"Drifting Horizons"

The Next Day,Jasper arrived at school earlier than usual, walking in with his signature nonchalant attitude. The classroom was already buzzing with chatter, students engrossed in various discussions.

Student A (excitedly): "Did you see how much Bitcoin surged overnight? I told you it was worth the risk!"

Student B (smirking): "Yeah, but wait until the market crashes again. I'm sticking to Ethereum."

Student C (joining in): "Forget crypto! Did you hear about the new club opening downtown? It's going to be packed this weekend."

Student D (grinning): "And speaking of packed, did you see who was hanging out with the cheer squad yesterday?"

Jasper ignored the noise, heading straight to his seat. He dropped his bag onto the desk, slipped on his earphones, and pulled his black jacket over himself like a makeshift blanket. Within minutes, he was asleep, shutting out the world.

Hours Later,The sound of distant shouts and chaos jolted Jasper awake. He groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes. The classroom was empty, and sunlight streamed through the windows, indicating it was much later than he thought. He glanced at the clock—it was well past dismissal time.

Jasper (muttering): "Great, I slept through the entire day... again."

Peering out the window, he noticed a commotion just outside his classroom in the hallway. Two groups of students stood facing each other, tension crackling in the air as if a fight was about to erupt. A small crowd had gathered, forming a circle around the opposing gangs, leaving a clear space in the middle.

Jasper (grinning to himself): "Seriously? Another fight? You guys are exhausting."

With a sigh, he grabbed his jacket, slung his bag over one shoulder, and picked up his helmet. As he pushed open the classroom door, the sudden creak drew everyone's attention. The noise in the hallway quieted as all eyes turned to him.

Jasper stepped into the middle of the circle, completely unfazed. He scanned the crowd with his signature mix of annoyance and amusement, his piercing gaze meeting each of theirs.

Jasper (smirking): "Don't let me stop you. Go ahead, bash each other's skulls in... or don't. Whatever."

His sarcastic tone hung in the air as he casually walked through the middle of the group. The tension fizzled slightly as the students hesitated, watching him pass by. One of the gang leaders from his class finally broke the silence.

Leader (gritting his teeth): "Fine. Let's settle this tomorrow."

The crowd began to disperse, murmuring among themselves. Jasper didn't look back, heading straight for the school's parking lot. Once there, he slid his helmet on, started his motorcycle with a loud roar, and sped off campus.

Later at the Food Stall,The small street stall buzzed with evening activity, the enticing aroma of grilled skewers and sizzling noodles wafting through the cool night air. The young girl was busy handing a steaming bowl of noodles to a customer when she caught sight of the same sleek motorcycle pulling up nearby. Her heart skipped a beat as the rider dismounted, still clad in his helmet, the tinted visor reflecting the glowing streetlights.

He strode toward the counter with a casual confidence, his leather jacket creaking softly as he moved. The girl froze momentarily, her mind racing.

Jasper (casually), "Hey, sorry I'm late. Here's the money."

Without ceremony, Jasper reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of cash. He placed it on the counter, the bills slightly crumpled but exact.

The girl hesitated, her hands fumbling slightly as she reached under the counter and retrieved the sleek smartphone she had kept in a box for safekeeping. Her fingers brushed the cool surface of the device as she placed it in front of him.

Girl (nervously),"Uh... thank you. And, um... here's your phone."

Jasper tilted his head slightly, his visor still hiding his expression.

Jasper (mockingly surprised),"You didn't run off with it. That's... surprising."

The girl frowned, her initial nervousness giving way to mild irritation. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, standing her ground.

Girl (firmly),"Of course not! I'm not a thief. I promised I'd give it back."

Jasper chuckled, the sound low and casual, as if her indignation amused him.

Jasper (teasing),"Relax. I'm just messing with you."

The girl narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing him. Despite his playful tone, she couldn't see his face, and it made her feel at a disadvantage. She glanced pointedly at his helmet.

Girl (curiously), "Why didn't you take off your helmet? Are you hiding something?"

Jasper leaned forward slightly, the edge of his helmet catching the dim light from the streetlamp.

Jasper (smirking under the helmet),"Maybe. Or maybe I just like keeping people guessing."

The girl blinked, momentarily thrown off balance by his cryptic response. Before she could say anything else, Jasper straightened, casually waving a hand as if to dismiss any further questions.

Jasper,"Anyway, thanks for not selling my phone. See you around... or not."

Without giving her a chance to reply, he turned on his heel and walked back to his motorcycle. The girl watched as he swung his leg over the seat, the engine roaring to life with a powerful purr.

He adjusted his gloves, revved the engine once, and then sped off into the night, the sound of his motorcycle echoing down the narrow street.

She stood there for a moment, clutching the cash he had given her, her mind replaying his words.

Girl softly, "Who is this guy?"

A Few Minutes Later,The girl sighed, shaking her head as she tried to focus on the remaining customers at her stall. But her thoughts kept drifting back to the mysterious rider. He wasn't like the usual customers she dealt with—polite but distant. There was something about him, a mix of arrogance and charm, that was hard to ignore.

As she cleaned up the counter, her coworker, an older woman named Mrs. Han, approached her.

Mrs. Han (teasing)"Was that the boy from last night? The one with the motorcycle?"

The girl nodded, trying to appear indifferent.

Girl,"Yeah, he came to pay for the food he bought yesterday."

Mrs. Han (smiling knowingly): "He must be one of those rich kids. Did you see his motorcycle? That's no ordinary bike."

Girl,"I guess... but he doesn't act like one of those arrogant rich types."

Mrs. Han,"Oh? And how would you know? Did he say something interesting?"

The girl hesitated, realizing she didn't want to share too much.

Girl quickly, "Not really. He's just... different."

Mrs. Han raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.

Meanwhile, Jasper,Jasper rode through the city streets, his mind drifting as the cool night air whipped past him. The faint scent of grilled food from the stall still lingered in his memory, but it wasn't the food that held his attention.

Jasper thinking, She's... kind of funny. Not like the usual people I meet. At least she didn't lose her cool when I teased her.

He smirked under his helmet, shaking his head slightly.

As he approached an empty stretch of road, he slowed down, letting the motorcycle glide smoothly along the pavement. He felt a strange sense of calm, something he hadn't experienced in a while.

Jasper softly ,"Guess I'll see her again sometime."

With that thought lingering in his mind, he revved the engine and sped off toward the horizon, leaving the night behind him.

Back at the Food Stall,The girl finished cleaning up for the night, her thoughts still preoccupied with the boy in the helmet. As she locked up the stall and walked home, she wondering if she would see him again.

And with a small smile, she disappeared into the quiet night.

In a Narrow Alley,Kyung Ho, Taehyun, Jin Woo, and Min Joo gathered in a narrow alley, their faces lit by the dim glow of the streetlights. The air was thick with tension as they leaned against the brick walls, talking quietly but with intensity.

Kyung Ho, holding a cigarette between his fingers, exhaled a plume of smoke. He looked irritated as he spoke.

Kyung Ho "I can't believe we let that Jasper guy boss us around like that."

Taehyun, sitting on a pile of crates, nodded in agreement, his arms crossed.

Taehyun "Yeah, he's really getting on my nerves. First, he says we shouldn't mess with him, and then he starts protecting Jun Ho. What's next?"

Min Joo crossed her arms and scowled, clearly frustrated.

Min Joo "I don't get it. Why does he care about Jun Ho? They're not even close."

Jin Woo, who was absentmindedly flicking a coin in the air, chuckled dryly.

Jin Woo "Maybe Jasper just likes to be the center of attention. Or maybe he's planning something. Either way, I'm not backing down next time."

Kyung Ho, clearly annoyed, took another drag from his cigarette.

Kyung Ho "Let him enjoy his little power trip. If he crosses the line again, we'll show him we're not just going to back off."

The group fell silent, each of them lost in their thoughts, trying to figure out their next move.

Meanwhile, inside Jun Ho's house, the young man was focused on his studies. His room was quiet, save for the soft hum of his desk lamp. He was going through his notes when his mother, dressed in her hospital uniform, peeked through the door.

She watched him for a moment before speaking with a warm smile.

Mother "Jun Ho, you're still studying? You need to take a break, you know?"

Jun Ho looked up from his books and gave a small smile.

Jun Ho "Just finishing this chapter, Mom. I'll rest after that."

His mother stepped into the room, sitting gently on the edge of his bed, her hand brushing through his hair.

Mother "You've always been such a good student. We're really proud of you, you know?"

Jun Ho smiled at his mother's words, but there was a slight hesitation in his eyes. He nodded before replying.

Jun Ho "Thanks, Mom."

She sighed softly, looking at him with affection but also concern.

Mother "Your father and I want the best for you, Jun Ho. We've always dreamed of you following a stable career—maybe something in medicine, like me, or even the police force, like your dad."

Jun Ho felt the weight of his parents' expectations pressing on him. He knew what they wanted, but it wasn't exactly what he envisioned for himself. He tried to keep his tone calm as he responded.

Jun Ho "I know, Mom. I'll think about it."

His mother smiled again, though it was a little more wistful this time.

Mother "You're our hope, Jun Ho. We believe in you. Whatever path you take, we'll support you."

Jun Ho gave a small, forced smile as his mother stood up and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. He sat there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling.

Jun Ho to himself "Medicine or the police... Is that all I'm allowed to choose?"

He closed his eyes briefly, overwhelmed by the expectations placed on him. It was hard to feel like he had any real freedom. The world outside his room felt distant, and for a moment, he just wished he could escape it all.

Meanwhile, Back at Jasper's House,Jasper sat in the garden, leaning back in his chair with a cigarette in hand. The faint glow of the embers illuminated his face as he exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl upward. The scent of flowers from the garden mingled with the sharp tang of tobacco.

Victor, his father, walked in through the side gate, still in his office attire. He loosened his tie as he approached Jasper, noticing the cigarette.

Victor sighed and shook his head. "You know that stuff will kill you one day, right?"

Jasper glanced at his father briefly, smirking as he flicked the ash off his cigarette. "Relax, old man. I'm not planning on sticking around long enough for that to happen."

Victor stopped and frowned, his voice tinged with concern. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jasper shrugged and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's just a joke. Don't take it so seriously."

Victor sat down on the chair next to him, loosening his collar. "A joke like that isn't funny. You've got too much ahead of you to talk like that."

Jasper chuckled softly, taking another drag before responding. "You think so? All I see is the same old cycle. Wake up, work, sleep, repeat. Sounds thrilling."

Victor leaned back and studied Jasper for a moment. "Life's not about thrills every second. It's about finding purpose. Something that drives you."

Jasper turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "And working yourself to death in an office is your idea of purpose?"

Victor laughed dryly. "Touché. But at least I'm building something—providing for this family. You, on the other hand, are just... drifting."

Jasper blew out another puff of smoke, watching it disappear into the night air. "Drifting's not so bad. No rules, no expectations. Just... freedom."

Victor leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Freedom's fine, Jasper, but even a drifting boat needs a destination. Otherwise, it just ends up lost at sea."

Jasper smirked, shaking his head. "You sound like a motivational poster."

Victor chuckled softly, standing up and patting Jasper on the shoulder. "Maybe. Or maybe I just don't want to see you make the same mistakes I did."

Jasper tilted his head, giving his father a curious look. "Mistakes, huh? Sounds like a story."

Victor smiled faintly, his gaze distant for a moment. "Maybe one day. For now, just think about what I said."

Jasper leaned back in his chair, watching as his father walked back toward the house. Once Victor was out of sight, Jasper flicked the cigarette stub into the ashtray, muttering under his breath.

"Destination or not, I'm fine where I am."

He glanced up at the stars, the faint shimmer barely visible through the city lights, as the garden fell silent once more.