The motorcycle came to a stop in front of the convenience store.
Yohan got off, took the key, and walked straight inside, completely unaware of the man who was standing across the street.
Rodriguez slipped his phone into his pocket and took a sip of his coffee through the straw.
"Damn... all that planning, and in the end, this was pure luck. The target walked right into my sight. Now I just have to wait for the others."
Meanwhile, Yohan stepped inside the store and saw the Red-head behind the counter.
He had his headphones plugged in and was listening to music. He hadn't noticed Yohan entering at all.
"Does he spend every shift like this?" Yohan wondered absentmindedly as he walked toward the counter.
When he slammed the bike key down onto the counter with a loud clack, the Red-head finally looked at him.
He removed his headphones, slipped them into his pocket, picked up the key with a grin, and said, "What's with all that force, kid?"
Yohan replied without any expression.
"Nothing. I just felt like slamming it there. Besides, if I hadn't made any noise, you probably wouldn't have even realized I'd left the key."
Hearing that, the Red-head stood up.
"So? Want anything?"
"No." Yohan answered immediately and turned toward the door.
But after taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something.
He turned back.
"By the way... how did you know I was chasing that bike today?"
The Red-head brushed a hand through his crimson hair, "How wouldn't I know? I could see you from outside. You were following that girl. The moment that bike sped off, you leaned out from the gate trying to keep watching it."
He shrugged, "And I've known kids like you for years. Smoking cigarettes at your age, acting tough in front of convenience store workers. I know your type very well."
Yohan frowned, "Hold on. And who told you that you had to help me?"
Something in the Red-head's expression changed. He folded his arms, "So, giving you my bike was a mistake?"
Yohan stared straight into his eyes, "Answer what I asked."
The Red-head unfolded his arms again, "Talking back to your elders now?"
He leaned against the counter, "Look, kid. I'm just an unemployed man. At night I sit here in this store. During the day I just ride my bike around. I didn't do anything worthwhile when I was your age... that's why I ended up wandering around like this. If I had made better choices back then, I'd probably be somewhere much better today."
Then he looked directly at Yohan, "So remember one thing. Don't ignore the words of your elders."
Yohan slowly nodded, almost as if agreeing. But then he calmly replied, "And yet... you trusted me enough to hand over your bike just because your house was nearby."
Red-head said, "Of course."
Silence.
For several seconds, either of them looked away.
Their eyes met once again. This time, The intensity between them had doubled.
After a long moment, Yohan finally turned toward the door.
"Never mind. I'm leaving."
He took a few steps. Then stopped once more.
Turning around for the last time, he asked, "By the way, what's your real name?"
The Red-head had already put his headphones back on and leaned into his chair with his eyes closed. Without opening them, he answered, "Ronan Brown."
"I see."
With that, Yohan started walking towards the exit.
Just then, the glass door opened. A young man around Yohan's age walked inside.
He waved at Yohan and said,"Good evening, buddy."
He flashed a smile that revealed his cat-like teeth before asking for a bag that had apparently been kept there earlier.
"Does he know me?" Yohan wondered.
Ronan reached beneath the counter, pulled out a small plastic bag, and handed it to him.
The young man thanked him and started walking back toward the exit.
Yohan had almost convinced himself that the guy had simply mistaken him for someone else.
Just then—
"Hey, can I have a word with you?"
Now the two of them were walking side by side along the sidewalk.
Yohan looked at him, "What did you want to tell me?"
The young man smiled brightly, "You're the new student, aren't you? Yohan Davis?"
Yohan nodded, "Yeah, and you?"
The two crossed the road together.
After reaching the other side, the young man stopped and offered his hand, "I'm Morian Rodriguez. We're in the same grade, just different classes."
They shook hands and continued walking.
"So..." Rodriguez asked, "Where are you headed?"
"Home."
"I see."
"Why is this guy sticking to me so much?" Yohan wondered.
So he asked, "What about you?"
Rodriguez also said almost immediately, "My friends will be here any second."
"How do you know me anyway? I don't remember meeting you." He finally asked his question without wasting time anymore.
At that exact moment, Yohan noticed a large group of boys emerging together from the corner across the street. Both of them stopped walking.
Rodriguez laughed, "Why wouldn't I know you? You picked a fight with our gang's First Crew Enforcer, Yino Wheeler."
Before Yohan could react—
BANG!
Rodriguez's kick slammed into Yohan's waist. The impact threw him straight into a dark alley beside the road.
Before Yohan could even stand, Rodriguez kicked a nearby dumpster toward him.
Luckily, Yohan jumped backward just in time. But that only pushed him even deeper inside.
"I knew this bastard was rotten." Yohan hissed, grabbing his stomach.
Fueled by anger, Yohan charged straight at Rodriguez. The instant he leaped—
BOOM!!
A devastating kick crashed directly into his stomach.
The impact sent him flying several meters away.
It felt as though his stomach had been crushed. The pain from his injured ribs instantly spread through his entire body. Clutching his abdomen with both hands, Yohan curled forward in agony.
Slowly...
He lifted his head. The one who had kicked him, was standing right in front of him.
Behind him stood another short young man. And behind them, around thirty boys wearing matching gray jackets had completely sealed off the alley entrance.
A voice echoed from the side, "Take a good look. This is the Third Crew, Wild Stomp. The Enforcer, Robin Jackson and the Commander, Broody Lee."
Yohan turned toward the voice.
Rodriguez was leaning casually against the wall with a crooked smile, "And me, I'm Morian Silas Rodriguez, Leader of the Second Crew."
Poison seemed to spread through Yohan's veins. He roared in pure anger, "Rodriguez, you bastard."
Before he could move, Broody sat beside Yohan and grabbed him by the throat and pulled him halfway up.
Yohan immediately tried to pry Broody's hand away—
CRACK!!
Robin's kick exploded into his chest.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe. His vision blurred. When it finally cleared, he realized Robin's side kick had launched him almost seven feet through the air. The same dumpster he had crashed into now had a huge dent caved into it.
Darkness briefly clouded Yohan's vision. Still clutching his stomach, he struggled to stand.
Robin didn't give him the chance. He looked at the crew and gave a single order, "Go and get that bastard's ass for Boss!"
The words had barely left his mouth, before every member of Wild Stomp charged at Yohan together.
Their numbers alone were enough to crush anyone's spirit. On top of that, Yohan was already injured.
And before the real fight had even begun, he had already taken two devastating blows.
Even so, Yohan slowly raised his pale green eyes toward the charging crowd. Then, under his breath, he whispered, "There is no going back."