Forgot to upload yesterday.
New Arc!
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(Thursday, May 23, 2024 – 6:00 AM)
The morning air was crisp, cool against Duke's sweat-drenched skin as he ran across the park, his breathing heavy, legs trembling with exhaustion. His oversized clothes clung to his body, soaked from the nonstop workout he had been forced into. Each step felt heavier than the last, but he kept pushing forward.
Not far from him, Vasco stood with his arms crossed, observing quietly.
"Good pace." Vasco commented, nodding slightly. "Your breathing's still a mess, though. Control it."
Duke, barely able to respond, just gave a weak thumbs-up before forcing himself to speed up slightly.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, Zack was suffering.
Hanging from a pull-up bar with his entire core flexed and trembling, his abs were burning but he gritted his teeth in pain.
And right in front of him?
Lil Daniel was delivering rapid-fire punches straight to his stomach.
"GHHHHH!" Zack let out a choked sound with his body convulsing from each hit.
BAM. BAM. BAM.
"Are you sure… GHHHH… this will make me more durable?!" Zack wheezed between strikes with his arms burning as he tried not to drop.
Lil Daniel didn't even hesitate before responding.
"Yeah."
But Zack, through the haze of pain, noticed something disturbing.
Lil Daniel's eyes were practically sparkling. His tongue was slightly sticking out, and his lips were stretched into a wide grin.
Zack's stomach dropped.
"…You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Lil Daniel's grin widened.
Zack shed a single tear.
(7:11 AM)
An hour later, Zack was on the ground, struggling through push-ups with his arms shaking violently.
"WHY… ARE THESE SO DIFFICULT?!" he roared, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Lil Daniel who was casually doing push-ups beside him with perfect form, chuckled. "You're used to normal push-ups. These are superhuman push-ups."
Zack gritted his teeth. "What's the difference?!"
Daniel tilted his head toward Zack's back.
Zack's eyes slowly followed.
A heavy piece of furniture was balanced on top of him.
He stared at it. Then at Big Daniel, who was watching nearby while casually sipping a protein shake.
"…Is this how you train every day?" Zack asked weakly.
Lil Daniel shrugged. "Eh. Sometimes I stack more weight."
Zack screamed internally.
As he barely pushed himself up again, Zack huffed out a breath and turned toward Daniel.
"So… are you finally enrolling at J High?"
Daniel, still effortlessly maintaining his push-ups, nodded. "Yeah. I already bought the uniform and finished the paperwork."
He smirked slightly. "Starting today, I'm coming with you guys."
(8:01 AM)
The classroom buzzed with low chatter as students settled into their seats. The morning was just beginning, and everyone was either half-asleep or distractedly scrolling through their phones.
Then, the door swung open.
The teacher walked in, adjusting his glasses before clearing his throat. "Alright, everyone, listen up. We have a new transfer student joining us today."
The murmurs grew louder.
Then..
Lil Daniel walked in.
The moment his face appeared, the class erupted.
"Yo, isn't that the guy who fought with Daniel and Vasco?!"
"He was in that crazy festival fight!"
The reaction was instant. Everyone already recognized him. Some students whispered excitedly, others stared at him like he was some urban legend.
Lil Daniel sighed internally. 'Of course, this was gonna happen…'
Forcing a polite smile, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yo. Name's Park Hyungseok I'm Park Hyeonseong twin but they call me Lil Daniel. Looking forward to studying with you guys."
"Nahh twin? They don't look alike!"
"I kinda see it not gonna lie.."
The teacher nodded. "Take a seat."
Scanning the room, Daniel noticed there was only one free spot left, next to Jiho Park.
As he sat down, he turned his head slightly. "What's up."
Jiho, who had been hunched over his desk, stiffened before looking up timidly. His thin glasses reflected the light, hiding his expression for a moment before he nodded awkwardly.
"…Hi."
Daniel didn't push further, letting Jiho be as the lesson finally began.
(11:30 AM)
As the bell rang, signaling the lunch break, students started stretching and pulling out their wallets. Groups formed immediately, some heading to the cafeteria, others making plans to eat outside.
At one of the desks, Zack leaned over toward Namsoo Lee with his usual confident smirk on his face.
"Oi, Namsoo, I need a favor."
Namsoo, who had been casually adjusting his glasses while admiring his own reflection in his phone, looked up. "A favor? What kind of favor?"
[Image]
Zack grinned. "I need you to find a pair of Limited Edition Jordan Sneakers on Craigslist."
Namsoo's eyes flickered with interest. "Oho? Zack Lee, a sneakerhead? Didn't expect that from you."
Zack waved a hand lazily. "Nah, I just want them. They look cool."
Namsoo pushed his glasses up. "You got cash? Those don't come cheap."
Zack casually handed over a stack of bills.
$300.
Namsoo froze.
His expression slowly twisted into pure agony.
'THREE HUNDRED?! FOR LIMITED EDITION JORDANS?!'
He wanted to scream.
Namsoo knew the shoes Zack wanted were worth way more. But, he didn't have the courage to tell him.
His lips twitched. "Uh… yeah, sure. I'll find them."
Zack nodded, completely unaware of Namsoo's internal suffering. "Cool. Just let me know when you get them."
As Zack walked away, Namsoo buried his face in his hands.
....
After asking many sellers online he found nothing.
'This is impossible. There's no way I'm finding them at this price…'
But just as he was about to give up, his phone screen lit up.
A Craigslist seller had agreed to sell him the shoes… for $300.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Clicking on the profile, his expression brightened.
The seller's profile picture?
A beautiful woman.
Namsoo immediately sat up straight, adjusting his glasses and fixing his hair, as if she could see him through the screen.
'A lady with taste… and generosity? This must be fate.'
He quickly typed a response, confirming the deal.
The meeting was set for tomorrow at Gian Station.
(Friday, May 24, 2024 – 8:12 AM)
The morning rush filled J High's hallways as students poured into their classrooms, chatting about everything from last night's webtoon updates to weekend plans.
At one of the desks, Namsoo Lee sat smugly, adjusting his glasses with a dramatic flair.
Zack walked over, arms crossed. "Yo. You found them?"
Namsoo smirked, tapping his phone screen. "Oh, I didn't just find them, Zack. I secured them."
Zack raised an eyebrow. "For three hundred?"
Namsoo nodded confidently. "Yep. I'm a professional at this. You're lucky you asked me."
Zack reached out. "Alright, let's go pick them up."
But Namsoo waved his hand dismissively. "No need. I'll handle it."
Zack frowned. "Why? I can just go get them myself."
Namsoo shook his head rapidly. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You might be good at fighting, but you don't have the experience to check for authenticity."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Bro, they're just shoes."
Namsoo dramatically adjusted his glasses. "And that, Zack, is why I'm handling this."
Before Zack could argue, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. With a final smirk, Namsoo patted Zack's shoulder.
"Don't worry. I got this."
(4:40 PM)
At Gian Station, Namsoo stood near an empty bench, checking his phone.
'Alright. This is the spot…'
He looked up just in time to see her.
Haeri.
The girl from the profile picture walked toward him, casually chewing gum, her phone in hand. She was just as pretty as her pictures, her outfit stylish and modern.
Namsoo's ego inflated instantly.
'She's even cuter in person. Maybe I'll flex a little before getting the shoes.'
He put on his most confident smirk. "Heh. So, you're the one selling the-"
Before he could finish, two figures stepped into view.
Two men.
Namsoo stiffened immediately. They weren't just random guys. Their stances were off. Too relaxed, like they knew exactly what they were doing.
One of them, a guy with a buzz cut and a scar over his eyebrow, grinned. "Yo, Namsoo, right?"
Namsoo felt his stomach drop.
'This… doesn't feel right.'
Then, a hand clamped onto his shoulder.
Buzz Cut leaned in, his voice lowering.
"Don't freak out. Just pretend we're all friends, alright?"
Namsoo's throat went dry.
He slowly turned to Haeri, expecting her to look confused or concerned.
Instead she just popped her gum, completely unfazed.
That's when Namsoo realized.
'She's in on it.'
Before he could react, they started guiding him.
"Let's go somewhere quieter." one of the guys said. "No need to make a scene."
Namsoo swallowed hard. He had no choice but to follow.
(4:55 PM)
They stopped at a dead-end alley.
Namsoo's heart pounded violently. He could see it now, this wasn't just some random scam. These people were professionals.
And waiting at the end of the alley?
Woojin.
Haeri casually leaned against the wall, while the two guys stepped back, letting Woojin take center stage.
He was lean, slightly taller than Namsoo, with a sharp jawline and a smirk that reeked of arrogance. His uniform was slightly unbuttoned, the Gian High emblem on his sleeve.
Namsoo's legs shook.
Haeri finally spoke, in a mocking tone. "You know, Namsoo, you've actually been texting my boyfriend this whole time."
Woojin chuckled, pulling out his own phone, showing the exact chat Namsoo had been having.
Namsoo's face drained of color.
Woojin casually extended a hand. "Money."
Namsoo, still in shock, hesitated before slowly handing over the $300.
Woojin snatched it, counting the bills. Satisfied, he tucked them into his pocket. "Cool. Later."
He turned to walk away.
But in pure desperation, Namsoo's mouth moved before his brain could stop it.
"W-Wait!"
Woojin paused.
Namsoo quickly lowered his head. "Please… I need the money back. It's not mine."
Woojin raised an eyebrow.
"It's, it's my friend's money." Namsoo stammered. "He's a boxer. If he finds out I lost it-"
A sharp silence.
Then...
Woojin grinned.
Haeri let out a small chuckle.
"Oh?" Woojin's eyes gleamed. "What, was that a threat?"
Namsoo's blood turned ice-cold.
Before he could take it back-
BAM!
Woojin's fist slammed into Namsoo's gut.
Namsoo choked, doubling over, his glasses sliding down his nose.
"Threatening me with some random boxer?" Woojin scoffed. "You must be an actual idiot."
Another hit, straight to his ribs.
Namsoo collapsed, coughing violently. His limbs felt weak, his breathing shaky.
Woojin crouched down, slapping Namsoo's cheek lightly. "Maybe I'll let your 'boxer' friend find me, huh?" His smirk widened. "See how good he really is."
Namsoo's vision blurred.
His body curled in on itself.
And in that moment, he realized something.
He was completely screwed.
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Longer chapter since it's in the canon.
I use the $ since in the wiki it was stated 300 and I'm too lazy to change it into won.