Rim's fist cut through the air—
Fast.
Direct.
It was meant to land.
But it didn't.
Arnold stepped in.
Thak.
He caught the punch mid-air.
His grip was firm… unshaken.
"Back off," Arnold said quietly.
Rim smirked.
"Or what?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
A sudden kick—
Arnold barely moved, but the impact echoed through the canteen.
Students around them froze.
No one stepped in.
Four hours later…
The final bell rang.
The noise of the school slowly faded as students left in groups.
Near the gate—
Ayelen, Arnold, and Lime stood together.
"You know…" Ayelen sighed, "there's a chance we got suspended today."
Arnold shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
Lime frowned immediately.
"Of course it matters!" she snapped. "You never think about consequences. Fine, don't think about yourself—but at least think about Ayelen… and his family."
Arnold didn't reply.
He just looked away.
Earlier… during the fight
Arnold had stepped back once.
Just once.
"Let it go," he told Rim. "It was a mistake. He already said sorry."
For a second—
It almost worked.
But Rim wasn't done.
He rushed forward again.
That's when Arnold moved.
One clean strike.
Right at the neck.
Rim collapsed instantly.
Silence.
Arnold turned—
But a voice stopped him.
"Let's meet in the semi-finals… Arnold."
Slow.
Cold.
Rim's older brother stood there, a crooked smile on his face.
He lifted Rim onto his shoulder like it was nothing.
And left.
A teacher rushed into the canteen moments later.
"What is going on here?!"
No one answered.
Her eyes locked on Arnold.
"This is your last warning. No more violence. Next time, you're out."
Back to present
Lime clicked her tongue and lightly smacked Arnold's head.
"Idiot."
Arnold barely reacted.
Instead, he looked at Ayelen.
"…Don't tell Mom."
Ayelen raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, I'm definitely telling her."
Arnold reached over and pinched his ear.
"Try it."
"Hey—stop!"
For the first time that day—
Ayelen laughed.
Evening.
They reached home.
The door opened—
And before Ayelen could step in—
"Heeeeyyyyy!!! AYELEN!!!"
A voice burst out of nowhere.
Before he could react—
His cheeks were already being pulled.
"Ow—! That hurts!"
Ayelen struggled.
Standing in front of him—
Bright smile. Energetic eyes.
Miyara.
His older sister.
"How are you, my tomato?" she teased, still pulling his face.
"I'm fine!" he said, trying to escape. "You're the one attacking me—"
She finally let go and laughed.
"I missed you, idiot."
Ayelen smiled back.
"When did you come?"
"Just now," she said. "And guess what?"
"What?"
"I'm staying for a whole month."
Ayelen froze.
Then—
"No way… seriously?!"
"Yep."
He grinned widely.
"That's actually amazing, Aneki."
Arnold stood near the door, watching quietly.
A small smile appeared on his face—
Then disappeared just as quickly.
He turned and walked to his room.
Miyara noticed.
"…Ayelen," she said softly, "is Arnold okay?"
Ayelen thought for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"Maybe Mom didn't cook his favorite food today."
Miyara blinked—
Then laughed.
"Idiot."
Ayelen joined in.
The house felt… alive.
But—
That moment didn't last long.
A voice came from behind.
Calm.
Unfamiliar.
"Heey… Ayelen."
Ayelen turned.
• END OF EPISODE 2 •