Jin had gone out for his morning workout.
A 10 km run, followed by 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups.
Now drenched in sweat and breathing steadily, he made his way down the hallway toward his apartment.
Just as he reached his door, the neighboring door creaked open.
Out stepped Muten, dressed in simple, clean clothes, reserved, and calm.
Beside him was Ki, clutching her schoolbag with sleepy eyes and a cheerful smile.
"Good morning, Jin-oniisan!" Ki chirped brightly.
"Morning, Ki. Morning, Muten-san," Jin replied with a nod.
Muten gave him a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Jin. Looks like you've been out running."
"Yes, starting today. Thought I'd take better care of myself."
Ki looked up at her father.
"Papa, Jin was sick yesterday."
Muten's brow creased with concern.
"Oh? Are you alright, Jin?"
"Just a slight headache," Jin replied, brushing it off.
Muten gave a slow nod. His voice was calm, as always.
"You should eat more whole foods. All those processed meals you keep buying aren't good for your health."
Jin let out a sheepish chuckle.
"I'll keep that in mind, Muten-san."
"Good. Take care of yourself."
He gently patted Ki's shoulder. "We're running late. Let's go, Kuno."
"Bye-bye, Jin-oniisan!" Ki waved enthusiastically as they walked off.
"See you," Jin said with a faint smile, watching them leave.
Once they turned the corner, he stepped back into his apartment, peeling off his damp shirt.
Time for a hot shower—and then school.
Two months has passed by .
Jin was returning from school, his bag slung casually over his shoulder.
"Fortunately, I'm not in Kuoh Academy… which means I'm not stuck at the centre of chaos."
That alone was a blessing. No supernatural trouble, no cursed magical circles, no weird devils inviting him to contracts.
"I can grow stronger at my own pace."
His body now felt lighter—his movements more fluid, his reactions sharper, and his endurance noticeably better.
"Status."
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TEMPLATE
[TAE-SIK CHA – 70%]
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"I've made significant progress."
Just as he closed the interface, Jin's attention snapped toward a commotion up ahead.
Raised voices. A child . A sharp, accusatory tone.
He spotted Ki, standing at the centre of it.
Two police officers stood nearby, trying to de-escalate the situation.
In front of them was a woman—mid-thirties, stern-faced, clutching her son—loudly berating Ki.
Jin moved toward them without hesitation.
"Hello," he said as he approached, his voice calm but firm.
The woman turned to him, glaring.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
Ki looked up briefly, her head still bowed in shame as she recognized Jin.
"I'm her brother," he said simply.
The woman scoffed.
"So you're the brother of this thief?"
Jin glanced at Ki, then at the police, keeping his expression composed.
"Officers, may I ask—what exactly happened?"
One of the officers, clearly tired, stepped forward.
" boy's missing school bag was found with this girl. The mother called us, thinking it was theft."
Ki's voice was soft, almost inaudible.
"No… I just mixed it up. I thought it was mine…"
The mother pointed at her son's bag.
"Mixed it up? Look at your torn bag! How could you mistake that for his?"
Jin took a breath, then bowed politely to the woman.
"Ma'am, I'm truly sorry. It seems Ki made an honest mistake.
If anything's been damaged or lost, I'll personally take responsibility and compensate you."
The woman blinked, taken aback. She hadn't expected an apology—certainly not such a composed one.
She crossed her arms, her tone softening.
"…Alright, alright. If you understand, then keep her in check. That's all I ask."
"Thank you, miss," Jin replied respectfully.
The police officers exchanged a glance, visibly relieved that the tension had defused. One of them exhaled audibly.
The crowd began to disperse. The mother and her son walked away, the police following soon after.
Jin and Ki stood there for a moment longer before quietly going their own way.
Ki walked with her head down, her shoulders slumped.
She was too embarrassed to speak, her small hands gripping the straps of her worn-out bag.
Jin walked beside her, quiet for a moment before asking,
"So… why did you do it?"
Ki didn't lift her head.
"You think I did it too?" she mumbled, her voice strained.
Jin glanced at her sideways, not unkindly.
"Kid, you're sharp. You don't make mistakes like that. So tell me—why?"
Ki bit her lip.
"…He called me garbage."
Her voice trembled.
"They always say stuff like that. Always putting me down.
So… I did it. I swapped the bags."
She paused, clutching the straps tighter.
"I just… wanted them to feel what I feel.
Even if just once. I wanted them to hurt too."
Jin sighed.
"That's not the way, Ki. They don't know what they are speaking"
Ki turned her face away.
"Even you're taking their side."
Her voice cracked.
"You know what? I don't want to talk to you anymore."
Before Jin could say anything, she ran off—toward her house.
He watched her disappear down the road, then shook his head.
"Kids really are a handful…"
With a tired sigh, he headed into his own apartment.
Time to finish his homework, hit the gym, and call it a day.
Later that evening, after returning from the gym, Jin walked back down the hallway—sweat-damp clothes clinging to him, towel around his neck.
That's when he saw her.
Ki.
Sitting outside his door, hugging her knees, staring at the floor.
He paused, unreadable.
She looked up, hesitating.
"…Uno… uno…"
A soft, unsure mutter. A half-hearted attempt at apology.
Jin didn't respond right away.
"Go home, kid. I'm not in the mood."
His tone was flat—not angry, not warm—just tired.
He stepped past her, unlocked his door, and went inside.
Click.
The door shut behind him.
He stood there for a second, staring at the floor.
"Maybe I shouldn't have done that…" he muttered to himself.
"She's still a kid. I'll deal with it tomorrow."
He tossed his towel on the rack and headed for the shower, letting the day wash off him.