The PE class was finally over, but the talk was just beginning.
"Did you see that?"
"He backflipped like in the movies!"
"No way that guy's just a normal student."
Jin Haru stood near the goalpost, pretending to catch his breath. He could still feel the shock in his legs from the backflip, and his heart was racing—not from the movement, but from the eyes watching him. It wasn't what he wanted. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
He slowly turned around. That boy with short hair and sharp eyes was still staring at him. The one who kicked the soccer ball toward him earlier.
He walked over.
"You dodged that kick," the boy said. "And returned it with a backflip… Who taught you?"
Jin Haru shook his head. "No one. It just happened."
The boy narrowed his eyes. "That's not how bodies work. You moved like a fighter."
Silence sat between them. Haru was about to walk away when the boy stepped forward.
"I'm Baek Jinho. Second year. Muay Thai fighter. Want to spar?"
Haru blinked. "Right now?"
"No. After school. Gym behind the old building. Don't worry, I won't go full force." Jinho grinned. "Unless you ask me to."
---
After school, the gym was mostly empty. Dust floated in the sunlight coming through the windows. There were old mats, a few punching bags, and an echo that made the place feel forgotten.
Haru stood in the center. He wore his gym shirt and pants. REI spoke softly inside his mind.
> "Warning: Opponent has advanced martial training. Observation suggested. Skill learning available if neural focus maintained."
"Great," Haru whispered back.
The door opened. Jinho walked in, spinning a towel around his neck. His steps were confident. He looked like someone who lived for combat.
"Didn't think you'd actually show."
"I'm curious," Haru said. "About myself."
"Hah. You talk weird. Let's begin."
They stood across from each other. No referee. No rules. Just fists.
Jinho moved first. Fast. A jab to test.
Haru leaned back. Dodged.
Another strike came, a low kick toward his leg. Haru raised his knee and blocked it, barely.
> "Copying initiated. Technique: Basic Muay Thai footwork – 40% learning in progress…"
He tried to match Jinho's movements. His body moved smoothly, like it remembered something it never learned.
But Jinho was sharp. He launched a fake punch, then twisted into an elbow strike.
Haru didn't dodge in time. The hit connected—lightly, but it was a hit.
"Not bad," Jinho said. "You read me fast."
"I'm still slow."
They clashed again.
Haru blocked, ducked, turned. His hand shot forward and landed a hit to Jinho's side. Not strong, but clean.
> "Technique copied: Basic elbow combo – 50% success."
Then Jinho came hard.
He struck with his knee, spinning low. Haru stepped back but stumbled. The fight ended with both of them breathing hard.
Jinho raised a hand. "Draw?"
Haru nodded and bumped his fist.
"You're something else," Jinho said. "You've never trained, but your body reacts like a pro. That's rare."
Haru gave a half-smile. "You're not bad either."
Jinho looked surprised, then laughed. "You're weird, man. I like you. Let's be weird together."
They sat down on the mats, sweat dripping down.
Jinho took a deep breath. "You ever feel like you missed something in life? Like you were born too late… or too early?"
Haru looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah. I feel that every day."
Silence fell again, but this time it was peaceful.
"I train alone most of the time," Jinho said. "People say I'm too serious. You… you're different. I want to fight you again someday. For real."
"You can," Haru said. "Just… not when I'm angry."
Jinho raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I don't like what I become."
They didn't speak more. Just sat there, two boys who found something they didn't expect—understanding.
> "New contact established. Bond Level: Friendly.
Combat learning status: Improving."
As they walked home together under the golden sky, Haru felt something warm in his chest.
For the first time in a long time, maybe… he was making a friend.