By late afternoon, Yohan's motorcycle tore through the streets at breakneck speed.
Every few moments, he glanced over his shoulder.
And every single time...
A pack of high-end motorcycles bearing the BLACK CREST insignia remained only a few lengths behind him.
The suspicion had surfaced the moment he left school.
Now...
It was no longer suspicion.
They were following him.
The riders tailed him all the way until he turned into the narrow alley leading to his house. The instant Yohan disappeared into the alley, the motorcycles simply sped past the entrance and continued down the main road, as if they had never intended to enter.
Without wasting another second, Yohan parked the bike in front of the house and hurried inside.
The ground floor was eerily silent.
Not a single sound echoed through the hallway.
Rather than searching for Mr. James, Yohan headed straight to his room.
The moment he sat on the bed, he let out a long, exhausted sigh and closed his eyes.
He spent several moments drawing slow, measured breaths before placing a hand over his chest.
His heartbeat pounded violently, each thump reverberating through his entire body.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"I'm really scared."
"There's no point lying to myself."
"My suspicion was right."
"They've started following me..."
"And now they know where I live."
Slowly, he began removing his school uniform.
As his shirt came off, his eyes landed on the side of his ribcage.
It was completely bruised.
A deep shade of blue spread across his ribs.
The moment his fingertips brushed the injury, A bolt of unbearable pain shot through his body.
A muffled groan escaped his lips.
Clicking his tongue in irritation, Yohan grabbed a towel and headed toward the bathroom.
Meanwhile...
Somewhere else in Manhattan...
A massive soccer field stretched beneath the evening sky.
Dozens of boys occupied nearly the entire pitch, fiercely battling over the ball.
Off to one side of the field, several others sat on the concrete steps, casually watching the match.
One boy sitting near the top step wore a lazy grin.
"Every year," he remarked, "a bunch of idiots show up thinking they'll overthrow our rule and become the biggest gangsters in the school," He chuckled, "And this year isn't any different."
A boy sitting cross-legged on the grass laughed, "I've got a feeling this year's pests are going to end up crushed beneath us too."
"Obviously," The boy on the steps shrugged, "The start of every new session is when low-ranking crews like yours get reminded where they belong."
The boy on the grass immediately frowned, "What's with this 'low-ranking crew' nonsense? Just because we're the Third Crew doesn't make us weak."
He turned toward the quiet boy sitting beside him, "Hey, Broody. Say something to this Cat-Teeth idiot."
Broody didn't even bother looking up. He quietly continued eating his apple.
"...Damn it."
The boy scratched his head in annoyance, "I shouldn't have expected anything from you."
The boy on the steps burst into laughter, "First of all, stop calling me Cat-Teeth. And second..."
He pointed toward Broody, "Look at your Commander. His own Enforcer can't even get his attention."
Standing nearby were two members of the Fourth Crew.
One of them raised a hand, "...Sir... does 'low-ranking crew' include us too?"
The boy on the steps clicked his tongue, "Would you two Fourth Crew shitty shits shut up already?"
Both of them immediately fell silent, their faces twisting in embarrassment.
Watching their expressions, the Third Crew's Enforcer couldn't help laughing.
He looked back toward the boy on the steps, "You sure talk big for someone who's only the Second Crew's Leader."
He smirked.
"What if all of us jumped you together?"
He leaned back.
"Actually... forget that. I could probably beat you by myself. I honestly don't know where all that confidence comes from."
The Second Crew Leader simply smiled, "Why would you attack someone above you in the hierarchy?"
"Learn how to fight first." The Third Crew Enforcer rolled his eyes.
Before another argument could begin-Broody suddenly spoke, his eyes never left the apple in his hand, "Robin... do we still have apples at home?"
Robin blinked, "...Seriously?"
He looked at his Commander with complete disbelief, That's all you ever think about, apples!"
The Second Crew Leader laughed so hard he nearly fell off the steps, "Broody, your own Enforcer talks to you like that?"
Everyone around them burst into laughter. Then—
"Rodriguez," a calm voice echoed across the field.
The laughter disappeared instantly.
Robin and Broody immediately stood up.
The boy on the steps turned toward the newcomer with a broad grin, "Yino!"
He spread his arms dramatically, "Looking handsome as always in that oversized white shirt."
Yino slipped both hands into his pockets, "And you're looking handsome too," his eyes drifted toward Rodriguez's grin, "Though your teeth still look like a cat's. And seriously... when are you actually going to wear that jacket instead of letting it hang halfway off your shoulders?"
Rodriguez laughed.
The two exchanged playful jabs for several minutes before Rodriguez finally asked, "So... how's the new kid?"
"Yohan Davis," Yino smiled faintly, "I serviced him a little. Then the Headmaster interrupted. I sent him to the infirmary afterward... and asked my older brother, Yano, to pay him a visit."
Rodriguez grinned, "The combined trick of two Number Fours. So... what did Yano say?"
Yino bumped fists with him, "He said... easy one-shot.'"
Rodriguez burst into laughter.
Nearby, the Commander and Enforcer of the Fourth Crew whispered among themselves, "Look at him..."
"The way Rodriguez keeps flattering Yino."
"He never talks to us like that."
Rodriguez immediately heard them.
"Oi!" his voice boomed across the field, "The seniors are talking. Shut your mouths!"
The pair instantly lowered their heads after seeing Rodriguez's glare—and the icy look in Yino's eyes.
Rodriguez turned back, "Why didn't Yano come?"
Yino shrugged, "My brother doesn't involve himself in trivial matters. That's just how he is."
Rodriguez nodded, "Fair enough."
Yino's expression gradually became serious.
"Now for the important part."
"This Yohan Davis... He's nothing like the newcomers we deal with every year. Detroit. Excellent fighter. From what I saw... He knows both boxing and judo."
Yino paused, "The only reason I couldn't beat the hell out of him... was because Kairin shouted out my weakness."
Rodriguez clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
"But that's not all," Yino's eyes narrowed, "In the middle of the fight... His speed suddenly doubled. And those pale green eyes... They started glowing."
He looked directly at Rodriguez, "What do you think? Could it be... that kind of power?"
Rodriguez slowly nodded, "What else could it be? If your description is accurate... then this kid isn't some minor nuisance. He needs a proper servicing."
At that moment, several gang members hurried onto the field.
"Sir!"
One of them saluted Rodriguez.
"As ordered... We found where Yohan Davis lives."
Rodriguez smiled, "That's my boys. Where?"
The boy handed over his phone, "We took pictures. We still don't know which house is his though."
Rodriguez glanced at the screen. Then smiled, "I know."
Everyone froze.
"You... do?"
Without answering, Rodriguez pulled out his phone and made a call.
The line connected almost immediately.
"Boss."
"I've calculated Yohan Davis's residence..."
"...and his overall threat level."
A deep voice answered from the other side.
"Report."
Rodriguez calmly relayed every piece of information.
Silence followed.
Finally...
Only three words came back.
"Then finish him."
Rodriguez's smile widened, "Yes, Boss."
The call ended.
He looked toward Yino, "The Boss has given the order. Yohan Davis... is to be eliminated."
Yino lit a cigarette, "So... Who are you sending?"
Rodriguez glanced toward the Fourth Crew. His expression immediately turned to disgust, "Nah. They will be shitting around."
Yino couldn't help laughing at the Fourth Crew's embarrassed faces.
Rodriguez then shifted his gaze toward the Third Crew.
"Then this mission belongs to you."
He pointed forward.
"Third Crew Commander... Broody Lee and Third Crew Enforcer... Robin Jackson. Good luck."
Without saying a word, Broody took one final bite of his apple.
He tied his jacket around his waist.
Robin adjusted his glasses before casually draping an arm over Broody's shoulder.
Together...
The Commander and Enforcer of the Third Crew began walking toward their destination.
Rodriguez watched them leave before turning toward Yino, "It's done for Davis."
Meanwhile...
Robin smirked.
"If you manage to finish Yohan by yourself today... I'll even give you all of my apples."
Broody's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Really?"
He immediately quickened his pace, "Then let's go, Enforcer. The Apples are waiting."