GANGBUSTER CHAPTER THREE: PUBLIC ENEMIES

Ten Years Ago..

The blow came fast and hard, a knuckle-cracking impact that sent Rafiel stumbling backward, crashing into the lockers. Pain flared through his jaw, metallic-tasting blood pooling on his tongue.

"Holy crap!" The boy who threw the punch barked out a laugh, shaking his hand as if Rafiel's face had bruised his knuckles. He turned to his friends, grinning. "Did you see that monkey come at me?!"

The other boys snickered, their voices dripping with mockery.

"Scary, man!" One of them jeered. "Where do you think it came from?"

"The nearest zoo is about ten kilometers away," another chimed in. "You think it came from there?"

Rafiel swiped the blood from his lip, glaring at them through the sting of humiliation. "You fucking assholes… just leave me alone."

The ringleader's eyes widened in exaggerated surprise. "Whoa! It can talk!"

"It called us 'assholes,'" one of the others added, clutching his chest in feigned offense. "That was rude. I think we should teach it a lesson."

"Couldn't agree more," the first boy sneered.

Before they could advance, a small figure darted between them, arms spread wide like a shield.

"Stop it!" Hana's voice rang out, firm and unyielding. Her dark eyes burned with anger as she blocked the boys from reaching Rafiel. "Stop picking on my big brother!"

The bullies hesitated, then erupted into laughter.

"Your big brother is a monkey?!" One of them sneered.

"That makes you a monkey too!" another cackled.

They broke into exaggerated monkey poses, hooting and clawing at the air.

"Monkey kids! Monkey kids!" Their taunts echoed down the hall.

Hana's face turned beet red, her fists trembling. "Shut up! Shut up!!!"

Rafiel sighed, the fight draining out of him. "Hana, stop," he muttered begrudgingly. "It's not worth it."

She turned to him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "But Rafi—"

"Let's just go home."

Several Months Later..

Rafiel barely had time to brace before he was shoved hard into the brown shoe-lockers, the metal rattling from the impact.

"Sorry, bro, didn't see you there," Gim Ji-ho snickered, shoving his hands into his pockets as he loomed over him. "You blended right in with the lockers. Hahaha!"

Rafiel clenched his jaw, anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Ooh, that's a scary face," Ji-ho taunted. "Looks like I made him mad. Haha!"

From behind, a girl's voice chimed in, her tone laced with cruelty. "Careful, he might spit on you. I hear they have AIDS!"

A chorus of disgusted gasps followed.

"Ewww!" The girls giggled, covering their mouths as if Rafiel's presence alone was contagious.

"Leave him alone!" Hana's voice cut through the laughter. She rushed forward, pushing Ji-ho back.

Ji-ho smirked at the sight of her. "Relax, Hana. We're just having some fun."

"At my brother's expense?!" She glared, then bent down to help Rafiel up. "Come on, Rafi. Let's go home."

As they walked away, Ji-ho's smile faded, his eyes narrowing with something darker.

The Following Month..

The evening air was crisp as Hana walked beside Rafiel, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides. "Ji-ho is such a fucking jerk! I just wanna—" She threw a series of wild punches in the air. "You know?!"

Rafiel remained silent.

Hana huffed, throwing her hands up. "He's not gonna stop picking on you until you stand up for yourself, Rafi. You gotta learn to fight back."

"Why?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

"Why do I need to learn how to stand up for myself?" His voice was eerily calm. "He's only after me because he likes the attention from you."

Hana stopped walking. "That's not—"

"Whatever. It doesn't even matter. The minute I leave, people like him will stop existing."

Her stomach twisted. "Leave? What do you mean leave?"

Rafiel didn't answer.

"Rafi," she tried again, "what's wrong?"

He exhaled sharply. "I made up my mind. I'm leaving Korea."

Her breath hitched. "W-What are you talking about? What do you mean you're leaving?"

"I'm going back to the States. And I'm never coming back here."

"You can't leave! What would Dad think?! He worked so hard to take care of—"

"He's not my dad!"

Hana's voice caught in her throat. "W-Wha—?"

"And you're not my sister," Rafiel continued, his voice hollow. "Neither of you mean anything to me. My mom was the only thing keeping me here, and she's gone… So why the fuck would I stay?"

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "No… please… don't go…"

But he was already walking away.

Present Day – The Purple Rose Garden, Dance Club

The bass pulsed through the club, the dim lighting casting shifting shadows across the dance floor. The walls were thin—too thin to block out the unmistakable sounds of sex from the private rooms, somehow louder than the music itself.

Ji-ho grinned as he led Hana inside. "What's wrong? Never been to a place like this before?"

Hana hesitated, glancing around. "It's just… a lot. Plus, I've never cut school before. And this place… it's overwhelming."

Ji-ho leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Then how about we go somewhere more… private?"

Her heart pounded. "Oh… um… okay."

As they disappeared into one of the private rooms, Rafiel pushed through the entrance of the club.

(Is Hana really in a place like this?) he thought, scanning the crowd. 

(Thank god dad put us on a family plan or else I would have never been able to track her here.) He strode up to the front desk.

"Excuse me," he said, voice firm. "Have you seen a tall guy come in here? Cheap haircut, reeks of gas station cologne?"

The bored-looking receptionist barely glanced up. "You'll have to be a little more specific."

Private Room-

Hana shifted uncomfortably as Ji-ho closed the door behind them.

"Um… is this room for… y'know?" she asked nervously.

Ji-ho smirked. "What do you think?"

Before she could react, he grabbed her and threw her onto the bed. Her breath caught as her shirt rode up slightly, exposing her stomach.

"If you only knew how long I've dreamt of seeing these tits," he murmured hungrily, yanking at her blouse.

"W-Wait!"

He ignored her, pulling her bra down, exposing her bare skin to the cool air.

Hana squirmed, her hands pushing weakly against his chest. "P-Please… wait…"

Ji-ho grinned, running his fingers down her thighs. "Are you scared?" he whispered in her ear. "Don't worry. Since it's your first time…"

He leaned in for a kiss.

Hana squeezed her eyes shut.

Ji-ho's hands moved with a sense of entitlement, his fingers rough as he tugged at Hana's clothes. Her heart pounded, panic surging through her veins.

"P-Please… wait…" she gasped, struggling against his grip.

He ignored her, his hands roaming lower, fingers curling around the waistband of her pants.

"No—" Her voice caught, fear tightening in her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"No. No. No."

A memory crashed into her, pulling her back—

Eight Years Earlier..

Rafiel stood at the edge of the crosswalk, arms crossed, frustration etched across his face. "I can't believe you're this scared to cross the street. You're almost nine!"

Hana clutched the hem of her dress, her small hands shaking. "I'm sorry…" she whispered, staring at the asphalt like it was a monster ready to swallow her whole. "It's scary…"

Rafiel sighed. But when he glanced at her and saw the tears welling up in her eyes, his expression softened. He held out his hand.

She blinked, sniffling. "Huh?"

"Whatever," he muttered, looking away like he didn't care. "Whenever you're scared… just take my hand."

Her breath hitched. She stared at him for a long moment before slowly reaching out, her small fingers hesitantly curling around his.

"O…okay."

Present Day..

Hana's hands shot forward, grasping at empty air.

Rafi… please… I'm scared… I-I'm so scared…

But Rafiel wasn't there.

And Ji-ho wasn't stopping.

Ji-ho's hand moved between Hana's thighs, his touch invasive, unwelcome. Her entire body stiffened, a cold wave of terror washing over her.

"No… no… no…"

She squeezed her eyes shut, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Ji-ho clicked his tongue. His fingers gripped her chin, forcing her face upward. "Don't close your eyes, baby girl." His breath was hot against her skin.

"Are you scared?" he whispered, smirking as if the fear in her eyes thrilled him.

Her stomach twisted violently.

"Don't worry," he murmured, tilting her head toward him. "Since it's your first time…"

He leaned in.

Hana's heart pounded, the weight of helplessness pressing down on her chest.

"Rafi… please… come back." She pleaded in her head.

Rafiel crashed through the door like a force of nature, slamming into Ji-ho with full momentum. The impact sent them both to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

Ji-ho let out a startled grunt. "What the fuck?!"

"Hana, get out of here! Now!" Rafiel shouted, his voice raw with urgency.

But Ji-ho recovered fast. His fist came up in a blur, smashing into Rafiel's cheek with a sickening crack.

"Rafi!" Hana cried out in horror.

Ji-ho shoved Rafiel off and got to his feet, rolling his shoulders like he was warming up. He grinned, sadistic amusement in his eyes. "Don't know when to leave good enough alone, do you, monkey-boy?"

Before Rafiel could react, Ji-ho delivered a sharp, precise jab straight to his mouth. The punch landed with brutal force, sending Rafiel flying backward into a table. His back hit the edge, and pain exploded up his spine.

Ji-ho dusted off his knuckles. "She doesn't need you in her life anymore. And thank God for it, 'cause if I had to see her all touching up on you again, I swear, I was gonna vomit."

Rafiel staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his split lip. His vision swam, but he locked eyes with Hana. "Hana… run… go home… now!"

Ji-ho let out a cruel laugh. "Don't worry, babe. I'll deal with this guy, and we can go back to enjoying ourselves."

Rafiel's fingers curled into fists. "You lay a finger on her, and I swear to God I'll break every fucking finger you have!"

Ji-ho smirked, lifting his hand to his lips. He licked his fingers slowly, deliberately. "Oh, monkey-boy…" His eyes darkened. "I've laid more than just a finger on her."

Rafiel's breath hitched. A white-hot rage, deeper than anything he'd ever known, ignited in his chest. His vision blurred—not from pain, but from fury.

{FLASHBACK}

"I've fought guys like this before," Jae-sun had once told him. "They have huge, fragile egos. If you wanna get him in a position where it's just you versus him, attack him verbally. Say something that makes him feel insecure about his masculinity. That always works. Once he's ready to fight you one-on-one, he'll be angry. And cocky."

{PRESENT}

Rafiel forced himself to exhale, pushing past the haze of rage. He tilted his head, pretending to consider Ji-ho's words. Then, a smirk tugged at his swollen lip. "Hmm? Really? Well, I guess I shouldn't be too mad. I mean, I'm sure your finger is the biggest tool in your arsenal."

Ji-ho's cocky grin twitched.

Rafiel widened his smirk. "That's gotta be why you're so desperate to flex how manly you are, right? Sounds like someone's packing a shrimp instead of a nice, long sausage."

Ji-ho's nostrils flared. His entire body went rigid with unchecked fury.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

He lunged.

{FLASHBACK}

"Aim for the chin," Jae-sun had advised. "People always go for cheek shots. Bad move. There's a lot of cushion on the cheek. The chin is open and exposed. One clean, solid hit will lay his ass out. And even if it doesn't, it'll lower his health bar enough that you can just kick him afterward to drain all his HP."

{PRESENT}

Rafiel's heartbeat slowed. This is my chance.

He braced himself, shifting his weight. I'm scared out of my mind right now… but I don't care.

Ji-ho was nearly on top of him.

I'm gonna save Hana—

Rafiel twisted his hips and swung. His fist connected with Ji-ho's chin in a brutal, satisfying crack. Ji-ho's head snapped back. His legs buckled. He stumbled, then dropped onto his back, dazed.

Hana gasped, eyes wide.

Rafiel stood over Ji-ho, breathing hard. He spat on him, blood and saliva mixing as it hit Ji-ho's face. Then he turned to Hana, stepping toward her. "Hana… you okay?"

She rushed toward him. "Forget me! Rafi, you dumbass!" Tears welled in her eyes as she cupped his bruised face. "Look at your face… he hurt your face…"

Her voice trembled, shifting into a nurturing tone.

Rafiel chuckled, even though it sent a jolt of pain through his body. "Don't worry," he said, lips quivering into a smirk. "It only hurts when I smile." A thin stream of blood dripped from his lip. "Hehe."

Hana swallowed hard. "Rafi… I—"

Her eyes widened in horror.

Rafiel barely had time to process it before a dark shadow loomed behind him.

Ji-ho was standing.

(What?! How the hell is he—?)

{FLASHBACK}

"Even if it doesn't, it'll still lower his health bar enough that you can just kick him afterward to drain all his HP."

{PRESENT}

(Oh no…)

Rafiel's breath hitched. (I stopped!)

A hand clamped around his throat.

Ji-ho's grip was like steel, crushing his windpipe in an instant. He shoved Rafiel back, slamming him onto the bed, climbing over him like a predator over prey.

"HAHAHA!" Ji-ho's breath reeked of alcohol and sweat, his grin deranged. "That was impressive, monkey-boy! That must've been the first punch you ever threw in your whole life—because that shit was weak as fuck!"

Rafiel choked, his vision going hazy as his lungs screamed for air. His hands clawed at Ji-ho's wrist, but the bastard was strong—too strong. His eyes bulged, the edges of his vision darkening.

Ji-ho leaned in, his voice turning to a sickening whisper. "Shhh. Don't struggle. Make this easy for me."

His grip tightened.

"After I kill you…" He chuckled, low and sinister. "I'm gonna fuck the shit out of your sister—right next to your cold, dead-eyed corpse."

His smile stretched, pure malice burning in his gaze.

"You ugly fucking monkey."

Rafiel's vision flickered. His limbs started to go limp.

Suddenly, there was a loud slamming noise and Ji-ho's body jerked violently forward. His eyes widened in shock before rolling back, and he slumped to the side like a puppet with its strings cut.

Standing behind him, chest heaving, was Hana.

She gripped the remains of a shattered chair, her fingers white-knuckled around the splintered wood. Her breath came in ragged gasps, eyes wild with fury and terror.

Ji-ho groaned weakly, body twitching.

Hana's face twisted. "You motherfucker!" She raised her foot and slammed it into his ribs.

THUD.

"I'll kill you!"

THUD.

"Don't ever call him that!"

Her voice cracked, shrill with rage.

THUD. THUD.

"Do you fucking hear me, you bastard?!" Her kicks became erratic, her body trembling with raw fury. "You dirty fucking son of a bitch!"

Ji-ho's body spasmed from the blows, but he was out cold, offering no resistance.

Hana didn't care.

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

Another kick to his ribs.

"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!"

She raised her foot again, but before she could strike, a weak, trembling hand grasped her shoulder.

"Hana… stop…"

Rafiel's voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. His body swayed as he stood, one eye nearly swollen shut, blood still trickling from his busted lip. His hand on her shoulder was light, almost uncertain. "It's okay…"

Hana froze. Her chest rose and fell in sharp, ragged gasps. She looked down at Ji-ho's battered, unconscious body, then back at Rafiel.

Tears spilled down her face as she cupped Rafiel's bruised cheeks, her hands trembling. "Rafi…" Her voice cracked, raw and broken. "I-I'm so fucking sorry, Rafi… This is—I… I'm so fucking sorry…"

Sobs wracked her body as she pressed her forehead against his, shaking with guilt.

Rafiel gave her a tired, lopsided smile. "It's okay, Hana…"

And then he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight, desperate embrace.

"If anyone needs to apologize…" he murmured against her hair.

"It's me."