This chapter includes intense scenes and harsh language. Some parts may be difficult to read.
Please continue only if you're comfortable with darker themes.
—Ding.—
The classroom bell finally rang.
"Yahoo! Class is over!" Rick shouted the moment the sound faded.
"Hey, rich boy—let's go play FIFA! I'm gonna kick your ass today—Viva Barça!"
Claut didn't move.
He kept staring across the room… at Lucy.
"Yo, rich kid! You hearing me?" Rick called again.
Claut looked up slowly.
"Let's play tomorrow. I've got something to do today. My treat next time."
Rick shrugged and laughed.
"Huh? Alright then! You better be ready tomorrow! See you, rich kid!"
"Yeah… okay," Claut muttered.
Before the bell even stopped echoing, Claut slipped toward the washroom.
Outside, down the tiled corridor, laughter echoed—cruel and sharp.
He tried to ignore it, walking faster.
Then he heard a voice that froze him in place.
Lucy.
He turned.
A group of senior girls had cornered her against the wall.
"OH MY GOD, look who it is—Lucy, from my old school!" one girl laughed.
"You know her, Mia?" another asked.
Mia smiled—too sweet to be real.
"Know her? She used to be my favorite little problem. I went to school every day just to mess with her."
She tilted her head, smiling a smile that never reached her eyes.
Each word slithered like poison.
"Back then, you acted like you were better than me… but look at you now."
Her grin widened, voice dripping with mockery.
"Pathetic."
—SLAP.
"Hit her again, Mia!" someone shouted, laughing.
—BAM! Another slap.
Mia laughed hysterically.
"Thanks for coming to this school, Lucy. You just made my day!"
Then—
The bell rang again.
Mia leaned close, her breath cold against Lucy's ear.
"Aww, lucky you. The bell saved your pathetic face. But if you don't meet me after school…"
She smirked.
"Remember your grandma."
The girls laughed as they walked away, leaving Lucy trembling on the floor.
By sunset, the campus was almost empty.
Rick slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"Alright, I'm out. See you tomorrow, man!"
Claut watched him leave, then turned toward the back gate.
Lucy was walking ahead—alone.
He followed quietly.
Behind the school wall, a group of girls lingered, cigarettes glowing between their fingers.
"Think she'll come?" one asked.
"She's stupid if she does," another said.
Mia's grin cut through the smoke.
"She'll come. I've got her weakness."
Moments later—
Lucy appeared.
Slow steps. Eyes low. Shoulders trembling.
"Oh my God, you actually came," Mia sneered.
"My cute little dog."
She tossed her bag at her feet.
"Carry this. We're going to karaoke."
Lucy froze. Then, for the first time, she spoke—her voice soft but firm.
"I won't stay quiet anymore," she said.
"If you bully me again, I'll tell the principal. And your dad too."
Mia blinked, feigning surprise.
"Oh, really? Don't be dramatic. We were just joking, right girls?"
Lucy narrowed her eyes.
"Really?"
Mia's face twisted.
"Just kidding."
Then she kicked Lucy hard.
"You really thought you could talk back to me, you orphaned trash? You and your sick grandma should've disappeared already!"
Lucy reached up weakly, trying to stand—
Mia's fist smashed into her face.
—BAM! SLAP! BAM! BAM!—
Blood hit the floor.
"Mia, stop! She's gonna die!" one girl shouted.
Mia spat beside her.
"Remember this, bitch. Treat us like gods. Next time, I won't hold back."
They left, laughter trailing behind them like smoke.
Lucy lay on the cold ground, her lip split, her hands shaking.
She tried to push herself up, but her legs gave out.
Tears fell fast, hot and helpless.
"Why… God, why me?" she cried.
"You took my parents… made Grandma sick… drowned us in debt. How much more do I have to suffer?!"
Her voice broke.
"I hate it… I hate this life!"
A quiet voice answered from the shadows.
"You okay?"
Claut stepped into view, his face unreadable.
Lucy turned away, hiding her tears.
He reached out his hand and pulled her up.
His grip was firm—steady, grounding.
For once, the cold distance in his eyes softened.
"You think God's punishing you?" he asked.
"He didn't forget you, Lucy. He stopped caring the day you were born."
He paused, letting the silence sting.
"So if you stop caring too… no one will ever save you."
His tone shifted—sharper, colder.
"They throw stones to see if you'll break. Don't give them that satisfaction. Build a wall inside yourself—one they can't reach. That's your only fortress."
Lucy stared, speechless.
"Cry now," Claut said quietly.
"Let it all out. But the next time I see you like this…"
His eyes narrowed.
"I won't forgive you."
Cut to: Kim
Somewhere else, in a dim room, a TV flickered blue.
A reporter's voice filled the silence.
"Breaking News — due to rising crime and kidnappings across the city, the FBI has assigned a new officer: Mr. Holt, known for solving multiple high-profile cases. Is this the beginning of the end for the city's chaos?"
Kim turned the TV off.
A smile spread slowly across his face.
"Heh…" he murmured.
"This will be fun, old friend."