They say effort grow wings when a prize is attached.
That may be the same in my case.
'I'll reward Sehyun, if he surpasses this time limit.'
That was all it took to have me running back and forth between tracks like a mad man.
I was mad no doubt, madly in love with Sensei and the thought of what this reward might be, made me go bonkers.
Was this what it felt like, to be bound submissively to someone?
The feeling was a bit scary yet at the same time, thrilling.
**
"Lee Sehyun student, will be participating in the hundred metre race."
The entire class was stunned into silence the moment our P.E teacher announced it with a surprised smile on his lips. "This is the spirit, I'm curious to watch your performance that day." He says looking at me with a grin.
I'm also curious know how I'd perform that day….
The classroom erupted in hushed mummurs once Mr. Weak legs left the class.
I took a faint guess they might be talking about me again but I was way too tired to be bothered with them.
Really exhausted.
Exercising was beginning to take a toll on me. In the past, exercising wouldn't even cross my mind by the slightest as I already had a tiny body, what more did I need exercise for?
But now, push up, squats, jogs, I did everything to build up stamina. Stamina I needed to earn Sensei's reward.
My head dropped on the desk like a deflated balloon. It was hard…..
Really hard…..
But, this was a prize I needed to pay.
I guess…
"It hurts…"
The shrill yelp of a classmate made me look up. What was happening?
"Even you too? I thought I was the only one…"
"Gangwon is already a shitty village now, there thugs everywhere."
"Those weren't thugs, they were gangsters… straight out of a video game."
"What's the difference?"
"They didn't even collect money, why the hell did they mess with us?"
"Look, look, I can't even report it, there's no fucking trace of a beating even though it hurts like hell."
"They were fast, like ninjas…."
The class was divided in two, the females gathered in one place, the males in another. All of them seemed to be talking about the same thing.
Midnight Ninjas— some thugs who beat all of them up.
Why??
No one knew the answer to the question.
"I guess it's our bad luck. They said we messed with someone we shouldn't have, who did we fucking mess with? If I find that person, I'd fucking lick their ass."
"Attacking us at the same time even though we stay in different areas, it couldn't have been a mafia boss right?"
"You read too much manga, what sort of mafia boss stays in such a hellish place like Gangwon?"
I swallowed fear creeping into my bones. It seemed I was the only one who didn't have a similar story to tell. What if these people were laying in wait for me too?
Unlike these guys, there was nobody I messed with. I wouldn't be a target right?
RIGHT!!
Till the beginning of lunch break, I couldn't shake the fear in me. It was already painful watching as my classmates hissed sharply st every slight movement. Others couldn't even sit on their butt.
To be in such condition like that, it was a nightmare I didn't want to live.
"What's wrong? You look so shaken, did they make any derogatory remarks about you again?" Sensei asked.
We were on the rooftop now our personal space, sharing a lunchbox I'd barely touched.
There was no drive to eat with the lingering thought that it would be beaten out of me in the next few hours.
I looked up at Sensei, my orbs shaking with fear. "Sensei, I think I might get beaten up."
Sensei's worried look changed to a frown….. no, it was more like a murderous glare. "Who dares?"
My lips loosened at once, pouring out everything I'd heard in class to Sensei. He gaped at me for a heartbeat then burst into laughter.
"Pffft."
I felt even more wronged. I was in danger and Sensei was laughing? Was my predicament that laughable?
"Midnight Ninjas? Really?" Sensei asked his voice laced with humor.
I pouted, my brows knotting together, "it's not funny, don't laugh."
He held my shoulder trying to compose himself but he repeatedly failed. "Sorry…
I just can't…."
I jabbed at his chest with my fist. "Don't laugh."
Sensei cupped my cheeks. "Were you that scared?" He asked his eyes glistening with tears.
I nodded, even though I was pretty sure I looked like a pomeranian puppy.
I didn't mind, Sensei loved it.
He gave a breathy laugh pulling me in for an embrace. "Don't be scared, as long as I'm here, no one dares to harm you."
The was this way he said it, with certainty, no bluff in his words, it made me feel at ease.
Not completely unworried but, the knot in my chest, loosened.
"Promise?" I ask even though I was aware he meant every word. Still, hearing his reassurance everytime made me feel…safe.
"I promise."
Then as if to show how sincere he was, Sensei personally took me home.
Not in his car, we walked.
With every step, I wished my house was a step farther. Sensei's hands were interlocked with mine, his grip firm but gentle.
My face warmed up.
With Sensei by my side, I could face any storm, even the so called Midnight Ninjas. But, the heavens seemed to ignore the fact I spoke the latter half in the spur of the moment as the next thing I knew, we were surrounded.
Shadows moved in the dark—so fast, my eyes couldn't keep up. My heart thundered in my chest. My grip on Sensei's hand tightening my other hand moved to squeeze the strap of my backpack.
I was kidding, it was supposed to be a harmless joke….
Please, send them away, heavenly father, I'm just nineteen…..
I haven't gone on many dates with Sensei yet, my reward, I haven't gotten my reward yet….
A faint headlight shone in the distance, it's light almost blinding me.
My head spun. It was over.
"Sensei…." my voice failed at hiding the apprehension in me.
"Mn? Don't be scared…."
Sensei gave my hand a gentle squeeze. He sounded calm, a lot calm for our current situation. I nodded jerkily moving closer to him.
If I was going to die, then I'd rather die with Sensei.
A figure stepped from the car walking towards us with slow, imposing steps. I peeked from the corner of my eyes…
One, two, three…. No, they kept coming, over ten almost twenty men in black stood behind the approaching figure. They walked behind him too keeping measured distance between them.
After what seemed like forever, they stopped infront of us. Tall, with jet black hair swaying with the wind behind him in a cinematic manner, it was supposed to be funny however I felt even more frightened.
A large cut ran across his left eye, almost as it he had been slashed my a knife… or a sword. He looked no different from a Yakuza.
I'd only read about them in books, I didn't think I'd be this unfortunate to run into one in the actual world.
Did I end up using all my good fortune by running into Sensei??
The man reached behind him, no words exchanged yet it seemed as if all words had been said. My eyes slammed shut, I squeezed Sensei's arm so tight it might've snapped but he didn't move, didn't flinch. Like I was merely tugging on his arm.
I waited for the cracking sound of a gun, a second, two, the third….
What was happening? Did they finally change their mind?
Was I going to live?
My eyes squinted open, peeking at the scary looking man, then at his hands.
Eh??
My eyes shot wide open.
There was no gun, just only…
A car key??!