In the Bathroom
Vin Jin asked Eli as he was peeing, "So? What's up with all the bleaching? Did you think no one would recognize you if you bleached your hair or something?"
Eli replied, "It's just a hobby I picked up. So... what are you doing here?"
Vin Jin sneered as he washed his hands, "Why? You don't like getting caught? Did you know your daughter has grown so big? What kind of monster are you to not even come see your own daughter?"
With that, Vin Jin smashed Eli's face with a punch. Whether out of guilt or because he didn't have time to react, Eli didn't dodge the punch and let it connect with his face.
Blood smeared across Eli's face, but he didn't say anything. Vin Jin grabbed his shoulder and shook him. "Eli, you can't run away from your mistakes! If you do, these mistakes will always haunt you."
Maybe because Vin Jin wasn't the kind of guy who would say many emotional things, he didn't say anything more and left the washroom.
Suddenly, Vasco entered the washroom. Seeing Eli's bloodied face, he was about to confront Vin Jin again, but Eli stopped him.
"You don't have to do that, Vasco. I deserved it."
---
Vin Jin returned to his classroom. Since he was feeling irritated, he couldn't sit and do nothing. He stood up and stretched his body. Looking around, he spotted some kids bullying someone.
A student kicked a fat boy. "Ugh! So embarrassing! Why would anyone want to be a rapper with a face like that?!"
Vin Jin finally found a scapegoat to take out his anger on. He approached the bully. "Hey buddy, thank you."
The bully looked at him, confused. "Huh? What do y—"
Before he could finish his words, Vin Jin smashed his face with a punch.
Vin Jin sat down behind the bullied kid. "Phew. That seems to have done the job." Then he looked at the kid. "Hey, I heard you want to be a rapper?"
Duke looked at Vin Jin with sadness in his heart. Even though Vin Jin had beaten down his bully, Vin Jin himself looked like another bully. He replied, "Yeah. I want to be a rapper."
Vin Jin smiled. "Really?! That's amazing, man! I wanted to be a rapper too. But my friends said I sucked at it."
Duke didn't know what to say. He didn't think Vin Jin would behave so friendly toward him. Vin Jin scratched his head. "Hey, do you think you could do me a favor?"
Duke thought, "Finally, he's revealed his true colors. I know he's going to ask for money or something."
But to his surprise, Vin Jin continued, "Can you teach me how to rap? Don't worry, I won't take much of your time. I'll just ask a few questions here and there when you practice."
Duke was surprised. "Y-Yeah! Of course!"
Vin Jin smiled. He stood up and looked at the fallen bully. "Hey buddy, this guy here is my friend and teacher. I hope you know what to do with that information."
Then he stretched his body and looked back at Duke. "Sorry, I forgot to ask your name. I'm Vin Jin, by the way."
Duke smiled back. "I'm Duke Pyeon."
Vin smiled. "Okay, Duke. Let's meet after school."
---
A Few Hours Later
Duke was walking home after school when suddenly someone grabbed his shoulder from behind.
Vin Jin smiled. "Hey man, why did you leave after school? Is this your way home? My home is this way too."
Suddenly, a voice cut through their conversation. "Oh my, my grandson. Did you finish school? Is that your friend with you?"
Before Duke could reply, Vin Jin spoke up. "Yes, grandma. I'm Duke's friend."
Duke's grandma was selling street food. She asked, "Are you hungry? You should eat some. Come here."
Vin Jin shook his head. "No, no. It's for selling—how could I eat it?"
Duke's grandma insisted. "Ho ho. It's okay. It's okay."
Under her insistence, Vin Jin ate some. Duke, standing to the side, felt quite bad. But to his shock, after eating, Vin Jin said, "Grandma, can I pack up the rest of the food?"
Duke was about to retort, but his grandmother said, "Okay, okay. I will pack everything. Eat well. Be nice to little Duke."
Vin Jin scratched his head. "Yes, grandma. He is my friend, after all." As his grandma packed the food, he took out money from his pocket and slipped it into Duke's hand.
"Duke, give this to your grandma later. If I give it to her now, she won't want to take it," Vin Jin said, scratching his head.
Duke's grandma handed over the packed food. Vin Jin grabbed it. "Thanks for all the food, grandma."
Then he looked back at Duke. "See you tomorrow, Duke! Gotta hurry home before the food gets cold." Vin Jin ran off.
Duke's grandma smiled. "Ho ho. What a lively child!"
Throughout all of this, Duke remained shocked. Only when his grandma called him did he break out of his daze.