Chapter 4 - The End of Festival Day

"Is the scar I gave you still painful, Gun?" Rain inquired.

Gun's eyes narrowed, and a sly grin crept onto his face as he looked at Rain. "Too bad I don't; would you like to remind me?" Gun exclaimed, a strange expression on his face, a mixture of amusement and nostalgia.

"Stop, that's enough," Crystal Choi intervened, not wanting these two men to cause a scene, especially on Festival Day. Her presence was commanding, and both Gun and Rain fell silent, their confrontation temporarily halted.

Gun transitioned from his aggressive, combative mode back to seriousness as he adjusted his sunglasses, a subtle sign of his shifting demeanor.

"I'll see you soon, Rain. The next time we meet, show me your progress," Gun said, his voice carrying a weight of expectation. He walked away with Crystal by his side, assisting her into the car, leaving Rain standing there, his emotions concealed behind a cold gaze.

"W-Wow, how did you manage to stop that kick?" Daniel asked Rain, breaking the silence that had settled.

"I just did," Rain replied, his cryptic response hinting at a well-guarded secret. Daniel's expression displayed dissatisfaction with the response, but Rain didn't want to disrupt the peaceful life he had in school today, a life that he was trying to embrace.

Or so he thought.

---

As the car moved through the city, Crystal remained curious. The young man had piqued her interest, and she had many questions. Who was he, and how did he know Gun? Her curiosity was insatiable, and she couldn't resist delving deeper.

"Gun, who was that?" Crystal asked, leaning forward in her seat, her eyes focused on her bodyguard.

"He was my very first apprentice, the monster I created, and the one I acknowledged. No one compares to him, not even Eli Jang. He was the perfect specimen until he fought for his freedom," Gun replied, his voice tinged with a hint of favoritism, a rare display of emotion from the stoic man.

"Is he a threat?" Crystal inquired, concerned about any potential dangers that could threaten her family.

"As far as I know, he doesn't want to be involved in these kinds of things anymore. Not anymore. He fought me four years ago for his freedom. All that power, so disappointing. He would've taken my place had he not left," Gun explained, revealing the complexity of their past.

"What makes him different from your past apprentices and successors?" Crystal probed further, her curiosity growing with each revelation.

"He has those eyes, like mine. A combat genius and master of various martial arts. Perfect hardware, perfect software. The hellish training that he received from me resulted in him being constantly in the state of Ultra Instinct, just like mine," Gun explained, providing a glimpse into the intense training that had molded Rain.

Crystal's curiosity grew even more, and she continued to question her bodyguard.

"Does my father know about him?" she asked, aware that her father was deeply involved in their world.

"Even Charles Choi doesn't know him. He's been searching for information about that kid, and I don't even know if Rain is his real name. His alias is known to everyone, even the four major crews. Just hearing his title is enough to strike fear into the weak-willed," Gun revealed, emphasizing the mysterious aura that surrounded Rain.

"What was he called?" Crystal inquired, eager to learn more about this enigmatic figure.

"Savitar."

---

"Okay, that was an excellent performance by the Vocal & Dance Department! Vin and Jeong Gi delivered a captivating duet."

The festival's highlight had begun, and the excitement was palpable. The crowd cheered loudly as Daniel and Duke took the stage, their hearts pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"I can do this," Daniel thought, feeling the pressure of all the attention they were receiving. He glanced at Duke, whose confidence was unwavering, and found strength in his friend's presence.

"Today's final performance! A collaboration between the Fashion and Vocal Dance Departments!"

"Daniel Park and Duke Pyeon!"

The crowd roared with excitement, their anticipation palpable. Daniel received numerous compliments from his fellow students, their encouraging words warming his heart. In contrast, Duke faced criticism solely based on his appearance, the unforgiving judgment of those who had never truly seen his potential.

"Let's hear it! The title is 'Beautiful Day'!"

The spotlight shone on Daniel and Duke as they stood on the stage, the audience's eyes fixed on them. Daniel's mind went blank for a moment as he started singing, but Duke's presence and confidence inspired him to give his all. He realized he wasn't trying hard enough; he had more to give. As he sang, he thought of his loving mother, who had always supported him, and dedicated the song to her.

The audience was left in awe as they watched the duo perform on stage, their voices harmonizing, their movements graceful and powerful. Loud cheers resounded throughout the venue, and Daniel felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Vin Jin, who had watched from the sidelines, couldn't help but envy and be shocked by Duke's talent. His own status as the school's star had been challenged, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Mom, your once angry and rude son, only at home. I've caused you so much disappointment, but that kid now stands before all these people. This song is for you, Mom," Daniel thought as he sang, pouring his heart into the performance.

The Festival Day concluded with a massive crowd cheering for the exceptional duo, their bond stronger than ever, and a sense of triumph in the air.