A Friend!
[Sighs]
In Daehan High School, I was the lowest even among those who were like me… The thing is, if you are not even a bit useful, then you are a slave in Daehan. I was average, so no luck either...
I could never call anyone my friend there, though that was almost the same in the orphanage. I was a baby when I was left outside the New World Orphanage, which was being run by the government; they had no choice but to take me in. I was never keen on talking to people, though still a toddler, I never really got along with others until… I met him.
We were both five, but unlike me, he hadn't been abandoned — he was sent there, like someone still mattered enough to decide where he should go. He had this charm… He was rather charismatic, whether it was talking to other kids or adults. I still didn't care, or so I thought.
I still remember that day.
Like always, I sat alone on the swing, watching the other kids play. A worn children's book rested in my lap — one I'd read too many times to count.
Then, out of nowhere, a cheerful voice cut through the usual noise.
"What are you doing?"
He was sitting beside me, legs swinging gently, like he'd been there the whole time. He stared at me with a smile, I guess he was waiting for me to reply… I didn't!
Shifting my gaze back to the book, I acted like I was reading, slightly glancing back at him. I guess I was obvious since he didn't leave, but rather asked me another question.
"Hmm, do you want to play?"
I guess I wanted to talk to him too.
"No…"
He didn't leave, rather smiled "Then tell me… What are you reading?" He said as he leaned forward, trying to read the page.
I guess his tall stature helped him since he was able to read it.
"Mowgli…! Is this The Jungle Book?"- he said
"Yes.." I slowly muttered
"I like this one too, have you fully read it?"- He asked as he snatched the book from my hand. It was a bit annoying, though I wasn't confident, so I couldn't do anything.
"Why don't you read it later? Come play catch with me."
Standing up and directly staring at him I said "No... I don't want to... give it back now."
"Ah... Come on!"- He said stomping his foot on the ground
We both stared at each other for a second until he moved, handing me the book and leaving...
I thought that would be the last time. It wasn't.
The next day, in the same spot, he sat beside me again. Something felt different. His hair was messier than before, like he'd just rolled out of bed. I tried to focus on my book but kept stealing glances at him. That's when I noticed his hand his index finger was wrapped in a bandage.
I wanted to ask him but couldn't then—
"It's your fault..."
He shifted his gaze—
"If you played with me I wouldn't have been hurt." - He continued
[Visible confusion]
"How's that my fault... You must be too aggressive." - Do Yun
He squinted his eyes—
"What kind of friend are you? Not even helping me..."
He started saying more and more things but my mind got over something...
Friend.
He called me... a friend.
Finally stopping he stared at me,
"Oh right... I haven't told my name yet." -he raised his hand forward
My name is 'Lee Hyunwoo'
I looked at him as I shook his hand a smile popped on my face
"Wang Do-Yun"
A lot happened after that, just like friends we blamed each other, shared secrets with each other and he even abandoned his dreams for me...
Present day,
Hynwoo still looks the same tall stature with the same frizzy hair...
"3 years Do Yun, you didn't even call moreover those scars... You need help!" - Hyunwoo said his cheerful voice from before now was deep and centred.
Hyunwoo and Do Yun were both on the swings, hearing what Hyunwoo said, Do Yun smiled.
"No... I have already taken care of that but I do need something."
Do Yun stood up—
"What am I going to tell you now, is what I have done."
Do Yun said everything to Hyunwoo leaving just the reincarnation stuff. The more Do Yun the more amused Hyunwoo became.
Laughs!
"3 years, a lot has changed... Na... Do Yun, can't believe you did all that."
Hahahah!
Calming himself down, Hyunwoo stood up and started walking towards Do Yun...
"So what do you want from me?"
Do Yun looked back...
"I will tell you this Hyunwoo, I am not just going to get payback for what they did to me... I will become even worse than them. That's why I want you to be beside me, be my first wing"
Hyunwoo Sighs!
"What with tone Do Yun, I thought we were friends... I don't care, I am free, you know."
[Chuckles]
"Doesn't matter what you do? I will follow you. I am your friend after all." Hyunwoo continued as he stood directly beside Do Yun.
"Very well...I want a list, a list of all the high school gangs in Seoul." - said Do Yun
Hyunwoo's eyes widened—
"Seoul, you the whole of Seoul, that would include 34 schools... I assume you also names of the gang members."
"Don't sweat! Hyunwoo, I only want the names of gangs in the Namcheon district. By this month" - Said Do Yun
"Even then... I have to do this stealthily? That would..."- said Hyunwoo
Do Yun cuts Hyunwoo—
"No... It doesn't matter how you get it, I just want Namcheon gangs by this month, the others you have 3 months for that."- said Do Yun
"Hmm... That's doable, then."- Hyunwoo
"I just have one thing, you need to use an alias." - Do Yun
"Hmm, Smart! What should the name though?" - Hyunwoo
"Use 'Michael' as your name from now on," Do Yun said as he started leaving.
Hyunwoo seemed shocked...
"Do Yun, you...how far have you planned?"
Do Yun stopped on his tracks...
"It's not perfect yet, but Next time we meet, I will tell you what we are going to do."
"One more thing, are you sure they won't send someone, like you ruined two kids' lives, and you are also blackmailing one of the most respected guys in Korea?"
"I want them to send someone, I have crops the 'line' either way so I will just use them." Said Do Yun as he leaves the playground.
Hyunwoo turned back as he started smiling—
"Crossing the line huh? The work is always easy it's the aftermath that sucks. I should know better than anyone."
To be continued—