The training hall echoed with sharp grunts and kicks.
Lee Daehyun struck the sandbag with perfect form, over and over, his knuckles raw beneath the wraps. Sweat dripped down his temple, but he didn't stop. Couldn't stop.
"Harder," he muttered.
Raon.
Raon.
RAON.
Every time the name surfaced in his mind, he struck harder.
---
Meanwhile, after school—
Areum and Raon sat in the library. Books, notes, and diagrams surrounded them.
"You've already read this?" Areum asked, surprised.
Raon nodded. "Twice."
"You really are something…" she muttered, smiling a little.
Raon didn't respond—but his fingers tapped the table, just once. Another small signal logged.
> Affinity status: 85%
Observation: Warmed tone, softened gaze, decreased emotional guard.
He filed the information like data.
---
Outside the window, Daehyun stood watching them.
He clenched his fists.
---
Later, in the locker room—
Daehyun changed alone, silence weighing heavy on his shoulders.
The other boys talked about Raon—how cool he was for defending Areum, how he was "surprisingly tough," how the teachers started praising him.
"He's not even athletic," Daehyun mumbled.
"But he beat a middle schooler."
Daehyun gritted his teeth.
---
The next day, at lunch
He approached Raon directly.
"Got a second?"
Raon looked up, calm as ever. "Of course."
They walked to the stairwell—quiet, isolated.
"You're getting real popular lately," Daehyun said flatly.
Raon tilted his head. "Should I apologize for that?"
Daehyun stepped closer. "You've been getting close to Areum."
Raon didn't blink. "We're working on a project."
Daehyun's jaw tightened. "She's not someone you can play with."
Raon's eyes narrowed—just a sliver.
"Neither am I."
---
The tension hung like frost.
"...You planning to join the tournament?" Daehyun finally asked.
"I hadn't considered it," Raon said, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "But maybe I will."
Daehyun turned to leave.
Raon spoke softly behind him. "You'll need more than kicks and punches to win, Lee Daehyun."
---
Final Panel:
Daehyun staring into the mirror in the dojo, eyes hollow with confusion and rage.
His reflection looks cracked—like something inside is starting to break.
---