A boy sat on a chair meant for visitors. He wore a white T-shirt and bottoms accented with gold and silver. His pants were long and brown. The place was huge, looking like a park. The sky was already full of clouds that looked like pure white flats. But he didn't seem to care; he just turned page after page gently. His eye never moved from the book. His eye was pure white with gold circles, making him look gorgeous. His eyebrows were also pure white, and his skin was a pale, near-white. He stared at a word—the title: "(I)*". He sighed softly.
Then, he heard footsteps. He placed his book beside him and leaned back. The footsteps grew louder. Te Ra came running down the road, holding a book in her left hand. The boy stuck his leg out into the road. Te Ra accidentally tripped over it. Her right hand hit the ground, preventing her face from smashing into the dirt.
Before she knew it, the boy took the chance to snatch her book. Surprised, she stabilized herself and looked at him. The boy sat back on the chair, holding the book.
Te Ra glared at him. "Give it back!"
She ran at him. Her hand reached for the book, but he pulled it away. She didn't give up, trying again and again, but he dodged every attempt. She tried to punch his stomach, but he blocked her with his left hand, pulled her toward him, and then pushed off with that same hand to stand up. He landed behind her and walked back toward the chair.
She turned and tried to grab the book again. He dodged, but it was a trick; Te Ra dove low and kicked at his legs. He jumped back to avoid it, landing on the arm of the chair with his feet.
Te Ra looked annoyed. "What are you? A red-eyed bunny, Mr. Glorious Tim?"
Tim shook the book slowly. "So, does this mean you're the kind of person who steals for fun?"
Te Ra reached for the book again. "I am not a thief!"
He moved the book behind his back. Te Ra dropped her hand to the chair for balance and kicked him with both legs. He had no chance to block; he fell to the ground on his butt.
"...Ouch," Tim muttered, touching his backside.
But there was no time for drama. Te Ra jumped at him. He stood up quickly. Te Ra's body nearly hit him as her feet finally touched the ground. She didn't waste time and threw a punch at Tim's face.
Suddenly, a hand caught her wrist. De Ra Goe was beside her, holding her tightly. Then, Ha Men's leg swung toward her face. She blocked it with her free hand. Tim kicked her leg, forcing her to her knee. She looked at her trapped wrist and used her legs to wrap around De Ra Goe's hand. Ha Men punched her in the back. She bit her lip and didn't let go.
De Ra Goe, a little shocked, tried to punch her, but she released his hand and grabbed his arm with her other hand. Using De Ra Goe's grip for leverage, she swung her leg and kicked his face. It worked. He released her, and she kicked his face again to push herself away.
As De Ra Goe touched his bruised face, Tim grabbed Te Ra's hand while she was still in the air. Surprised, she immediately gripped his hand and kicked his chest. He coughed, and she used the opening to snatch the book back.
She didn't even have time to breathe. Ha Men's fist flew toward her face. She closed her eyes and took the punch. She nearly lost the book, but she dropped low and kicked his legs out. Ha Men's feet left the ground, and he fell face-first.
Te Ra took a single breath, but it was interrupted by a punch from De Ra Goe. He hit her in the stomach. She coughed and was thrown through the air, landing hard on the grass. She touched her back and tried to stand, but the pain stopped her.
They surrounded her under the big tree. Tim reached for the book, but she held on tight. De Ra Goe stepped on her chest. She coughed. Ha Men kicked her fingers, forcing her to lose her grip. Tim took the book and looked at the cover, then looked down at her.
"You stole this just to be beaten by us?"
"Who said I was beat— ouch!"
Ha Men stepped on her fingers, cutting her off. "Stay quiet, Te Ra. You know I enjoy watching people suffer."
Te Ra laughed. "Yeah, right. You only got this because of this giant."
De Ra Goe just stared at her quietly.
Ha Men: "Ha...? You mean like—"
Tim: "Stop this already, Ha Men. We aren't here for this."
Ha Men looked at him. "Since when do you care?"
Tim: "It's just that we don't need to—"
A rock flew toward his head, but De Ra Goe caught it with his bare hand. Tim stared as De Ra Goe crushed the rock easily.
"Really, man?" Tim asked.
The boy who threw the rock was standing on the road. He wore a white zippered shirt and black pants. His eyes were black with yellow circles. His skin was yellowish-white.
"Are the 'Second Triangle' kinds always cowards?" the boy asked.
De Ra Goe looked at him. Another rock flew toward his face, but Ha Men caught it. Te Ra saw her chance; she pulled Ha Men's leg, making him slip. Before De Ra Goe could react, a fist was near his cheek. Luckily, Tim caught the punch for him.
The new boy looked annoyed that his punch was blocked. "Ts."
De Ra Goe punched him, but the boy ducked and kicked De Ra Goe's legs. This allowed Te Ra to escape from under De Ra Goe's foot. She stood up and kicked Ha Men in the side. Ha Men coughed and tried to punch her. She dodged, and when Tim tried to grab her shirt, the new boy blocked him and pulled Te Ra away.
De Ra Goe, Ha Men, and Tim watched them. The boy checked on Te Ra. "You okay?"
Te Ra coughed. "Actually, I'm fine."
The boy: "Thank God."
Ha Men clapped his hands. "Wow... look who's here. Someone decided to come out of his shell."
The boy looked at him. "Staying at home and hiding at home are two different things, you know."
Ha Men smirked. "What even made you come out?"
The boy scratched his head. "I just came out for a book I wanted. Flo Re said she had it or something...? I don't know."
Te Ra looked at him. "So, you mean you're not here to help with the fight?"
The boy looked at her. "Do I look like I have a choice?"
Te Ra: "Guess not."
De Ra Goe asked calmly, "You think you can keep this up?"
The boy yawned. "What if I—"
Suddenly, De Ra Goe punched him, sending him flying. Te Ra was shocked by his speed. she tried to kick, but De Ra Goe kicked her back down to the grass. Ha Men cheered. Tim watched silently.
De Ra Goe watched Te Ra try to sit up, then turned back to the boy. The boy stood up and wiped blood from his lip. De Ra Goe prepared to fight.
"You should stop now, Lut Set."
Lut Set smirked. "Don't tell me to stop. If you want me to stop, make me."
De Ra Goe sighed and rushed him. Lut Set dodged a punch, but a second one hit him in the stomach. Blood sprayed from Lut Set's mouth. He coughed but grabbed De Ra Goe's shirt and slammed his forehead against De Ra Goe's.
De Ra Goe grabbed Lut Set's shoulders and headbutted him back. Lut Set was dizzy for a moment but shook his head. They stayed there, foreheads pressed together, gripping each other tightly, refusing to let go.
De Ra Goe said, "You still want this, huh?"
Lut Set smirked. "Want to try it?"
The tension was high. Neither would let go. Then, some older people arrived. A woman spoke up:
"Kids this age really love making trouble, don't they?"
She wore a long, dark brown coat that covered her whole body. Her eye was brown. A man stood beside her. De Ra Goe looked at her.
"Gail Soe?"