Lookism: Unchained Fate

After the intense Judo finals, Joon-hyuk returned home, his body slightly sore but his mind still replaying the match. The house he lived in was modest but well-kept, owned by his guardian, Kang Do-jin, a close friend of his late father. Do-jin had taken him in after his father's passing, treating him like his own son.

As Joon-hyuk entered through the front door, the familiar scent of home-cooked food greeted him. Do-jin, a man in his early forties with graying hair and a muscular build, stood in the kitchen, preparing dinner. He turned around as he heard Joon-hyuk step in.

"You're back. How was the match?" Do-jin asked, his voice deep but calm.

Joon-hyuk placed his bag down and sighed. "I won."

Do-jin raised an eyebrow. "Against Mary Kim? That girl's a beast."

Joon-hyuk nodded. "She was tough, but I managed to turn things around at the last moment."

Do-jin chuckled, placing a steaming bowl of rice and side dishes on the table. "You sure you don't have some hidden superpower?"

Joon-hyuk smirked but said nothing. The two sat down for dinner. The meal consisted of grilled fish, kimchi, miso soup, and a few side dishes. Eating with Do-jin was always a quiet but comfortable experience. Unlike most guardians, Do-jin wasn't overly strict, nor did he pry too much into Joon-hyuk's affairs. He simply provided support when needed.

"Eat up. You need to recover," Do-jin reminded him, pushing more food onto his plate.

Joon-hyuk ate in silence, his mind drifting to Mary Kim. She had given him the hardest fight of his life. He wondered if they would meet again in the future.

After finishing dinner, Joon-hyuk took a shower and headed to his room. The small space was clean and organized, with a few books, his Judo gear, and a punching bag hanging in the corner. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, letting his body relax.

The next morning, Joon-hyuk woke up early, as he always did. His training regimen was strict, even outside of official practice. He went for a five-kilometer run around the neighborhood before returning home for a quick breakfast. Do-jin had already prepared eggs, toast, and a protein shake.

"School today?" Do-jin asked, sipping his coffee.

Joon-hyuk nodded. "Yeah."

"Try not to get into fights."

Joon-hyuk smirked. "No promises."

He grabbed his bag and left for school. Seoul's morning air was crisp, and the streets were bustling with students heading to their respective schools. Joon-hyuk's school was a well-regarded institution, known for its academics and sports programs.

As he arrived, a few students whispered among themselves, clearly aware of his recent victory. Some congratulated him, while others looked at him with a mix of admiration and jealousy. He didn't care much for the attention. His focus was on improving himself.

Classes went by as usual. Joon-hyuk wasn't particularly studious, but he wasn't careless either. He maintained decent grades, enough to avoid unnecessary trouble. During lunch, he sat with a small group of friends, including Hong Jae-hye, the intelligent and rational member of his crew.

"You really won against Mary Kim?" Jae-hye asked, adjusting his glasses.

Joon-hyuk nodded, taking a bite of his rice.

"I saw the videos circulating online. It was insane. She had never lost before," another friend chimed in.

Joon-hyuk simply shrugged. "She's strong."

"You barely show any reaction. If it were me, I'd be bragging about it for weeks," Jae-hye joked.

"Not my style."

The conversation shifted to other topics, and soon, lunch ended. The rest of the school day passed without much excitement. After school, Joon-hyuk had Judo practice. Despite winning the tournament, he knew there was always room for improvement. His training was intense, focusing on refining his techniques and stamina.

By the time he returned home, it was already evening. Do-jin was waiting for him, another warm meal prepared. They ate in comfortable silence before Joon-hyuk retreated to his room. He spent the rest of the night reading strategy books on martial arts and reviewing his previous matches.

Life was simple but structured. Every day was a step toward becoming stronger. And Joon-hyuk was determined never to stop moving forward.