The Morning AfterThe morning was pale and cold as the narrow kitchen window let in a thin stream of light.
Seo-jun groaned, extricating himself from the bed.
His hips and lower back were stiff with pain, a dull, insistent torment deep in his bones.
He remembered the fever that had abruptly taken possession of him last night, rendering him helpless, even unconscious.
Jun peered into his sister’s room, seeing that she was still fast asleep, her small figure covered with a thick blanket.
He expelled a relieved breath, gently shutting the door.In the kitchen, his gaze fell on the white bag on the counter, and immediately Kwon Tae-hyuk’s deep voice seemed to echo in his ears, “Don’t forget to take your medicines.” Jun’s face heated up in embarassment as he slapped his cheeks hard.
“Arrogant, bossy jerk,” muttered Jun, wiping his palms on his pants.
Still, Jun knew how fickle his constitution had been lately, and with a reluctant sigh, he swallowed the heavy dose of prescribed painkillers and recovery vitamins.
He fished the remaining dose of drugs inside the bag and tucked it away inside his backpack.
He tied the straps, ready to step outside when the bag slipped from his shoulder.
Jun’s first destination was the convenience store, where he had an early morning shift.
Bowing, he gave his boss a respectful nod, his hands clenched behind his back.
“Boss….
is there any chance I could have my wages advanced?” Jun hesitated before adding, “And perhaps a small loan as well?
There is something rather urgent that I must attend to.” The manager gave him a long, assessing look, noting the dark bags under his eyes.
Having known Jun’s work ethic, he gave a short, sympathetic sigh.
He opened the safe, counting out a generous amount of cash.
It included Jun’s advance and a small loan.
“Just make sure you fulfill your shifts this week,” said the boss, handing over the envelope.
“Thank you so much, I would never have been able to if you hadn’t helped me out,” said Jun, bowing several times.
He took the envelope, clutching it to his chest.
It was nowhere near the five million won Kang Doo-shik was demanding, but at least it was a beginning.
Legend of the Campus By midday, Jun found himself on the university grounds.
Tightening the straps of his bag, he braced himself for enquiring looks from his classmates, who would undoubtedly question him about his two-day absence.
As he walked, chatting students fell silent, exchanging odd looks as he passed by.
“Is that Seo-jun?” “He looks so gentle…
how did he do it?” “I heard he knocked them all out cold..” Before Jun could decipher the strange whispers, a strong hand suddenly clasped his shoulder.
“There he is!
The campus legend!” said Ji-ho enthusiastically.
Jun blinked, looking up at his grinning friend.
“Ji-ho?
What are you talking about?” “Come on, don’t act so innocent!” said Ji-ho as he opened his phone.
“The forums have been going wild about it.
Apparently, three unruly troublemakers tried to jump you three nights ago here at the college, and you kicked their collective butt!” Jun’s mouth fell open.
“I…
I did what?” “They say that you tossed one of them headfirst into the trashcan outside the building and broke another’s arm!” “That’s impossible,” said Jun, staring at Ji-ho’s grinning face in disbelief.
“I was unconscious the whole time!” Ji-ho gave him a delighted thumbs up.
“I knew it!
You’ve always had it in you, Jun-ah!
The whole freshman batch is petrified of you now.
You’re a certified badass now!” Jun was rendered speechless, standing in the middle of the quad.
In reality, Kwon Tae-hyuk had been the one to step in and knock out Cha Sung-won’s goons with little effort, while Jun had been helplessly, if not amusingly, unconscious.
Somehow, it seemed college rumors had twisted the incident to involve Jun, and with great fanfare at that.
“Right…
a badass,” Jun muttered, rubbing his temples.
Caught in the Shadows After their last class, Ji-ho waved goodbye to Jun as he headed off to his study group.
Stepping out onto the quad, Jun made his way leisurely to the main exit gates when a strange sensation prickled the back of his neck.
Even with the numbing effect of the medication, Jun’s senses were sharp enough to pick up on the sudden, oppressive feeling of being watched.
He stopped in his tracks, whirling around.
Behind a spindly, childish looking sapling, a tall and broad shouldered man loomed, dressed in a charcoal suit and tactical earpiece.
His name was Do-jin.
On either side of him loomed two equally hulking men, all in black suits, holding a yellow campus club flyer upside down as they feigned interest.
Jun stared at the strange sight, a mix of surprise and amusement on his face.
They looked ridiculous.
Exasperated, Jun marched towards the tree line.
“Hey!” Do-jin immediately turned his head upwards, regarding a passing cloud with a pensive expression.
“The atmospheric density today is rather remarkable,” he remarked to no one in particular.
“Do-jin-ssi!” Jun said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Slowly, Do-jin turned his head downwards, regarding Jun with an unreadable mask.
“Ah.
Seo-jun-nim.
What a completely organic and unexpected coincidence.” “Coincidence?!” Jun’s face twisted in irritation.
“You have been following me since I got off work!
Do you think I don’t notice a large, intimidating presence lurking in my periphery?!
Do you have any idea how freaky it is to see a six-foot-four giant in tactical gear in the middle of a liberal arts college?!
You guys are ridiculous!” Jun’s outburst seemed to have startled the two men behind Do-jin, who quickly tucked the flyer behind their backs, pretending not to have seen anything.
“We are merely conducting a passive perimeter sweep,” said Do-jin smoothly, his expression completely composed.
“Vice Chairman Kwon requested that we ensure your immediate vicinity is free from any potential disturbances.” “Disturbances?!” Jun exclaimed, frustration boiling within him.
He took a step forward until he was close enough to see the worried expressions on the two bodyguards’ faces.
“Tell that arrogant bastard Kwon Tae-hyuk to leave me the hell alone!
Tell him I don’t need his protection because I am absolutely positively not in any danger from some random campus thugs who have nothing better to do than follow me around like a pack of wolves!” A hush seemed to fall over the courtyard as Do-jin’s composure finally faltered.
His eyes widened in alarm, and the two men behind him gasped dramatically, their hands tightening over the hidden flyer.
“Bite…
the…
Vice Chairman?!” Do-jin stuttered, seemingly overcome with shock.
“Yes!
AND I’LL DO IT AGAIN IF YOU DON’T VANISH LIKE GOOD LITTLE GUYS!” Jun growled, his voice echoing against the stone walls.
He stormed off, his long coat billowing behind him as he disappeared from view.
Behind him, six of the country’s best-paid security detail stood frozen in absolute shock.
Do-jin seemed to have finally snapped out of his stupor, tapping his earpiece with a shaking finger.
“Vice Chairman…..
the target became aware of our presence.
And…..and he threatened to bite your other collarbone if we continued to follow him.” In his high-rise office, Kwon Tae-hyuk reclined in his leather chair, gazing out at the city.
For a moment, he said nothing, simply listening to Do-jin’s report.
Then, a dark laugh escaped his lips, low and smooth.
“Did he now?” chuckled Tae-hyuk, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“Fall back, Do-jin.
Let my little stray have his space…..
for now.”