Daniel hated subways.
Not for any deep reason—he just didn't like being trapped in a metal box with sweaty strangers and the smell of sadness.
"Bro, this sh*t smells like expired onions and failed dreams," Sunny muttered, pinching his nose dramatically.
Daniel snorted. "You ever think you're part of the problem?"
They were headed to Isac's kickboxing tournament, packed into a slightly-too-warm subway car, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Sunny had forced Daniel to wear a hoodie that said 'I'm With Stupid', with an arrow pointing sideways.
Daniel hadn't noticed until they were already on the train.
"Sunny," he growled, tugging the fabric. "This is pointing at me."
Sunny looked way too proud of himself. "I know."
They made it to the arena without dying, which was honestly a miracle.
The fighting hall was massive—like a high school gym fused with a stadium. Posters of fighters hung from the walls. Loud EDM played in the background. A sign overhead said:
"RISE TO KNOCKOUTS – YOUTH DIVISION SEMIS"
Sunny dragged Daniel to the concession stand before they even looked for seats.
"I need popcorn," he said, eyes deadly serious. "Like... immediately."
"Why?"
"Because I'm poor and starving and someone's about to get their face broken. I want snacks."
Daniel pulled out a crumpled five-dollar bill. "We're literally watching Isac. We're not supposed to be entertained—we're supposed to support him."
Sunny stared at him. "Why do you think I got the salted butter kind? I support him deliciously."
They sat down, middle row, surrounded by fight nerds and overenthusiastic uncles. Sunny whispered, "Fifty bucks says Isac finishes the guy in under a minute."
"You don't have fifty bucks."
"I have dreams, Daniel. Let me dream."
A bell rang. The announcer's voice boomed through the arena.
"FIGHTER 13: ISAC JIN — ENTERING THE RING!"
Cheers exploded. Daniel blinked. "Dude, that's—"
Isac walked out like he owned the air.
Hair tied up, gloves tight, face unreadable. He didn't even look at the crowd. Just climbed into the ring with the energy of a man who came to ruin someone's day.
His opponent: Allen Cruz, a shredded-looking dude with tribal tattoos and the kind of face you'd expect to see yelling on a YouTube workout video.
The bell rang.
Fifteen seconds later... Allen was unconscious.
Like, legit, one clean spinning back kick to the jaw. Lights out. Instant KO.
Sunny dropped his popcorn.
Daniel stared. "...What the hell was that?"
Sunny stood up slowly. "Our boy's a damn assassin. Did you see that? That was anime-level disrespect!"
Isac didn't even look proud. Just nodded to the ref, stepped out the ring, and walked off like it was lunch break.
"Next fight is of Ruther and James", the speaker announced.
Isac's next fight was in an hour.
Daniel stretched and decided to wander outside the hall to the food court. He passed booths selling overpriced burgers, ice cream, fake merch, and even "custom" sports towels with people's names embroidered in Comic Sans.
He stopped to check his phone.
That's when he saw her.
Eira
Just... walking past the food stall area, quiet as ever.
She didn't look at anyone. Didn't pause. Just moved like a whisper of cold air in a crowd of noise.
Daniel blinked.
What's she doing here?
He didn't approach. Just watched. She didn't even seem surprised to be here.
Maybe she came to see a friend fight... maybe she exchanged numbers with Isac... hell, maybe she likes him.
He wasn't jealous. Or suspicious. Just... curious.
Still. He went back to his seat like nothing happened.
Second Fight: Isac vs Diego Alvarez.
Diego looked like the kind of guy who'd break your ribs and then ask if you wanted protein powder.
The announcer barely finished yelling before Isac struck.
Round one:
Diego tried to pressure early, bouncing side to side.
Isac waited. Watching. Calm.
Diego threw a heavy right hook—
WHIP.
Isac ducked. Jab to the ribs. Cross to the jaw.
Diego staggered.
Thud.
Leg kick. Diego's knee buckled.
Daniel flinched. Sunny whispered, "Bro he's dissecting him."
Diego came again—high kick.
Isac leaned back like time slowed down.
CRACK.
Counter right to the temple. Diego fell like gravity got bored.
The crowd screamed.
Ref started counting. Diego stood back up, bleeding but stubborn.
Round two:
Diego was slower now. Desperate.
He rushed.
Isac stepped in, close range.
BAM. BAM. BAM.
Three clean body shots. Final uppercut.
Diego folded.
KO.
Crowd went WILD.
Daniel stood. "...That was brutal."
Sunny nodded, wide-eyed. "I need therapy after that. Like, good god."
After the match, they met Isac outside. He looked... slightly sweaty. That's it.
"Next round's knockout stage," he said. "Next month."
Daniel: "How the hell are you alive?"
Isac: "Training. And violence."
Sunny clapped his back. "We are absolutely staying over your place tonight."
Isac blinked. "No."
Sunny: "Too late. It's been decided."
Daniel: "We voted. Two to one."
Isac: "It's not a democracy. It's my house."
Sunny: "Shut up, Bruce Wayne."
The moment the bus pulled into Isac's neighborhood, they both went silent.
"...Bro," Daniel said. "This place has gates. And a fountain."
Sunny leaned forward. "And... did I just see a lawn robot?!"
Isac's house wasn't a house. It was a white bungalow mansion with a glass door and a backyard that looked like a resort.
Daniel stepped out. "You live in this?"
Isac shrugged. "I said I wasn't broke."
Sunny dropped his bag. "You could've told us you're richer than my bloodline!"
Inside was even worse. (Or better.)
Big white couches. Marble kitchen. A home gym. A giant-ass TV.
"Okay," Daniel said. "What are you, a superhero?"
Sunny ran to the fridge. "Is that—dude—is that salmon? Is that a f**king whole-ass salmon?!"
They stayed the night.
They cooked frozen pizza badly. Watched bad movies.
Everything felt okay.
For a moment.
Then—three buzzes from Sunny's phone.
His smile faded.
He stared at the screen.
Daniel noticed. "...Yo? Everything alright?"
Sunny's face changed.
Three messages. All from Lehya.
help.
pls.
im scared.
Silence.
Daniel sat up straight. "...Sunny?"
Sunny looked up slowly. Eyes different. Voice quiet.
"She's not the type to joke."
Isac was already reaching for his phone.
Daniel's hands were clenched before he even realized.
Something was wrong.
Something was coming.