Chapter 6: New Friend? Or Persistent Foe?

Taehyung groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. The cold, hard ground beneath him sent a dull ache through his body. He blinked against the dim light filtering through the alley, his head throbbing. As he stirred, he realized he was back at his usual spot—the dumpster behind the school, where he and his gang often hung out.

"Ugh… what happened?" he muttered, rubbing his forehead. Then, it hit him.

Gen.

His eyes widened as he sat up abruptly. "Gen… GEN! Where is that bastard?"

The delinquents around him exchanged awkward glances, avoiding eye contact. One of them, the lanky one with a buzz cut, hesitated before mumbling, "Uh, boss… you kinda lost."

Another chimed in, a little too enthusiastically, "Yeah, man. He took you down brutally—"

The first one smacked him upside the head. "Shut up, idiot!"

Taehyung barely registered the exchange. His mind was stuck on one word.

Lost.

"I… lost?" His voice was barely above a whisper. Then, louder, as if trying to convince himself. "I lost?"

He clenched his fists, eyes dark with frustration.

"I LOST?!"

A surge of emotions hit him all at once—rage, disbelief, excitement? His breath came out ragged as he turned and sent a powerful kick into the dumpster beside him, leaving a massive dent. His lackeys took a few steps back, wary of his sudden outburst.

Taehyung exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He turned on his heel. "I'm going home."

One of his gang members hesitated. "Boss, where are you—?"

"I have some shit to do."

He walked off without another word, his thoughts a storm inside his head. How could I have been beaten? He had never lost. Not in any official match, not in any street fight. He was a prodigy—trained since he could walk.

And yet… Gen Nanami had defeated him.

As he walked, a strange energy coursed through him. It wasn't anger, exactly. It was… anticipation? Why do I feel so awake? Normally, he'd be craving a cigarette after something like this. Almost on instinct, he pulled the box from his pocket and retrieved a stick. He twirled it between his fingers for a moment… and then put it back.

Weird.

That night, Taehyung lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He replayed the fight in his head—the unexpected punch, the loss of control, the way Gen had tricked him.

He clenched his fist and muttered under his breath, "Gen Nanami…"

A slow chuckle escaped his lips, his grip tightening.

I have to fight him again.

The next morning, Gen Nanami trudged toward school, his body sore from yesterday's battle. Every step felt like a reminder of how much of a beating he had taken.

"Man," he yawned, stretching his arms. "Today's gonna be brutal. I'll have to down at least six energy drinks just to stay awake."

Then, he heard it.

Fast, loud footsteps.

Something—or someone—was sprinting toward him at full speed. His instincts screamed at him to turn around, but his gut already knew who it was.

"Oh… OH, FUCK!"

It was Taehyung.

And he was coming in hot.

"HEY YOU!" Taehyung's voice boomed through the street. "IT'S TIME FOR A REMATCH!"

Gen didn't think. He just ran.

"OUTTA MY WAY! OUTTA MY WAY!" he yelled, shoving past students as he sprinted through the school gates.

Behind him, Taehyung weaved through the crowd, his speed terrifying.

Gen spotted a corner and swiftly turned, pressing his back against the wall, hoping to lose him.

Silence.

He exhaled in relief. Phew. That guy's a complete lunatic. He peeked around the corner—

Taehyung's face was inches from his.

"HA! FOUND YOU!"

"GYAHH!" Gen stumbled back. "Wait, wait—just wait a minute!"

Taehyung grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. "What? I want a rematch. I like your style. You're a worthy opponent."

Gen held up his hands, trying to catch his breath. "Listen… I don't wanna fight. I'm hurting all over. Didn't we just fight?"

"We did." Taehyung cracked his knuckles. "But let's fight again. You're my rival now, after all."

Gen blinked. "I'm your… what?"

He took a moment to assess Taehyung. The guy wasn't mad. If anything, he looked thrilled.

Gen sighed. This guy's completely nuts.

"How about we rest up and fight another time?" he suggested. "That way, we're both at full power."

Taehyung nodded, satisfied. "Good idea. Heal up quick so I can beat your ass." He turned on his heel, walking away with a confident stride. He waved a hand behind him. "Don't ditch me now!"

Gen groaned, rubbing his temples.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?