📅 TIME & PLACE
Date: January 16, 2020
Day: Thursday
Location: Songpa District High School & Dragon MMA Gym, Seoul 🇰🇷
The morning announcement crackled over the school's speaker system as Ji-Ho was packing his bag for first period:
"Attention students – we have a new transfer student joining us today from Japan. Please welcome Yamada Takeshi to our senior class."
Ji-Ho looked up as a tall, lean boy with dark hair and sharp eyes walked into the classroom. He was around 180 cm tall, with the kind of build that suggested he spent a lot of time training – broad shoulders, defined arms, and a confident stance that stood out in the sea of slouching high schoolers.
"Yamada-san will be sitting in the empty desk next to Kim Ji-Ho," the teacher said, gesturing to the spot beside him.
Takeshi walked over and set down his bag with a soft thud, offering Ji-Ho a quick nod. "Yamada Takeshi. Nice to meet you."
"Kim Ji-Ho," Ji-Ho replied quietly, feeling a little self-conscious as the new kid's eyes briefly scanned his athletic frame before looking away.
Throughout the morning classes, Ji-Ho noticed Takeshi was sharp – he picked up on lessons quickly, asked thoughtful questions, and even corrected the teacher once on a point about international sports regulations. When the topic turned to combat sports during social studies, Takeshi's eyes lit up.
"In Japan, Rizin Fighting Federation is really popular among young people," he said, speaking up for the first time during discussion. "They focus on putting on exciting fights – combining different styles from all over the world. It's different from how some organizations here in Korea focus more on technical skill."
Min-Ji turned around from the front row. "Do you train in any combat sports, Yamada-san?"
"I've been doing kickboxing since I was ten," Takeshi said with a small smile. "Competed in amateur K-1 events back home. I moved to Seoul because my dad's job transferred here – and I heard there are good gyms to train at."
Ji-Ho's ears perked up. A fellow combat sports fan – and someone who actually trained. He wanted to ask more, but his shyness held him back, and by the time break came around, Takeshi was already surrounded by other students asking about kickboxing.
🚶 AFTER SCHOOL – THE CHASE
When the final bell rang at 3:30 PM, Ji-Ho packed his bag slowly, planning to head straight to Dragon MMA Gym for his second training session. He'd texted Coach Park earlier that morning, and the reply had been short but encouraging:
"Be there by 4. We'll work on your boxing stance today."
As Ji-Ho walked out of the school gates, he spotted Takeshi jogging down the street – not just a casual run, but a focused sprint, his bag bouncing against his back. Ji-Ho watched as he turned the corner that led toward Gangnam District… toward Dragon MMA Gym.
Curiosity got the better of him. He quickened his pace, following at a distance as Takeshi weaved through the crowded sidewalks, never slowing down. Why was he in such a hurry? Did he already know about the gym?
When they reached the block where Dragon MMA Gym was located, Takeshi broke into an all-out run, bursting through the gym's glass doors without slowing down. Ji-Ho jogged the rest of the way, pushing open the door a minute later to find chaos unfolding inside.
🥊 INSIDE DRAGON MMA GYM
The usual sounds of training were replaced by loud shouting. Takeshi was standing in the middle of the mat area, facing off against a muscular guy Ji-Ho recognized as Jong-Seok – one of the gym's more experienced amateur fighters, who'd been training there for two years.
"You think just because you're from Japan you can walk in here and act like you own the place?" Jong-Seok yelled, his face red with anger. "This is Road FC territory – we don't need K-1 wannabes showing off!"
"I didn't come here to show off," Takeshi said calmly, though his hands were already in a kickboxing stance. "I heard this was a good gym, so I came to ask about training. When you started talking down about K-1, I just corrected you – there's nothing wrong with different organizations."
Coach Park stood between them, arms crossed. "That's enough from both of you! Jong-Seok, you know better than to pick fights with newcomers. And you –" he looked at Takeshi, "– confidence is good, but respect is better."
Ji-Ho slipped quietly to the side, setting his bag down near the wall. So-Yeon – the Muay Thai coach he'd met the day before – walked over and nodded at him.
"You know the new kid from your school?" she asked.
"We're in the same class," Ji-Ho replied, watching the scene carefully. "He does kickboxing."
"I can tell," So-Yeon said, her eyes analyzing Takeshi's stance. "Solid form – probably trained at a good gym back home. Jong-Seok's been on edge because he lost his last amateur fight at Road FC's youth event. He's looking for someone to take it out on."
"Coach!" Jong-Seok shouted, pointing at Takeshi. "Let me spar him! I'll show him what real striking looks like – not that Japanese flash stuff!"
Takeshi didn't back down. "I'd be happy to spar. But just to be clear – I don't think my style is better than yours. Different doesn't mean worse."
Coach Park sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Fine. But light contact only – no kicks to the head, no power punches. Five minutes max."
As the two of them put on gloves and mouthguards, Ji-Ho felt a knot in his stomach. He'd never seen a real spar before – not up close like this. He watched intently as they stepped onto the mat, circling each other.
Jong-Seok charged first, throwing wild hooks that Takeshi easily dodged – his head movement smooth and precise, just like the kickboxers Ji-Ho had watched on GLORY and K-1 footage. Takeshi countered with quick jabs and low kicks, landing cleanly on Jong-Seok's legs.
"He's using Petrosyan-style movement," Ji-Ho mumbled to himself.
So-Yeon raised an eyebrow, looking at him in surprise. "You know Giorgio Petrosyan?"
"I've watched his fights," Ji-Ho said quickly, not wanting to draw attention to himself.
As the spar went on, Jong-Seok got more and more frustrated, throwing harder shots that still didn't land. Takeshi stayed calm, picking his spots and landing clean counters every time Jong-Seok overcommitted. With a minute left, Takeshi feinted a jab and threw a perfect right cross that grazed Jong-Seok's chin – light contact, but enough to make him stumble back.
"Stop!" Coach Park called out, stepping between them. "That's enough. Jong-Seok, go cool down and work on your footwork. Yamada, we'll talk about your membership after you've both calmed down."
Jong-Seok stormed off, and Takeshi pulled off his gloves, looking around the gym until his eyes landed on Ji-Ho. He walked over, a small smile on his face.
"I saw you following me from school," he said. "You train here too?"
Ji-Ho felt his face heat up. "I… I just started yesterday."
"Really?" Takeshi's eyes lit up with interest. "Coach Park said you have some natural ability. Maybe we can spar sometime – help each other improve."
Before Ji-Ho could answer, Coach Park called him over. "Ji-Ho! You're up – let's work on that boxing stance I mentioned."
As Ji-Ho walked toward the pads, he could feel Takeshi watching him. A new friend? A rival? He didn't know – but one thing was clear: his journey to become a champion just got a lot more interesting.
[END OF CHAPTER 3].