The courtyard buzzed with whispers as two groups faced each other — the boy on one side, and the Class 10-B Captain with his crew of eleven towering figures on the other.
Between them lay ten silent steps, heavy with unspoken tension.
Each of the captain's men looked strong — not just muscular, but refined, like fighters who'd seen countless brawls. Their calm eyes carried experience, and their postures alone were intimidating enough to make the crowd take a step back.
The captain observed the scene quietly, his voice calm and collected when he finally spoke.
Captain: "You're new here, aren't you?"
The boy nodded.
A crew member leaned close and whispered something in the captain's ear.
Crew Member (whispering): "They're not ours, Captain. Those guys are from Class 11."
The captain didn't flinch. His eyes returned to the boy.
Captain: "Explain."
The boy exhaled slowly before replying, his tone neither defensive nor submissive.
Boy: "They asked for money. I refused. Then they hit me first."
No flicker of emotion appeared on the captain's face.
Captain: "You should be careful on your first day."
The boy gave a small, ironic chuckle.
Boy: "What can I do when they're the ones who knocked on my door? I just welcomed them properly."
A few people in the crowd almost laughed but quickly went quiet when the captain's eyes swept past them.
Captain: "There are rules in this school. Breaking them has consequences. Remember that — and live peacefully. No one here cares otherwise."
With that, the captain turned around, signaling his crew to leave.
But the boy's next words stopped everyone.
His voice wasn't loud — it was clear, steady, and confident enough to cut through the murmurs.
Boy: "Sorry to say, senior... but my rulebook's already full. No room left for new rules."
The air froze. A few jaws dropped. The sheer audacity in his tone didn't sound rebellious — it sounded… natural, like he genuinely meant it.
The captain paused for a moment but said nothing.
Just as they were about to walk away, one of his men spoke up.
Crew Member 1: "Captain, I think this kid's gonna be a problem later. Let's deal with him now."
The captain didn't respond, but five members instantly turned back toward the boy, their intent clear.
One of them stepped closer, smirking as he bent slightly to meet the boy's eyes.
Crew Member 1: "Hey, little man... you just crossed the line. Ready for your punishment?"
Before the boy could speak, a heavy hook swung toward his face.
It connected — hard.
The boy's head snapped slightly to the side as he stumbled a step back.
He could taste the metallic tang of blood in his mouth.
But instead of anger, a strange calmness filled his mind.
(...So that's how it is, huh? First day and I already attract attention. Great start.)
He straightened his back, eyes now cold and unreadable.
The guy smirked again and went for another punch — but this time, the boy moved.
In a flash, he slipped under the arm and spun. His foot whipped around in a 180° roundhouse kick, smashing square into the guy's jaw.
CRACK.
The crowd gasped. Blood splattered. The attacker stumbled back, holding his nose as fury replaced shock.
He roared and lunged again, faster and harder.
The boy raised his elbow, blocking the impact. The vibration rattled through his arm.
(He's strong... boxer, maybe? That form wasn't street.)
The boy twisted his hips, hooking his foot behind the attacker's leg, and swept him clean off the ground.
The guy hit the floor hard — and before he could react, the boy was already on top of him, raining down punches, each strike faster and sharper than the last.
The crowd roared, some in shock, some in thrill.
Blood splattered the boy's hand, but his expression didn't change. His eyes were empty — no rage, no satisfaction. Just focus.
(This... is troublesome. Why does this keep happening wherever I go?)
Another member rushed in, kicking him sideways.
The boy rolled twice, sliding across the ground before stopping himself with a hand pressed to the floor.
He got up slowly, cracking his neck, wiping a bit of blood from his lip.
(They hit harder than they look. Fighters… all of them. Maybe this school's not ordinary after all.)
Two more guys started approaching.
The boy crouched slightly, exhaling through his nose — ready to move.
But then—
WHOOSH!
A blur cut through the air between them.
The next thing anyone saw was a 360° spinning kick connecting perfectly with one guy's temple, sending him flying two and a half meters away.
The other boy froze mid-step — only to get caught by a clean right hook that sent him sprawling across the courtyard floor.
Dust exploded into the air.
When it settled, two silhouettes stood there, the sunlight outlining their shapes like heroes from a scene frozen in time.
The crowd's silence broke into whispers —
"It's them... it's Tom and Ashi!"
"No way—why are they here?"
"Is that new kid... connected to them?"
Even the captain's eyes widened slightly, his calm demeanor cracking for the first time.
Ashi brushed his hair back with a grin.
Ashi: "See, Tom? Told you the audience loves action."
Tom: "You really have no sense of timing, do you?"
The boy looked at the two of them, a spark of recognition in his eyes — not from knowing them, but from understanding them.
Their calm, their control, their presence.
(They're not like the others… these two feel different. Powerful... and familiar somehow.)
The captain finally stepped forward, his voice steady.
Captain: "Is he related to you two?"
Tom opened his mouth to say no — but before he could, the boy casually jumped forward, slinging his arms over both their shoulders.
A faint grin crossed his lips.
Boy: "Yeah. I know them. Got a problem with that, senior?"
The entire courtyard went still.
Tom blinked once, Ashi smirked, and the captain — after a few seconds of silence — turned around.
Captain: "I see. Then make sure he learns his limits."
He gestured to his men to pick up the ones on the ground.
The group walked away quietly, their footsteps echoing through the courtyard.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, whispers followed like echoes in the wind —
"Who is that first-year?"
"He took down five alone…"
"And now he's with Tom and Ashi?"
The boy stood between them, smirking faintly as the sun hit his face.
(First day of school, and I already made my introduction… not bad)
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