Crossed Paths, Ignored Fates

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📍 Scene 1: Seo Yoon-ah –

The morning air was crisp, but Seo Yoon-ah felt nothing. Her body still ached from last night, but she had learned to move through the pain.

She walked along the street, eyes distant, heart heavier than her expensive handbag.

Then she saw him.

A man sitting on the sidewalk, slumped against the wall, his face swollen and bruised. His clothes were filthy, his hair a mess, his eyes hollow.

People walked past him like he didn’t exist.

For a second, their eyes met.

She should have felt pity, maybe even disgust.

But all she felt was… understanding.

Before she could think, a car horn blared behind her, snapping her out of the moment.

She looked away and kept walking.

She had enough problems of her own.

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📍 Scene 2: Baek Ji-hoon –

The alley smelled like piss and cheap alcohol—the scent of his existence.

Baek Ji-hoon braced himself as the first kick landed.

"Look at this fucking loser."

"Weren’t you supposed to be some big deal once?"

The laughter echoed around him. He wasn’t sure if it was them or his own mind mocking him.

He didn’t even try to fight back.

Then, suddenly—

"That’s enough."

The voice was calm but firm.

Ji-hoon blinked through the pain, struggling to focus. A young man stood at the entrance of the alley—Jung Hwan.

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📍 Scene 3: Jung Hwan –

Jung Hwan didn’t know why he stepped in.

Maybe because he was tired of seeing people like him get beaten down.

Maybe because he saw himself in this drunk, broken man.

Either way, he clenched his fists and threw the first punch.

The tallest guy stumbled back, surprised.

Then the fight truly began.

Jung Hwan wasn't the best fighter, not yet. He took a hit to the ribs, then another to the jaw.

But he kept going.

Kept hitting.

Until the boys ran off, cursing.

Ji-hoon let out a small chuckle, blood dripping from his lip.

"You fight like a dog," Ji-hoon muttered.

Jung Hwan, still catching his breath, rolled his eyes. "You’re welcome, old man."

Ji-hoon shook his head. "Shouldn’t have helped me, kid. I’m not worth it."

"Yeah, well, I wasn’t helping you. I just hate watching weak people get beaten."

Ji-hoon stared at him for a moment, then grinned despite the pain.

"You’re not bad, but you could be better," Ji-hoon said.

Jung Hwan raised a brow. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Ji-hoon stretched his sore arms, wincing. "It means… you need someone to train you."

Jung Hwan laughed out loud.

"You? Train me?" He pointed at Ji-hoon’s bruised face. "A drunken man who can't even defend himself?"

Ji-hoon smirked.

"You’d be surprised, kid," he said, his voice steady for the first time in years.

And for the first time, Jung Hwan hesitated.

There was something in Ji-hoon’s eyes—something more than just a broken man.

📍 Scene 4: Choi Min-seo –

Choi Min-seo saw the fight as she walked home.

She wasn’t sure why she stopped. Maybe because she was always the one getting beaten.

For a second, she thought about helping.

But she knew better.

So she kept walking.

No one ever helped her.

Why should she help them?

Their paths are crossing. But fate has bigger plans.

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