer.
Zack adjusted his wrist wraps. "You done? Or do you want more?"
One of them cursed under his breath before grabbing his friend and running. The others groaned on the ground, clutching their bruised bodies.
Zack rolled his shoulders, breathing heavily. The adrenaline started to fade. He turned to Mira, who stood frozen, eyes wide.
He sighed, stepping toward her. "Mira, I-"
She held up a hand, stopping him with her lips pressed together.
Zack's heart pounded. "I didn't mean to-"
Mira shook her head, not in anger, but something close to disappointment. "I know. Just… let's go."
The walk home was quiet.
Later that night, Zack sat on his bed, staring at his phone. His thumbs hovered over the screen before he finally typed:
[I'm sorry.]
He stared at the message, debating whether to send it. His chest felt tight. He had promised her he wouldn't fight anymore. That he would change. And yet, the moment someone pushed him, he fell right back into it.
The screen lit up with an incoming message.
[Mira: Meet me at the library tomorrow. Let's try studying again.]
Zack exhaled. He wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring, but for now, he was grateful for a second chance.
....
(Friday, April 26, 2024 – 9:03 PM)
Seeing how late it was, Daniel decided to accompany his mother to dinner before taking her to the bus station. The streets were quieter now, the neon glow of signs flickering above them as they walked side by side.
"You really don't have to pay for everything, Daniel." Seonhui said as he handed some cash to the cashier at a small family-run restaurant.
Daniel shook his head with a small grin. "Come on, Mom. Let me do something for you this time."
They ate together, talking about small things, the neighbors back home, how her work had been, how he was adjusting to Seoul. The conversation was light, but Daniel could feel something on her mind.
As they reached the bus station, she finally spoke up. "Tomorrow's your birthday."
Daniel blinked. Right. April 27. With everything happening, he had completely forgotten.
Seonhui sighed. "I wanted to get you something, but I don't know what you'd want."
Daniel looked at her with his expression softening. "Mom, you being here is already enough. You don't need to worry about anything else."
She smiled warmly, her eyes turned slightly misty, before pulling him into a hug. He hugged her back, letting the warmth sink in.
Just as they pulled apart, a familiar figure stepped out of a store nearby.
Jay.
Jay spotted Daniel and paused for a moment. His gaze flickered between Daniel's face and the baggy clothes he was wearing.
"You're… Daniel twin?" Jay asked with his tone calm but observant.
Daniel feigned surprise. "Oh, you know my brother?"
Jay nodded. "Yeah. I'm a friend of his, Jay Hong."
Daniel grinned and dapped him up, playing along. "Nice to meet you, man. I'm Hyungseok." He gestured to his mother. "This is my mom."
Seonhui smiled warmly. "It's so nice to meet one of Daniel's friends. Thank you for looking out for him."
Jay simply gave a small nod.
Seonhui chuckled. "By the way, Jay, did you know tomorrow is Daniel's birthday?"
Jay's expression didn't change, but his mind clicked instantly.
'If Lil Daniel and Big Daniel are twins, that means… they have the same birthday.'
He glanced at Daniel, who just sighed, scratching his head.
"Mom.."
But she had already stepped onto the bus, waving as the doors closed.
Jay turned to Daniel. "I'll prepare something for tomorrow."
Daniel laughed. "Man, don't even worry about it. Just having friends is enough. I don't really care about material stuff."
Jay gave a small nod, but the look in his eyes said he wasn't letting it go.
They started walking away together, the streets quiet except for the occasional passing car.
(10:32 PM)
Daniel lay on the mattress, staring at the ceiling, his muscles still aching from the training some hours ago. His second body, Park Hyeonseong, was completely still beside him, breathing steadily in deep sleep. No movement. It was unsettling at times, seeing his own body just lying there, as if it weren't real.
His phone buzzed. Mom.
He picked up immediately. "Hey, Mom. You got home okay?"
Her voice was warm on the other end. "Yes, I just got back. But tell me something, sweetheart… what did Jay mean by twin?"
Daniel froze for a second before laughing. "Ah, Mom… You won't believe me. Park Hyeonseong, the guy Jay calls Big Daniel, used to look just like me a few months ago."
There was a pause before she burst into laughter. "Aigoo, you're joking! Well, you do have cousins that look identical to you, so I guess anything is possible."
Daniel chuckled, playing along. "Yeah, maybe it runs in the family."
His mother sighed softly. "I'm just happy you're making friends. Sleep well, my son. I love you."
"I love you too, Mom." Daniel said, his voice quieter.
As the call ended, he let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples.
He needed to fix the sleeping body problem. It wasn't practical for one of them to just lie motionless whenever he switched. If someone ever saw it, questions would be asked.
His mind drifted back to what his mom had said. His cousins.
It had been a while since he thought about them, but now that he was considering his own talent, his growth, his strange abilities… He couldn't help but wonder, could they have potential too?
----
I always asked myself that about his cousins, do yall remember his father and his brothers? They were all fat and when they joined the military they lost weight.
Who knows if his cousins are as talented.
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