News Reaches the School
By morning, everyone at J High had heard the rumor.
"The R.K. gang got wiped last night."
"Someone trashed their hideout."
"They attacked the wrong person and paid the price."
Students whispered in the hallways, peeking at Daniel.
He felt all their eyes on him — but instead of shrinking, he stood straight.
Nervous.
But straight.
I walked beside him in the second body, pretending to check my phone.
Inside the classroom, the teacher paused while taking attendance.
"You alright, Daniel? Heard there was trouble near your building."
Daniel blinked.
"Y-yes, sir… I'm okay."
Murmurs spread.
"Daniel? The quiet kid?"
"No way he fought anyone…"
"But something changed, right?"
Daniel flushed, but didn't look down.
For the first time, he wasn't invisible.
He was someone people looked at.
And he didn't hate it.
2. Vasco Explodes (Emotionally)
During lunch break, the classroom door SLAMMED open.
"DANIEL!!"
Vasco stood there, panting, eyes red.
Before Daniel could speak—
Vasco sprinted forward
and
HUGGED HIM SO HARD HE ALMOST DIED.
"G-go… gentle…" Daniel gasped.
Vasco trembled.
"I heard what happened…
They came to your HOUSE, Daniel!
Your home!"
His voice cracked.
"That's unforgivable…
un… unPURE!"
He lowered his head, ashamed.
"I wasn't there.
I should've been there…"
Daniel placed a gentle hand on Vasco's shoulder.
"You can't protect me 24/7…
I'm just glad you care."
Vasco sniffed loudly.
"I WILL CARE FOREVER."
The class watched, horrified and touched at the same time.
Then Vasco suddenly grabbed Daniel's hands.
"Daniel Park! I, Vasco, leader of Burn Knuckles, offer you something IMPORTANT."
Daniel tensed.
"What?"
Vasco puffed his chest proudly.
"Burn Knuckles wants to be your DELIVERY PARTNER!"
The class went silent.
Daniel stared.
"…what?"
Vasco nodded, serious.
"We will DELIVER your mother's food!
With HONOR.
With SPEED.
With UNWAVERING PURITY!"
In his enthusiasm, he lifted Daniel up like Simba in Lion King.
I couldn't help smiling.
This is perfect.
Their strength.
Our business.
A natural alliance.
Daniel blushed.
"I-I don't know if—"
Vasco slammed a flyer on the desk.
On it:
"Burn Knuckles Delivery Unit
Speed. Strength. No Violence. No Fees."
Daniel gawked.
"You already made posters?!"
Vasco grinned proudly.
"Jay helped."
3. Zack Learns the Truth (And Isn't Happy)
After classes, Zack approached Daniel quietly.
Not angry.
Not aggressive.
But intense.
"You alright?" he asked.
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Y-yeah. I'm okay.
Thanks to… everyone."
Zack looked away.
Then—
"Daniel."
His voice dropped.
"Why didn't you call me?"
Daniel froze.
"I… I didn't want to drag you into my problems…"
Zack's jaw tightened.
"You idiot."
He smacked Daniel lightly on the back of the head.
"You're my friend.
If something threatens you or your mom, I want to help."
Daniel's eyes widened.
Zack continued, softer:
"You think I wouldn't show up?
You think I'd be annoyed or something?"
Daniel's voice cracked.
"…I didn't want you to get hurt."
Zack looked at him for a long moment.
Then smiled — small, but warm.
"You're a good guy, Daniel.
But next time, tell me.
I don't want to hear about things after the fact."
Daniel nodded.
"I will."
4. The Aftermath: R.K. Gang Falls (Point 3)
By evening, the news spread officially:
R.K. Gang was finished.
The members who attacked Daniel were arrested.
The hideout became a wreck.
The leader, Jinho, got hospitalized with broken ribs.
Everyone assumed it was revenge from another gang.
No one suspected Daniel.
No one suspected us.
And with the gang gone, their control over the lunch racket died instantly.
Students, office workers, even café owners now preferred Daniel's mother's cooking.
Our customers doubled.
Then tripled.
By the next day, we had too many orders for two bodies — even with Daniel helping.
Daniel bit his lip.
"H-how will we deliver so many? We're booked for two hours straight…"
I smiled.
"We don't have to."
Because suddenly—
"BURN KNUCKLES, ASSEMBLE!!!"
We turned.
Vasco stood on top of a delivery cart, fists clenched.
Behind him:
Jace
the BKG core members
even the new trainees
All wearing cheap aprons that said:
"PARK'S HOMEMADE DELIVERY TEAM"
Daniel's jaw dropped.
"You guys… really wanna help…?"
"OF COURSE!"
Vasco yelled proudly.
Jace added thoughtfully:
"Small business needs manpower.
And Burn Knuckles owes you, Daniel Park."
Daniel's eyes glistened again.
"Th-thank you…"
5. Soojin Steps Back In (Point 5)
That night, after finishing deliveries way faster thanks to Burn Knuckles, we met Soojin near the alley.
He inspected the crowd of Burn Knuckles carrying empty lunchboxes back like proud workers.
"…Unexpected," he said.
"What is?" I asked.
Soojin put his hands in his pockets.
"That so many people believe in Daniel already."
He watched Vasco lovingly polish a metal delivery box.
"And that you took down R.K. without a footprint?"
"That was the plan," I replied.
Soojin handed me a USB drive.
"This is your next threat."
Daniel swallowed.
"Next…? Already?"
Soojin nodded.
"R.K. was nothing.
Now that your business is booming, bigger organizations are noticing you."
I plugged the USB into my burner phone.
It contained:
Names of shady food vendors
Their protection gangs
A note:
"Be careful of these men. They don't lose quietly."
Daniel's heart pounded.
"We'll handle it," I said confidently.
Soojin smirked.
"You better. I'm not in the business of protecting amateurs."
But before he walked away, he looked at Daniel.
"You did well."
Daniel blinked.
"Me…?"
"Yes."
Soojin's voice softened slightly.
"You're growing. Faster than expected."
Daniel smiled shyly.
6. Daniel's First Serious Training (Point 6)
After dinner, I took Daniel's second body to the park — and brought his first body along too.
The night breeze was cool.
Daniel stood at the empty basketball court, nervous.
"A-are you sure about this…?"
"Yes."
"You want to train me? Like… physically?"
"Yes."
He swallowed.
"But I'm weak…"
"That's why we're here."
He looked at me — his other body — standing strong, confident, powerful.
"I want you to learn what I know," I said quietly.
"Not to fight gangs.
Not to get revenge."
He stared.
"But to protect your mother.
Your friends.
And your future."
Daniel trembled.
"Where do we start…?"
I smiled.
"With the basics."
I taught him footwork.
Balance.
Center of gravity.
Breathing.
Slow.
Careful.
Step by step.
Daniel fell.
Got back up.
Fell again.
Got back up again.
But he didn't quit.
By the end of the session, his shirt was soaked, legs shaking — but his eyes were burning with something new.
Determination.
"I want to keep training," he panted.
"Please."
I nodded proudly.
"We will."
He smiled.
A real smile.
Confident.
Hopeful.
For the first time…
Daniel Park was starting to believe he could stand on his own.