|Weak Hero| Dawn Na

Chapter 23

Jake was at Daehyeon High School's field with his older brother. Kenny bounced a ball on his left foot before kicking it high into the air and then kicking it towards the goal, hitting the right goal post. 

"Your soccer skills have gotten rusty!" Jake commented. 

"No way!" Kenny denied. "I purposely aimed for the goal post. Anyway, that's what I've decided to do and you should do as I say too, Jake,"

"Well, you know I always listen to you," Jake picked up the soccer ball. "But seriously, what happened to your shooting? Your dream of becoming the next Beckham is long gone!"

"I'm going to stop wasting time with the gang and put all my energy into soccer," Kenny told him. "Jake, you should focus on your studies too. Don't stray, alright?"

"Of course!" Jake grinned. "I've got to set a good example for our little sister and our cousin!"

XXX

"Yo Dawn, Gray, let's eat together!" Jake said during lunch.

"Even if we wanted to eat alone," Gray pointed out. "You'd still just tag along and join us with your friends," Gray had gotten slightly more outgoing ever since Jake started hanging around him and Dawn, but he was still mostly closed off from everyone except family.

"Yup!" Jake grinned. "So let's hurry and beat the lunch rush!"

The two followed Jake to the cafeteria where they grabbed their food and sat down at the same table as Jake, Dean, Timmy, and Eunchan. They ate and chatted with Jake trying to encourage Dawn and Gray to participate.

"How are you related to Kenny but you're so different?" Dawn asked. "I met Kenny only briefly but he was much calmer and less overwhelming than you,"

"You've met my big brother?" Jake beamed. "Kenny's really great! You know, since you're my little sister and Gray's my cousin now, that means that Kenny's also your big brother and Gray's cousin too,"

Dawn and Gray had both given up on trying to get Jake to not consider them as family. 

Once they were all done eating, there was still some time until class started again. Dawn and Gray decided to return to their classroom, Eunchan had to last minute do his homework, and Timmy wanted to work on his programming. Jake and Dean decided to sit outside under the gazebo and chat.

The two paused when they heard footsteps nearing and noticed a high schooler approaching them. "Are you Jake Ji?"

"Who the heck are you?" Jake asked. 'He doesn't even go to our school,'

"Donald Na from the Union would like to have a word with you," Kingsley nudged his head in the direction of the gate. "Let's go over there and talk—"

"I don't know what the heck you're talking about," Jake refused. "But tell that Donald Na or whatever his name is to come here himself if he wants to talk to me,"

'Naksung was quite cooperative,' Kingsley thought. 'But what the heck is wrong with this jerk?' "Don't give me that attitude. You think you can handle the consequences?"

Jake did not like Kingsley threatening him at all. "Hey, get lost before I beat you to a pulp,"

"He's right," Donald put a hand to Kingsley's shoulder. "I should personally come see him since I'm the one who wants to talk to him. Nice to meet you. I'm Donald Na,"

"What do you want?" 

"I'd like for you to join the Union," Donald offered and explained what Jake would have to do and what he would get in return,"

Once Jake realized that the Union was a gang like Manwol, Jake immediately refused. "Get lost before I kill you all,"

'What a lunatic,' Donald laughed. "Do you know who I am? Do you even know who you're threatening?"

"I don't give a fuck about who you are," Jake scoffed. "Now fuck off unless you want to fight,"

Deciding a fight would be a waste of their time, Donald and Kingsley left.

XXX

"Kenny Ji," Changyeon Lee, the head of Manwol, addressed. "I heard that your brother is the head of Daehyeon Middle School. Is that true? Well, it's not that we have to particularly worry about them...but I heard there are kids who call themselves the Union in Yeongdeungpo,"

"So bring your little bro to join us," Another Manwol members told Kenny. "We need him. It's time for Manwol to recruit some new faces,"

'You want me to drag Jake into this shitty mess?' Kenny wasn't going to let his little brother join Manwol. He wasn't going to let his little brother walk down the same path he did.

Tomorrow, Manwol wanted Kenny to bring Jake. Tomorrow, Kenny was going to attend the meeting alone. Tomorrow, Kenny was going to leave Manwol.

XXX

Dawn was taking Xander out for a walk at night when she encountered Wolf Keum again. Dawn waved in greeting at him. Wolf merely glanced at her and gave her a small nod of acknowledgement.

Xander went up to Wolf and nudged his hand for pets. "Roo,"

"He better now," Wolf scratched the pitbull behind his ears. "He's not as afraid anymore,"

Dawn nodded. 'He seems like the type of person to act very tough and intimidating, but I can tell that he really likes Xander. He has a soft spot for dogs,' She had Wolf hold onto Xander's leash so that she could write down her words. "I walk Xander this route every night. Do you want to walk with us? Xander remembers how you also gave him food when he was abandoned,"

Wolf nodded in agreement.

The three continued their walk with Wolf acting like a protective scary older brother, scaring away anyone that even looked in Dawn's direction. He wasn't part of the Yeongdeungpo Union yet, but he was still Wolf Keum who had a fearsome reputation.

XXX

"Stephen's going to move from Gangnam General Hospital to Yeouido General Hospital," Donald announced during dinner. "His mom also wanted a change of scenery so since she was finally able to transfer branches in her job, she's moving in this area too. Dad also plans to open up a second bakery nearby so he's also moving. Aunt Sophia has to unfortunately stay in Gangnam since her job won't allow her to move,"

"Who's gonna watch the bakery in Gangnam?" Dawn inquired.

"The manager," Kingsley informed. "Orion hired more staff,"

Dawn liked the idea. Her dad would be closer so they could visit more often or he could visit them more often. Stephen was in a closer hospital so transportation won't be a problem and they could either walk or take a bus. Life was getting better one step at a time.

It's the calm before the storm. 🙃