Episode 4- A Chaotic Day

It was Sunday morning, and the city was calm, its usual rush replaced by the quiet hum of weekend life. Jinwoo stretched as he stood by his window, the golden sunlight streaming in and warming the wooden floor of his room. The streets below were dotted with families heading out, couples strolling hand in hand, and children laughing as they played.

For once, Jinwoo felt relaxed. No school, no fights, and no unwelcome attention. It was just an ordinary day, and he planned to enjoy it. He decided it was time to update his wardrobe. While his training had transformed his body, his old clothes were still the same—loose, plain, and unremarkable.

He dressed simply, picking out a white t-shirt that hugged his frame, a pair of dark jeans, and clean white sneakers. Even with this casual outfit, Jinwoo looked striking. His lean but muscular build and sharp features gave him the effortless charm of a model. As he combed his hair back, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.

"Guess this will do," he muttered, grabbing his wallet and keys.

His parents were out for the day, as they often were. Both of them were high-earning professionals, making over 480 million won a year combined. Despite their busy schedules, they had always ensured Jinwoo lived comfortably. The house was spacious and filled with the latest amenities—a quiet reminder of their success.

Jinwoo stepped outside, the crisp winter air brushing against his face. He decided to visit one of the most popular malls in the city, a towering building known for its luxury brands and sleek design.

The mall was bustling with people. The polished floors gleamed under the bright lights, and the air was filled with the faint scent of coffee and perfume. Jinwoo blended into the crowd, though his sharp looks caught the occasional glance. He didn't mind; he was used to it by now.

As he wandered through the mall, passing rows of high-end clothing stores, he felt a rare sense of peace. This was his chance to take a break from the chaos of school and everything else. Today was just about him.

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Jinwoo wandered through the mall, taking his time to browse through various stores. The air inside was cool, filled with soft music playing in the background. Shoppers moved around him, their voices blending into a gentle hum. He admired the rows of mannequins dressed in stylish outfits, considering which ones might suit him best.

As he exited one of the stores, looking down at a bag he had just picked up, he accidentally bumped into someone. The impact was light but enough to make him take a step back.

"I'm sorry," Jinwoo said quickly, looking up.

The girl he had bumped into stood there, smiling warmly. She had a striking presence, her tall figure dressed in an elegant outfit—a beige coat over a fitted black dress that reached just above her knees. Her long, wavy hair framed her delicate features, and her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with a calm confidence. She looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine.

"It's okay," she said softly, her voice light and pleasant. "You don't have to apologize."

Jinwoo blinked, a little surprised by her reaction. Most people would've been annoyed, but she seemed completely unbothered, her smile unchanging.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his tone sincere.

She nodded. "Really, it's fine."

But as Jinwoo looked at her more closely, he noticed something. Her smile, though genuine, didn't quite reach her eyes. There was a subtle tension in her expression, a flicker of unease she was trying to hide.

"Are you alright?" Jinwoo asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

The girl hesitated, her gaze shifting briefly to the side before returning to him. "I… yeah, I'm okay," she said, but her voice carried a faint hint of uncertainty.

Jinwoo's instincts told him otherwise. "If something's wrong, I can stay with you for a while. You know, just to make sure everything's okay."

The girl seemed taken aback by his offer, her eyes widening slightly. But then she smiled again, this time a bit more genuinely. "That's kind of you. Sure, I wouldn't mind some company."

They walked together through the mall, eventually finding a cozy café tucked away on the third floor. The warm lighting and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee created a welcoming atmosphere. They chose a corner table, away from the bustling crowd.

Jinwoo ordered a simple iced coffee, while the girl chose a latte. As they sat across from each other, the girl finally relaxed, letting out a quiet sigh.

"So," Jinwoo began, leaning forward slightly, "what's going on? You looked a little… tense back there."

The girl hesitated again, but this time she seemed to trust him enough to answer. "It's just…" She paused, taking a sip of her latte before continuing. "Some people have been following me. It's nothing serious, but it's been bothering me."

Jinwoo frowned. "Following you? Do you know who they are?"

The girl shook her head. "Not exactly, but I've noticed them a few times today. It's probably just a misunderstanding."

Despite her casual tone, Jinwoo could see the discomfort in her expression. "Well," he said, offering a reassuring smile, "you don't have to worry about it now. I'll stick around and make sure everything's fine."

The girl's shoulders relaxed slightly, and she gave him a grateful look. "Thank you," she said softly. "That means a lot."

For the first time since their encounter, Jinwoo saw her smile fully, without any trace of tension. It was a small moment of trust, but it made him even more certain that he'd made the right choice to stay by her side.

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The café's cozy atmosphere hummed softly with conversation and the clinking of cups. Jinwoo and the girl sat in their corner, their conversation easing into lighthearted topics. For the first time since meeting her, Jinwoo saw her laugh, her unease seemingly forgotten.

As they prepared to leave, the warm light from the café windows dimmed. Jinwoo noticed shadows moving outside, and the peaceful air inside began to shift. The door swung open, and five men in sleek black suits stepped in. Their polished shoes tapped sharply against the tiled floor as they scanned the room.

Jinwoo's instincts kicked in immediately. These weren't ordinary people. Their rigid postures, cold expressions, and the subtle bulge under their jackets spoke of a more professional nature.

One of them spotted the girl. He pointed at her, and the group moved forward. The café grew quiet, the soft hum of conversation replaced by tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Miss, you need to come with us," the leader said, his voice firm but calm, as though he was giving a simple instruction.

The girl's expression froze. She clutched her purse tightly and glanced at Jinwoo.

Jinwoo stood between her and the men, his face calm but his body tense. "She's not going anywhere unless she wants to," he said, his voice steady.

The leader narrowed his eyes. "Step aside, kid. You don't know what you're getting into."

Jinwoo didn't move. "I'm not stepping aside."

The leader gave a small nod, and two of the men lunged forward.

Jinwoo reacted instantly. The first man swung his arm, aiming to grab Jinwoo by the collar, but Jinwoo blocked it with his forearm and twisted, locking the man's wrist. With a quick spin, Jinwoo used the man's momentum to flip him over his shoulder, slamming him into a nearby table. The wood splintered under the impact, sending coffee cups and plates crashing to the floor.

The second man came in low, aiming to tackle Jinwoo. But Jinwoo stepped back and delivered a devastating sidekick to the man's ribs. The force sent him flying backward, his body smashing into the café counter, cracking the glass display.

The remaining three men hesitated, their confidence visibly shaken. Jinwoo's sharp eyes locked onto them, his stance ready, his muscles coiled like a spring.

The leader signaled again, and the remaining men attacked together.

One came at Jinwoo with a flurry of punches. Jinwoo blocked them with precision, his arms moving like a shield. He ducked under a wide swing and countered with an uppercut to the man's jaw, sending him staggering backward.

Another man tried to grab Jinwoo from behind, but Jinwoo spun and drove his elbow into the man's chest. The sharp crack of ribs breaking echoed through the room. Without pausing, Jinwoo followed up with a roundhouse kick, his foot connecting with the man's face and sending him crashing into a wall.

The final attacker hesitated, his fists trembling. Jinwoo didn't wait. He closed the distance in a flash and delivered a powerful knee strike to the man's stomach, lifting him off the ground before finishing with a spinning backfist that sent him sprawling across the floor.

The café was a wreck. Tables and chairs lay overturned, shattered glass glittered on the floor, and the air smelled of spilled coffee.

The girl stood frozen, her wide eyes darting between Jinwoo and the groaning men on the ground. "You…" she started, her voice barely a whisper. "You're incredible."

Jinwoo took a deep breath, his body relaxing as he turned to her. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She nodded, but before she could say more, the leader of the group stirred. He clutched his ribs, glaring at Jinwoo. "You have no idea what you've done," he hissed.

The girl stepped forward suddenly, her expression changing. "Enough," she said firmly, her voice carrying authority. "Stop this."

The leader froze, his anger giving way to confusion. "Miss?"

The girl sighed, looking at Jinwoo apologetically. "I should have told you earlier," she said quietly. "I'm a model. These men are my bodyguards. They've been following me because I left the agency without telling anyone."

Jinwoo blinked, his body still on high alert. "Bodyguards?" he repeated.

The girl nodded, looking genuinely sorry. "I didn't mean for things to go this far. I just needed some time alone."

As the bodyguards slowly regained their footing, Jinwoo ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. "I'm sorry," he said to the leader, bowing slightly. "I didn't know."

The leader grimaced but gave a stiff nod. "Next time, ask before throwing punches."

Jinwoo chuckled lightly, his tension finally easing. He turned to the girl. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

She smiled warmly. "Thanks for everything."

With that, Jinwoo left the café, the evening air cool against his face. Despite the misunderstanding, he couldn't help but feel that this encounter had been anything but ordinary.