"Identity is the essence of a meaningful life; without it, existence feels purposeless, leaving one with a sense of emptiness. This became my daily struggle as an awkward individual unsure of my path. Seeking solace, I immersed myself in the world of fighting, honing my skills at the local MMA gym. Fighting became my identity, transforming me from a misunderstood oddball into someone respected and recognized. No longer deemed socially inept, people now view me as Haneul, the fighter, rather than a mere outcast. Fighting granted me the purpose I yearned for."
That is my story - I am Haneul Jihoon, a high school student who embarked on my MMA journey in seventh grade, and I have been pursuing it passionately for the past two years. Without MMA, I cannot imagine where I would be in life today. However, despite my commitment to it i have yet to he truly happy thoughts from my past constantly comeback, leaving me emotionally drained. While I can mask a feeling of laughter and happiness, deep down, I am a sad soul desperately wanting support.
Hanuel would take a deep but silent sigh under his breath as he looks up. It was the middle of class, and he turns right to the kid next to him, a classmate named Jake.
Jake notices the look on Hanuel's face and a memory comes back to mind. "Hey, Haneul, right?" he says, leaning closer to him.
Hanuel being a introvert takes some time but responds."Yeah, that's me," he replies cautiously.
A small smile tugs at the corners of Jake's lips. "We used to be in the same Taekwondo class, remember? You were always so talented but also skilled."
Hanuel's lips curl into a genuine smile, memories flooding back. "Of course! I remember now. Those were good times."
Jake nods, his voice filled with sincerity. "You were an inspiration to me back then. Your discipline and passion for martial arts were unmatched. It's great to see you here, still pursuing your dreams."
Hanuel's face rises up into a smile as he realizes that someone from his past still remembers him and his achievements. "Thank you, Jake. It means a lot to hear that. I'm glad I left an impact on you."
The teacher's voice fades into the background as Hanuel and Jake continue to reminisce about their Taekwondo days. In that moment, Hanuel feels a renewed sense of motivation, knowing that his hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.
Hanuel feels a mix of excitement and anxiety as Jake grabs him by the shoulder, extending an invitation to hang out after school. The introverted Hanuel, who has struggled to make friends, considers the offer as an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone and meet new people. With a slight nod and a hesitant smile, he accepts Jake's invitation.
After school, Hanuel with jake find his self in an unfamiliar bar-like establishment, a place where delinquents would often gather. At a table, they are joined by a cute girl and two individuals who exude a rebellious aura. Hanuel, though physically the strongest among them, feels a wave of nervousness wash over him. Being socially awkward and inexperienced in situations involving alcohol and places teenagers shouldn't be, he is unsure of what to say or how to act.
Glancing around the table, his eyes eventually meet those of the girl sitting beside him. His heart pounds in his chest, and his introverted nature amplifies his nervousness. He fidgets with his hands, searching for something to say, but the words remain lodged in his throat.
In an attempt to divert his attention from the cute girl, Hanuel glances towards the other two individuals at the table. They exude an air of confidence and mischief, seemingly comfortable in this environment. Hanuel, on the other hand, struggles to find common ground or initiate a conversation. His lack of social skills becomes evident as his mind races, desperately trying to come up with something to say.
As the evening progresses, Hanuel's inner battle between his introverted nature and his desire to connect with others wages on. He knows he possesses the physical strength to handle any situation that may arise, but it is his social awkwardness and anxiety that threaten to hold him back from truly engaging with those around him.
Hanuel Jinwoo found himself standing next to a girl he had never met before. As an introvert who didn't go out much, social interactions were always a challenge for him. Nervously, he looked away, his eyes scanning the surroundings, desperately seeking an escape from the awkwardness of the situation.
Summoning the little courage he had, Hanuel turned towards the girl, his voice barely audible. "Um... Hi. Nice to meet you." His words trailed off, and he immediately averted his gaze, unable to maintain eye contact. The nervous energy radiated from him, making the air thick with discomfort.
He fidgeted with his sleeves, feeling the awkwardness settle in. His mind raced, desperately trying to come up with something to say. But before he could form a coherent thought, his eyes dropped to the ground, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Uh... So, how... how do you like this place?"
Hanuel said to the girl
His words hung in the air, an awkward silence enveloping them. Hanuel's gaze remained fixed on the floor, as if it held the answers he desperately sought. He wished he could disappear, to ignore the uncomfortable situation unfolding before him.
Feeling the weight of the silence, Hanuel nervously cleared his throat, his eyes darting around, searching for an escape route. He mumbled, "I... I don't really go out much. So, um, it's nice to have someone to talk to, I guess."
His voice cracked, betraying his uneasiness. He looked away, unable to bear the awkwardness that engulfed him. His anxious mind raced, desperately wishing for the conversation to flow smoothly, for the discomfort to dissipate.
In an attempt to salvage the conversation, Hanuel mumbled, "So, um, what... what do you do for fun? I mean... if you don't mind me asking."
His words came out jumbled and rushed, his nervousness on full display. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, fearing her judgment. Instead, he stared at his own hands, his fingers intertwining and untangling in a nervous rhythm.
Feeling defeated, Hanuel mumbled an apology, "I... I'm sorry if I'm being weird. I'm just not good at this... talking thing."
He kept his gaze down, his heart sinking with every passing second. The interaction had become painfully awkward, leaving Hanuel feeling more isolated and detached than ever before. All he wanted was someone to talk to, to distract himself from the uncomfortable reality unfolding around him.
Hanuel Jinwoo's gaze shifted towards his friend Jake, who was right aside him. Jake, unlike Hanuel, was outgoing and confident, well-acquainted with the bar-like place they were in. Hanuel fidgeted with his sleeves, a coping tactic he often used to mask his embarrassment and anxiety.
As haneul fidgeted his sleeves, he hoped that Jake would come to his rescue. Despite his social awkwardness, Hanuel had a hidden strength - he was the strongest and best fighter among his friends. It was a skill he had honed through years of training, a way for him to find solace and escape from the challenges of social interactions.
Jake noticed Hanuel's distress and stepped forward, a reassuring smile on his face. "Hey there, I'm Jake. I've been coming here with these guys for a while. We're a bit of a mismatched group, but Hanuel here," he gestured towards his socially awkward friend, "is actually the strongest and best fighter among us."
Hanuel's face flushed with embarrassment as Jake praised him. He shifted his weight from one foot to another, his fidgeting becoming more pronounced. The attention made him uncomfortable, but he appreciated Jake's efforts to include him.
Jake continued, "We're all here to have a good time, and Hanuel's just looking for someone to talk to, someone to share his thoughts with. He may be socially awkward, but he's a great person once you get to know him."
Hanuel's gaze remained fixed on the ground, his cheeks still tinged with embarrassment. He wanted to speak up, to add something to Jake's introduction, but the words remained trapped within him. Instead, he fidgeted with his sleeves, hoping that his actions would convey his gratitude and eagerness to connect with others.
Jake's words hung in the air, breaking the silence that had settled around them. Hanuel stole a glance at the girl, his eyes briefly meeting hers before darting away. He felt a mix of nervousness and hope, wondering if she would be willing to give him a chance, to see beyond his social awkwardness.
Hanuel's fidgeting intensified as he sensed the skepticism emanating from the other two guys and the girl. They exchanged doubtful glances, clearly unconvinced of his fighting abilities despite Jake's praise.
One of the guys, named Ryan, crossed his arms skeptically and raised an eyebrow. "So, Hanuel, you're the strongest and best fighter among us? I find that hard to believe." His tone dripped with doubt, clearly challenging Hanuel's claim.
The girl, Emily, chimed in, her arms folded as well. "Yeah, Hanuel, I've never seen you in any fights before. Are you sure you're as strong as Jake says?"
Hanuel's face flushed with embarrassment and his fidgeting increased even more. He struggled to find the right words to defend himself, his social awkwardness only making the situation worse. His mind raced, searching for a way to prove his worth.
Jake stepped in, trying to diffuse the skepticism. "I know it's hard to believe, but Hanuel's skills are legitimate. He may be socially awkward, but his strength and fighting abilities are unmatched. You guys should see him in action sometime."
The other guy, Mark, chuckled dismissively. "I'd like to see that for myself. Talk is cheap, you know."
Hanuel's sleeves were now twisted in his anxious grip, his embarrassment and frustration evident. He wanted to prove himself, to show them that his fighting skills were not to be underestimated. But his social awkwardness held him back, leaving him searching for a way to gain their trust.
Jake, sensing Hanuel's discomfort, spoke up once again. "Look, I understand your skepticism. But trust me, Hanuel has skills that none of us possess. He's been training for years, and his dedication shows. Give him a chance, and I promise you won't be disappointed."
As the group fell into a contemplative silence, Hanuel's fidgeting gradually subsided. He desperately hoped that they would see his potential, that they would give him the opportunity to prove himself. Deep down, he knew that behind his social awkwardness lay a fighter with unmatched strength and determination.
Haneul looked up with no trace of fear at ryan and mark because if there was a thing hanuel would ever be confident in it would be his fighting skills as he looks up he asks them "i can prove it by fighting either one of you two" he said as he stood up confidently