Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja walked inside the hallways, feeling a strange sense of foreboding as he watched his classmates abuzz with excitement. They seemed to be overly excited about something and whatever it was, Kim Dokja didn't think he wanted to know. 

The moment he stepped foot inside the classroom, the noises dissipated slightly, as the groups of people started to make way for him. They knew not to mess with him, especially when it was obvious that he wasn't in a good mood. 

Dropping his bag on his table, quietly sitting down, he heard how they whispered to each other about something, giving him a stink eye, yet scrambling to look away when he stared back. Ugh…he hated most of these people.

Soon, Han Sooyoung strutted in like she owned the classroom and instantly bee-lined to his seat. Slapping him on the back, as harshly as she could, just for the fun of it, and then decided to enlighten him on the strange atmosphere. 

“Hey! Did you hear about the new student coming to our class? I heard he was pretty famous, back in his old school. Well, that's what rumours say anyway.”

Sighing, as he twisted his arm to soothe his aching back, he retorted, rather unimpressed.

“I don't care. I just hope he stays away from me.” 

“Oi, don't be like that. What's gotten into you today, you and your glum-face.”

“I'm not glum. And, I don't know either. I just feel that something weird is going to happen today.”

He knew that Han Sooyoung was just asking out of concern (that she would never admit in a thousand years), and he appreciated the gesture, but really, it isn't something that can be helped. He just had certain moods sometimes. 

Yoo Sangah, the sweet girl, came to stand next to the other girl (witch), and questioned whether he was alright. 

“Dokja-ssi, I hope you're not feeling unwell. Have you been staying up late again?”

At the rather scolding tone of voice, he looked away from her, guiltily. 

“Er…”

Thankfully, the teacher came in just then, banging the door open. 

“Kids! Sit down in your seats.”

All the friend groups dispersed and there was a chilling silence in the classroom. Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah also backed away, going back to their own places. The teacher used a handkerchief to wipe his face, which was sweating like crazy, like he was fearing for his life. 

Kim Dokja would know that look. After all, that's the same face his opponents made after he was almost done beating their ass to a pulp. 

Clearing his throat, the old man spoke again, “So, we have a new student joining us from today. Please come in.”

Gesturing to someone outside the door, the teacher tried his best to smile warmly, but it looked more like a scared grimace. 

Then, Kim Dokja almost felt his heart stop beating. He could hear boss music, but he was probably hallucinating. 

There, stood an imposing man, who trudged in with confidence and grace, yet his face said otherwise. The handsome boy had the most worn out look on his face, like he was tired of living, his eyebags giving his countenance a dark, edgy, smokey look. Eyebrows seemingly drawn by a famed artist's brush, with a nose and chin that defied attempts to measure through mere devices of men. His eyes were like obsidian, two jewels that held all the misery of the world, and a thick pair of lips that looked quite dry. The boy’s wavy locks almost covered one of his eyes, and he held his bag with one hand, slung behind his back. 

If anyone wasn't immediately drawn to this person, there must be something wrong with them. This kind of unconventional and icy beauty, with features so uncommon, yet pieced together so perfectly to create this face that the gods themselves would envy. 

Kim Dokja recognized this boy. He would recognize him anywhere, just from one look alone, just from the back of his head, or from his sturdy back, that gave you the feeling of safety and dependability. 

Yoo Joonghyuk. 

‘Ah,’ Kim Dokja complained in his head, ‘he became even more handsome.’

Those obsidian eyes roved over the classroom, uninterested and looking as gloomy as death itself, before they locked into Kim Dokja's own eyes. And maybe it was his brain playing tricks on him, but he swore Yoo Joonghyuk let out a breath he was holding, as if in relief. 

Those same eyes that were warm for a second, suddenly seemed to remember that they were looking at Kim Dokja of all people. So, as usual, they turned into a look of annoyance, but with a slight hint of actual anger and hurt. 

Kim Dokja so deeply wanted to understand what the man was thinking. But he couldn't take those sable eyes on him anymore, and buried his face in his hands, folded on the desk. 

‘Fuck, fuck, fuck. Is he going to kill me?’

Despite these thoughts, Kim Dokja also had a strangely warm feeling bubbling inside of him, unable to help himself when his mouth turned upwards into a stupid grin. 

‘I can finally see him again.’

The teacher coughed once, thinking that Yoo Joonghyuk was glaring at the air due to nervousness, and decided to help. 

“Ehem, you may introduce yourself.”

Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes widened when he noticed Kim Dokja basically slam his head into his hands, hiding his face, but quickly schooled it back into his normal self, uninterested and bored, before starting and ending his introduction in the same sentence. 

“I am Yoo Joonghyuk.”

The students started murmuring among themselves. Gossiping, and sharing their opinions, judging the man, some positively and some negative. 

“He's so handsome!! You don't see a guy like this everyday!”

“Well, we will be able to see him everyday from now on though!! Hehe~”

“True~ Do you think he's single?”

“His voice!~”

“He's a total bad boy, isn't he? Just my type…”

The girls sneakily tried to fix their makeup, while some guys were already deciding to befriend him, or making him an enemy. 

“He seems like the type to get into fights often.”

“Yeah, maybe he’ll join us! Finally help us take down that damned bastard.”

“Tch, I don't think he's that good anyways. Guys like him are usually all bark and no bite, after all.”

“Yeah, he's just a fucking pretty face.”

Kim Dokja kind of wanted to fucking murder them in cold blood for that, but he refrained from doing anything. He might have hid himself, hoping that Yoo Joonghyuk forgot about him and moved on from it all, in a way. But he couldn't help peeking through the gaps of his fingers, hyperaware of his surroundings. 

Yoo Joonghyuk’s was looking at every single one of them, with the most apathetic look ever, like they were bugs he was unfortunate enough to have seen. And Kim Dokja knew that he could crush them all just like bugs if he wanted to. The thought was rather exciting. 

‘Beat their asses like a badass and my life is yours, Joonghyuk-ah!’

But obviously Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't cause a commotion like that on his first day…

…probably. The chances were always 50/50 with him. 

The teacher cleared his throat again, Kim Dokja really wanted to shove a bottle down his throat. Yoo Joonghyuk doesn't like unnecessary noises like that. The teacher then lightly touched the taller boy’s shoulder and asked, “Is that all?”

The man was rewarded with the meanest glare he had ever seen in his life and hurried to drop his hand, giving up on making the other talk more. To get away from the boy's wrath, the old man pointed to the seat right near Kim Dokja's. 

“O-Okay, you can sit in the seat next to Kim Dokja. Now class! Treat him nicely, okay?”

Fuck, yet again. It was just Kim Dokja's luck that this bastard was seated right next to him. They would be so close. They would have to see each other's mug everyday. And they were having this weird tension going on, so Kim Dokja wanted to bury himself because of the awkwardness. Why do you say to a boy you haven't seen in 2 years? The same boy you used to hang out with all the time, never leaving each other's side for more than two minutes. Stuck to each other like glue, always in a pair like salt and pepper. 

Back then, it seemed like he would never run out of things to say to Yoo Joonghyuk. Now, he feels the way his mouth is too parched, throat too dry, like he had been thirsty for days, to utter even a single word. He kinda gets the teacher now. Yoo Joonghyuk just had this effect on people, his natural imposing presence was really overwhelming. 

At the teacher’s words, Yoo Joonghyuk’s face crumpled a bit more, shooting a withering glare at the man. The old man either doesn't notice or doesn't care as he shoos the boy to sit in his brand new seat. 

‘It's not like I want it either!’

Kim Dokja wants to complain and scream and annoy the living shit out of the other man. Instead of doing that, he just looks away from the other boy, who pushes his chair back reluctantly to sit, stewing with unknown emotions. 

Kim Dokja pouts. No “Hi. How are you? Have you been well? Have you eaten? Should I give you my lunch? Can you eat it by yourself or should I feed you-”

Okay. Too much. Of course, there was no realistic chance of that last part happening. 

Still. His old companion (was he still a companion?) was as mean as always. That fact was kind of comforting, at least something stayed the same. 

Kim Dokja didn't want to be someone who didn't understand Yoo Joonghyuk at all. If he could, he wanted to study the man like an astronomer studying the vast, neverending void of space. But 2 years is a long time, and many things have changed since then. He could see the taller boy had grown a few inches, his hair growing longer too, like he hadn't bothered much to cut it. His facial features had sharpened as well, and the air around him was no longer the same comforting one that Kim Dokja had grown to know, back in the day. 

This Yoo Joonghyuk was someone he didn't know. Because he had missed out on so many things. 

The memory of the day they met is still vivid in his mind. 

A gentle breeze, the shattered screen of his phone, bruises littering his body. Those bruises never seemed to fade away, stuck like glitter on his skin. He scratched at a scab, lightly hissing as the pain set in. There was a deep ache in his bones. He could never get rid of it no matter how much he tried. If he slept too long to try to make the aching go away, he wasn't sure he would wake up. 

Those assholes, Song Minwoo and his gang. They cornered him and beat him, like always. Unfortunately, they finally realised that he wouldn't react like they wanted him to, and decided to torture him in new ways. 

They threw his phone. The one thing that kept him going. It no longer worked, the display had cracked too much. 

He would have to work longer shifts now. 

Like a zombie, he trudged quietly through the halls of the school, going up the staircase that no one used. He reached the rooftop. 

He could just jump and end it right there. But he had tried once and failed. So, he knew that was a sign from the universe that he would be forced to live this shitty life with no way out. Such a cruel and unkind world. Kim Dokja didn't understand why it was so against him. Then again, does it need a reason? He was just unlucky. 

He would try to patch the injuries littered throughout his body, but those guys would add more to his growing collection anyways. There was no point in fixing something that he knew would be broken again and again. He just hoped he hadn't busted a bone. Medical care is expensive. 

For now, the cool air hitting his skin, making him shiver, feel something, was enough. The sky was also dark, it would probably rain soon. That was nice. He likes the rain. The fact that he doesn't have an umbrella, not so much. 

‘Ah, I wish a cool protagonist, like the ones in webnovels, would just drop from the sky…’

Stomp, stomp.

“You.”

A deep voice reverbed through the roof. 

Confused, Kim Dokja looked back at another figure. No one comes to the rooftop besides him.

A boy, probably the same age as him, around the same height, with looks that could rival models, and had a deep scowl on his face that could send little children running away from fear, was glaring at him.  

What was such a guy doing here? Kim Dokja slowly spoke up, finding it unbelievable that someone would talk to him. 

“...Me?” 

“Yes, you. You're in my space.”

At this, Kim Dokja sputtered, rather peckish. 

“W-Well, does it have your name on it or something?”

The boy frowned even more at that. Coming even closer, he grabbed Kim Dokja's collar harshly, and pulled. But Kim Dokja wouldn't be afraid of something like this. He has dealt with far too much to let this faze him. 

“Go away.” 

“Nuh uh.”

“...”

There were a few shouts from the halls below, making the other boy flinch. Kim Dokja saw the slight panic in his eyes.

Feeling slightly bad, he sighed and said, “I'll go soon. Don't worry. I won't bother you.”

The boy looked at him, surprised, before slumping down on the railings, just like Kim Dokja was doing earlier. 

“Whatever.” 

Kim Dokja couldn't help but snort. This guy had such a way with words, huh? 

Slowly, painfully, he staggered back downstairs, and a girl suddenly grabbed his hand. 

“H-Hey! Do you know where Yoo Joonghyuk went!? Please, please, it's really important!”

The girl was panting like she had run a marathon, and tried her best to act as cute and coy as possible to make Kim Dokja spill. Sadly for her, he was a master at keeping a poker face, and he just sighed and denied it. 

The girl then let go quickly, muttering something about him being useless, blah blah, everything he has already heard before. 

Quietly, someone stepped behind him. The boy, Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him, looking slightly dumbstruck, like he couldn't believe that Kim Dokja had an ounce of basic decency. 

Still, he just smiled and waved a small “Bye.” at the other before turning away, hoping to never see the other ever again. 

Unfortunately, or yet, rather fortunately, they met again. 

On the rooftop, of course. Kim Dokja came back after a few days, thinking that there was no way that he would cross paths with that bastard again. But he was proven wrong. Yoo Joonghyuk was already there, sitting on the floor, with a Switch in his hands. He was furiously tapping on the buttons, before his eyes roved upwards, glaring at Kim Dokja. A loud “Game Over” sounded out from the device. 

Kim Dokja quietly sat in a corner far away from the other boy, eating a small triangle kimbap, before opening the book he held in his hands. He had to wait a few weeks to save up money for a new phone, so he had to make do with real books from the library now. It wasn't all that bad. The book was quite nice, the story was interesting too. But he missed feeling the weight of his phone in his hands, and scrolling upwards. He kept accidentally trying to flick the pages upwards, due to habit. 

Both of the boys sat quietly, in their own spaces without disturbing one another. 

And this soon became a habit. 

Both of them would just sit there and do their own thing. One playing games, the other reading. They weren't friends nor enemies. It would be strange to call the other just a classmate. Both of them were just there for each other in a way, a steady and quiet companionship between them. 

The boy also seemed to move closer to Kim Dokja each day. But that was just him accidentally scooting closer, and closer, because of…reasons. Kim Dokja hasn't asked him yet. They haven't talked at all, really, besides Kim Dokja greeting him and saying goodbye each day. 

One day, he fell ill. He didn't come to school. He hated that damned place, but there was nothing much to do here at home either. It was silent, and Kim Dokja was able to hear his own thoughts. And Kim Dokja should never be left alone with his own thoughts. 

He deliriously thought, ‘It would be nice to be friends with that guy.’ 

Alas, it was really just a fever delirium. Obviously that wouldn't actually happen. 

Until he went back to school the next day, and went up to the rooftop, and saw the other male pacing back and forth like a mob boss, plotting vengeance. 

Noticing him and his footsteps, the other sharply turned his head. 

“Where were you.”

It was framed more like an order than a question. Kim Dokja's eyes squinted, as he smiled fakely.

“Aww, did you miss me? Is the young master worried about me?”

Kim Dokja had been reading a few Murim novels recently, hence the teasing title. Although it was just teasing, and he expected the other boy to just deny it, he didn't. He just stared at him like he had grown three heads. 

Irritated, Kim Dokja just huffed. 

“Fine. I was sick.”

At this, the other boy lit like a fuse. 

“If you're sick, you're supposed to stay at home.”

Kim Dokja didn't mention the fact that he was the one just asking why he was absent a few minutes ago, like he couldn't bear his truancy. 

“I'm fine now.”

“You fool.”

The boy came extremely close to Kim Dokja, before pressing his hand against Kim Dokja's forehead. 

“You're still burning up.”

The tone didn't seem to be mocking, rather, it sounded worried. No one worried about Kim Dokja. Did this guy actually start caring for him? Even though they have never even talked??? 

Nah. No way…

The hand was still stuck to his forehead, so he quickly pushed it off (with a lot of struggling, because despite their similar stature, the boy was a healthy and well-fed child unlike Kim Dokja. Also his hands were bigger and had callouses in them that felt really good against his skin for some reason.) 

Regaining his wits, he answered, avoidantly, not wanting to make the other worried any further. 

“I really am fine.” 

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't push any more, but he didn't look convinced. Still, he sighed and let go. 

The boy went back near the railings where a black bag was kept, and pulled out a box from it. 

Pushing it towards Kim Dokja, he just muttered, “Fool. Eat.”

Gobsmacked, Kim Dokja took it from the other, and asked.

“What's this?”

“Food.”

“For me?”

Yoo Joonghyuk scowled. 

“Eat it.”

Kim Dokja couldn't believe this ridiculous situation. Something like this couldn't be happening to him. Yoo Joonghyuk, was giving him his lunch?

“But what will you eat?” 

Yoo Joonghyuk pulled out another tiffin. Kim Dokja “ah”-ed and nodded. 

Still, he couldn't believe it. He hesitantly opened the box in his hands, expecting bugs or some kind of a cruel joke. He really hadn't eaten properly in days, so if it was really a meal, he would be eternally grateful to Yoo Joonghyuk. Just for this simple act of kindness, he wanted to bawl his eyes out, but he couldn't humiliate himself. He would cry later, in the safety of his apartment. 

Kim Dokja was sure that no matter how bad or good the meal was, no matter how big or small the portion, he would savour it for sure!

“It was nice of you to give me this.” 

Yoo Joonghyuk averted his eyes, looking slightly embarrassed. 

“They were leftovers. Didn't want them to go to waste.”

Kim Dokja opened the tiffin, smiling at the other brightly. 

As soon as he opened it, an incredibly pleasant smell wafted from the egg fried rice, with some vegetables and sausages decorating the sides. It definitely did not look like leftover waste, and more like a Michelin star chef had carefully curated it with care and love. 

Kim Dokja’s eyes were teary. Ah, Yoo Joonghyuk…what a noble guy! He must be paying him back for the favour. 

Kim Dokja almost let out a moan at the first bite, a singular tear falling from his face. 

Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him, concerned. 

Assuring him, Kim Dokja spoke while chewing. 

“I'm okay. The food is just really, really good. Goddamn, did you buy this from a restaurant or do you have a personal chef?” 

Scoffing like the answer was obvious, the other replied.

“I cooked it myself.” 

Kim Dokja gaped, food still in his mouth. 

“And don't speak with your mouth full.”

At that, Kim Dokja chewed fast and swallowed the delicacy, before speaking again. 

“What!? No way…”

The other male looked smug at the reaction. His ears were also slightly red. 

Hey, this bastard was kind of cute, wasn't he? 

For the first time, Kim Dokja stared at him, taking in his features properly. 

Those dark eyes with the intense gaze of someone who had lived thousands of lives, a slightly chubby face that would surely grow on him, and his build was rather muscled for a middle schooler. Well, more muscled than Kim Dokja anyway. 

Kim Dokja turned away when the other noticed him staring. 

What a nice day. Kim Dokja felt entirely full, from the food as well as an emotion he hasn't felt in years. 

Happiness.

After he was done eating, the both of them didn't sit at the edges of the rooftop, away from each other. No, this time, they sat right next to each other, peacefully doing their own thing. One gaming on his switch, and the other trying to read but getting distracted by the noises from the game so much that he abandoned the book to look at the other gaming instead. 

_____

When Kim Dokja goes back, with a warm heart, and possibly(?) a new friend acquired, he wonders about his returning luck. Even his usual tormentors were nowhere to be seen. 

On the way back to his house, he noticed the new cafe that had opened recently. Its name, “The Underworld,” might seem edgy at first but it seemed rather cozy on the inside from the glass windows. 

The gothic exterior greatly contrasted the cozier inside, and Kim Dokja would surely have gone inside and ordered something, if he had the money to spend. Alas, he needed to save up for a new phone. 

He was just about to move away from the window he was creepily peeking in through, until a foreign looking woman came outside, and walked to him. 

“Oh my~ What do we have here?” 

Kim Dokja sputtered to explain, hoping that the lady didn't get the wrong idea.

“S-Sorry, I was just…checking this place out because I've never seen it before. I'll leave now, um, miss.”

The kind looking woman raised a brow at that, feeling amused. 

“Miss? You're making me blush, dear.” 

“Ah…?”

“Now, now, don't just stand outside! Come in!”

The woman warmly welcomed him inside, and he had no choice but to go in. Did he have to buy something now?

There were only a few people in the cafe, in comparison to the size of it. The inside was a little bigger than he had imagined. 

The woman pushed him to the counter, before sliding inside as the receptionist. 

“Alright~ What would you like to drink, little one?” 

“Uh…”

Kim Dokja debated the words in his head, it would be really rude of him to refuse, especially with the low amount of sales they already seemed to have, but he was really broke. His ‘family’, namely his uncle, aunt, and cousins absolutely despised him and never gave him an allowance (or the money they got from a certain, damned book, written by his mother), so he had to earn his own money. And he only worked part time, so his job also gave him barely a few thousand WON. 

“Don't be shy! It's on the house!”

“A-Are you sure?”

“Of course, darling!” 

Ah…his day was going too well…but he didn't want to take advantage of this kind-hearted person. Kim Dokja didn't deserve such niceties. He was not such a good person. 

“Sorry…but I don't want to take this for free…rather, are you guys hiring?”

And so, Kim Dokja secured a different job. The woman was stunned, but regained her composure, and answered positively. There was an amused glint in her eyes, like she found him highly interesting. Kim Dokja ignored it to ask for the salary. 

The woman told him an absurdly high amount. Kim Dokja had to negotiate with her to lower it, since he would only be working part time, and he wasn't even sure he would be that good at it. So many weird things were happening today…

The kind woman offered her name, Persephone, and said that she ran this cafe with her husband Hades, who was not here at the moment. 

He was set to work after his school was over, and he would be paid pretty well. He should be able to buy a new phone in no time. 

Persephone still made him a strawberry milkshake for free. Kim Dokja thought of the distant memory of his mother. Then he shoved it down with the sweet and creamy drink, opting to think no more. 

He bade goodbye to the woman, thanking her for hiring him, even though it might just cause them loss instead of profit. 

Even after he reached his house, instead of scolding or mocking him, the people living under the same roof as him, they simply ignored him today instead. For Kim Dokja, it was already a huge win. He couldn't help the tears that fell like waterfalls as he buried his face in his pillow that seemed fluffier than usual. 

_____

The usual routine followed after that. Kim Dokja went to school and hung out with Yoo Joonghyuk (more than before), went to work, got paid, and was eventually able to buy a new phone, though it was second-hand. It worked pretty well, and he excitedly logged in to his account on a webnovel app, as well as all his accounts on other reading websites. 

He made sure to hide his phone somewhere safe whenever he spotted Song Minwoo. He couldn't deal with this again. 

Unfortunately, Song Minwoo felt angry that he hadn't been able to beat his favourite punching bag for a while now. 

Dread filled Kim Dokja's stomach, as Song Minwoo shot him a look that definitely meant, ‘Meet me after school.’

Well. You can't have nice things forever. Atleast, this time he wouldn't break his phone, since Kim Dokja would leave it somewhere safe instead. 

During lunch, he went to the rooftop, spotting Yoo Joonghyuk playing his games and chewing some food at the same time. Even though he would definitely feel horrible in the future, the present was quite peaceful. 

Yoo Joonghyuk looked up, and nodded lightly. It was his special language, Yoo Joonghyuk-ese. The translation was: ‘Sit down.’

Kim Dokja plopped down quietly. Yoo Joonghyuk pushed another tiffin at him. It had become a habit at this point, Yoo Joonghyuk always brought two lunch boxes. Kim Dokja didn't know how to thank him. So he praised it more than usual. At least there was someone to talk to, in this bleak world. 

They spent the rest of their time in comfortable silence. But the slight fear was eating away at him, he had gotten too used to not being beaten, apparently. To ease himself a little bit, he asked a confused Yoo Joonghyuk to hold onto his phone for a while, and that he would take it back after classes ended. They were in different sections, he doubted that Song Minwoo would go after Yoo Joonghyuk. He really hoped he hadn't put his friend in danger by doing this. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if something happened to the other boy. 

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at him curiously, waiting for an explanation, but none came, so he simply took the phone, putting it in his pocket. Kim Dokja smiled his unlucky smile, hoping Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't worry much. But he knew how the other would stare at the dark spots on his skin for a long time, but never comment on it. He either didn't care enough, or thought that Kim Dokja would tell him when he wanted to, himself. Probably the latter. This tsundere boy was actually really noble-hearted, no matter how much he refused. Kim Dokja laughed at the bastard in his head. 

Kim Dokja went back to his classroom, avoiding his classmates' eyes. He went through the rest of his classes, silent but paranoid. The bells ringing seemed to indicate the approach of pain. 

‘Why am I feeling worse than usual? The hurt only lasts for a moment. It goes away soon enough. It doesn't matter. Once I leave this damned place, nothing will matter anymore. There are people who have it worse than me.’ 

Right when the school ended, the people started moving out, rushing and crowding the hallways. Kim Dokja could only stay still in one spot, hoping for the peace to last even one more moment. 

Unluckily, as Kim Dokja would have it, the opposite happened. A hand grabbed his shoulder roughly, slamming him into a wall. The other boy, Song Minwoo, sneered at him. 

“Kekeke, look at this! Trying to hide from us these days, are you?” 

One of his goons spat at him. 

“Tch. Thinks he's a hero and shit these days.”

Song Minwoo shushed the other, before petting Kim Dokja like a dog. 

“Don't be so rude. Our friend here just forgot some of his manners. Let's remind him, shall we?” 

The other boys crowding him laughed and jeered and made fun of him like always. Kim Dokja simply did not listen. It was annoying how they talked. He would rather they just beat him and be done with it. 

His wish came true, as a strong punch landed on his stomach, making him double down in pain. Some of his previous injuries hadn't healed properly. It really hurt. 

“Teach this bastard a lesson!”

“Yeah! This goddamned dog, he's getting too stuck-up these days!”

“Haha, look at him! Can't even take a punch?”

Song Minwoo snickered, along with the rest of them. 

“Kekeke, yeah, Dokja-yah~ I thought we trained you better than this! Don't embarrass me in front of everyone.” 

Kim Dokja wanted to laugh at the cringey dialogue. But his ribs hurt. If he could, he would have embarrassed this shithead ages ago. 

“To apologize, you should get down on your knees and bark like a dog, hahaha!”

Of course, all the other people in the hallways just watched the spectacle like it was any other day. Instead, they whispered how he probably deserved it. 

“Hey…that Kim something guy…his mother…”

“Yeah, I heard that too…it's a good thing…Minwoo takes care of him…or he might…kill…”

“Who knows…have you seen…he's literally insane…”

Ah. This was also the norm in his school. No one wanted to associate themselves with the son of a murderer. 

It was fine. He didn't feel much anyway. 

Song Minwoo was about to punch his face again before a furious voice was heard. A very familiar one. 

“Get out of my way.” 

The people parted like the Red Sea, making way for Yoo Joonghyuk, who barely contained his fury with fake apathy. 

He glanced at Song Minwoo still holding his companion’s collar, and the others, quietly studying them, before he locked eyes with Kim Dokja, who immediately averted them. He had hoped Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't have to witness this unsightly scene. 

Yoo Joonghyuk came closer, and closer, to Song Minwoo. 

“What are you doing.”

Song Minwoo grinned crazily. 

“Oh, my friend here,” Song Minwoo laid a hand on Kim Dokja's shoulders, tightly squeezing them to the point it hurt, “He hasn't been behaving very well these days, so we are teaching him a lesson.”

Agreeing shouts were heard from some of the other guys. 

Grinning, Song Minwoo asked, retracting his hands from Kim Dokja to point at Yoo Joonghyuk instead. 

“Would you like to join? I promise he's fun-”

Immediately, the intimidating boy grabbed Song Minwoo’s finger and twisted it upwards. The audible sound of bone cracking was heard, echoing through the now silent hallways.

Song Minwoo screeched like a monkey. 

“Aaaagh!! Y-You!! How dare you!?” 

Gesturing to the other boys who were part of his gang to attack, Song Minwoo painfully held his broken finger. 

The other boys rushed to attack Yoo Joonghyuk, who easily dodged their flimsy punches. At a hand trying to hit his face, he pulled at it, twisting the whole arm. The guy shrieked in pain. To put him out of his misery, Yoo Joonghyuk hit the back of his head, hard, and the boy fell unconscious. The rest were incapacitated in a similar manner, within a matter of seconds. All of them dropped to the ground in defeat. The sight was rather bloody, as Yoo Joonghyuk had grabbed one of them, a sneaky one that tried to attack from the back, and gripped him by the hair, yanking him before hitting him on the face with his knee repeatedly, until blood dripped from the boy's nose.

Some blood splattered on Yoo Joonghyuk's face, and all Kim Dokja could think about was how cool Yoo Joonghyuk looked. 

He really felt like a protagonist. He looked so cool there, Kim Dokja forgot all about the pain in his guts, as he observed the scene in awe. 

Yoo Joonghyuk quietly rubbed the blood on his cheek with the back of his hand. Some of the girls squealed. Kim Dokja felt the same as them right now. He felt like squealing too. His friend was actually this good at fighting?? Did he train? If so, what did he train in? Where did he train? How many hours? Kim Dokja wanted to ask him everything but it wasn't an appropriate time. 

Song Minwoo looked terrified, he definitely looked like he would piss his pants any moment. Kim Dokja would too, if he was on the receiving end of the murderous glare Yoo Joonghyuk was sporting on his face right now. 

The fearful boy tried to run away, but Yoo Joonghyuk put his hands in his pockets, without a care in the world before raising his leg, swinging a kick right at Minwoo's jugular. 

Disoriented, Song Minwoo dropped to the ground, cheek visibly swelling. 

He tried to plead. 

“I-I won't do it again, p-please. Just let me go this time! I-I’ll even let you join our group-”

This earned him another kick. Kim Dokja winced, along with some of his classmates. It was deserved though, as if someone like Yoo Joonghyuk needed to be in some petty gang. 

‘Remind me not to get on Yoo Joonghyuk's bad side.’

Yoo Joonghyuk looked back to glance at Kim Dokja, his gaze softening momentarily. But it seemed like he remembered something else instead, as he turned to look back at Minwoo. 

Grabbing a fistful of the bruised boy's hair, Yoo Joonghyuk yanked him to his knees. 

Kim Dokja felt slightly hot. Must be the temperature. Global warming and all that. 

The ruthless boy spoke, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. 

“If you want to apologize, get down on your knees, and bark like a dog.” 

Using his own words against Song Minwoo. Yoo Joonghyuk…how dare you be this cool?? Kim Dokja wanted so badly to fawn over the other, show off to everyone that ‘Yeah, that's my friend(?) who I hang out with everyday!’ 

But he didn't think Yoo Joonghyuk would appreciate him in this situation. Still, he was allowed to be a little smug. Yoo Joonghyuk was a kind hearted softie (towards him anyways) after all. 

Song Minwoo sputtered incredulously.

“W-Wha!? H-How can I-”

With a cruel lilt in his voice, Yoo Joonghyuk tsks. 

“That’s not what a dog says. Try again.”

Oh my god. 

People gasp, Kim Dokja is definitely one of them. He hears other peoples whispers a bit better now. 

“That Song Minwoo was always going too far anyways. He deserved this.”

“Hell yeah, he was bullying people all the time. How did no one report him earlier?”

“Uhuh, Yoo Joonghyuk is so brave~”

Kim Dokja agreed with the last sentiment. But it was funny how the people changed their perspectives immediately. These people thought of other people's sufferings simply as entertainment, a show that needed their commentary. Because people needed an escape from their own life's problems. 

Song Minwoo was still shocked, unable to speak, until Yoo Joonghyuk raised a fist, and he immediately started barking. 

Kim Dokja felt second-hand embarrassment from the scene. He really couldn't believe he let a guy like this bully him for so long. Song Minwoo just had money and power in numbers. Kim Dokja felt his will to live strengthen a little bit. 

Yoo Joonghyuk let the other boy go with a scoff, kicking him again like a football for good measure. 

He turned his back towards him and then walked away, towards Kim Dokja, handing his phone back. Kim Dokja, still a little dazed, mouthed a “Thank you” before Yoo Joonghyuk got swarmed by fanboys and fangirls, who all told him how cool he looked and how kind he was for doing that. 

Yoo Joonghyuk shrugged them off and just muttered, “They were in my way.” 

The crowd sighed, swooning at the anti-hero protagonist-like shounen.

_____

Well, Song Minwoo could never recover from that humiliation, and he didn't bother Kim Dokja again. Though he would send nasty glares from the sidelines sometimes. Kim Dokja would just point at Yoo Joonghyuk with his thumb, who started to hang around him, like a bodyguard, at all times.  

Seeing Yoo Joonghyuk glare at them sent them scurrying like mice in an instant. Kim Dokja felt satisfaction bloom in his chest. 

Yoo Joonghyuk joined him as he went to the rooftop, back to their original routine. As they talked, Yoo Joonghyuk asked,

“How long have they…”

As if he couldn't find words to describe it, Yoo Joonghyuk stopped speaking. At the same time, Kim Dokja answered the unspoken question. 

“How long have they been bullying me? Well, a few years.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes turned downcast, frown deepening. 

“Didn't you try to fight back?”

“I did. They would outnumber me. And I'm also not a seasoned fighter like you. Seriously, how did you fight like that!?”

Kim Dokja put down ‘his’ lunch box and mimicked punching someone in the air, adding sound effects, with the excitement of a little boy seeing his favourite superhero in action. 

“Bam! Thud! Bang! Kapow! You totally looked like a pro-fighter!”

Yoo Joonghyuk gazed at him, his expression reverting to the slight exasperated look he had. Kim Dokja giggled at the annoyed look. It was fun teasing the man. He just hoped that Yoo Joonghyuk doesn't decide that he's had enough of his bullshit and beat his ass. Kim Dokja would surely die. 

It seemed like Yoo Joonghyuk was in a good mood, because he actually answered a few questions. 

“I train professionally.”

“Oh! In what?”

“Various martial arts. It is necessary to learn self defence.” 

Yoo Joonghyuk glared at him very harshly at the last part. 

Kim Dokja pouted a little. 

“I can't learn it, even if I wanted to.”

“Why.”

Kim Dokja looked ashamed as he admitted it.

“It's because…I don't have any talent.”

“...”

Yoo Joonghyuk shot him a look so withering, that it could kill a man with more dignity than Kim Dokja. Kim Dokja however, was not someone who felt ashamed speaking his mind. So he simply smiled at the other. 

A nerve popped on Yoo Joonghyuk's forehead. Kim Dokja had only heard depictions of it in novels. Seeing it in real life was completely different. He kind of wanted to touch it.

“Fool. I trained for years. It's not about talent.”

“That's what a talented person would say.”

Yoo Joonghyuk grit his teeth. Kim Dokja showed him a peace sign. 

Having had enough, Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed him by the collar, hauling him up. 

“I'll teach you how to fight. Or defend yourself, at the very least.”

“Uh…”

Yoo Joonghyuk's face indicated that there was no room for arguments. He swiftly took Kim Dokja's hands in his own, hoisting him up, positioning them into fists and placing them below his face. 

He also manoeuvred Kim Dokja's footing with his own leg, and Kim Dokja almost flinched at the contact. This was quite intimate…

Yoo Joonghyuk backed away to look at Kim Dokja like he was a masterpiece he just finished painting. Kim Dokja's body ached a little. 

Yoo Joonghyuk came closer again to instruct him like a commander. 

“Tuck your chin in. You need to protect your face. Keep your hands at the sides of your chin at all times.”

This was the first time Kim Dokja heard him speak for so long. He tried to do as told but apparently it wasn't correct, as Yoo Joonghyuk tch-ed, and used his thumb to press his chin. Kim Dokja's hands were also getting tired from the position and were going to fall to his sides, but Yoo Joonghyuk held them again, pushing them into the correct position. 

“Stay still.”

“It's difficult…”

Yoo Joonghyuk pressed his palm in front of his face. 

“Punch here.”

Kim Dokja gathered all the might he had left in his body to punch at the inviting hand. 

The palm barely even flinched. 

Yoo Joonghyuk heaved a long suffering sigh. 

This was going to be tough. 

Kim Dokja was tasked to punch a few more times, with his mentor just a few seconds away from exploding like a time bomb. 

“Don't do that, you fool! You'll hit yourself!”

“Your stamina is outright horrendous.”

“Do I need to tell you to fix your posture every second?”

Ah…Kim Dokja's poor frail body was already starting to see the after effects of such harsh training. When he complained about this fact, Yoo Joonghyuk almost growled at him. 

“We started training 10 minutes ago, you fool!” 

Kim Dokja pouted, hoping Yoo Joonghyuk would get the hint. 

“We have just been doing all this posture and stamina stuff! Where is the actual fighting part!?”

Joonghyuk rolled his eyes. 

“I used to say the same thing when I was young. It is important to start with the basics-”

“Don't talk like you're older than me!”

Yoo Joonghyuk groaned.

“...fine.”

Kim Dokja beamed at that. 

Yoo Joonghyuk straightened his own posture, before guiding Kim Dokja as well. 

“When someone is about to hit you, watch the shoulders, at all times. Stay alert, and don't get distracted.”

Easy for this bastard to say. But Kim Dokja tried his best to focus. Yoo Joonghyuk recoiled his hand back, forming a fist, then swiftly punching forward, his shoulder rotating. 

Yoo Joonghyuk’s fist lightly brushed past Kim Dokja's ear, the sound of wind whooshing at the force.

“Oh…I see now.”

Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, glad that his student understood his profound wisdom. 

Well, Kim Dokja did understand it. Sort of. 

“When someone punches like this, block your face, with your elbows.”

Kim Dokja did as Yoo Joonghyuk told. Yoo Joonghyuk punched that part lightly, imitating an opponent. 

“Good. Now, grab the person like this.” 

Yoo Joonghyuk pulled his hand, twisting it slightly, and moving him so his back would be pressed against Yoo Joonghyuk's front. 

“And then knock them out.”

Yoo Joonghyuk pawed at his face, more than punched. And then did it again, and again for some reason. 

Kim Dokja stopped the fist from poking his face again, and asked.

“What next?”

“Then you…”

Yoo Joonghyuk hesitated, like he wasn't sure he should answer. But he did answer, in a rather solemn tone. 

“Then you should run. Run away. Call me, or anyone else. Don't fight.”

There was an obvious edge of care in his voice. Kim Dokja could understand where the other man was coming from. He wanted to retort that he was not fragile glass, that he could beat someone up if he tried. 

But Yoo Joonghyuk…looked a little too distressed for him to say anything like that. Something in his eyes, there was something familiar, something Kim Dokja knew well. Pain. Yoo Joonghyuk had experienced some sort of pain too. So he let it go. He could always figure it out another time. 

_____

Kim Dokja became quite curious about the other boy after that day. He collected pieces of information from other people, and from teachers who talked about Yoo Joonghyuk, saying how bright of a boy he was, and how smart he was. 

“Yoo Joonghyuk, that handsome boy! He will surely grow up to have a good career.”

“Aigoo, he will definitely go to a nice college. He could become a scientist!”

“He could be a doctor too! He's good in every subject.”

This wasn't stalking. He was merely overhearing their conversation. 

In the same way, he learned about something else, something very important. 

“Aiya~ I asked Yoo Joonghyuk if he could meet me after school, but he said he can't!”

“Aww, maybe he just doesn't want to be alone with you, hehehe.”

“Shush! It was because he had to pick up his little sister from daycare.”

“Aww! That's so sweet! He's an older brother? How cute!~” 

Yoo Joonghyuk had a little sister. 

‘Gap moe, gap moe, save me, gap moe.’

Kim Dokja wanted to know very badly. Was Yoo Joonghyuk a loving type of older brother, was he a siscon? Was he normal or did he fight with his sister often? Was his sister nice, or was she just like him? 

The next time he saw Yoo Joonghyuk, he couldn't help but ask every question he thought about. 

“How many languages do you know, Joonghyuk-ah?” 

Ah yes, He also got privileges to call Yoo Joonghyuk that. The first time he called the other boy ‘Joonghyuk-ah,’ the boy pinned him against the railing, making a strangely pleased face that was also mortified at the same time. Kim Dokja had to beg the other to be allowed to use the nickname. 

“...about three. I know a little bit of Chinese and I'm trying to learn English.”

“Ooh. What does ‘Wǒ ài nǐ’ mean?” 

“...Who is saying that to you?”

“I heard it in a song. It goes like-”

“I get it. It means ‘I like you’ or something.”

“Oh! Cool.”

Kim Dokja opened a small notebook he kept with him and noted it down. It also had his notes about his training, everything Yoo Joonghyuk told him was jotted down here with dedication. 

“Do you have a sibling?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, is it a little sister?” 

“...how did you know?”

“...”

“...”

“Well, I'm an only child! As you can guess from my name.”

“I thought it meant ‘reader’.”

Kim Dokja's eyes widened at that, as he beamed a grin that could rival the sun. 

“Really!? Most people think it means only child! But yeah, I prefer being called a reader!”

Yoo Joonghyuk chewed on his food, before speaking again, as Kim Dokja patiently waited for him to say something.

“I figured. You're always reading something.” 

“Hehe, yeah.”

“I don't get it.”

“Get what?”

“Reading. It's boring.”

“Hey! It's not! Stories are always interesting!” 

“Yeah, but reading itself is boring.”

“It's really not. Try reading something that isn't your school book.”

“I have. It didn't appeal to me at all.” 

“When did you read it?”

“...the second time we met. You brought a book. I read that one.”

Kim Dokja's eyes sparkled as the other boy admitted this rather humiliating fact. He really wanted to make the boy understand his passion for reading. 

“I'll help you find something you like! What genres do you want to read? If that didn't appeal to you, I'm sure something else will! There's a book or story for everyone in this world!” 

“...what is your favourite story?”

Kim Dokja thought for a second, before shaking his head sadly. 

“I don't really have a favourite. I like many stories. I can't choose just one…and I mostly read webnovels.”

He didn't really get why his favourite story mattered to this bastard. 

The other boy just grunted. 

“Mm. Maybe I'll try reading something from the library. 

Kim Dokja shook, slightly excited. 

“You should download this webnovel app to read online…”

Kim Dokja shared the wonders of reading online, and recommended a few of his favourite stories. Yoo Joonghyuk agreed to read them. 

A few days later, Yoo Joonghyuk said his webnovels didn't interest him at all, and that he preferred the works of Nietzsche, Osamu Dazai, Franz Kafka, etc. Kim Dokja despaired. Of course this bastard would like classical literature like these, instead of fantasy webnovels. 

Well, Yoo Joonghyuk did say he liked one of the recommendations. The novel that inspired one of the games he played. Sigh…

_____

Over the course of a few weeks, Kim Dokja got increasingly healthier, from the food Yoo Joonghyuk shared with him for lunch, as well as the free food he kept getting from his job. 

This helped him a lot, since Yoo Joonghyuk's coaching just got harsher and harsher, and he needed the energy to keep up with this hardcore training regime. 

Kim Dokja finally put on some muscle, he was very proud of himself. Yoo Joonghyuk coming into his life made everything infinitely better than before. The boy must have been like his personal lucky charm. 

Well, he had nothing to do today. He complained as much to the other. 

“I'm so bored today. Can I come with you?”

The last part was meant mostly as a joke. He expected Yoo Joonghyuk to shoot him down immediately. But…

“Fine.”

Yoo Joonghyuk agreed easily. 

“Wait, really?”

Yoo Joonghyuk glared at him in a look that probably meant, ‘Don’t push it.’

School ended unceremoniously, so Kim Dokja followed the other around like a lost duckling, as Yoo Joonghyuk walked to the daycare where his sister was in. The boy observed that it was quite close to ‘The Underworld’. He waited alongside the other boy as they saw small children rushing outside to their parents, happily greeting them, while some cried over nothing. 

Kim Dokja was really excited to see the Yoo siblings together, though. He imagined how their dynamic usually was. Yoo Mia, the little sister's name, was younger than he expected. He wanted to see ‘doting elder brother Yoo Joonghyuk’. The gap moe potential…

Soon, a small girl with two pigtails tottered to them with her tiny feet. Her face was chubby, but it was strikingly similar to Yoo Joonghyuk's. It was like she was a smaller version of her older brother. 

“Minihyuk…”

Yoo Joonghyuk raised a brow at him, before deciding it wasn't worth it. Kim Dokja spoke nonsense half the time. 

The small girl came closer to her brother before raising her hands, demandingly. 

“Oppa,” she greeted. 

Yoo Joonghyuk hummed, carrying her in his arms. 

Kim Dokja's eyes sparkled, the two were an incredibly cute sight together. Until the little sister spoke. 

“Oppa. Who is this ugly ahjussi.”

She spoke very familiarly, like a certain asshole he knew all too well. 

Frustrated, Kim Dokja retorted indignantly. 

“I'm not an ahjussi, I'm the same age as your brother.”

Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at him, answering her question without bothering to scold her for her manners. 

“He's Kim Dokja.” 

“Oppa’s friend?”

Yoo Joonghyuk made a constipated face at that, unwilling to say anything.

Kim Dokja felt slightly heartbroken at that. Well, Yoo Joonghyuk did just slightly tolerate him at best. He wasn't lacking in friends, as the crowd around him all the time seemed to indicate. Still, just to annoy the bastard, and feeling incredibly petty, he proclaimed with faux pride. 

“Hehe, yeah. I'm your oppa's best friend.” 

Yoo Mia made a similar face to her brother, before insulting him like she was saying a slur.

“Squid ahjussi.” 

So, both the Yoos had an inclination for nicknames, how sweet.

“I'm not a squid.”

“Oppa told me about you.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah, he says you're stupid.”

Yoo Joonghyuk finally spoke with a warning tone. 

“Yoo Mia.” 

The girl quickly zipped her mouth at that. But there was a strange hint of amusement in her eyes. 

If Yoo Joonghyuk was odd, his sister also being odd was only to be expected. For some reason, the thought wasn't bad, not at all. 

He slowly started walking back, deciding he had bothered Yoo Joonghyuk enough today. His aunt and uncle didn't care whether he was home or not, but they preferred not seeing his mug. Maybe he can hang out in the cafe for a few hours. He didn't have any homework to do either. 

He bade them both goodbye, but a hand held his collar, preventing him from leaving. Kim Dokja squeaked, as he almost fell backwards. 

Yoo Joonghyuk ignored his shouts of protest, and enunciated carefully, like he himself was unsure of what he was saying. 

“Come to our house.” 

Yoo Mia made the same face as him, stupefied. 

Kim Dokja regained his bearings before muttering. 

“I wouldn't want to impose…”

Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him like he was an idiot, so he quickly changed his wording.

“...but I don't mind?” 

That seemed to be the right thing to say. Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, and grabbed his hand, before they both jogged to Yoo Joonghyuk's abode. 

The place was quaint, there was a huge training area, right near the gates. As you went in further, you could see a traditional looking wooden house, like a bungalow. 

There was a bark, and a sleek black dog appeared before them, wagging its tail, overjoyed. It came close to Kim Dokja, sniffing his shoes, and pawed at him, slightly weary. 

Yoo Joonghyuk placed his sister back on the ground, and pushed the dog away. 

“Don't bother him. He's our guest.”

It was kind of ridiculous to see the boy talking to the dog like it could understand everything he said. Except, the dog actually listened and woofed back, stepping away from them. It then ran away, inside the house. 

Yoo Joonghyuk muttered, irked.

“Damn mutt…”

Kim Dokja felt out of place here. But Yoo Joonghyuk glimpsed at him, silently assuring him. 

Yoo Mia also ran inside, as Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja walked beside each other, at a slow pace. He didn't know what to expect from the other's family. He hoped they weren't bad. 

When he went inside, the place was beautifully furnished, a few pictured frames decorating the walls that were also made of strong wood. There wasn't much modern equipment, it looked old-school. Kim Dokja's house was not lacking in new technology, so this was surprising for him. 

Still, the house looked more lively, and there was an air of peace and contentment. Way better than Kim Dokja's house that felt more like a prison than a home. 

Kim Dokja saw the dog again, and bent down to pet it. The dog happily licked at his fingers, and he chuckled. 

“What's his name?”

“She is a girl. Her name is Breaking The Sky Sword Master.”

“That's…a long name.”

“Just call her Master.” 

Did he have to call a dog ‘Master’? Well, he didn't mind all that much, Kim Dokja thought as he scratched the back of Master’s ear. 

“Where are your parents?”

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't answer, he looked sombre as he replied. 

“I live with my teacher.”

Sensing the grave atmosphere, Kim Dokja quickly dropped the topic. Yoo Joonghyuk also had his own things to deal with, it seemed. This made Kim Dokja feel a little better about his own situation, feeling a strange camaraderie between the two, they were similar yet not in many ways. 

Just then, a hulking figure of a woman approached them. She was incredibly tall, and she held a vintage smoking pipe between her lips. Releasing a puff, she observed him and the other boy for a while. Kim Dokja felt really intimidated by her size, she could easily snap him in two between her fingers. 

She turned her gaze away from him, looking at Yoo Joonghyuk instead, who stared back, unhappily. 

“Hey, brat. Who is this?”

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't answer, looking at Kim Dokja instead. 

He cleared his throat nervously, he responded.

“Um, my name is Kim Dokja. Sorry for the intrusion.”

“Hmm. You're this imp’s friend?”

“Yes…”

“...I see. Well, your face isn't my type anyway.”

Yoo Joonghyuk glowered at the woman, who looked unapologetic. Kim Dokja just laughed, awkwardly brushing it off. 

The woman then turned slightly warmer, telling them to go sit at the table while she cooks something. 

Yoo Joonghyuk also tells him to stay still on his chair, as he goes to help in the kitchen. 

Yoo Mia had freshened up, and sat on a slightly taller chair, next to Kim Dokja. The dog kept pawing at his legs, asking for more pets. Kim Dokja couldn't help but oblige.

He kind of felt more at home here, than in his own house. 

Soon, Yoo Joonghyuk's teacher and the boy himself brought a bunch of steamed dumplings in a wooden cauldron, the smell making all of their mouths water. 

They all waited as Namgung Minyoung, the teacher’s name as he found out from Yoo Mia, sat down beside them all. 

“What are you all waiting for? Dig in!” 

Kim Dokja was incredibly happy to listen. The dumplings were hot, but so delicious. The chewy outer layer, with the minced chicken and veggies inside, steamed to perfection. 

Kim Dokja was too excited at the prospect of eating these dumplings that he forgot to blow before putting them in his mouth, causing him to huff and pant as the heat burned his tongue. 

Yoo Joonghyuk tsked, scolding him.

“Eat slowly, you fool.”

Namgung Minyoung raised an eyebrow at that, but said nothing. She wordlessly chewed her own food, as she observed Yoo Joonghyuk, fussing over the other boy. 

‘Interesting.’

Kim Dokja eventually managed to swallow it, with teary eyes. His tongue still burned. Yoo Joonghyuk quickly passed him a glass of water. 

The cold water made him feel much better, and he decided to go back to eating, but was beaten by Yoo Joonghyuk pressing a warm dumpling against his lips with his chopsticks. Yoo Joonghyuk must have cooled it off. Accepting it raptly, he enjoyed the flavour this time, making sure to compliment the cooks.

“This is really good.”

“Don't talk with your mouth full.”

Kim Dokja petulantly pursed his lips. Another dumpling was placed near his mouth, and he forgot his ire in an instant. He opened his mouth, waiting to be fed, but when he opened his eyes, Yoo Joonghyuk was smirking at him, pulling away the dumpling to eat it himself. 

He shot a dirty look at the other boy, who looked immensely satisfied. Bastard. 

He noticed Namgung Minyoung and Yoo Mia staring at them, like they were watching an extremely interesting wildlife documentary. Even Master peered at them curiously. 

He simply shrugged them off, opting to feed a dumpling to the dog instead. 

After they were done eating, Yoo Joonghyuk took him to the training grounds. The field was pretty big, a plain and flat area. There were a few practice dummies placed next to each other. 

Yoo Joonghyuk announced, “You'll train here from today.” 

“Oh, nice! I've finally been promoted!” 

Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, and added teasingly.

“You're still below my senior sister.”

At the confused look, Yoo Joonghyuk clarified.

“The mutt.”

“The dog is above me?? What kind of sick hierarchy is this??”

Kim Dokja grumbled. This bastard was making fun of him. 

There was a small shed, and Yoo Joonghyuk went inside, quickly coming out with some clothes. Passing a set to Kim Dokja, he told him to get dressed quickly. 

It was a white robe-like garment, with loose pants and a thick ribbon to tie it off, Yoo Joonghyuk also wearing similar clothing but in black.

Getting dressed in the shed was a little weird. It was quite breezy, and cold. He quickly got dressed and went back outside, seeing the other boy already preparing the practice dummies. 

He sighed. He was definitely going to have trouble walking tomorrow. 

_____

Like this, Kim Dokja often went to the other's house to train, or just generally give the other boy some company, gracing him with his presence. They grew closer than ever before. People at school stared at them, surely jealous. Who else got to have lunch with The Yoo Joonghyuk™ everyday? 

Kim Dokja was infinitely grateful, but he couldn't help but think such a great guy was wasted on someone like him. 

The boy had not fully matured yet, but still he was tougher in body and nobler in soul. He would never show it, but he secretly cared a lot, a complete softie on the inside. The type to walk a grandma across the street, that kind of noble. Kim Dokja was sure he would become a majestic man in the near future. 

What will happen to Kim Dokja? Best not to think about that…

“Fool. What are you thinking.”

Ah, he was zoning out again. 

“Ah…nothing, Joonghyuk-ah.”

“Hm.”

A comfortable silence blanketed them. Before a certain ringing pierced through the quiet atmosphere. It came from Yoo Joonghyuk's device, and it felt very ominous. The caller ID read ‘Teacher’, and the woman never called unless there was something extremely important. 

Both the boys had grave faces as Yoo Joonghyuk answered the call, putting it on speaker so Kim Dokja could listen.

“Hello.”

“[Yoo Joonghyuk! Your sister, she suddenly fainted at school!]”

“I'm coming.”

Hurriedly, Yoo Joonghyuk cut the call, already closing the lid on his tiffin and putting it back in his bag, before swinging it over his shoulder, not bothering to fix it properly. 

Kim Dokja, worried, asked if he should come along. He may bicker with Yoo Mia a lot, but ultimately, he cared about her almost as much as Yoo Joonghyuk. 

“No. You don't have to. Stay here.”

Yoo Joonghyuk turned back once to see him off, and then ran like an athlete down the stairs. 

Hopefully it was nothing too bad. Kids did get sick sometimes.  

_____

As the day went by without anything major really happening, just boring ol’ classes, with no sign of Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja became more and more erratic. It felt like there was an ominous atmosphere all around him. 

It was probably nothing but paranoia, was what he thought to himself in an attempt to be reassuring. But it really just made him feel worse.

‘I should’ve gone with Joonghyuk.’

Turns out he was right to be paranoid, because as soon as he walked out the exit of the school, a familiar gang started chasing him vehemently.

Kim Dokja thankfully noticed them before it was too late, and ran the opposite direction, as fast as his legs would take him, taking as many narrow passages as possible to slow them down. Eventually he saw a dark alleyway, hoping it would deter the other boys from entering. Unfortunately, he reached a dead end soon enough and halted, taking off his bag for defense.

The boys hollered back to their leader that they had found ‘the rat’, sneering at him as they did so. Kim Dokja backed up as slowly as he could. He would have no choice but to fight them off or get beaten up once more.

Eventually the bastards parted to reveal their equally bastardly boss, Song Minwoo again, who snickered like the evil third rate villain he was. Kim Dokja almost rolled his eyes at the thought of more cringe spouting out of his mouth. While the other talked about his greatness or whatever, Kim Dokja could not give less of a shit if he tried, he held up his bag like a shield, and swerved a foot back, just how Joonghyuk had taught him before.

‘When someone is about to hit you, watch the shoulders, at all times. Stay alert, and don't get distracted.’

‘Block your face, with your elbows.’

‘Tuck your chin in. You need to protect your face. Keep your hands at the sides of your chin at all times.’

“...and for that humiliation, which you and that asshole made me face. And now I will simply take revenge. So, sorry if this stings a little-”

Thwap.

Kim Dokja swung the bag at the boy with the buzz cut, hard enough for the other to stagger and fall down, mostly from surprise. Kim Dokja couldn’t have become One P*nch M*n with the slight training he received, of course. But it still inflated his pride.

Song Minwoo shrieked in anger at his lackeys who were stunned from shock.

“Argh! You fucking- Get him!!”

That seemed to take the others out of their stupor, as they immediately got ready to jump the lone boy, surrounding him from all sides.

Kim Dokja didn’t waste time either, swinging his bag wildly at them. A few hits in and his bag was forcefully shoved away by one guy, who then aimed for his shoulder with a hard punch.

Kim Dokja grit his teeth as his bag fell from his grasp, as he received a harsh blow. His hand fell limp, pain surging through his arm, but somehow the adrenaline pumping through his body did not let him feel it, for which he was thankful. As soon as another bastard swung a fist, Kim Dokja barely dodged in time, pushing the boy away, and striking upwards with his fist. It must’ve hit the right spot as the other screamed about the pain.

He still managed to hit Kim Dokja’s cheek a few times, making him hiss in pain, before he blocked one with his elbows, and then returned the favour until the other slumped in a moment of weakness, and Kim Dokja was nothing if not an opportunist, so he twisted his leg before aiming a kick at the gut, as well as the nuts for good measure (he knew it was foul play but this a life-and-death situation, okay?) and the boy moved no more.

Another lackey tried to take him out from behind, but Kim Dokja noticed this sneaking bastard and elbowed his nose, hard enough to make it bleed, tears springing from the other’s eyes. Kim Dokja’s eyes crinkled in a smile, as he held the now limp man’s collar, who looked at him frozen in surprise, before Kim Dokja trailed the hand to grip his hair instead and hold it as he bashed his knee on the soft underside of his chin, repeatedly, until another guy screamed, coming at him with a steel ruler, planning to bash Kim Dokja’s head in, but he stepped backwards, and the moron fell on top of the other guy instead. Kim Dokja kicked them a few times for good measure.

‘How did I let these idiots beat me up? Goddamn…’

Finally reaching his bag, he unzipped it to take out the heaviest book he kept. The huge Oxford Dictionary he kept in his bag might actually come in handy today after all.

Kim Dokja slowly walked at the sitting Song Minwoo who was watching the spectacle in front of him with unconcealed fear. The Kim Dokja in front of him did not look like the same otaku nerd who just read on his phone with a hunched back all day, small and weak, devoid of any emotion on his face.

No, this Kim Dokja stood tall and imposing in front of him, at his full height, staring down at him like he was a pile of shit standing in his way. The aura was completely different, as dread filled Song Minwoo’s very bones. He felt like he was truly looking at a demon, one that smiled with saccharine sweetness, as he played with the book in his hands.

“Y-You will regret this…do you k-know who I am-”

Kim Dokja’s smile faded, with a colder countenance gracing his face instead.

“You talk too much. Seriously, do I look like I give a fuck? Ah, I wish Yoo Joonghyuk was here instead.”

Song Minwoo closed his mouth, sweat dripping out of his every pore. When Yoo Joonghyuk had done this before, he hadn’t felt as much fear, as he had anger. Now, he stared at the unrecognizable boy before him, and the monster stared back, with vitriol and malice, cruelly waiting for him to do something, all while his teeth glinted against the setting sun.

Before he could say something again though, the heavy book slammed against his face, breaking his nose. Song Minwoo screamed, but it was muffled by the book suffocating him. The boy with short bangs said nothing, simply repeated the action, over and over, the pages staining red with blood. Loud thumps and thuds echoed in the empty alley, along with the muffled screaming.

It was basically background noise to Kim Dokja’s ears. Then the screaming stopped. Song Minwoo must have fainted. Kim Dokja knew from his experience of getting beaten. He wondered if he should just beat him more even if he was unconscious, but it would be no fun, would it?

There was a shout outside the alleyway, someone was calling out his name. Kim Dokja hummed questioningly as he put his dictionary back inside the bag, slinging it over his good shoulder, and heading out of the passage. There was a small shard of glass on the way, and Kim Dokja noticed blood on his cheek. He wondered if it was on the glass itself.

Yoo Joonghyuk came running towards him, before he could head out, looking incredibly worried. Kim Dokja smiled, but it was more of a grimace since his mouth still hurt. He still hoped it would assure the raven haired boy enough.

Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at the pile of boys behind him, before Kim Dokja slung his shoulder over the other to prevent him from looking at the gruesome sight behind him. 

“Ahaha, Yoo Joonghyuk, what are you doing here? Is Yoo Mia okay?”

Yoo Joonghyuk observed him a little, he had obviously guessed what had occurred previously. Still, he didn’t say anything, answering his questions instead.

“You weren’t at the cafe. Yoo Mia is fine, just a fever.”

Kim Dokja sighed in relief at the news, then sighed again at the pain all over his body. He hadn’t noticed it before but he definitely got hit a lot more than he realised.

Yoo Joonghyuk shuffled so Kim Dokja would be laying against him a bit more comfortably as they walked, and used a thumb to wipe off the blood on his cheek.

Huh, so the blood really was on his face.

Kim Dokja felt warmth spreading throughout his body, and this time it wasn’t because of adrenaline.

_____

Later, they went back to Yoo Joonghyuk’s house, where Yoo Joonghyuk patched him up even after Kim Dokja said he didn’t need to, since he knew how to do it himself. But of course, the boy was as stubborn as always.