Mina yanked Ren's hand away sharply.
Her eyes trembled with a mix of fear and anger, as if a storm inside her was about to break.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Her slap echoed down the corridor.
Ren turned his head to the side, feeling the heat on his cheek… yet he didn't react.
Mina's voice quivered:
"Ren… have you seen what happened to them? Do you… do you even realize what you've done?"
Ren's knees seemed to give out.
He sank to the floor, hands trembling. Fingers clutching the cold ground, he whispered to himself:
"I… what have I done…?"
"They're going to hate me… Mina… no… it can't be…"
A warm wave of guilt rose in his chest.
Tears streamed down his cheeks involuntarily.
Mina stood frozen in shock.
This couldn't be the same boy who had just crushed four people…
"Enough, Ren… stop crying."
She softened her voice.
"Are you a child?"
Ren lifted his head.
His eyes were sharp, like shards of broken glass… yet fragile.
"I just wanted to protect you…"
He stood, hiding his face with his hands.
"That's all."
Without looking back, he stepped out of the school gates.
---
Mina remained where she was.
Every moment replayed in her mind:
Students thrown naked… heads hitting the floor… broken bones…
Her fingers trembled.
"He really… did this…"
She whispered to herself.
And the painful truth settled in:
Ren only stopped because of her words.
As if Mina were his only master.
---
Walking home, Ren looked down at his stomach beneath his shirt.
He clenched his teeth in anger.
"Disgusting…" he whispered.
He picked up a large stone from the ground.
Without hesitation, he pressed it against his stomach—
the stone cut his skin, leaving red lines.
"I feel nothing anymore…"
Blood spread across his shirt.
Suddenly, someone rushed over, knocking the stone from his hands.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
A fit, broad-shouldered man pinned Ren to the ground.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?!"
Ren's vision went dark before he could respond. He fainted.
The man cursed under his breath:
"Damn kid…"
And carried Ren on his back to the gym.
---
When Ren opened his eyes, the sound of weights clanging filled his ears.
He peeked inside.
His eyes widened.
The gym was full of muscular, fit, powerful-looking people.
The only thought crossing his mind:
"Mina… she must like guys like this…"
He lowered his head.
The fit man's voice came from behind:
"Awake now, kid?"
Ren gritted his teeth.
"Don't ever call me 'kid' again… can't you see my stomach? I hate this!"
The man raised an eyebrow. Then, without hesitation, he lightly punched Ren on the head.
"Idiot.
The belly gets burned off, but life doesn't come back."
He added seriously:
"Want to get really fit?
You're coming here every day. I'll make that disgusting stomach of yours unrecognizable in three months."
Ren was surprised, then laughed as he stood.
"Alright… you bastard. Hope you can do it."
The man laughed too.
"I can. But let's see if you can handle it."
---
Walking home, Ren's mind was a mess.
On the subway, his eyes froze—
Mina…
She was sitting across from him.
Ren immediately turned his head, pulling his hood down to hide his face.
His heart raced. Mina's voice echoed in his mind:
"Ren… do you realize what you've done?"
He took a deep breath.
"If I show myself, she'll yell… she'll be right again.
I won't make her angry anymore," he thought.
The subway stopped at the next station.
Mina got off, heading up the stairs with other students.
Ren remained glued to his seat.
He just watched silently.
"I'll change," he whispered.
"Three months… no school, no one will see me. I'll fix myself."
---
As Mina walked to the exit, her chest tightened.
"Did I push Ren too hard?"
She shook her head.
"No… but what he did…"
She took a deep breath.
Then Ren's words came to mind:
"I just wanted to protect you."
Mina's steps slowed.
The weight of that sentence pressed down on her shoulders.
---
That evening, Ren collapsed onto his bed.
"Tomorrow's Friday… I won't go to school. Doesn't matter."
He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
---
Before sunrise, he woke.
Packed his bag: towel, spare T-shirt, water bottle.
"Enough. Today, I start."
When he pushed open the gym door, Sam was already there.
Sam laughed in surprise:
"Whoa, kid! Didn't think you'd show up. Thought you chickened out."
Ren frowned.
"Cut the crap, Sam. Let's get started."
A flicker of respect appeared in Sam's eyes.
---
Meanwhile, at school…
Mina entered the classroom but kept glancing at the door for Ren.
He wasn't there.
Her heart tightened.
"Did something happen to him?" she wondered, as the teacher entered.
"Mina," a serious voice said.
"If Ren bothers you… I can have him expelled."
Mina froze.
Expelled… him?
No. Not like that.
She lifted her head quickly:
"No! There's no need for that."
The teacher raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
Mina took a deep breath.
"Yes… I'm sure."
But inside, she thought:
"Ren… where are you?"
---
Sam crossed his arms, addressing Ren:
"Get on the treadmill. One hour," he said.
Ren laughed in disbelief.
"One hour? What are you saying?"
Sam chuckled, patting his shoulder.
"Whoa, already crying… how do you think you'll get fit? Impress girls like this?"
Ren clenched his teeth.
Mina's face came to mind. Her slap… her voice… her disappointment…
"For Mina… I'll do it," he whispered.
He stepped onto the treadmill.
Sam turned it on.
"Walk for 30 minutes. Then run."
Ren nodded:
"Okay… Go."
The first ten minutes were fine, but by the fifteenth, he was gasping.
His chest felt crushed.
Sam laughed:
"What's the matter, kid? Tired already? Fatty!"
Ren growled:
"Finish this… I'll melt your brain too…"
Sam wagged a finger:
"First, the belly. Then it's my turn."
After 30 minutes, Sam increased the speed.
The treadmill hit level 7.
"Run! Come on!"
Ren's breath came in gasps, his legs trembling… yet he kept going.
Finally, when the time ended, he stepped off and bent over a trash can.
"Ugh—!"
He vomited.
Sam angrily lifted his hair.
"What the hell are you doing? Making me look bad! Get up!"
Ren stumbled:
"I… I can't take a step…"
Sam laughed:
"Oh, you're done already. We'll lift weights next."
Ren's eyes widened:
"Seriously?!"
"Of course! This belly won't disappear easily. Fifteen-minute break, then we continue."
Ren collapsed.
But inside… for the first time… he felt strong.
---
At the same time, at school…
Mina still hadn't entered the classroom.
Ren wasn't there.
All morning, he hadn't shown up in any class.
Mina thought:
"Ren… why aren't you here? What's happening to him?"
Suddenly, a girl approached, eyes sharp.
"Hey," she said.
"Are you… Ren's girlfriend?"
Mina raised an eyebrow.
"Who are you?"
The girl flicked her hair.
"I'm Yun. Answer my question."
Mina scowled:
"Of course not. Why would I be with that psychopath?"
Yun narrowed her eyes:
"Then why does he only listen to you? Are you his 'master'?"
Mina tensed.
"I don't know. Mind your own business. I'm going to the bathroom."
Yun grabbed Mina's arm forcefully.
"Where are you going? Come on, I'll give you a 'lesson.'"
Mina flinched.
"Let go! I don't want it!"
Yun yanked her hair and dragged her to the girls' restroom.
She pushed her against the wall as soon as they entered.
Mina fell to the floor.
"Now tell the teacher: 'Ren is bothering me.' Got it?"
Mina shivered.
"No… why would I do that?"
Yun leaned close, eyes icy.
"Because Ren's trouble, right? I'll get him expelled."
Mina laughed suddenly. Pain and stubbornness mixed.
"So… are you scared of Ren?"
Yun's face tensed, teeth clenched.
"You…"
Suddenly, she pulled back.
"That's enough for today. Wait… this is just the beginning."
Mina lay on the floor, gasping for air.
As she left the restroom, she whispered:
"Ren… please come."
---