Present
The base was quiet, Johan and Sun-ho sat alone.
"You should've told me from the beginning," Johan said finally, his voice calm His gaze stayed on Sun-ho "That you're… a businessman."
Sun-ho leaned back in his chair, his tone calm "I intended to keep that part of me separate, Business has nothing to do with the crew thing, That's why I didn't mention it."
Johan gave a small nod, accepting the answer.
Sun-ho Breaking the silence again "Anyway, the group I'm about to form isn't just another set of fighters, It's going to be a special combat unit They'll listen to me and you, and only us, They'll handle missions that others can't The hardest, The most important ones I'll train them myself."
Johan studied him carefully.
Johan sighed, leaning back "You know your fight with Gun has already spread across Gangbuk, By now, every one of the three major crews has heard about you Sooner or later, they'll move, Be careful around them."
Sun-ho smiled "I've been careful my whole life."
"So… how's the new guy, the one I brought in? And his army?"
Johan spoke "Three hundred eighteen men That's how many he has under him And they're not pushovers either, they can fight, Especially Sehun Lee and Wuhyeong Jin And Uijin… he's strong enough to be considered at our executive level." Johan gave a small smile, impressed "They're capable, Really capable."
The door open then, Jin Jang entered, his eyes moving between the two before he sat down beside them.
He didn't waste time "Looks like Workers are already digging into your background, Sun-ho, They want to know who you are, The other crews don't seem shaken yet, but Workers… they're not the type to ignore talent Or threats."
Jin Jang leaned back in his chair, folding his arms "Workers are the strongest of the Four Major Crews, Their manpower alone is crushing, but it's their executives that make them dangerous And we God Dogs, we're second, That's only because of you two If either of you falls, everything falls with you."
Sun-ho's voice was calm "That's exactly why I'm building The unit And why we need to start training our men seriously Right now, the God Dogs are too weak compared to the other crews, We need them disciplined, sharpened Otherwise, when the storm comes, they'll be the first to fall."
Jin Jang let out a heavy breath "Being the newest major crew… the last to rise among the Four it's exhausting."
Before Sun-ho could reply, his phone rang.
He glanced at the number, expression unreadable, then answered He exchanged a few quiet words, his tone steady Then, he held out the phone toward Johan.
"Take it," Sun-ho said "It's for you, Jin Jang be a good host and grab us some soft drinks."
Jin Jang raised an eyebrow, suspicious, but stood and left anyway.
Johan, confused, took the phone. "Hello?"
The voice on the other end made his entire body freeze, It was warm, Familiar, Trembling, his lips parted, and tears welled up instantly in his eyes.
"Mom?"
His voice cracked, tears spilling freely down his bruised face, His body shook, and his words tumbled out broken. "I… I'm sorry Yes, I'll never do that again, Yes, I-I'll get a haircut, I promise, I" His voice drowned in sobs.
Minutes passed, the call ended
Johan sat there, wiping his face with the back of his bandaged hand His breathing was uneven, He looked at Sun-ho with red, swollen eyes. "Why?"
Sun-ho smiled faintly "Why? What do you mean, why? You're my friend, I can at least do that much for you As for how I knew…" He gave a small shrug "I'm a businessman, Johan I do my research, I looked into you Found out about your mother, found out she was blind And as an orphan myself, it… hit me I couldn't just let that be So I arranged the surgery Kept it quiet until today."
Johan lowered his head, unable to look Sun-ho in the eye.
"And," Sun-ho continued softly, "for your eyes, you'll have to find a date for the surgery."
Johan raised his head slowly, eyes tired from crying His voice was weak, trembling, but carried more weight "Thank you… Thank you so much."
"No problem," Sun-ho said gently. "As your friend, how could I stand by and let you suffer? And honestly… doing this brought me peace." He leaned forward slightly, his voice firmer "Besides, this relieves some pressure for the future We're going to rule Seoul, Johan You need to be ready physically, mentally Strong in every way So take care of yourself, Rest your mind, Strength without peace is fragile."
Johan's throat tightened again His fists trembled "I'll never forget this, I owe you, I owe you more than I can ever repay."
Sun-ho smiled. "Then repay me by living well, Go meet your mother, Johan Seong."
Johan stood quickly, still wiping his face, and hurried out the door without another word.
Moments later, Jin Jang returned with bottles of soft drinks in both hands, He glanced around "Where did Johan go?"
"He had work to do" Sun-ho replied calmly, taking a bottle from the table.
---
Later, at J-High
The cafeteria was buzzing with laughter and noise, students moving, Minsoo sat at a table with Vasco, Zack, Zoe, and Mira Kim Compared to Gangbuk, this almost like another life entirely.
Zack was halfway through a ridiculous story, gesturing wildly with his hands "And then the guy actually slipped on his own shoelaces, Right on his face! Such a idiot, You should've seen it, Minsoo."
Vasco was already laughing too hard, pounding his fist on the table, while Zoe tried and failed to keep a straight face Mira rolled her eyes, but her lips betrayed a small smirk.
Minsoo chuckled, shaking his head "You guys are hopeless."
"So, Minsoo…" Zoe leaned forward, curiosity sparking in her eyes "You've never told us much about your family What's it like?"
The question caught him For a moment, his smile faltered, He sighed softly "Family, huh?"
Everyone watched him quietly.
"I only have my little brother," Minsoo said finally His voice was calm, but softer than usual "We've been orphans since we were kids No parents, No relatives Just the two of us."
The laughter at the table faded, Vasco's wide eyes brimmed with tears instantly, his huge hands trembling "M-Minsoo…" He sniffled loudly, his nose already red. "That's… that's so sad."
Zoe's smile faded into sympathy, Mira's face softened Even Zack, usually carefree, fell quiet for once.
But Minsoo, seeing the sudden heaviness, quickly raised both hands "Hey, hey! Don't cry, Vasco You're gonna flood the cafeteria!"
The table laughed again, though Vasco still sniffled, wiping his nose, Minsoo grinned, his tone playful "Look, it's not all bad My brother and I… we've managed, We fight, we cook, we keep each other alive And between him and me" He leaned in, lowering his voice. "he's way scarier than any of you."
Zack burst into laughter, clapping Minsoo on the back "Now that's hard to believe!"
Even Mira chuckled, Vasco, despite still teary, laughed too, his booming voice echoing through the cafeteria.
Here, among friends, he wasn't a fighter, or an investor, or a strategist He was just… a Student, for now.