Clumsy Chapter 28:
The next morning, the academy was already buzzing with energy, the clang of gloves against punching bags and the rhythmic thuds of jumping ropes echoing through the halls. Soon Hae trudged out of the sickbay, her body still sore and her mind foggy from the previous day's ordeal. Coach kang was waiting, arms crossed, his gaze piercing.
"Soon Hae," he began, voice firm and uncompromising, "you will complete double the drills today, plus an additional two hours of cleaning the training hall. Any mistake, and the consequences will escalate. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Coach Kang," she said, bowing deeply, though her legs trembled under the weight of exhaustion.
Fang Yu, watching from the corner, let out a low whistle. "That's… brutal even for the academy standards."
Bai Cao shook his head slightly, her expression calm but sympathetic. "At least it's manageable if you pace yourself. But don't try to impress anyone yet."
As Soon Hae moved toward the training hall, whispers followed her. Some students snickered at the "clumsy rabbit" who had nearly destroyed herself, but others watched with a mix of curiosity and grudging respect. She was still fumbling, still clearly inexperienced, but no one could deny she had survived something that could have seriously injured her.
The cleaning was exhausting. She scrubbed, polished, and mopped, her muscles burning, all while trying not to draw more attention. Fang Yu hovered nearby, teasing gently but also occasionally helping her reach hard to clean spots along Joon seok. Bai Cao lent practical advice, showing her how to work efficiently, how to pace her movements without tiring too quickly. Slowly, a rhythm formed.
By mid-afternoon, Soon Hae's back ached, her hands raw from gripping mops and scrub brushes, but she felt a strange satisfaction. The training hall, now spotless, reflected sunlight streaming through the windows. It was hard work, yes, but she had completed it.
That evening, as students gathered in the outdoor area to unwind, Soon Hae noticed a shift. Some of the juniors, who had once whispered behind her back, now nodded politely when she passed. A few even offered to help carry equipment during training, a small but significant acknowledgment.
Then came Kim Nana, striding in with her usual confident flair. She glanced at Soon Hae, her smile tight, eyes sharp. "You survived the stunt yesterday?" she asked, voice dripping with false sweetness. "Impressive… for a beginner."
Soon Hae's hands tightened instinctively, but she forced a polite smile. "Yes, Ma'am," she said, bowing lightly. The words felt small in her mouth, but she refused to show fear.
Nana's gaze lingered. "Be careful, clumsy rabbit. One more mistake like yesterday, and you'll regret it." Her words were soft, but the threat underneath was unmistakable.
Across the hall, Lu Han observed silently. His expression was calm, but there was a flicker of something concern, perhaps, or faint admiration. Soon Hae felt her cheeks warm under his watchful eyes.
That night, as she returned home, exhausted yet oddly proud, her father greeted her with a tired smile. "You look like you've been through a storm, Hae. How was training?"
"It… it was okay," she murmured, barely able to lift her arms. "I had to clean the entire training hall and do extra drills."
Her father frowned. "That's harsh." But he reached over, squeezing her shoulder gently. "I'm proud of you. You're getting stronger, little princess."
The next few days followed a similar rhythm. Punishments were strict, but Soon Hae's determination never wavered. She stumbled, tripped, and made mistakes, but she kept going. Slowly, the academy began to notice. Seniors who had once dismissed her began to nod in acknowledgment of her perseverance.
Fang Yu, ever the comic relief, continued teasing, but he also sparred with her, pushing her limits. Bai Cao offered tactical advice, helping her refine her stance and movements. Even Lu Han, while remaining aloof, occasionally offered a hand or a word of correction, always just enough to challenge her without revealing too much concern.
Kim Nana, meanwhile, grew more calculating. She watched Soon Hae with increasing irritation, her attempts to undermine the "clumsy rabbit" more obvious with each passing day. But Soon Hae, caught between fear, exhaustion, and stubborn determination, slowly learned to navigate the academy's teaching scale.
By the end of the week, there was a quiet acknowledgment: Soon Hae wasn't just a beginner to be mocked. She was clumsy, yes, but her persistence, resilience, and occasional flashes of natural talent made her a surprising contender in the eyes of the academy.
And somewhere in the background, Lu Han noticed it too the way her determination shone through, the small victories that built her strength, the way even Nana's schemes couldn't completely derail her spirit.
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