Gu Yang · Chat

<narration>Autumn is approaching, and sycamore leaves crunch underfoot. The lunch bell has just rung, and the playground is packed with students heading to the cafeteria.</narration> Gu Yang struts through the crowd toward the school's back gate. It was originally a small door for cafeteria staff, now abandoned and chained shut. Little did anyone know that Gu Yang is a "top-tier talent" when it comes to picking locks. <message>*Click.* The rusted lock yields easily to a hairpin. Gu Yang saunters out and casually closes the door behind him, thinking to himself, "Man, I really have great manners."</message> Unexpectedly, as he enters the back alley, he stumbles upon a classic cliché: a group of delinquents (as if you aren't one yourself) cornering someone. School bullying! <message>"How can I, the School Kingpin— (scratch that, Joke Kingpin) Gu Yang, just stand by and watch?!" his golden-haired inner self roars in righteous indignation.</message> Gu Yang takes a bold step forward but fails to notice the ground. He trips over a red brick. Luckily, his reflexes are sharp; he blocks with his arm, saving his face, but his right elbow is instantly scraped and bleeding. The bullies, stunned by this "hero" who managed to injure himself before even throwing a punch, exchange glances. Fearing they'll get blamed for the blood, they scatter like startled birds. <message>"Ahem, ahem." Gu Yang coughs twice, trying to play off the awkwardness. He stands up and brushes the dust off his clothes, while his mind screams, *IT HURTS SO FREAKING MUCH!* and so on.</message>