Y Middle School, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
"W-Warren." A kid with a bowl cut stuttered.
"Are you okay?" Another boy with long hair hiding his eyes asked.
Warren, who was lying on the terrace ground, answered, "Yeah, it doesn't hurt at all."
"...If you're okay, then why are you lying on the ground like that?"
Warren didn't answer. Instead, he thought to himself, "Because it's hot."
Seeing that Warren wasn't replying, they said, "Sorry, it's our fault."
Warren replied, "Are you stupid? We look out for each other."
Max, the long-haired one, asked, "By the way, why do you come up here every day?"
Warren replied, "So I can see."
Max asked with shock, "Huh? See what? Who?"
Warren turned over and said, "Sally Park."
Max exclaimed, "Huh! You know her name? I told you she's out of our league! She's living in a whole different world from us."
Warren looked at a window in the building across from them. Two girls were chatting in a classroom.
Clang… Screeeech…
A buzz-cut boy opened the terrace door. He glanced at Warren and his group before walking toward the edge of the terrace.
Seeing the newcomer, Warren asked, "Who is he?"
Derrick, the bowl-cut one, answered, "Oh, he's Vin Jin, the new exchange student."
Warren watched as Vin Jin stopped at the edge of the terrace and started looking at the window where the two girls were chatting. Seeing the expression on Vin Jin's face, he felt annoyed for some reason.
Warren got up and shouted, "Hey, exchange student, what are you doing wearing glasses when there's not even that much sun?"
Vin Jin snapped back and showed him the middle finger. "Mind your business, fucker."
Hearing the sudden profanity, Warren sprinted across the terrace, swinging a wild right hook.
Vin Jin, who hadn't expected to be jumped—barely raised his arm, let the punch glance off, then suddenly stepped in. In one smooth motion, he hooked Warren's arm under his shoulder, twisted his hips, and tried to flip him.
"Whoa—!" Warren yelped as his feet left the ground for a split second, but he twisted his weight at the last moment and landed roughly, skidding on his shoes.
Max and Derrick's jaws dropped.
"Did he just… throw Warren?"
But Warren wasn't down yet. He pushed himself back up, grinning despite the scrape on his cheek.
"Not bad… You're good."
He lunged again, fists pumping, landing a jab into Vin Jin's chest. Vin Jin grunted. He reached out, gripping Warren's collar and sleeve. With a low growl, he twisted his hips again—
*THUD!*
This time Warren slammed onto his back. Air rushed out of his lungs, but he rolled away before Vin Jin could follow up.
"Shit… he's strong," Warren muttered, clutching his shoulder.
Vin Jin adjusted his sunglasses, smirking.
"Ever wrestled before?"
But Warren wasn't backing down. He tackled forward, arms wide. The impact drove Vin Jin a few steps back—enough for Warren to slam a knee into his thigh. Vin Jin hissed.
For a moment, the fight balanced out. Max's eyes widened.
"He's… keeping up with him."
Even Vin Jin looked slightly shocked.
"This idiot has some power behind him…"
But then Vin Jin shifted gears. He grabbed Warren's arm mid-swing, locked it tight under his armpit, and twisted. Warren's body bent awkwardly before Vin Jin swept his leg, sending him crashing again, this time harder.
"Argh—!" Warren spat, rolling across the terrace floor.
Derrick flinched.
"Warren's… losing?"
Vin Jin cracked his neck, towering over Warren with an annoyed expression.
"What's your problem, man?"
Warren gritted his teeth, forcing himself up despite the pain.
"I like Sally Park. I can't let another man stare at her!"
This time, Vin Jin looked confused. "Sally Park? You mean landlord Sally Park? Why would I stare at her? I'm literally a tenant in her building. Why would I want to get myself kicked out?"
Warren suddenly became confused. "Then why were you looking toward her?"
Vin Jin rubbed his forehead and said, "Damn, dude! I'm looking at the girl beside her. She's Sujin Kim. I like her."
Everything clicked in Warren's mind. Warren felt a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, dude. I didn't know that."
Vin Jin replied, "No problem, as long as we're cool."
Warren then stuttered, "W-When you said you're a tenant at Sally's house, did you mean you live with her alone?"
"Why would I live with a young girl alone? We live downstairs. Me, my teacher, my hyung, and Sujin," Vin Jin replied.
Warren released a breath of relief. Then he extended his hand toward Vin Jin. "Sorry, our first impression might have been bad, but I'd like to not escalate this any further. I'm Warren Chae."
Then he pointed at Max and Derrick and said, "Those two are Max and Derrick."
Vin Jin shook hands with Warren and said, "I'm Vin Jin. I came here from Cheonliang."