CRIMSON REBELS

After a few days of absence from school, Eunyeon finally returned home late one evening. His body was still sore from the bruises and cuts he had sustained, but the wounds had begun to heal. He stood at the front gate for a moment, his hand trembling slightly as he pressed the doorbell. The thought of facing his parents, of explaining where he had been, weighed heavily on his chest.

The door opened almost instantly, and there stood his mother, her face pale with worry. The moment she saw him, tears welled up in her eyes, and she pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Eunyeon! Where have you been? Do you know how worried we were?" she sobbed, her voice trembling.

Eunyeon winced slightly from the pressure of her hug, but he didn't pull away. He could feel the warmth of her relief and the overwhelming love in her trembling arms.

"I'm sorry, Mom," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "I... I couldn't come back earlier."

His father appeared in the doorway, his expression a mix of anger and relief. He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Eunyeon's shoulder.

"Do you have any idea how reckless you've been?" he said, his voice steady but stern. "Where were you? What happened to you?"

Eunyeon avoided his father's piercing gaze. He didn't know how to begin explaining the chaos that had unfolded over the past few days. "It's... complicated," he said quietly. "But I'm okay now."

His father sighed deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as he pulled his son into a brief, awkward hug. "You're home now. That's what matters."

His mother wiped her tears, finally stepping back to take a closer look at him. Her eyes widened as she noticed the faded bruises on his face and the bandages peeking out from under his sleeves. "You're hurt," she said softly, her voice breaking. "Who did this to you?"

"It's nothing serious," Eunyeon replied quickly, shaking his head. "I'll be fine."

But she wasn't convinced. Her hands gently cupped his face, and she examined him closely, her worry deepening. "You should've told us," she whispered. "We could've helped you."

Eunyeon's father stood silently for a moment, his brows furrowed. Then, with a sigh, he said, "We'll talk about this tomorrow. For now, go rest."

His mother nodded, leading Eunyeon inside. "You need to eat something. You've lost weight," she said, her tone soft yet firm.

Eunyeon followed her to the dining room, where a warm meal awaited him. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he sat down, and the aroma of home-cooked food filled the air. For the first time in days, he felt a sense of comfort and normalcy.

---

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains as Eunyeon got ready for school. His parents hadn't pushed him for answers yet, but he knew the conversation was inevitable. For now, though, he focused on getting back to his routine.

As he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his uniform, his mother appeared in the doorway. "Are you sure you're ready to go back?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Eunyeon nodded. "I can't avoid it forever."

His father joined them, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. "Just remember, if anything like this happens again, you come to us first. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Dad," Eunyeon replied, his tone sincere.

With that, his parents let him leave, though his mother insisted on packing him a larger-than-usual lunch. As he walked out the door, he felt their eyes on him, their worry lingering even as he disappeared down the street.

---

When Eunyeon arrived at school, he paused at the entrance gate. The familiar sight of students bustling about, laughing and chatting, felt surreal after everything he had been through. For a moment, he hesitated, unsure if he was ready to face his classmates, his teachers, or even himself.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, but his pace slowed as he approached the main building. Memories of the fight, the betrayal, and the narrow escape flashed through his mind, clouding his thoughts. His footsteps faltered, and he found himself stopping just short of the entrance.

The imposing structure of the school loomed before him, its tall windows reflecting the morning sun. But instead of stepping inside, Eunyeon remained rooted to the spot, his hands clenched at his sides.

He thought about Seungho, about the gang that had attacked him, and about the mysterious boss operating from overseas. The danger wasn't over, and deep down, he knew that his decision to walk away from the fight had only bought him time.

Eunyeon turned his gaze to the sky, his mind racing. He didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: he couldn't let his guard down.

With a final glance at the school, he turned and walked away, leaving the building behind. For now, his priority was protecting the people he cared about, even if it meant distancing himself from them.

As he disappeared down the quiet street, the weight of his choices settled heavily on his shoulders. But despite the uncertainty, a flicker of determination burned within him.

This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.

---

As Eunyeon walked away from the school building, his steps felt heavy, but his heart was filled with determination. He knew this decision wasn't easy—leaving the normal life that had always been his refuge. But the reality had changed. The threat he faced was no longer something he could ignore.

In the distance, the sound of students' footsteps and the hum of morning school activities faded. He walked down a quiet alley, where only the rustling wind accompanied him. His fists clenched, replaying everything that had happened—Seungho's attack, the gang that trapped him, and the shadowy figure still at large. The pain from his wounds reminded him how close he had come to losing everything.

Yet, beneath the fear and exhaustion, Eunyeon felt a small flame ignite within him. It was anger, but also courage. He wouldn't run forever. One day, he would return, face it all, and uncover the truth behind everything.

As he looked up at the clear sky, his thoughts wandered to his family. His mother, so full of love, and his father, strict but caring. They deserved safety, far away from the chaos that now clouded his life. And he made a promise to himself—no matter what happened, he would protect them.

His steps halted at the end of the small road. Eunyeon turned back, gazing at the school building in the distance. It was as if his old world and all its innocence were represented there—and now, he was leaving it for a darker, riskier path.

"This isn't over," he muttered softly, almost like a vow to himself.

With a deep breath, he stepped forward, leaving his past behind. Now, he knew his journey had only just begun. Behind the wounds and weakness, a rising spirit burned. Eunyeon would not back down. He would fight, no matter what awaited him.