The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Students poured out of their classrooms, eager to leave behind the tedious lectures and assignments. But one student wasn't heading home just yet—Ryner. His footsteps echoed down the dimly lit hallway, fists clenched tight.
It's time, he thought.
He had spent the entire day mentally preparing. This wasn't just about revenge anymore—it was about standing up for Shimoya and every other student who had suffered under Tyler's rule. He wouldn't back down.
Turning the corner into the courtyard, Ryner spotted Tyler near the back gate, phone in hand. The tall delinquent looked irritated, repeatedly trying to call someone.
"Damn it, where the hell are those idiots?" Tyler muttered, pacing. He had told his goons to meet him right after school, but not one had shown up.
That's when Ryner stepped forward.
"What's the matter, Tyler? You look lonely."
Tyler turned sharply. His eyes widened for a moment, but surprise quickly turned to smugness.
"Well, well. Look who's still walking after the beating I gave him. Should've known you'd come back for more."
Ryner smirked. "Yeah? Funny, I was about to say the same thing. But something's different today. Where are your lapdogs? Did they finally get sick of kissing your ass?"
Tyler's grin faded slightly, his grip on the phone tightening.
"Tch. Don't need them to deal with trash like you."
"Good," Ryner said, stepping closer. "Because I'd rather fight you one-on-one. Or are you too much of a coward without backup?"
Tyler's expression darkened.
"You little—!"
Without warning, he lunged at Ryner, swinging a heavy right hook. Ryner ducked just in time, the punch slicing through the air. He countered with a jab to Tyler's ribs, making the bully grunt.
A small crowd began to gather, drawn by the noise. Many were students who had been bullied by Tyler in the past. They whispered, wide-eyed.
"Is Ryner really fighting Tyler?"
"He's crazy! No one's ever beaten him before!"
"Yeah, but look—he's actually holding his own!"
Nearby, invisible to the crowd, Rita watched silently, arms folded.
"Come on, Ryner. You've got this."
Tyler growled, cracking his knuckles. "You got lucky. Let's see you dodge this!"
He charged forward, throwing a barrage of punches. Ryner blocked most, but one uppercut slipped through, striking his chin and knocking him back.
Tyler laughed. "Not so tough now, huh?"
Ryner wiped blood from his lip and straightened. "That all you got?"
Before Tyler could react, Ryner lunged, dodging left and delivering a sharp kick to Tyler's knee. The taller boy stumbled, and Ryner followed with a brutal punch to the gut. Tyler gasped, doubling over.
Ryner didn't stop. He slammed his fist into Tyler's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
The crowd erupted.
"He's winning!"
"No way! He actually took Tyler down!"
Tyler groaned on the pavement, dazed. He tried to get up, but his arms trembled from the pain. Ryner stood over him, chest rising and falling, triumphant.
"You're done, Tyler," he said firmly. "You're not laying a hand on me, Shimoya, or anyone else ever again."
Tyler looked up. His usual arrogance was gone. In its place—humiliation. Defeat.
Then, in a final act of stubbornness, he spat on the ground and muttered, "Tch… whatever."
It was over.
Cheers broke out among the crowd. Students who once feared Tyler now clapped Ryner on the back, laughing and shouting.
"That was amazing, Ryner!"
"You actually beat him!"
"Thank you! He's been tormenting us forever!"
Ryner looked around at their faces—faces once full of fear, now lit with hope and gratitude. It felt surreal. For so long, he had been the one hiding, taking hits. Now, he stood tall.
From a distance, Rita watched, a proud smile on her face.
"You did it, Ryner. You really did it."
She had wanted to step in, to help with her powers. But she hadn't. She'd known this was his fight—and seeing the look in his eyes now, she was certain she'd made the right choice.
Ryner turned away from Tyler, his footsteps light, the weight on his shoulders finally lifted.
This wasn't just a victory in a fight.
It was a turning point.
And for the first time in a long time, he felt truly free.