The sound of Rim's fist cutting through the air was sharp, a low whistle of aggression that promised a painful impact. It was fast, a direct shot aimed straight for the face. It was a punch meant to land, meant to humiliate.
But it never reached its target.
Arnold stepped into the frame, his movement fluid and precise.
Thak.
The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed. Arnold's hand was a vice, catching Rim's fist mid-air. His grip was firm, his body unshaken by the momentum of the attack. He didn't even flinch.
"Back off," Arnold said, his voice dropping into a quiet, dangerous tone.
Rim didn't look intimidated. Instead, a slow, mocking smirk spread across his face. "Or what?"
He didn't wait for the reply. Rim's body coiled and snapped out a sudden, vicious kick. Arnold barely shifted his weight to absorb the blow, but the dull thud of the impact rippled through the canteen. Around them, the atmosphere turned ice-cold. Students froze in place, forks halfway to their mouths, breaths held. No one moved. No one dared to step in.
Four hours later, the final bell rang, its shrill tone signaling the end of the day. The frantic energy of the school began to drain away as students filtered out toward the gates in chattering groups.
Near the main entrance, Ayelen, Arnold, and Lime stood in the shadow of the brick wall. The tension from the afternoon hadn't quite left them.
"You know..." Ayelen let out a long, heavy sigh, looking up at the sky. "There's a good chance we're suspended after today."
Arnold shrugged, his expression blank. "Doesn't matter."
"Of course it matters!" Lime snapped, her eyes flashing with immediate frustration. She turned on him, her hands on her hips. "You never think about the consequences, Arnold. Fine, don't think about yourself—but at least think about Ayelen. Think about his family and the position you put him in."
Arnold didn't offer a defense. He simply shifted his gaze, looking away toward the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip.
His mind wandered back to the heat of the moment in the canteen. He remembered stepping back once. Just once.
"Let it go," he had told Rim, his voice steady despite the adrenaline. "It was a mistake. He already said sorry."
For a fleeting second, the tension had wavered. It almost worked.
But Rim wasn't the type to let things slide. He had rushed forward again, his face twisted in rage. That was when Arnold truly moved. It wasn't a brawl; it was a surgical strike. One clean, hard hit delivered right to the side of the neck.
Rim had collapsed instantly, his body hitting the floor like a sack of stones.
Total silence had followed. Arnold had turned to walk away, but a voice, slow and chillingly calm, stopped him in his tracks.
"Let's meet in the semi-finals... Arnold."
Rim's older brother was standing there. He didn't look angry; he looked amused. A crooked, unsettling smile played on his lips as he reached down and hoisted Rim's unconscious body onto his shoulder as if he weighed nothing at all. He didn't say another word before turning and walking out.
A teacher had burst into the canteen moments later, face flushed with panic. "What is going on here?!"
The silence was absolute. No one pointed fingers, but the teacher's eyes locked onto Arnold almost instinctively.
"This is your last warning," she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and authority. "No more violence. Next time you're involved in something like this, you're out. Permanently."
Back in the present, Lime clicked her tongue in annoyance. She reached up and gave Arnold a sharp, stinging smack on the back of his head.
"Idiot."
Arnold barely even blinked at the strike. Instead, he turned his head slightly toward Ayelen. "...Don't tell Mom."
Ayelen raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Oh, I'm definitely telling her. Every single detail."
Arnold reached out with lightning speed, pinching Ayelen's ear and pulling. "Try it."
"Hey—stop! Ow!" Ayelen yelped, though the pain was overshadowed by a sudden, genuine burst of laughter. For the first time that day, the weight on their shoulders felt a little lighter.
By evening, they finally reached the front door of the house. The wood creaked open, but before Ayelen could even cross the threshold, a whirlwind of energy exploded from the hallway.
"Heeeeyyyyy!!! AYELEN!!!"
The voice was like a physical shockwave. Before Ayelen could process who it was, two hands clamped onto his face.
"Ow—! That hurts! Stop it!"
Ayelen struggled, his words muffled as his cheeks were being pulled in opposite directions. Standing right in front of him, glowing with a bright, predatory smile and energetic eyes, was Miyara.
His older sister.
"How are you, my little tomato?" she teased, leaning in close and tugging on his face even harder.
"I'm fine!" he grunted, finally squirming out of her reach. "You're the one attacking me the moment I walk in the door—"
Miyara let out a loud, melodic laugh and pulled him into a quick, messy hug. "I missed you, idiot."
Ayelen felt the irritation melt away, replaced by a warm grin. "When did you get here?"
"Just now," she said, her eyes sparkling with a secret. "And guess what?"
"What?"
"I'm staying for a whole month!"
Ayelen froze, his eyes widening in shock. "No way... seriously? You're not joking?"
"Yep. One whole month."
A massive grin broke across Ayelen's face. "That's actually amazing, Aneki."
Arnold remained by the door, watching the sibling reunion in silence. For a brief moment, a small, soft smile touched his lips—a rare glimpse of the boy behind the fighter. But as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. He turned quietly and began walking toward his room, his footsteps heavy.
Miyara watched his retreating back, her smile faltering slightly. She leaned closer to Ayelen, her voice dropping to a soft whisper.
"...Ayelen, is Arnold okay?"
Ayelen looked at the closed door of Arnold's room, thinking for a moment. Then, he gave a casual shrug. "Maybe Mom didn't cook his favorite food today."
Miyara blinked, startled by the simple answer, and then she let out another laugh. "Idiot."
Ayelen joined in, the sound filling the hallway. The house felt alive again, filled with the kind of warmth that only family could bring.
But the moment of peace was fragile.
From the shadows behind them, a voice drifted through the air. It was calm. It was unfamiliar. It was a voice that didn't belong in their home.
"Heey... Ayelen."
Ayelen's laughter died in his throat. He turned, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end.
• END OF EPISODE 2 •