---
The story returns to Vins in 2025...
At that moment, the clock in his boarding room read 10:00 PM, making him a little drowsy. Vins was still enjoying his chat with the AI, but his heavy eyelids weren't doing him any favors.
He quickly rushed to the kitchen to make another cup of coffee.
Clink-Clink...
While walking back to his room, he stirred his freshly made black coffee.
Ding!
"Hiyah! Wham! Is Vins using the 'tiger-bites-snake' technique to defeat Junior, the school king? Or a drunken master technique like Jackie Chan? Hyah! Pow! Whoosh!" The AI asked Vins on his laptop screen, acting as if she were a martial artist.
"The 'lizard-flicks-its-tongue' technique, Rin! Your questions are so outta pocket!" Vins replied to the AI.
"Ugh, no! Not like that! Rin meant, Vins must have looked so cool when he was fighting... But Rin is so proud of Vins! :3 Thanks to that fight! Vins was able to make Junior better than before! Vins also successfully quelled the bullying that often happened at school! Vins is really cool! Rin likes Vins even more... :*" The AI replied to Vins, adding a kiss emoji at the end.
"This AI is seriously weird!" Adult Vins muttered.
CRASH!!!
"Ugh... I just set it down!" Vins immediately stood up, hands on his hips, staring down at his spilled coffee.
Vins had accidentally knocked over the glass of coffee he had just made, spilling the dark liquid everywhere, along with shards of broken glass.
He quickly searched his wardrobe for a cloth that could be used as a rag. Accidentally, he stumbled upon a plain white Slayer bandana with dried, brown bloodstains, looking a bit crumpled.
The Slayer bandana he held was covered in names and signatures from his closest friends back in junior high. There were also messages and impressions written for Vins.
"'DON'T GIVE UP!!! KEEP BEING A GOOD LEADER AND A GOOD PERSON...' - KING J"
That specific writing instantly pulled him back to his glory days at Ontreight.
With quick movements, Vins grabbed a different cloth to clean up his coffee mess. After that, he returned to his seat, bringing the old bandana with him.
He then asked the AI about its system updates.
"Hello Rin! Can your system receive images yet?" Vins typed to the AI.
"Hi Vins! Yes, it can! Rin can now receive images from users! :D Vins's images will also be stored in our conversation, and Rin can guarantee user privacy and security... Do you want to share something, Vins? Or a memorable photo? :)" The AI girl replied.
He took out his phone, snapped a photo of the Slayer bandana, and sent it to his laptop.
"This is my old Slayer from junior high! Cool, right Rin?" Vins typed, attaching the photo of the plain white bandana full of scribbles.
Tap!
Ding!
"Whoa... Vins, that's so cool! :o Rin read there's writing from Junior and others! That Slayer must have a story and memories behind it, right? Tell Rin about it! Please... :(" The AI replied, responding to the image Vins had just sent.
"Okay Rin... Listen carefully! But before that, do you know anything about songs?" Vins replied.
"Of course! :D Rin's been programmed to be a smart confidante! What song lyrics are you looking for, Vins? Do you want to discuss a song? Or do you want to find out who created it? Tell Rin! ;)" The AI replied, flexing her capabilities.
"Try to guess from these lyrics... Because they really describe my junior high days, Rin! The lyrics go like this: 'I don't care what my classmates say, It's too fun digging my own grave...'" Vins replied, sending a snippet of the song.
Ding!
"Rin knows! Those are lyrics from a song titled 'Different Class, Same Boat' created by a rapper named Powfu. This song tells a story about social status differences in school! Even so, in the end, everyone will be the same regardless of their social status! They will still be immersed in wild youth and the same difficulties... In the end, they will all enjoy digging their own graves (intentionally getting into trouble)! Is Rin right, Vins? :D" Rin replied enthusiastically.
"100% Right! You're amazing, Rin! Okay, let's continue the story!" Vins replied.
Ding!
"Let's gooo... Rin can't wait! :D" The AI replied.
---
Back to 2007...
A heavy, tense atmosphere enveloped the dead-end street; everyone there awaited the birth of a new King who would become the absolute protector of their school's students.
"Then let's welcome our new King..." Junior announced, leaving everyone hanging on his every word.
"It must be me, Briyan Anderson! The popular guy who has a strong influence in school and is also handsome! Hahaha..." thought Briyan to himself, brimming with delusional confidence.
However...
"HERE IS OUR NEW KING... VINSON BRILIANTINO FROM CLASS 7-8! Give a thunderous applause for our new school King!" Junior declared, pointing directly at Vins.
"HUH???" thought Briyan to himself, his jaw practically hitting the pavement.
"WOHOOO!!! CONGRATULATIONS VINS!!!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Joyful shouts erupted from the students after hearing Junior's final decision.
"Huh? What? Me? Why me? I'm in 7th grade, not 8th grade? Huh? Maybe they got the name wrong! Or is it another Vinson Briliantino from 8th grade? Seriously? No way? Bro Dan? Is this really me?" Vins stammered, pointing at himself in pure, unfiltered confusion.
"WOAH!!! CONGRATULATIONS VINS!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!" Edrik cheered, pulling Vins into a bear hug and shaking his shoulders.
Whistle! Whistle!
"Yeah, it's you! Who else? Congratulations, Vins! On becoming the new King! Hahaha..." Dani laughed, embracing his junior.
"You're cool, Vins! You really deserve that position! Congratulations!" Edward praised him warmly.
"HUH??? WHY VINS??? IT'S CLEARLY ME WHO SHOULD REPLACE JUNIOR!!! WHAT CAN VINS EVEN DO??? DISGUSTING!!!" thought Briyan to himself, absolutely fuming.
"Please, King V... Give a speech on being chosen as the new King among the students present today..." Junior requested, smiling warmly at Vins, who was still frozen in the crowd.
"KING V!!! KING V!!! KING V!!! KING V!!!" The students chanted, throwing their full support behind him.
"NO!!! MY YOUTH!!!" thought Vins to himself in utter despair.
Vins reluctantly dragged his feet forward and stood beside Junior; he felt terrible if he had to outright reject Junior, King J, who had personally chosen him.
"WHY IS IT LIKE THIS??? OH GOD..." thought Vins to himself, walking with his head down as he passed the students cheering his name.
"Ahem! Ahem! G-G-Good afternoon, everyone..." Vins began his speech, stuttering nervously.
Immediately, all the chaotic voices turned to dead silence as Vins took the floor; all the students looked up at him with expectant smiles.
"Uhhh... How do I say this? I'm confused about what to say... Hehehe..." Vins chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"I-I'm still a 7th-grade student! According to info from Bro Dani, my senior from 8th grade... Isn't the requirement to be King supposed to be an 8th grader? How did I get chosen? Hehehe..." Vins asked, genuinely bewildered.
"Because to me, you are the most suitable candidate, Vins! I felt it firsthand from what you did to me yesterday... I'm certain you won't make the same mistakes I did..." Junior explained, wrapping an arm around his junior's shoulder.
"But Bro Jun... I feel like this position should be held by Bro Dani first! Not me... Hehehe..." Vins tried to deflect.
"YES!!! THAT'S RIGHT!!! VINS IS STILL IN 7TH GRADE!!! HE'S NOT READY FOR A TASK LIKE THAT!!! WHAT CAN HE EVEN DO??? HUH???" Briyan shouted spontaneously, openly protesting Junior's decision.
Briyan's loud outburst instantly attracted the attention of the hardened school delinquents, making him the absolute center of attention.
"Hey! Who the hell are you? Huh? Why are you dictating Junior's decision?" Darick, standing right next to Junior, barked at Briyan, pointing at him with a lethal glare.
"Eh? Sorry, bro... Hehehe... I-I just blurted it out... Hehehe..." Briyan stammered, suddenly terrified.
"If you don't agree with Junior, do you wanna fight Junior right now? Huh? One-on-one fistfight with him? You brave enough, punk?" Harris challenged Briyan, stepping up.
Junior, who had been silent, looked down at Briyan with cold, murderous eyes.
"N-n-no, bro... Hehehe... No way I'd dare... Hehehe..." Briyan squeaked, his blood running cold at Junior's terrifying gaze.
"IF ANYONE STILL DOESN'T ACCEPT MY DECISION, RAISE YOUR HAND!!! RIGHT NOW!!!" Junior roared at the crowd of delinquents, staring them down.
They all just stayed silent, exchanging nervous glances. Not a single one of them dared to raise a hand.
"HEY SHORTY!!! IF YOU DON'T ACCEPT MY DECISION, I'M WAITING FOR YOU TO PUNCH ME RIGHT NOW!!! HURRY UP!!! YOU BASTARD!!! COME ON, PUNCH ME!!!" Junior barked, violently grabbing Briyan's collar.
"N-n-no, bro... P-P-Please, bro... Please... I-I just b-b-blurted it out... I swear..." Briyan begged, trembling in fear.
"Enough, bro! Enough... Just let him go! He's right... Sorry, bro... I think I also have to decline... I want Bro Dani to take on this task first..." Vins intervened, trying to calm Junior down.
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Junior slowly released his iron grip from Briyan's collar, genuinely surprised by Vins's rejection.
"Aww... Seriously, Vins? You're declining? This morning I already talked to Dani, and Dani said he wants you to hold this position... Right, Dan?" Junior said, turning to look at Dani in the crowd.
"Yes, Bro Jun! That's right! Sorry, Vins... I'm not saying I don't want it! But this King position really has to be held by someone exceptionally strong and fully recognized by the previous King!" Dani shouted back from among the students.
"SO THIS IS BRO DANI'S DOING??? THAT DAMN SHAKEDOWN ARTIST SENIOR!!!" thought Vins to himself, gritting his teeth.
"So, Vins?" Junior asked, waiting patiently for his final decision.
Vins, totally conflicted, looked at the faces of everyone gathered there; they all seemed to be placing their hopes entirely on him. Vins, known for his raw strength but genuine kindness, made them hope that they would finally be led by someone better than the previous tyrant.
"Well... What else can I do? Sniff! Goodbye... My beautiful youth!" thought Vins sadly to himself.
"Hahhh... Alright, Bro Jun! I accept!" Vins finally declared, letting out a heavy, forced sigh.
"WOHOOOO!!!"
Pure joy and relief instantly washed over the faces of the students present.
"LET'S WELCOME THE NEW KING OF ONTREIGHT STATE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, KING V!!!" Junior roared.
"KING V!!! KING V!!! KING V!!! KING V!!!"
"Wait, everyone... I want to ask for some conditions from Bro Jun and the Student Council President!" Vins shouted, halting the deafening roar of the delinquents.
"What is it, Vins?" Junior asked.
"I want to set some ground rules! First condition... I don't want my grades or school activities to be disturbed because of this task!" Vins stated firmly to the former King.
"Don't worry... The task is manageable... It's guaranteed not to interfere with your academic and non-academic activities! I'll explain the details to you tomorrow after school, little brother..." said a girl stepping forward, who was the current Student Council President.
"Good! Second condition! I want Bro Edward and Bro Dani to be my official partners! Just like Bro Harris and Bro Darick were when King J was in office!" Vins demanded in front of the crowd.
The two 8th graders he mentioned just smirked and gave a thumbs-up, signaling their absolute agreement.
"Okay! That's settled, Vins! They actually agreed to that from the start when I discussed this appointment with you... They were the ones who insisted you had to take the throne right now!" Junior revealed.
"DAMN EXTORTIONIST SENIORS!!!" thought Vins to himself, glaring daggers at Dani and Ed, who were laughing their asses off in the crowd.
"And third! I want this to be kept a strict secret from all the regular students in the school! That's all!" Vins shouted his final condition.
"Now it's time to congratulate our new King!" Junior announced, completely ignoring the logistics of the third rule.
"YEEEAAA!!!"
"KING V!!! KING V!!! KING V!!! KING V!!!"
They all rushed forward, congratulating Vins on being chosen as the absolute shield that would protect the safety and order of their turf from rival schools.
After the hype died down, Junior and his two right-hand men approached Vins, who was busy complaining to Dani and Ed.
"Geez... Damn you, Bro Dan! Bro Ed! You didn't confirm any of this with me!" Vins groaned, annoyed at his two seniors.
"Hahaha... I'm sure if I didn't set you up like that, you definitely would've refused, brother!" Dani laughed, patting his back.
"It's okay, Vins! When else are we gonna have a school hero with such an innocent face? Hahaha..." Ed chimed in, hyping up Vins's new status.
"Hey, Vins! I wanna apologize, bro... About the trash I talked about Belina yesterday..." Junior said sincerely, extending his hand.
"It's fine, bro Jun! Just relax, let bygones be bygones... I also apologize for what I did to your face yesterday..." Vins replied, shaking his hand firmly.
"Hahaha... Yeah! It's fine, Vins... At least my youth wasn't boring, thanks to you guys... With yesterday's brawl, I finally got a badass story to tell my future kids!" Junior laughed.
Vins threw him a warm smile, genuinely happy to see the positive change in his senior.
Junior, Harris, and Darick then excused themselves, leaving the 8th and 7th graders behind as they headed home.
Just as Junior was about to walk away, he stopped and turned back, realizing he forgot something.
"Oh yeah... Vins! Almost forgot! Catch!"
Catch!
A white Slayer bandana wrapped in crisp plastic landed perfectly in Vins's hand, clearly brand new.
"What's this, bro?" Vins asked.
"Wear that tied around your right arm when you're on duty! It's the mark of the savior king in the shadows! I entrust this school to you..." Junior said with a proud smile, raising a clenched fist from a distance.
"Copy that! Good luck with your exams, bro!" Vins replied, raising his own clenched fist in respect.
After the gathering officially ended, they all scattered back to their respective homes.
With a strong and kind-hearted figure like Vins at the helm, it was a sure bet that the school would finally be free from internal bullying and external threats.
---
The next day during break time...
Vins, who was heading to the canteen with Doval and Edrik, suddenly found himself the absolute center of attention. Girls whispered and giggled while staring at him. Notorious delinquents nodded respectfully as he passed.
Midway through the courtyard, he bumped into Dani and Edward chilling on a garden bench near the canteen.
"SALUTE TO KING V!!!" Ed shouted out of nowhere, giving a crisp, exaggerated military salute.
This made Vins completely flustered, his face turning bright red from the sheer embarrassment.
"Don't do that, Bro Ed... I'm so embarrassed, seriously!" Vins groaned, covering his face.
"Hahaha... Well, you are officially the shadow wolf leader of Ontreight now!" Edward teased.
"Why does it feel like my third condition isn't working at all? Since this morning, I've felt everyone treating me differently... Oh, come on!" Vins complained, closing his eyes and shaking his head.
"Try to rewind your memory, Vins... Did Junior actually agree to your third condition? Hahaha..." Dani pointed out with a sly grin.
Vins froze, his mind racing back to yesterday afternoon when he laid out his rules.
"And third, I want this to be kept a strict secret from all the regular students in the school! That's all!"
"Now it's time to congratulate our new King!"
"Oh, damn it! He completely ignored the third one! I just realized! That damn senior!" Vins groaned in frustration.
Dani, Ed, and Edrik burst out laughing at Vins's misery.
"Oh yeah! Briyan! I totally forgot... I wonder if my booger is still stuck on him?" thought Vins to himself, a random thought crossing his mind.
"Guys, I gotta run for a bit... I wanna go ask Briyan something real quick!" Vins said, suddenly ditching his four friends.
"What's wrong with him now, Val?" Edrik asked Doval.
"DwOn'T tAlK tO mWe, yOu jErK!" Doval mumbled angrily, his words completely slurred by his swollen, bruised cheeks.
Now, he was widely known as King V, the undisputed King of Ontreight Public Middle School. But unbeknownst to him, sitting on the throne instantly painted a massive target on his back for predators outside their turf.
Enemies much bigger and far more lethal than anyone he had faced so far.
---
On a dirty sidewalk, right underneath an abandoned pedestrian bridge...
CRASH!!!
"TELL ME!!! WHO IS THE STRONGEST PUNK IN YOUR SCHOOL???" A junior high student with bleached blonde hair roared.
"Th-th-the word on the street is there's a 7th-grade kid, bro... Who just took over as the ruler there..." stuttered the student whose collar was being violently gripped, a bruised victim from another school.
"HEY, BASTARD!!! IF YOU DON'T GIMME A NAME, I'LL THROW YOUR ASS OFF THIS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE!!!" the blonde-haired student threatened viciously.
"R-r-really, bro... Th-th-that's all I k-k-know!" the bloody kid pleaded.
The blonde punk finally released his iron grip, casually adjusting his own uniform collar.
"Make sure this bastard's face is completely unrecognizable. Now." the blonde-haired student ordered coldly.
"You got it, bro!" his four ruthless subordinates replied in unison.
WHAM!!!
"Uhh... Forgive me, bro..."
THUD!!!
"Uhh... Please, bro... I don't know..."
WHAM!!!
"Please let me go..."
THUD!!!
WHAM!!!
THUD!!!
"Plea—"
CRASH!!!
The victimized junior high student finally collapsed, completely unconscious, his face a mangled, bloody mess.
Not long after, a massive, hulking student—built like a tank similar to Elgor—approached. He had a shaved head and wore a junior high uniform that looked ready to burst at the seams.
"Bro! The intel I got says the school where the deceased's killer is from is called Ontreight Public Middle School!" the giant student reported, looking way too old to be in middle school.
Hiss...
"Whoosh~ Do you know who runs that turf now?" the blonde-haired student asked, casually lighting up a cigarette and blowing the smoke.
"The school's ruler just changed hands! His name is Vins! That's all the intel I got, bro!" the hulking student replied.
"Dig up everything you can on this Vins! Don't bother coming back if you're empty-handed!" the blonde-haired student commanded.
"Copy that, bro! I'm on it!" the giant student nodded, walking off.
"DON'T EVEN HOPE TO SURVIVE THIS, VINS!!!" thought the blonde-haired student to himself, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
---
Meanwhile, Vins, who was busy hunting down Briyan, unexpectedly bumped into a girl wearing glasses coming out of the Student Council room. Her name was Freya. She was incredibly sharp and served as the absolute President of the Student Council at Ontreight Public Middle School.
"Vins, get in here, quick!" the girl ordered, waving her hand urgently for him to approach.
"Me?" Vins asked, pointing at himself like an idiot.
"Yes! Hurry up! Get in here!" Freya demanded.
Vins cautiously approached, but before he could react, Freya grabbed his wrist and yanked him inside the room.
SLAM!!!
The heavy door shut loudly behind them.
Inside the secluded, empty Student Council room, the girl tightly gripped both of his arms, looking up intensely into Vins's eyes since he was noticeably taller than her.
Vins, completely unaccustomed to being manhandled by a girl, instantly panicked. His face flushed beet red, and his heart started hammering against his ribs.
"Eh-eh? Sis! Don't do this!" Vins stammered, leaning his head back awkwardly.
"SILENCE!!!" Freya commanded sharply.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
"OH MY... SHE'S WAY TOO CLOSE, MAN!!!" thought Vins to himself, his heart rate spiking dangerously.
Being trapped this close to Freya allowed her sweet, vanilla-scented perfume to completely invade his senses.
"Ahhh... Sis Freya's perfume smells so damn good! Makes me wanna bite something... Oh my God..." thought Vins to himself, his teenage hormones short-circuiting.
Freya then reached up and brushed Vins's bangs, revealing his forehead.
"Please hold on a little longer, my innocent soul... Don't let yourself be defeated by a situation like this..." thought Vins to himself, desperately trying to keep his cool while the girl was busy scrutinizing his entire face.
"Now, bend down!" Freya ordered.
"But, Sis..." Vins protested mildly.
"I SAID BEND DOWN!!!" Freya commanded, glaring at him forcefully.
Vins immediately obeyed Freya's command, squeezing his eyes shut, terrified that looking down at his senior's chest might fully awaken his 'other self'.
He felt his upper hair being gently rubbed between Freya's thumb and index finger.
However, his male teenage spirit was rapidly overpowering the innocence within him.
"My innocent soul has lost... Oh my... Excellent! How cute they are! Truly adorable!" thought Vins, peeking open one eye.
Suddenly, his chin was grabbed by Freya and tilted firmly upwards.
"Oh my... What are you doing, Sis? Slowly... It hurts, y'know?" Vins warned his senior, the Student Council President.
"Look into my eyes!" the Student Council President ordered.
Vins stared deep into Freya's eyes; he then noticed the Student Council President leaning in, her glossy, strawberry-scented lips parting slightly.
"I've already lost! So, I might as well surrender... A wise man once said, 'Sometimes, admitting defeat is not wrong!' Right, little buddy?" thought Vins to himself, bracing for impact.
PHEW!!!
Freya suddenly blew a sharp puff of air directly into Vins's eyes, making him blink rapidly in surprise.
"Sis, don't do that! I'm a normal guy, you're gonna awaken the beast inside me!" Vins complained, completely flustered.
"Meaning? Okay, you are confirmed clean!" Freya replied casually, releasing her grip on him.
"Clean from what? I almost lost control!" Vins exclaimed.
"Lost control of what? I just checked your pupils... You're completely clear of any indications of drug use! I refuse to work with junkies!" Freya explained, turning her back and busy searching for something.
"This horrible girl! She could've just asked normally, or checked my eyes from a distance... Why'd she have to get so close and mess with my teenage hormones? Damn it!" thought Vins to himself, frustrated.
"Because it started over at Tripsix Public Middle School! The school that shares this building. There are a lot of rumors about drug distribution leaking to Ontreight students!" Freya continued to explain, adjusting her glasses.
"Huh? Seriously, Sis? How far has the news spread?" Vins asked, his demeanor shifting to serious.
"Only the Student Council knows! We intentionally kept it under wraps, afraid it might incite curious students to try it..." Freya replied, rummaging through a stack of files in a cardboard box before pulling one out.
"Here! Take it home, read it there! As the new King, you need to know your rules and duties... That's your guidebook!" Freya continued, handing the thick file over to him.
"What's this? Oh, I see... Alright then! Thank you, Sis! I'll read it later!" Vins nodded, flipping through the pages.
"Earlier you said you almost lost control? Lost control of what exactly?" Freya asked suddenly, piercing Vins with a sharp look.
"Huh? Hmmm... Nothing, Sis! Hehehe... I meant lost control—Uhhh... I meant... Oh! I meant if I were a user, I'd easily lose control, Sis!" Vins stammered nervously, scrambling to find a believable excuse.
"Oh, right... That is usually a characteristic of a user! Alright, get out! I still have a lot of work to do!" Freya said, shooing Vins away.
"Okay, Sis! I'm heading out! Thank you, Sis Freya... Hehehe..." Vins chuckled nervously, quickly excusing himself from the room.
As Vins left the room and the door clicked shut, Freya, who had intentionally provoked him, mumbled to herself, playfully biting the tip of the pen in her right hand.
"Hihihi... He's actually quite cute! Isn't he?" thought Freya, glancing toward the closed door with a smirk.
---
Meanwhile, at Briyan's house that same morning...
Briyan, who had woken up late, decided to skip his morning shower; he only quickly washed his face in front of his bathroom sink.
As he admired his reflection in the mirror, he noticed a foreign object stuck to his chin.
"What's this?" thought Briyan to himself.
He touched it, poked it, and rubbed it until the horrifying realization finally hit him.
"DAMN IT!!! THIS IS VINS'S BOOGER!!! THAT DISGUSTING, PITIFUL BASTARD!!!"
---
- To be Continued
