The halls of J High buzzed with excitement.
Flyers slapped on lockers. Students dragging luggage. Teachers yelling to hurry up.
Autumn Boot Camp had arrived.
An annual tradition. A mix of training, bonding, and controlled chaos. And this year, it felt even more intense—mostly because Gun Park had walked the grounds just weeks ago.
Jalen Creed stood by the school gates, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, dressed in a sleek fitted tracksuit. His lean, defined build made it look like it was tailored for him.
Whispers trailed behind him.
"Please let me sit next to him…"
"He looks like a K-drama lead…"
"Is it true he beat Zack?!"
Jalen didn't react. He was scanning the parking lot… until—
"Creed, you're on Bus 3!" one of the teachers called.
He made his way over, boarding the bus and sliding into a window seat, resting his bag on his lap.
He closed his eyes—until he felt someone stop beside him.
He opened them.
Mary Kim.
Cool, confident, sharp-eyed.
She glanced down at the seat next to him. "This taken?"
Jalen gestured with a lazy smile. "Not anymore."
She sat without a word, arms crossed, her posture as straight as her reputation.
The bus rolled out. Trees zipped by. Conversation filled the air—but not between them.
Until Mary finally said, "I saw your fight with Zack, impressive."
Jalen turned to her, a hint of surprise in his brow.
"You've got good eyes."
She shrugged. "I've seen enough fights. Yours wasn't sloppy like most guys trying to show off."
There was a pause.
Then Jalen spoke, casually but clearly. "I had to learn self-defense early. My dad owns NewTube."
Mary blinked. "Wait. The NewTube?"
Jalen nodded. "With his name in the media world… people get weird. Kidnapping threats. Hired goons. You know, rich people problems."
Mary looked at him longer this time. Not with suspicion. But with something else.
Respect.
"You don't fight like a pampered heir."
"I wasn't raised like one," Jalen replied, turning back to the window. "Guess I picked up more than my old man expected."
Mary leaned back in her seat. Her lips curled into the smallest of smirks.
"Guess you're full of surprises."
Jalen grinned without looking at her. "Stick around. You might see more."
The bus continued on, winding through forest roads, the boot camp growing closer with every mile.
And so did the sparks.