The sound of the timer echoed through Jisoo's small room. He was upside down, supporting the weight of his entire body with only his right hand on the floor, while his legs remained perfectly aligned upwards. The clock already showed 10 minutes and 23 seconds in that insane position.
Sweat was running down the side of his face, but Jisoo's eyes remained steady, almost unblinking. With a slight push, he slowly lowered his body, landed on the floor and turned off the timer.
"Tsk... it's time," he muttered, wiping the towel over his face.
As he walked towards the window, memories of the conversation with Damian invaded his mind. "I want to face someone strong, I want to change my life," he had said. And today was the day. Damian was going to prove whether he was worthy or just another kid with a nice voice.
The scene then cut to Damian's room.
The alarm clock rang loudly, and he jumped up, as if he were already ready for the day. He walked over to the mirror and, upon looking at himself, was surprised. His shoulders were broader, his chest was beginning to show under his shirt, and even his legs seemed firmer.
But what caught his attention the most was his height.
He measured himself against the mark he had made on the wall two days before and his eyes widened.
"5'10?! Have I grown another 3 centimeters?" he said, touching his face in the mirror. "This body is insane..."
He smiled, feeling invincible. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, rice, chicken and a glass of smoothie, he put on his uniform and headed to school.
When he got there, he soon found his friends at the gate.
— Dude… look at the size of that guy! — Minho exclaimed, his eyes widening.
— You grew again?! That's impossible, man. Are you getting stronger just by looking at the gym? — Hiro teased, patting Damian on the shoulder.
Damian laughed, bragging.
— This is my pace. Soon, not even Jisoo will be able to catch up to me anymore.
It was then that he felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder. Goosebumps ran down his body. When he turned around, he came face to face with Jisoo, her gaze sharp as a blade.
— I want to see if you're really all that, Damian. — he said with a half smile. — Today you're going to face someone from the 1st year. Alone. I don't want an excuse. If you can… we'll talk.
The atmosphere became heavy.
Damian's friends tensed up, but he just puffed out his chest and replied:
— It's a deal. Show me where.
The class dragged on. Not even Damian could pay attention, the adrenaline pounding in his chest. During the break, Jisoo called him and they went to the back of the school, where there was a somewhat hidden alley, usually used by school gangs to "sort things out".
A small group was already there. In their midst was Doohyun, a guy known by the first years as one of the strongest in the first year. Bleached hair, a light scar on his eyebrow and a ripped body like someone who lived on the streets fighting.
Damian took a deep breath.
Jisoo leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Show me that it's not just talk, Damian."
Doohyun snapped his fingers and advanced. Damian felt his adrenaline rise, but this time, unlike the other fights, he was prepared. The training, the push-ups, the planks, the boiling blood… this was different.
He smiled.
"Come on then."
The first punch cut through the air and the fight began.