ALRIGHT-BET
THE KING OF ONE HIGHSOOL HERO
Chapter 3: Names in the Smoke
Ryan pushed open the small door to the study room, hoodie still up, backpack hanging off his shoulder. He sat at the table, pulled out a notebook, and began writing.
"These last five days… I've seen more gangs in the streets around Choi High. That means someone's pushing this chaos forward. Someone bigger."
He closed the notebook, tapped the cover once, and stood.
---
Later that afternoon, Choi High was loud with life.
Basketballs bounced across the court. Couples laughed on the benches. Soccer players ran drills. Other students sat on the stairs glued to their phones. Just another normal day pretending the world wasn't falling apart.
When Ryan walked through the doors, Nia, the goth girl, was already waiting for him. Black lipstick, sharp eyes, headphones around her neck — but she lit up the second she saw him.
Ryan leaned in, kissed her softly.
"How your day?" he asked.
"Good," she said, matching his calm.
They started walking. Out of nowhere, a football came flying toward Nia's head — Ryan snatched it out of the air without even turning.
The guy who threw it ran over. "My bad, bro! I wasn't aiming!"
Ryan tossed the ball back with a nod, no attitude — then kept walking with Nia.
---
After school, Ryan realized he'd forgotten his car again. He didn't mind. He liked walking. The sun was hot overhead as he headed down the main road, earbuds in but volume low.
Up ahead, two men waited on the sidewalk.
As Ryan passed, one held out an arm, blocking his path. He wore a hat low over his face, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
The other lifted his head. Round glasses. Cold eyes. He took off the glasses, flicked his cigarette away, then spit on the ground with a smile spreading across his face.
"You must be the guy they call Ryan, huh?" he said. "You know… you're a big name now. Big enough that you attracted The Union. I'm surprised. My name is Sung-Jay."
Ryan stared at the hand blocking his path and answered with a cold, flat voice:
"Who the f**k are you?"
The guy beside Sung-Jay stepped forward — tall, broad shoulders, strong build. His name was Na Wen. He smirked.
"This kid thinks he's tough," Na Wen said. "Let me put him in his place."
Sung-Jay raised a hand like he didn't want it… yet he smiled, curious.
"I don't want that to happen. But… let's see what you got."
He sat down on a nearby bench, relaxing, watching.
Na Wen stepped toward Ryan.
Ryan slid his backpack off and set it down slowly. His eyes stayed locked on Na Wen.
In Ryan's mind:
Strong. Good physical power. Weak in speed. I know what to do.
Na Wen threw the first punch. Ryan stepped back smoothly, testing him. Ryan aimed a kick — Na Wen caught it and tried to throw him, but Ryan spun his balance back, kicked Na Wen in the chest to break the grab.
Na Wen dodged two punches, caught Ryan's arm, and flipped him toward the ground — but Ryan rolled, sprung to his feet, and slid low, sweeping Na Wen's legs clean out.
Na Wen hit the ground hard.
Ryan followed immediately, punching him in the jaw, then rising into a spinning roundhouse kick that cracked against Na Wen's cheek. Na Wen flew back, landing on his elbows.
Blood dripped from his lip. His eyes went wild with anger.
Before he could charge again, Sung-Jay stood up.
He grabbed Na Wen by the back of the collar.
"That's enough," Sung-Jay said quietly.
Then he walked straight to Ryan.
A hand tapped Ryan's shoulder — soft but sharp, like a warning.
"Nice to meet you, Ryan."
Sung-Jay smiled, slid his cigarette pack into his pocket, and walked away with Na Wen limping beside him.
Ryan watched them leave, face blank, no emotion showing.
He picked up his backpack, walked to a bench, sat, and pulled out his phone.
He typed a number. Put it to his ear.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
"Pick up," Ryan muttered.
The chapter ends.