"Derrick!!"
Alon shouted the moment he saw Derrick doing push-ups in his room. Both Alon and Lucas looked worried. Derrick's body had always been weak, and push-ups would put far too much strain on him, pressure his body simply couldn't handle.
"You really shouldn't be exercising," Lucas said, a concern clearly written across his face. "Your body is still weak."
"Guys, I'm fine now," Derrick replied.
He pushed himself up from the floor, sat down on the edge of his bed, and glanced at Alon with a faint smile.
"So, what brings you guys here? Everything okay?"
Alon paused for a moment before answering.
"Yeah, everything's fine. We came to drop off your schoolwork and check on you. Though… you actually look a bit bulkier. Got some muscles now." He chuckled lightly. "Looks good, but don't push yourself too much. You used to be really weak."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you should rest. It's been a while since you came to school, so we thought we'd bring your assignments."
At that moment, Derrick's mother entered the room carrying a plate of snacks.
"That's very kind of you two, bringing Derrick his schoolwork," she said warmly. "He hasn't been to school for a while now. And since last week, he suddenly started exercising in his room, waking up early in the morning, and eating more."
She sighed softly.
"It's good that he wants to improve himself, but he shouldn't push his body like this. We've scolded him many times, but he just won't listen."
A flicker of tension appeared on Derrick's face.
For a brief moment, his gaze drifted toward the window, staring outside.
Then—
"BOOM!"
A deafening explosion shattered the calm.
The entire room shook violently, the walls trembling as if the house itself might collapse.
Startled, all four of them rushed outside in panic.
The moment they stepped out, they saw it.
Joseph's house was on fire.
Flames roared violently as parts of the structure began to collapse, wood cracking and falling apart. People nearby were shouting and running in fear, their faces filled with panic.
Everyone stood frozen in shock.
Everyone… except Derrick.
His face remained completely emotionless.
As the fire reflected in his eyes, a thought quietly echoed in his mind.
It finally started.