Chapter 61 - Class Trip

Jiwon jumped on Hyun Jung, pinning him to the ground. Hyun Jung groaned in pain, struggling to be free. Jiwon raised his hand to hit him. Hyun Jung closed his eyes waiting for the blow to come

But it did not come. Hyun Jung opened his eyes to see Jiwon had pausee midway. The latter stopped himself from hitting him. He felt the grip on his hands loosen. 

"Never pick a fight against someone you can't win," Jiwon told him. "Either be a coward and stay away. Or train yourself to become stronger."

He let go of Hyun Jung, leaving him on the ground. 

Hyun Jung was still on the floor. Jiwon was walking away when he spoke up, "It's impossible to become stronger when one is so poor. People like you keep stepping on us, belittling us. When we try to become stronger, you pull us back down. You have a natural talent. What do I have? No matter how much I work, it's never enough!" 

Jiwon looked at his pitiful state. "If that's how you think, then I have nothing else to say," he said quietly. "If you're going to blame others for your misery instead of doing something to change yourself, then you deserve to be at the bottom." 

He walked away, leaving Hyun Jung on the ground. 

…. 

"We'll be going to Busan next week," the teacher informed the class. "Since the average results of our class was the highest compared to the other classes in the same grade, we've been rewarded with this special trip." 

The entire room burst into cheers. This was the first time the class fared high in their tests and everyone was looking forward to this trip. 

"Isn't it exciting, Jiwon?" Junhyung, one of Jiwon's friends asked him. He was scrawny with mousey hair but had a chilled attitude. He hung out with Jiwon a lot. 

"Mmhmm…" Jiwon agreed. He never went to Busan before but his mother was from there. He had no living relatives from her side but he wanted to visit the place she grew up in. "I'm really excited." 

Everyone was chattering about how they will spend the trip. 

"I want to visit the stores there," one girl said. "They have some cheap, handmade clothes!" 

"I heard that a famous kpop group will be performing there during that time!" another girl piped up. 

"I wanna go to the docks!" 

They were all sharing their plans, oblivious to a certain boy who was making a long face.

Hyun Jung was not keen on going to Busan. He looked around him as people chatted away. What if someone found out? He thought. I can't go there! I should make up a fake excuse. 

He approached the teacher. 

"Sir," he said. The teacher looked up. 

"I don't think I can go on the trip," Hyun Jung said in a sheepish tone. "I have to study for my science test." 

"Nonsense!" the teacher scoffed. "The entire class is going! You shouldn't stay behind. I will talk to Ms. Lee and ask her to let you sit for the test after you come back. I'm sure she will understand since you were second in her class." 

Hyun Jung gritted his teeth. He really did not want to return there. No matter how much he tried to persuade the teacher, the latter would not listen. 

"Rules are rules Hyun Jung!" the teacher snapped. "If you don't go then I will cancel the trip!" 

That shut him up. Bowing his head in disappointment, Hyun Jung left for his seat. Unbeknownst to him, Jiwon was standing near them, listening to the whole conversation. 

…. 

"Will the Cartel try to attack me at Busan?" Jiwon asked Ms. Sohee as he dodged her kick. He held her foot in midair and hurled it, throwing her off track. 

Ms. Sohee quickly gained her balance and bounced back. 

"I'm sure they will," she said, throwing a punch at Jiwon, who dodged it once again. "A security team will be there to keep surveillance but I doubt they'll be needed. You should be able to hold them off on your own. Let's recap." 

She kept on throwing punches, while Jiwon kept on dodging them. Jiwon caught one of her punches and hurled her over him, throwing her to the ground. But she managed to land on her feet and continued with a barrage of kicks.

Jiwon blocked all of them with his hands. He tried to land a punch on her but she skillfully dodged it. They kept on attacking each other till it was almost noon time. Finally, Ms. Sohee called it a day. 

"If anyone from the Cartel tries to harm you, attack to make them immobilized. Do not try to take on too many people from the Cartel. Just injure them and run as fast as you can. You need to think of your life first. Don't try to be a hero. Understood?" 

"Yes ma'am," Jiwon nodded, his eyes brimming with determination. He was very excited for the trip and did not want the Cartel to hinder his happiness. 

…. 

Hyun Jung was lying quietly on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Jiwon entered the room and moved straight towards the closet to pack his bag, ignoring his roommate. 

Ever since the incident at the Trophy Room, Jiwon did not even bother talking to Hyun Jung. He gave up on trying to make his roommate see any sense. Hyun Jung beats on his own drums and is too stubborn. He still did not apologize for throwing the rug at Jiwon. 

Hyun Jung was lost in his own thoughts. What if I run into him? He wondered, feeling angry and sad at the same time. 

A chilling shudder ran down his spine. What if he met him? Will he be safe this time?

These thoughts circled around Hyun Jung's head. He looked at Jiwon, who was busy packing his things. 

After that fight, even Hyun Jung avoided Jiwon. He did not want to create another conflict. But he kept observing Jiwon, envying him a little. 

Even though Jiwon was a spoilt brat, he was pampered by everyone around him while Hyun Jung was being trodden down upon by others. Life was not being fair to Hyun Jung but going back to Busan will trigger old memories. 

"Don't think about those things!" she scolded herself. "Busan is a big city. He won't find you easily." 

Chanting the last sentence as a mantra, Hyun Jung fell into an uneasy sleep.