"Reverie"

That morning in class, the room buzzed with light conversations. Kim Seung Woo leaned toward Lee Joo Hyuk, whispering with curiosity, "Hey, is Ji Yeon really Ji Hwan's twin sister? But... our school is for boys only. How did she even get in?"

Joo Hyuk scoffed, crossing his arms. "She's a troublemaker," he muttered. "Changed schools fifteen times. Crazy, right? This place is probably the only one that would still take her. Maybe they didn't have a choice."

Seung Woo glanced at Ji Yeon, who sat casually at her desk, spinning a pen in her fingers. Her cold gaze showed no concern for the attention she was getting. Seung Woo clicked his tongue. "Man... she looks way too relaxed. I'd be so uncomfortable with the whole school staring."

Joo Hyuk chuckled. "Relaxed? Just wait. Trouble follows her everywhere."

Seung Woo nodded slowly, glancing at Ji Yeon again. "Well... things are about to get interesting."

On the other side, Jung Tae Min strolled casually through the luxurious halls of Jung Corporation. He wore his school uniform in a messy fashion—tie loosened, hands tucked in his pockets. His footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor. Without bothering to knock, he pushed open the door to his father's office.

Jung Dong Wook, the owner of the company, sat at his desk, twirling a pen between his fingers while soft jazz music played in the background. He glanced at Tae Min. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at school?"

Tae Min shrugged. "Just dropping by to grab my debit card. My brother told me to pick it up." He walked over, casually taking the card from the desk. "Besides, I'm heading to school after this," he added nonchalantly.

Dong Wook sighed. "Don't cause trouble at school again. You've been enough of a headache."

Tae Min smirked. "Me? Trouble? I'm the model student," he said sarcastically.

His father raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. Tae Min turned to leave, but Dong Wook added, "Keep an eye on the Kang family. Your brother's already got some important info on them."

Tae Min paused for a moment before waving his hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you."

Walking out of the room, he sighed. "Getting nagged this early... My life's rough," he muttered, heading toward the elevator. "And damn, I still have to go to school after this."

At school, Ji Hwan sat casually at his desk, overhearing a group of boys gossiping behind him.

"Hey, I heard there's going to be a big raid next week. They're cracking down on drugs and cigarettes," one of them whispered.

"Seriously? Damn, we could get suspended if we get caught," another replied.

Ji Hwan sighed, bored of hearing the same conversations over and over. With a lazy expression, he reached into his bag and nonchalantly pulled out a pack of cigarettes, holding it up for them to see.

"This what you're freaking out about?" he said casually, raising an eyebrow.

The boys' eyes widened in shock. "Dude! Put that away! If a teacher sees, we're all screwed!" one of them hissed.

Ji Hwan chuckled, slipping the pack back into his bag. "Relax. You're all too paranoid."

Nearby, Lee Joo Hyuk let out a loud sigh. "You're seriously asking for trouble, Kang Ji Hwan. If the teacher catches you, we're all dead," he muttered, half-annoyed.

Ji Hwan just shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "If you're scared, stay away from me."

Across the classroom, Kim Seung Woo glanced at them with an unreadable expression while the whispers about the upcoming raid grew louder.

During the break, the students flocked to the cafeteria. The atmosphere was filled with chatter and laughter, but amid the noise, a rumor spread rapidly throughout the school.

"Hey, did you hear about the donation from Lee Dong Wook's foundation?" one student whispered at a nearby table.

"Seriously? I heard it's no joke—hundreds of millions!" another chimed in, eyes wide with excitement.

"Not surprising. Lee Dong Wook is the owner of Jung Corporation. His son goes to this school too," a student added, glancing toward the table where Ji Hwan and his friends sat.

At a corner table, Ji Hwan, Ji Yeon, Joo Hyuk, and Seung Woo sat together. Ji Yeon sipped her drink calmly while Ji Hwan rested his chin on his hand, looking disinterested in the gossip around them.

"That foundation again," Seung Woo muttered, lazily stirring his food. "They always show off with huge donations. Like that's going to cover up whatever shady things they're hiding."

Joo Hyuk chuckled. "You talk like you know something. But yeah, this is high school... Anything involving money becomes instant gossip."

Ji Yeon glanced at them. "What's the big deal? It's not like their money is going to make this cafeteria food any better."

Ji Hwan scoffed quietly, though his ears stayed tuned to the conversations around him. There was something about this massive donation that didn't sit right with him—it seemed like more than just a public relations move.

The lunch break ended, and the hallways buzzed with students rushing back to their classes. Ji Hwan, Ji Yeon, Joo Hyuk, and Seung Woo casually got up from their seats.

"Ugh, back to prison," Seung Woo grumbled, stretching his arms.

Ji Yeon smirked. "For someone who complains so much, you sure eat a lot during break."

Seung Woo shot her a look. "Food is my coping mechanism, okay?"

Joo Hyuk chuckled while Ji Hwan stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Let's just get this over with," he muttered, walking ahead.

As they entered the classroom, the chatter from earlier hadn't died down. Students were still whispering about the donation, glancing at their phones and exchanging theories.

The teacher soon walked in, tapping the desk to grab everyone's attention. "Alright, settle down! I know there are rumors going around, but focus on the lesson."

Despite the teacher's words, murmurs persisted in the background. Ji Hwan leaned back in his chair, eyes half-lidded, glancing briefly at Ji Yeon, who seemed unfazed as she twirled a pen between her fingers.

The atmosphere in the room was thick with curiosity and suspicion—but for some reason, it felt like this was just the calm before the storm.

On the other side, the atmosphere in Tae Min's class was entirely different. The room was filled with elite students, neatly dressed and radiating confidence. They weren't just top performers academically but were also known for their powerful family connections. Yet, almost the entire class belonged to Tae Min's gang—either as his henchmen or loyal supporters.

Tae Min sat at his desk near the window, legs crossed as he played with his phone. Several of his friends sat around him, speaking in hushed tones. One of them, Han Ji Soo, leaned closer. "Tae Min, about your father's donation—every school is talking about it. Are you sure this is the right move?"

Tae Min glanced at him briefly. "Let them talk. The more noise they make, the easier it is for me to control everything."

His friends chuckled softly at his response. They knew that behind Tae Min's calm demeanor, there was always a hidden, cunning plan.

Not long after, the dismissal bell rang. Students began packing up, the sound of chairs scraping echoed through the room. Tae Min stood up calmly, grabbed his bag, and said, "Don't forget. Tomorrow, we make our first move," before casually walking out of the classroom.

His friends exchanged glances, nodding before following behind him. In the hallway, other students instinctively stepped aside as Tae Min's group passed.

Meanwhile, the scene in Ji Hwan's class was entirely different. It was known as the "dump class"—a place for students with disciplinary records, poor grades, or those simply deemed troublesome. Chaos was the norm. Laughter echoed loudly, paper balls flew across the room, and some students shamelessly played games under their desks.

Ji Hwan sat lazily at his desk, yawning as he stared at the empty blackboard. Beside him, Joo Hyuk was absorbed in his phone, while Seung Woo rested his head on the desk. Ji Yeon, seated behind Ji Hwan, chewed gum and scanned the chaotic classroom with a bored expression.

"Ugh, I'm so bored," Seung Woo groaned. "Why does this place feel like a marketplace?"

Joo Hyuk chuckled. "Well, this is the dump class, bro. If it wasn't loud, it wouldn't be us."

Suddenly, a paper ball hit someone's head in the corner. A student burst out laughing. "Nice shot!" he shouted.

Ji Yeon rolled her eyes. "Seriously, is this a school or a circus?"

Ji Hwan sighed heavily. "Relax. You'll get used to it."

Soon, the end-of-day bell rang. The classroom erupted into even more noise as students rushed to pack up. Some bolted out the door, while others stayed behind, still joking around.

Stretching his arms, Ji Hwan stood up. "Finally over," he muttered.

Seung Woo slung an arm over Joo Hyuk's shoulder. "C'mon, let's hit our usual spot. My treat."

Ji Yeon shoved her hands into her pockets. "I'm coming. Anything to kill the boredom."

Ji Hwan shot his sister a lazy look. "Don't cause any trouble, alright?"

"Pretty sure I should be saying that to you," Ji Yeon smirked.

The group walked out together, leaving the noisy classroom behind. School was over for the day—but who knew what kind of trouble awaited them tomorrow?

On the other side of town, Tae Min's older brother, Jung Ha Joon, entered his own club without his father's knowledge. The club, nestled in an upscale part of the city, was dimly lit with soft neon lights and the smooth sounds of jazz filling the air. Dressed in a black leather jacket, Ha Joon walked in with a calm yet confident stride.

As he passed by, several patrons glanced his way and nodded respectfully—everyone knew who he was. Despite being the eldest son of the influential Jung Corporation family, Ha Joon had carved out his own world, separate from his father Jung Dong Wook's empire. This club was his personal haven, a place where he didn't have to play the role of the "perfect eldest son."

Sliding onto a bar stool, he gestured to the bartender, who prepared his usual drink without a word. Ha Joon sipped it slowly, his gaze drifting toward the small stage where a singer had just begun a soulful ballad.

Exhaling softly, his mind wandered. "The hearing's tomorrow... Father's going to be even more obsessed with work," he muttered under his breath. The constant pressure to follow in his father's footsteps weighed heavily on him. This club—away from expectations and family obligations—was his only escape.

His phone vibrated on the counter. Glancing at the screen, he saw his father's name flashing. Clicking his tongue in irritation, he flipped the phone face down. "Not tonight," he whispered.

For now, he let himself bask in the fleeting peace of the moment, knowing full well the storm of family drama was far from over.

Back at Ji Hwan's side, he suddenly remembered something. His eyes widened as he glanced at the time on his phone. "Crap... I forgot about the martial arts training with Uncle," he muttered under his breath. His father had clearly told him the day before that it was time for him to start learning how to defend himself—and apparently, how to survive.

Ji Yeon, walking beside him with her hands in her pockets, noticed his sudden change of expression. "What's with the face? Don't tell me you forgot something again," she teased.

Ji Hwan sighed heavily. "Yeah... I was supposed to meet Uncle for training. If I show up late, he's gonna lecture me for hours."

Seung Woo raised an eyebrow. "Wait, martial arts? Since when did you get all serious about that?"

"I'm not serious about it," Ji Hwan grumbled, "but Dad's forcing me. Says it's 'for my own good' or whatever."

Joo Hyuk smirked. "Sounds like fun. Better you than me."

Ji Hwan rolled his eyes, then turned to Ji Yeon. "Look, I have to go. Stay with these two idiots, okay? Don't wander off and don't cause trouble."

Ji Yeon scoffed. "Excuse me? I should be the one telling you that."

Ignoring her remark, Ji Hwan started jogging away. "Just don't do anything dumb!" he called over his shoulder.

As he disappeared down the street, Seung Woo glanced at Ji Yeon. "So... wanna grab some snacks while we wait?"

Ji Yeon sighed but nodded. "Fine. But if you pick something gross, I'm throwing it at your face."

Meanwhile, Ji Hwan sprinted toward the training hall, dreading the hours of exhaustion that awaited him. "Man, why do I have to deal with all this?" he thought, but deep down, he knew—this was just the beginning.

On the other side, Kang Dae Ho, Ji Hwan's father, sat in his home office. Piles of documents lay scattered on the desk, but his gaze was distant, his mind clearly elsewhere. He let out a long sigh, reached for his coffee, and sipped the now-cold drink without much thought.

A soft knock echoed at the door. "Come in," he said.

The door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman with a gentle smile—Ji Hwan's mother. "You're still not resting?" she asked, walking toward him.

"There's a lot on my mind," Dae Ho replied quietly, rubbing his temples. "I'm worried about Ji Hwan... I told him to start martial arts training for his own good, but he keeps brushing it off."

She sat beside him, her hand gently resting on his shoulder. "He's a teenager, Dae Ho. Sometimes they're like that. But you know he's not a bad kid—he just needs time."

"I know," Dae Ho muttered, nodding slowly. "But the world out there isn't as forgiving as he thinks. If he doesn't learn to protect himself... I'm afraid that one day—"

"Don't be too hard on him," his wife cut in softly. "Ji Hwan's a lot like you when you were younger—stubborn but kind-hearted. He'll understand when the time comes."

Silence lingered for a moment. Dae Ho's gaze shifted to a framed family photo on his desk, where the three of them smiled blissfully—a time that felt far simpler. "I just don't want to lose anyone again," he whispered.

His wife squeezed his hand gently. "We all want what's best for him. Trust Ji Hwan... and trust yourself."

Dae Ho exhaled deeply, some of the weight in his chest lifting. "I hope you're right..."

Outside the room, the night breeze drifted through the open window, bringing a fleeting sense of calm amidst the lingering worries.

That afternoon, Ji Hwan arrived at his uncle's training place, feeling both annoyed and reluctant. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange hue over the small yet sturdy-looking dojo nestled behind a row of old buildings.

Standing at the entrance was his uncle—Kang Ryun—a man in his late twenties with a lean but muscular build. His short black hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp eyes held both mischief and discipline. Though still young, Kang Ryun was known for his remarkable skills in liberal martial arts, a form of self-defense blending traditional techniques with modern adaptability.

"You're late," Kang Ryun said, crossing his arms. "Five minutes late means ten push-ups."

Ji Hwan groaned. "Seriously? I already don't want to be here."

"That's ten more for whining," Ryun grinned. "Come on, if you're gonna sulk, at least do it while warming up."

Reluctantly, Ji Hwan dropped to the ground and started the push-ups. His arms already felt sore, and this was just the beginning. "This is ridiculous..." he muttered under his breath.

"I heard that," Ryun smirked, tossing a towel toward him. "Alright, get up. We're starting with the basics. Liberal martial arts isn't about brute force—it's about adaptability, quick thinking, and knowing how to read your opponent."

Ji Hwan wiped sweat from his forehead. "Yeah, yeah. Just show me the moves."

Ryun took a stance, his movements fluid yet precise. "First, footwork. Without solid footing, you're just a punching bag."

The training began. What Ji Hwan expected to be a simple martial arts lesson turned into an intense physical and mental challenge. Every movement was demanding—each punch, kick, and dodge tested his balance, reflexes, and endurance. His muscles screamed in protest, but Ryun's relentless instructions kept him moving.

"Again! Your stance is too wide—don't waste energy!" Ryun barked. "And keep your guard up unless you want to eat dirt."

"Easy for you to say..." Ji Hwan panted, sweat dripping down his face.

Hours seemed to drag on. By the end, Ji Hwan collapsed onto the mat, chest heaving. "You trying to kill me or something...?"

Ryun chuckled, kneeling beside him. "Nope. Just making sure you don't get killed out there. The world's rough, kid. You'll thank me later."

Ji Hwan stared at the ceiling, exhausted. "I doubt it..."

But somewhere deep down, a spark of determination flickered within him.

On the other side, Tae Min stepped into his brother's club. The dim neon lights flickered as music thumped through the air. The room was thick with the scent of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Five of his closest friends—Han Ji Soo, Min Kyung Ho, Seo Jin Wook, Oh Tae Yun, and Kwon Hyuk Min—followed closely behind, forming a protective presence around him.

Walking through the crowd, Tae Min's sharp gaze scanned the surroundings. Several patrons glanced his way but quickly turned their heads, intimidated by his cold stare. He made his way to the VIP section on the second floor, where a man sat casually, scrolling through his phone.

"Hyung," Tae Min called out, his voice calm but edged with seriousness.

Jung Ha Joon, his older brother, looked up and smiled nonchalantly. "Yo, Tae Min. Didn't expect to see you here. Take a seat," he said, patting the empty spot beside him.

Tae Min sat down, crossing his legs while his friends remained standing behind him. "Hyung, why did you start a club like this? Aren't you afraid of Dad finding out? He'll be furious."

Ha Joon shrugged with ease. "Let him find out. Sooner or later, it'll happen anyway. Besides, I'm not doing anything illegal here."

"Really?" Tae Min's eyes shifted to a corner of the room where a group of people laughed loudly, clinking bottles. One of them discreetly pulled out colorful pills—drugs.

Ha Joon followed his gaze and sighed. "That's not my business. I told them to cut that out, but they never listen."

"This is your place, hyung. If someone gets caught, you'll be the one held responsible," Tae Min said, his tone firmer. "Do you really not care?"

"I do, but I can't control everything," Ha Joon replied coolly. "I just wanted a place where I could do things my way, without constantly being under Dad's thumb."

Tae Min was silent for a moment before exhaling slowly. "You're stubborn."

Ha Joon chuckled. "It runs in the family, bro. You're no different."

Despite his brother's laid-back attitude, Tae Min couldn't shake off the unease in his chest. This wasn't just about a club—it felt like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Meanwhile, Ji Yeon returned home, dropping her bag onto the couch with a tired sigh. Her mother, Han Mi Jung, emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel.

"Ji Yeon," she called, her tone gentle yet curious, "has Ji Hwan gone to his uncle's place?"

Ji Yeon nodded, flopping down on the couch. "Yeah, he went straight after school. Said he didn't want to be late."

Mi Jung smiled faintly, though concern lingered in her eyes. "I hope he takes it seriously. Learning self-defense is important, especially these days."

Ji Yeon stretched her arms above her head. "He's probably complaining about how tough it is already."

Her mother chuckled softly. "That sounds like him."

Ji Yeon glanced toward the door. "He'll be fine, Mom. Uncle Kang is strict, but Ji Hwan needs it. Plus, he's the one who agreed to this."

Mi Jung nodded, though the worry in her gaze didn't fully disappear. "I just don't want him to push himself too hard."

Ji Yeon leaned back against the cushions, casually pulling out her phone. "Knowing Ji Hwan, he's probably doing this just so he can sneak out of the house more often."

Mi Jung sighed but smiled. "That boy…"

The house settled into a calm silence, the faint ticking of the wall clock echoing through the living room as they both waited for Ji Hwan's return.

Back to Ji Hwan,Sweat drenched his body, and his breathing was heavy. Ji Hwan had fallen several times during training, his trembling hands struggling to support himself. The moves his uncle taught him were tough—this wasn't just ordinary martial arts. It was liberal martial arts, requiring agility, technique, and mental endurance.

"Get up!" a firm voice rang out.

In front of him stood Kang Ryun, his uncle and the youngest brother of his father. His arms were crossed, his gaze sharp, though a faint smirk played on his lips. "Did you think life would give you a break?"

Ji Hwan grimaced, pushing himself up. "This... is insane... Who said this was basic training?" he complained between gasps.

Ryun chuckled. "Me? I never said it'd be easy." He tossed a water bottle toward Ji Hwan, who barely managed to catch it. "Drink. Don't die on me."

Ji Hwan gulped down the water, his body trembling. Just as Ryun opened his mouth to say, "Alright, next session—"

"You've got to be kidding me!" Ji Hwan nearly threw the bottle at him.

But as he tried to stand, Ji Hwan's vision blurred. His legs gave out, and thud!—he collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

Ryun stared for a moment before walking over. He crouched beside his nephew and lightly tapped his cheek. "Hey, I was just kidding. Don't actually pass out, idiot..." he muttered.

Despite his words, Ryun checked Ji Hwan's breathing—it was steady. "Well... at least you didn't chicken out," he said with a small smile. Lifting Ji Hwan over his shoulder, he added, "You're heavier than you look. Still managed to fight back earlier, though."

As he carried Ji Hwan inside to rest, Ryun glanced up at the sky, now painted with hues of orange and pink. "You need to get stronger, Ji Hwan... The world out there isn't going to go easy on you."

But behind his casual words, a flicker of concern lingered in his eyes—one he wouldn't show anyone else.