32nd Death - Yes, Really!

"Is this another drama attack?" Jiho sighed.

"YOUR MOM'S A FUCKING—"

"..."

"... No. No drama. Just go back to your cutesy life with your mommy." Jang exhaled, leaning against the wall outside, eyes squinting at the sun. "With how strong you are, you should be able to beat the shit out of Eunhee and Daniel. They pissed you off enough to kick me out, right?"

Jiho studied him for a moment before stepping beside him, stretching his neck. "It's not like I wanted to kick you out… or even did. It's just personal."

"Yeah? Well, this is MY personal shit. So now I'm kicking YOU the fuck out." Jang spat.

Jiho exhaled. "I'm sorry, I guess. Didn't mean to make you feel bad. It's just that—"

"YOU THINK I'D FEEL BAD ABOUT SHIT LIKE THIS?!" Jang cut in, voice sharp. "I don't give a fuck about your life. If there's something you don't want me to hear, that's your right. I ain't your butt buddy, don't need to hear every damn thing you talk about. SHIT." He spat again, rolling his eyes.

Silence. Both of them leaned against the wall.

"... I was a cripple." Jang finally muttered, tilting his head back. Jiho said nothing, just listened.

"... Specifically," Jang cleared his throat. "I got crippled in a fight with some bastard. Forget the fact that battle was the stuff of legends—he probably thinks I'm dead." His fists clenched, eyes darkening.

"I need to settle the score. With him. With everyone who crossed me. No matter what." His voice was low, but charged. Then, he turned, locking eyes with Jiho. "But him? He has to die."

His glare hardened. "I can't decide on anything in life until he's dead. That's a big part of why I left the Zone."

Jang pushed off the wall. "Anyway, I'm heading to that French family's apartment. Won't be seeing you again. And don't fucking try to talk me out of revenge." He turned and walked away.

"... I don't know much about revenge. Not confident I could talk you out of it anyway." Jiho's words made Jang pause, his back still turned.

"But hit me up when you're done with it. I'll lend you a manhwa." Jiho added lightly.

Jang flinched. "Shit. I don't wanna see your shit-taste comics. Save that crap for yourself." He spat, dismissing the offer with a flick of his hand.

A pause.

"... I might hit you up again, though." His voice, quieter than ever, barely carried over the distance between them.

"Tsundere." Jiho muttered, deadpan, his voice just as quiet.

"FUCK WAS THAT?!" Jang barked, catching the word.

"TSUN-DERE." Jiho shot back, louder.

"... Eat shit."

And with that, Jang disappeared into the distance.

"Haah... Okay. Guess I should get ready for school." Jiho muttered, stepping back inside. For a brief moment, the ghosts of his past-best friends flickered in his mind.

'He's right.'

'I'm strong now, Daniel!'

'... Eunhee.'

His frown deepened. The memory of her response to his confession sat heavy in his chest.

Then, almost instinctively, his hand lifted his new phone. Amélie's contact.

'Right. I can just talk to her.' The thought came quick, a small surge of relief washing over him. His lips curled into something like a smirk; after all - He didn't need to think about Daniel or Eunhee. He had someone else now. That's all that mattered.

"Jiho? Where's Jang?" His mother's voice snapped him out of it as he walked in.

"I'll tell you later—I gotta lay my head for a bit!" Jiho blurted, practically bolting up the stairs.

His mother blinked, watching him go. "Hmmm... I guess nothing bad, then. Good." She muttered, though a light smile lingered on her face.

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"Fuck... You've actually been in ground zero?" Daniel scratched his head, glancing between Eunhee and Misaki as they sat in his apartment.

"I ain't telling you war stories, big boy. Don't feel like talking about it." Misaki muttered, looking away with a furrowed brow.

"No, no, of course not. Didn't expect you to. It's just that... You didn't happen to come across a young—"

"Misaki, what are you doing here?" Eunhee cut in.

"Moved back from Japan a few months ago. Settled in the city, and from there, history. Anyway, lucked out as one of the first survivors—scored a small flat with two rooms." She glanced at Daniel, who looked confused but attentive. For a second, her gaze sharpened.

"Figured you'd rather crash at my place than with Aunt and Uncle. Asked them where you were, and they sent me here. So, I came to offer—"

"She's fine." Daniel interrupted, too quickly. "I'm protecting her."

"Daniel, I—"

"Eunhee, it's cool." Misaki cut her off, tone lazy, but her eyes locked onto Daniel with newfound sharpness.

"Big guy, I don't know where you're from, but girls need their personal space. And seeing as Eunhee ain't your beloved, I'm frowning the fuck out of whatever arrangement you thought about."

Silence.

Daniel looked down, huffing.

'Hmph. Half-expected this oaf to resist more,' Misaki thought, raising a brow.

"I... I need Eunhee here with me." His voice was suddenly softer.

Eunhee's tired, conflicted gaze flickered. The roughness in Daniel's voice was gone. "I get I'm rough. As fuck. And that she might have it better at your place... Or really, anywhere else that isn't with me." he swallowed, hesitating.

"But I need her with me."

"..."

"Daniel..." Eunhee stared at him, emotions twisting inside her. Misaki's offer made sense—logically, it was the better choice.

But hearing Daniel so... open like this hit something deep.

Like it had before.

She hesitated, turning his words over in her mind. He was right.

Why would she leave? At this point, who else understood her like he did? Even if Jiho was alive, she was probably the last person he'd ever want to see.

"... I'm sorry, Misaki." Eunhee said quietly, looking at her. "I think I'll stay—"

"Oh, okay." Misaki cut in. No sigh, no protest. Just that.

Daniel and Eunhee both blinked.

Daniel, in particular, snapped his head toward her.

She looked… bored. Maybe even disappointed.

"If he wants you with him, I guess I can't change that. You know where to find me if you change your mind. See ya'." Misaki got up, turned to the door, and left without hesitation.

"M-Misaki!?" Eunhee's voice wavered, confused by the almost hurried exit.

Both of them stared after her, baffled.

But Daniel felt something else—a sudden, gnawing urge to go after her. Before he could stop himself, he was already on his feet, following her outside, just far enough that Eunhee wouldn't hear.

"H-Hey, I didn't say anything wrong, right?" His voice came out shakier than he liked. "Don't take it the wrong way, I just... I just can't really live without her—"

"Dude." Misaki cut him off, not even looking back. "Just don't physically hurt her, and we're cool. I don't know what you think you saw or heard, but I took it the best way. Alright?"

Daniel clenched his teeth. Misaki didn't wait for a response. She just turned and started walking away, unfazed.

A pulse of irritation surged through him. He stomped after her, closing the distance, and abruptly grabbed her shoulder.

"Listen, I just want to clarify that—"

"Don't. FUCKING. Touch me."

Her voice was ice. Before he could react, she turned and drove her knee straight into his crotch.

Daniel doubled over, choking on a sharp breath, hands clutching himself as he sank. Misaki stood over him, watching with an almost bored expression.

"I've dated guys like you." Her voice was maddeningly calm. "Lots, actually. I've seen that 'bad-boy with a soft side' act so many times, it's dull now. Played out."

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't even mind that you manipulate her."

Daniel's breath hitched at her words. 'Manipulate..!?'

She continued, "Girls need to get manipulated at least once in their lives—so they can tell the difference between someone who actually gives a fuck and someone who just plays with their head. Like you."

Daniel's breath came ragged, his whole body trembling—not just from the pain.

His fists clenched against the pavement. His jaw locked so tight it hurt.

"I'm not… playing a… FUCKING… GAME ON HER… YOU BITCH…!!" He growled, voice raw. "I CARE ABOUT HER!!"

The words felt too loud, too desperate, even to himself. But he clenched his fists tighter, repeating it in his head.

'I REALLY CARE ABOUT HER. This girl… she's just full of shit! I wouldn't have practically let Eunhee live with me if I didn't care!'

Misaki exhaled through her nose, unimpressed.

"Sure, bud. You keep telling yourself that."

She turned on her heel. Didn't even look back.

"Follow me, and I'm calling the cops." Her voice drifted over her shoulder before she disappeared from sight. 

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