The classroom was silent.
Chulwoo lay unconscious against the cracked wall, dust still drifting down.
Gun Ha stood where he was, brushing his hands together. His cold gaze swept across the room, then he turned, ready to leave.
But before he could take a step, a voice called out softly:
"…Gun?"
He turned his head.
At the doorway stood Joo Ahrin, frozen in place, her eyes wide in disbelief.
---
Flashback
Ahrin had been walking with her friend toward the gym. Halfway down the hall, she suddenly stopped.
"My phone!" she gasped. "I left it on Gun's desk."
Her friend urged her to hurry. Ahrin nodded.
"You go ahead, I'll catch up."
She rushed back toward her classroom, slid the door open—
—and froze.
Inside, she saw Chulwoo's body flying across the room, smashing into the wall like a ragdoll.
Her breath caught.
She hadn't even seen Gun's punch. It was too fast, almost invisible.
Her gaze fell on his face. His cracked glasses dangled loosely, and for the first time, she saw them—
The pitch-black eyes with ghostly white irises.
The Ultra Instinct eyes.
The whispered rumors were true.
Instead of fear, something else rooted her to the spot. Shock. Fascination. A strange pull.
---
Back in the present, Gun noticed her staring. He let out a quiet sigh and walked toward her. He held something out.
"You left your phone on my bench."
Her lips parted, but no words came. She simply took it, her hands trembling slightly.
From behind them came a timid voice.
"…T-thank you… for helping me."
Gun turned his head slightly. The bullied boy stood there, legs shaking, eyes downcast. His voice was barely audible.
Gun's expression didn't soften.
"Helping you? Don't misunderstand. I only asked for compensation. That idiot attacked me and got crushed. Nowhere in that did I 'save' you."
The boy flinched.
Gun's tone sharpened, each word cutting like a blade.
"Do you know the curse of weak people? They always stay weak… because they want to. They don't fight. They just endure."
Tears welled in the boy's eyes, but before he could speak, Gun continued, colder than before:
"Never show your weakness to the world. Because the world… will always play with it."
His words hung in the air, heavy and merciless.
Gun looked around the class once, his demon eyes silencing every breath. Then, without another word, he walked past Ahrin and out into the hallway.
---
After School
The sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the street. Students spilled out of Shinan High, chatting, laughing, rushing home.
Gun walked calmly, hands in his pockets, earphones in.
Ahead of him, a chestnut-haired boy walked alone. His shoulders slumped, face downcast. Fresh bruises marred his cheek.
Gun's eyes flicked down for just a second—
to the boy's hand.
Something about it caught his attention.
And then, his gaze lingered.
---