Daniel Park stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, gripping the sink until his knuckles turned white. Same handsome face. Same lean, toned body. Same disbelief every time he looked at himself.
No matter how many times he woke up in this body, it still felt like stepping into someone else's skin.
But today, he told himself, he wasn't going to stumble through the day. He was going to try.
When he walked into the courtyard, the air was already buzzing. Students huddled in circles, gossiping about the latest fights. Some glanced at him, whispering behind their hands.
"Isn't that the new kid?""Looks like a model, but I heard he used to be fat.""Why's Zack Lee hanging around him?"
Daniel felt his stomach churn. Even with this new body, the whispers never stopped. But then he noticed the quiet figure leaning against the wall.
Jay.
He was there again, as always. Silent, unreadable, his posture loose but sharp—like a blade resting in its sheath. Daniel gave him a small nod. Jay didn't reply, but his gaze softened slightly, and he fell into step beside Daniel without a word.
A moment later, Zack Lee swaggered into view, tossing an apple core into the trash. His cocky grin spread when he saw Daniel.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Fresh Start. You've been making waves, huh?" Zack drawled. His tone was half-teasing, half-testing.
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I've just been… trying to fit in."
Zack snorted. "Yeah, well, try harder. You still punch like a grandma."
Daniel flushed, but before he could retort, a group of delinquents stepped into their path. Four of them, rough-looking, with cheap piercings and scuffed sneakers. They weren't part of any known crew, but their swagger screamed trouble.
"Yo, pretty boy," the tallest one sneered, shoving Daniel's shoulder. "Heard you've been getting popular. Think you're better than us?"
The courtyard quieted. Phones came out. A fight was entertainment, and everyone wanted front-row seats.
Daniel froze. His old instincts screamed at him to back away, to apologize, to vanish. But this was his new life—he couldn't run.
Before he could speak, Zack stepped in, cracking his knuckles. "Back off. He's with me."
The thugs laughed. "And who the hell are you supposed to be?"
Zack's grin widened. "Zack Lee. Remember the name after I'm done rearranging your face."
Tension snapped like a whip. The first thug lunged at Zack, fists swinging. Zack slipped aside and countered with a clean jab to the gut, sending the guy sprawling.
Another thug tried to rush Daniel. Jay moved without hesitation—silent, precise. His leg whipped out, catching the attacker behind the knee. The boy collapsed, choking on a gasp as Jay's cold stare pinned him in place.
The last two thugs went straight for Daniel. Panic flared, but Daniel clenched his fists. No more running.
He swung awkwardly, his fist connecting with one thug's jaw—but the angle was sloppy, and pain shot up his knuckles. The boy staggered but didn't fall. The other thug smirked and kicked at Daniel's side.
Daniel braced for the blow—only for Zack to intercept, slamming the kid into a wall. "Seriously, fatty? If you're gonna fight, at least guard yourself!"
Daniel's cheeks burned, but he forced himself forward. The first thug came at him again, and this time Daniel ducked, shoving his shoulder into the boy's stomach. They both tumbled to the ground, rolling in the dirt until Daniel came out on top, breath ragged but victorious.
The courtyard rang with gasps and shouts.
The fight hadn't lasted long, but the result was clear: four thugs beaten back by an unlikely trio.
The delinquents staggered away, groaning and cursing under their breath. Zack dusted off his hands, grinning. "Pathetic. They weren't even a warm-up."
Jay adjusted his collar, silent as ever, but his gaze lingered on Daniel—steady, unreadable. When he handed Daniel a fresh bottle of water, his fingers brushed Daniel's for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary. A subtle gesture, but Daniel felt it.
Daniel sat on the bench, chest heaving. His fists throbbed with pain, his side ached, but he couldn't stop the small smile tugging at his lips. For once, he hadn't been completely helpless.
Zack plopped down beside him. "Not bad. Still sloppy as hell, though. You swing like you're swatting flies."
Daniel winced. "I… tried."
Zack smirked, tossing him a sports drink. "Yeah, well, you've got guts. Can't teach that. Guess you're not a total waste."
Daniel blinked in surprise. Coming from Zack, that almost sounded like respect.
For a long moment, the three of them sat together in silence, bruised but not broken. Daniel felt something shift in his chest—a fragile, unfamiliar warmth.
Was this what it felt like to belong?
As they left the courtyard, Daniel overheard two students whispering near the gate.
"…Dog Pound's regrouping. I heard they got new backers.""Yeah, some say it's not just random thugs this time. Someone's pulling the strings."
Daniel's chest tightened. Dog Pound again.
Somewhere else in the city, Seong Min's violet eyes gleamed as he shut a file folder with the same name written in bold letters. Dog Pound.
The rooftop fight with Gun and Goo still played in his mind. Crystal's gaze still lingered on him like frost.
Different players. Same board.
And the sparks that had just been lit… were about to set the whole game on fire.
End of Chapter 9