A month passed since that day.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the playground where a group of boys loitered, laughing and tossing a ball between them. Their laughter was sharp, echoing with arrogance.
"Hey, you there!" a voice cut through the air.
The boys turned. A girl stood at the edge of the playground, her white ponytail swaying in the wind, her expression unwavering.
Boy 1 squinted. "Wait… isn't that the girl from our class?"
The bully boss smirked, amused. "What's this, sweetheart? You want to hang out with us?"
The group erupted in mocking laughter. But Juliet didn't flinch. She clenched her fists, her eyes locked on the boss.
"I'm not here to hang out. I'm here to challenge you."
The laughter died down for a moment before exploding again, louder than before. The boss wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Challenge me? You think you can fight me?"
Before he could finish laughing, Juliet lunged forward. Her fist collided with his jaw in a clean, powerful strike. The boys froze, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.
The boss staggered back, shock flashing across his face. His smirk twisted into fury. "You little—!" He charged at her.
Juliet was ready. She sidestepped, spinning sharply, and landed a swift kick to his ribs. The impact sent him stumbling to the ground.
"She's fast…!" one of the boys muttered, eyes wide.
Juliet didn't stop. She pressed forward, determination blazing in her eyes, and struck again, sending the boss crashing down a second time.
But rage fueled him. Growling, he shot up and grabbed Juliet's hair, yanking her head back. She cried out in pain. His fists slammed into her face, one after another, thuds echoing through the playground. Juliet staggered, her vision swimming, but each time she fell, she clawed her way back up.
"Stop it!" the boss shouted. "You can't win!"
Juliet's voice cracked, raw with desperation and defiance.
"I will not give up! I have to prove him wrong—I am not a loser!"
Her scream echoed, a cry of defiance that shook even the bullies. The boss hesitated, his foot faltering. For the first time, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.
That was when another voice broke the silence.
"Stop."
The words were calm, but they carried weight. The boss turned—and froze.
Ryan stood behind him, his orange hair glowing under the dying light of the sun, his presence commanding, sharp. Juliet collapsed onto the ground, panting, and looked up at him with trembling lips. "Ry… Ryan…"
Ryan's expression was unreadable, but in his eyes there was something different—something almost proud. He extended a hand toward Juliet.
"You did well," he said softly. "I didn't know you took my words this seriously. You proved me wrong." Then, with a faint smile, he added, "Now… allow me to finish this."
The boss sneered, trying to mask his unease. "Look who came crawling to protect the weakling."
Boy 1 stepped forward, puffing out his chest. "Ha! He's nothing. I'll take care of him—"
But before he could finish, Ryan was already in front of him. His fist struck like lightning, sending the boy flying into the wall with a sickening thud. Gasps filled the playground.
"How—how is he that fast?!" one of the bullies stammered.
Ryan's gaze snapped to the boss. His movements were fluid, precise, terrifying. He seized the boss by the collar and, with a single devastating punch, sent him sprawling across the dirt, blood spilling from his nose.
The boss coughed, trembling as he tried to rise. "How… how could I lose to a loser like you?"
Ryan's voice was low and cold. "You didn't lose to me. You lost the moment you hesitated… when you stepped back from her resolve. I only finished what she started." His eyes narrowed. "Take this lesson. Use your strength for something better."
The bullies, pale and shaken, scrambled to their feet, dragging their bleeding leader with them as they fled. The playground fell silent.
Ryan turned, extending a hand to Juliet. She looked up at him with awe as he helped her rise.
"You're amazing," he said, and this time, a genuine smile softened his features.
Juliet blinked, confusion and admiration swirling inside her. "Ryan… when you're this strong, why do you always let them bully you?"
Ryan chuckled lightly, though his eyes remained shadowed. "Because… it helps me. I'm testing how much pain I can endure. How much I can take before I break."
Juliet's heart pounded. She couldn't decide if his words frightened her or inspired her. Still, her voice came out steady. "Then… will you train me? Please?"
Ryan's eyes widened slightly. "Are you sure?"
Juliet nodded firmly, determination in every line of her face. "Yes. I want to be strong too."
For the first time, Ryan's expression softened fully. "Alright then. Call me sensei from now on."
Juliet laughed, her exhaustion melting into joy. "There's no way I'm calling you that!"
They both laughed, the tension dissolving into something almost warm.
But beyond the lighthearted moment, a shadow lingered.
From the edge of the playground, hidden among the trees, a tall figure watched. A girl with long violet hair that shimmered under the twilight, her sharp eyes fixed solely on Ryan. Her lips curved into a knowing smile.
"So… there you are," she whispered, her voice low and dangerous. "Ryan."