"Fuck." The word slipped out as I stood in my dimly lit room, the weight of reality crashing down. I had almost forgotten about the fight we still had to face. Honjo was in danger. Hyuga's voice on the phone was tense. "Meet us near the abandoned warehouse before 10 PM," he said, and I could hear the weight of the situation in his tone.

There were only ten of us in the group, and the odds weren't in our favor. I knew we'd be outnumbered. But what choice did we have? Honjo was one of us, and we couldn't abandon him. Even if it meant risking everything.

9:50 PM – The Alley

The narrow alley leading to the warehouse felt suffocating, the dim streetlights flickering overhead like a warning. Sai had brought backup—a friend named Birr, who brought others along. Now our numbers were greater than expected, but doubt still gnawed at me. Would it be enough?

As we approached the warehouse, I could feel my heart pounding like a war drum. I silently prayed Honjo was still alive, still okay. If they'd done something irreversible, I knew this fight would turn bloody.

The warehouse loomed ahead, its rusty exterior a testament to years of abandonment. Inside, Tetsu, the gang leader, waited with his crew. Honjo was slumped on the ground beside him, battered and bloodied but still awake. My blood boiled at the sight. His bruised face made it hard to breathe—I hated seeing my friend like this.

Tetsu's voice cut through the tension. "This is what happens when you mess with us. Honjo put one of my guys in the hospital. Now, we're settling the score."

I clenched my fists, anger surging through me. I remember that day vividly. They'd started the fight, and we'd just defended ourselves. But reasoning wasn't an option anymore. Tetsu's crew began moving toward us, and there was no turning back.

The Fight

The clash was brutal. Fists flew, kicks landed, and groans of pain filled the air. Neither side carried weapons—we weren't murderers, just fighters trying to survive. But survival was becoming harder by the second. I took down as many as I could, adrenaline pushing me forward, but my body was reaching its limit. A hard punch to my stomach knocked the wind out of me, and I fell to the ground gasping for air.

Through the haze of pain, I saw Hyuga and Gin still standing, along with Bob and Uchi. But the others? They were down, groaning or unconscious. It was five of us against seven of them now, and Tetsu was still standing.

Then I saw him—the guy who'd punched Mina's brother. Rage flared within me, cutting through my exhaustion. As he came toward me, I lashed out, landing a kick to his stomach that sent him sprawling. My body screamed in protest, but I forced myself toward Honjo.

Tetsu blocked my path, his imposing frame a wall between me and my friend. He smirked, making a stance that told me he was ready to throw a punch at any second. My body was battered, every movement a struggle. But I refused to let him see my weakness.

The fight between us felt endless. I dodged his blows, but my limbs grew heavier with every second. His punch finally landed square on my face, sending me crashing to the ground. My vision blurred, my strength fading fast.

This can't be it.

I forced myself back up, legs trembling, body screaming in pain. Tetsu charged toward me, but I planted my foot firmly, swung with all the strength I had left, and landed a clean punch to his face. The impact sent us both to the ground. This time, Tetsu didn't get up. He was out cold.

Gin and the others rushed to my side, helping me to my feet. Honjo was safe now, but we'd paid the price.

Back at home, the darkness of the empty house swallowed me whole. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold floor, unable to take another step. The silence was deafening, the weight of the night pressing down on me. I wanted to sleep, but even that felt impossible.

When I woke, the clock read noon. My body was stiff, every muscle screaming in protest. Cuts and bruises adorned my face—a painful reminder of last night. I managed a quick shower, the cold water shocking me awake, then threw on a black T-shirt and ripped skinny jeans.

Looking in the mirror, I grimaced. I looked like hell. But there was no one to care, no one waiting for me. My stomach growled, pulling me out of my thoughts. I had to eat.

I decided to go to the mall and at the mall, I bumped into Chanda, Gin's girlfriend. Her concerned eyes scanned my face. "What happened to you?"

I scratched my nape, forcing a smile. "Fell down the stairs," I lied. She didn't push further, but her worried expression lingered. She treated me to an early dinner, and I found myself wishing I had someone to care for me the way she cared for Gin. Mina's face flashed in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile.

If only she were mine.

As I wandered the mall, lost in thought, I saw her. Mina? She was walking with two other girls, her presence as radiant as ever. My heart leaped, but I stopped myself from calling out. She was with her friends—no, her cousins. They were stunning, exuding the kind of confidence and elegance that made me painfully aware of how I looked. Bruised. Out of place.

I turned to leave, not wanting her to see me like this. But her voice stopped me. "Chaeyoung?"

My heart raced as she approached. "What happened to your face?" she asked, her tone laced with worry.

"I... fell down the stairs," I muttered, hating how clumsy it sounded. But she smiled, accepting my excuse. Relief washed over me.

She introduced her cousins—Sana, who greeted me warmly, and Momo, who looked me up and down with thinly veiled disdain. Her disgust was palpable, a silent judgment that pierced through me. Mina noticed, her apologetic smile attempting to ease the tension. But I couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy.

Standing beside them, I felt small, like a shadow trying to blend into the background.

As Mina and Sana continued to chat, I couldn't help but glance at Momo's disapproving glare. I knew what she saw—a bruised, broken guy who didn't belong in their polished world. It stung more than I wanted to admit.

When Mina smiled at me, though, the weight lifted, if only for a moment. She was the light in my darkness, the one person who made me believe in something better.

But deep down, a thought lingered—a fear I couldn't shake. What if she's just forcing herself to be a friend to someone like me because I saved her and her brother?