How… how could this happen?
Just half an hour ago, he had been at school. Laughing with his friends.
Now, a hand was around his throat — the hand of the man who had destroyed
everything.
a little earlier
A hand smacked lightly against his shoulder. A familiar voice behind him grinned through the words:
"Yo, Ruigh. Don't act like you're surprised."
Ruigh turned, mildly annoyed.
"Dude, seriously?"
Kim stood over him, arms crossed, wearing his usual smug grin.
"Anyway, did you do the homework?"
Ruigh groaned.
"Ugh. Don't remind me."
Kim chuckled.
"Math won't do itself, my guy."
Ruigh exhaled with a smile. Kim had that talent — being irritating and likable all at once.
Just then, another figure approached. Mia, her head tilted slightly, raised an eyebrow at the two boys.
"You two again, huh? Of course."
Kim blushed and laughed.
"Aw come on, Mia. Let's go to karaoke after school. I bet Ruigh's in, right?"
He gave Ruigh another playful slap on the shoulder.
Ruigh sighed.
"Sure, whatever."
Mia giggled, throwing an arm gently around Ruigh's shoulder.
"If Ruigh's coming, I've got no choice. Otherwise, you'd just leave me with the bill and sneak off, Kim."
Kim laughed and shrugged.
Before he could reply, someone yanked him into a headlock from behind.
"Jaden! What the hell?!" Kim gasped, choking.
Jaden's voice was cold.
"Got money for karaoke, huh? Guess that belongs to me now."
Mia stepped in angrily.
"Back off, you jerk!"
She tried to shove him, but he pushed her aside and growled,
"You need a girl to save you? Pathetic."
Then came the punch — hard, brutal.
Jaden rammed his fist into Kim's gut. Blow after blow, until Kim crumpled.
He tried to get up, but Jaden stomped on him, pressing down with full weight.
Kim screamed.
Mia winced and tried to crawl toward him. But before she reached him, Ruigh snapped.
With a roar, he tackled Jaden, slamming him down and stabbing a pen deep into his thigh.
"You bastard!"
Jaden screamed in pain, raising a fist —
But before he could strike, the classroom door flew open.
"What's going on here?!"
A teacher's voice cut through the chaos.
Jaden was dragged off to the teacher's office without a word.
The others were taken to the infirmary.
There, Kim lay bandaged, breathing hard. Mia held an ice pack to her cheek.
Ruigh sat silently beside them.
Kim gave a faint smile.
"Thanks, Ruigh. You're a real one."
Ruigh managed a weak grin.
"I do what I can."
Mia groaned.
"We still going to karaoke?"
Kim laughed.
"Hell yeah. Like I'm letting Jaden ruin our day."
The nurse walked in.
"You three are excused for the rest of the day. Go home and rest."
Once she left, the three packed their things and left the building — laughing again.
Kim dragged them for ramen first. The warm broth filled Ruigh's belly as he rocked happily on the stool. But Kim and Mia were already pulling him toward the karaoke bar.
There, their laughter echoed through the room, their voices cracked from singing too hard — just like always. Just like any other day.
That perfect image of joy…
…shattered.
The man's hand closed around Ruigh's throat once more. The laughter, the light — all of it… gone.