EPISODE 2 (The Quiet Storm)

Yoon’s POV

The rest of the day dragged like time itself was punishing me. The whispers, the stares — I could feel all of it stabbing the back of my neck. Rumors spread fast, apparently. One fight, and suddenly I’m the “crazy transfer student.” Whatever. I didn’t care.

When the final bell rang, I stayed seated, watching everyone leave in groups, laughing and yelling. It was noisy — too noisy. I hated it. I packed my things slowly, my skateboard leaning against my desk.

As I was about to leave, the professor approached me.

“Yoon Ji-hoon,” he said, his voice uncertain, “I heard... there was an incident at lunch. Is that true?”

I looked up at him, expression blank.

“Maybe,” I said.

He sighed, rubbing his temple. “You’ve only been here a day, and already—”

I cut him off. “They were picking on someone who couldn’t fight back. I stopped it. That’s all.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but didn’t. “Just... be careful, okay? This school isn’t like others. Things can get messy.”

“Messy?” I repeated.

He didn’t answer — just walked away, muttering something under his breath.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder, pushed open the door, and headed down the hallway. The sky outside was gray, heavy with clouds. Figures — it fit my mood perfectly.

Outside, the courtyard was half-empty. I put on my hoodie and kicked my skateboard forward, rolling slowly toward the gate. Just as I was about to leave, I heard someone call out.

“Ji-hoon!”

I turned around. It was Park Yoonji, the kid from earlier, running toward me with Tea-ha trailing behind.

“What now?” I asked flatly.

Yoonji scratched his head nervously. “I, uh... just wanted to say thanks again. Those guys— they won’t mess with us anymore.”

“Good,” I said, turning my board.

“But...” Tea-ha spoke this time, glancing around. “They have an older brother. He’s not someone you want to mess with.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Older brother?”

“Yeah. Kang Dae-hoon. He basically runs the third-years. Even some teachers avoid him,” Yoonji said quietly.

So that’s what the professor meant by messy.

I didn’t respond. Instead, I smirked faintly. “Then let’s hope he’s smarter than his little brother.”

The look on their faces told me they didn’t think this was funny. But I didn’t care. I pushed off, letting the skateboard glide me out the gate and down the street. The city was dull, cold, and loud. It matched everything I felt inside.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed — an unknown number. I ignored it. Then it buzzed again, and again.

Finally, I checked.

> Unknown: You shouldn’t have interfered.

Unknown: Meet us behind the gym tomorrow after class.

Unknown: Don’t be late.

I stared at the messages, a small grin tugging at the corner of my lips. “So, this school is interesting after all.”

I locked my phone, rolled onto my side, and closed my eyes. Maybe this transfer wasn’t going to be as boring as I thought.

Next Day

The morning air was sharp, and the sky was a pale blue-gray. I walked through the school gates, hands in my pockets, hoodie up. I could already feel the eyes on me. News travels fast here.

Yoonji caught up to me, panting. “Hey, Ji-hoon! Did you get that message too?”

I glanced at him. “No. Why would I?”

He frowned. “Because they texted me and Tea-ha too. They want us all there.”

I sighed, my voice low. “Stay out of it.”

“But—”

“Didn’t I tell you to learn to fight your own battles? This one’s mine.”

The bell rang, echoing through the campus. I went to class like nothing happened. The bullies from yesterday were gone — probably licking their wounds. The professor looked at me differently today. Maybe afraid. Maybe impressed.

Hours passed. Finally, the last bell.

As I walked toward the back of the gym, my heartbeat didn’t change. No fear. Just that familiar emptiness. When I turned the corner, I saw them — five guys waiting, Kang Dae-hoon at the center, taller, older, cigarette between his fingers.

He smirked when he saw me. “So you’re the new kid who thinks he’s tough, huh?”

I dropped my bag on the ground. “You talk too much.”

The smirk disappeared.

The first punch came fast, but I was faster. I ducked, slammed my skateboard into his ribs, and used my knee to hit another one in the jaw. Everything blurred — fists, grunts, chaos. I didn’t even feel it; I was too used to it.

When it ended, Dae-hoon was on the ground, groaning, his cigarette crushed into the dirt.

I leaned over him, my voice low. “I don’t like trouble. But if you bring it to me again... I’ll finish it.”

I picked up my board and left before any teacher could show up.

As I walked away, I saw Yoonji and Tea-ha standing far off, eyes wide, like they couldn’t believe what they’d just seen.

Yoonji called out, “You’re really something else, Ji-hoon.”

I didn’t turn around. “No. I’m just tired of idiots.”

I shoved my hands back into my pockets and kept walking.

The wind picked up, carrying faint voices and the sound of my wheels scraping the pavement. For the first time since I’d transferred here, I felt... awake. Maybe this place wasn’t so boring after all.

To be continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***