The Vice Principal's Anger

The calm atmosphere in the school courtyard was suddenly and drastically shattered.

Ryu Ji-ho stood frozen in place, memories from the past crashing over him like waves. The sight of the senior students, second-years, headbanging in unison brought him back to a scene from the classic film Pump Up The Volume (1990). The movie was about a high school student who rebelled by running a pirate radio station using amateur radio equipment. Back then, the school's broadcasting club could only express their defiance by playing heavy metal music or performing ridiculous dances like the "chicken dance," a form of protest against the mandate to play patriotic songs during lunchtime.

"Today must be that day," Ryu Ji-ho thought, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.

Another memory slipped in, recalling an incident from not long after he first entered the school. He had been harshly punished by the vice-principal. Han Su-ho, one of the members of the broadcasting club, had played a Eurodance track titled "BAMBINA." In Italian, bambina means little girl, but in that song, it referred to a lively and adorable young woman.

"Bam-bam-bina, oh-oh-whoa~"

Han Su-ho's energetic voice filled the entire broadcasting room. He had even activated the speakers installed around the school grounds, blasting the song at a volume that shook the air.

"Bam-bam-bina, oh-oh-whoa~"

The students playing soccer on the field suddenly stopped, their heads turning in unison towards the direction of the broadcasting room.

"Wow, the broadcasting club is losing it today, huh?"

"They do tend to pull weird stunts from time to time."

The thumping Eurodance rhythm resonating in the air only heightened the excitement of the soccer players, their feet kicking the ball to the beat that flowed through their veins. Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the classrooms turned utterly chaotic.

"Bam! Bam! Bina~ Oh oh ooo!"

The kids who usually got into trouble started dancing wildly to the soul-stirring rhythm. Some tried their hand at the hustle, while others went for disco moves. The students who prided themselves on being cool, with their gel-slicked hair gleaming, showed off their latest dance steps. The usually peaceful lunchtime at Sinpo High School had transformed into a stage for an impromptu Eurodance concert, complete with the roar of heavy metal seamlessly blending into the pulsating beats.

Crack! Crack-crack!

The sound of pounding, coming from who knew where only added to the intensity of the madness taking over the schoolyard.

In the classroom of Sinpo High School, the pulsating beats of Eurodance music reverberated through the air, filling every corner with its thunderous vibrations. The door to the broadcast room shook violently, as if it might burst open at any moment. Behind that tightly locked door, the students had no escape from the inevitable reality about to unfold.

Outside the door stood the vice principal, infamous among the students as the "Mad Dog." His breath came in heavy, angry puffs, his eyes blazing with unbridled fury. In his hand, he wielded the disciplinary rod, which he often used as a means to enforce order, swaying lightly as if it was anticipating its next victim.

"These disobedient kids!" he growled, his voice low and dripping with menace.

"Just you wait. I won't let them get away with this... Grrr!"

His anger escalated, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who crossed him. Known for his harshness and lack of mercy, today would be no exception. But just like even the most ferocious storm must eventually subside, the noise from the lunchtime broadcast finally began to die down. The music stopped, but fear started creeping into the hearts of the broadcast club members.

The first blow landed with a resounding crack, silencing the entire room. The second-year students took the hits from the vice principal's rod, their bodies trembling under the force, while the first-year students could do nothing but watch, their eyes wide with terror.

Thump!

Oh Cheol-gyu, one of the second-year students, could no longer withstand the overwhelming pain. He collapsed to the floor, his face twisted in agony.

"Don't you dare pretend to be in pain! Stand up straight and face this properly!" the vice principal shouted, his voice cutting through the eerie silence like a blade.

Thud! Thud!

Blow after blow fell relentlessly, each strike harder than the last. Oh Cheol-gyu clenched his teeth, enduring the searing pain that threatened to consume him. The vice principal, his rage spiraling out of control, grew even more merciless. Now, his wrath turned toward the first-year students.

"You, too, bow down immediately!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room.

In an instant, the terrified first-year students threw themselves face down on the cold floor. Ryu Ji-ho, feeling the oppressive weight of the vice principal's fury, obeyed without a second thought.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The merciless blows rained down again, as if the vice principal had truly transformed into the notorious "Mad Dog," feared for his cruelty and lack of compassion. Every student in the room felt a profound sense of dread, fully aware that on this day, they were at the mercy of a man who would not hesitate to punish them with brutal force.

The vice principal, notoriously known by the nickname "Mad Dog," had a reputation for his ruthless and unforgiving demeanor.

"Get up!" he barked, his voice echoing through the room like a cannon blast.

"Ouch," Ryu Jiho groaned, feeling a sharp sting in his backside as he staggered to his feet. A sudden surge of anger boiled his blood. With a growl, the vice principal grabbed Han Suho's hair, yanking his head back so their eyes met.

"Do you think this school is some kind of nightclub, huh?" His voice cut through the air like a knife.

"No, sir," Han Suho replied, standing as straight as he could, though his voice trembled slightly.

"You want to hear nothing but classical music from now on? Or maybe you'd prefer if we canceled the lunch broadcast altogether? Is that what you want?" he shouted, voice rising to a fever pitch.

"No, sir."

"Do you think I'm joking, huh?"

"No, sir."

"Then why do you never listen to my orders?"

Each word the vice principal spat out was accompanied by a fine spray of saliva hitting Han Suho's face. Despite this, Han Suho remained standing, his posture stiff and defiant, showing no sign of backing down.

Ryu Jiho clenched his teeth. Something deep inside him rebelled, refusing to stay silent any longer. What had the broadcasting club done to deserve being treated like stray dogs beaten by an angry owner? Students were not the punching bags for teachers' frustrations. A thread within Ryu Jiho snapped, and before he could restrain himself, the words tumbled out of his mouth.

"Mr. Vice Principal!" he shouted boldly.

The vice principal's furious gaze immediately shifted to him.

"What? What do you want?" he snarled.

"Stop it, sir!" Ryu Jiho yelled, meeting his eyes with a stare that was equally fierce. The vice principal's face flushed red, looking as though he might explode at any moment.

The other members of the broadcasting club could only watch with anxious eyes, aware that the situation had escalated into something serious.

"If you keep hitting us, I'll report you to the police," Ryu Jiho declared firmly, his voice unwavering.

"What? Report to the police?" The vice principal looked taken aback, his voice quivering.

"I'll also file a lawsuit for special assault," Ryu Jiho added, his tone filled with unexpected courage and determination.

"Special assault? A lawsuit?" The vice principal stammered, struggling to process what he had just heard. Ryu Jiho's audacity had genuinely stunned him.