When Worlds Collide (Taynew)

episode ✍️ 20

The boy, visibly scared, stammered, "I don’t want to do that in the first place. If I get caught and New’s uncle or his brother find out, they’ll have me thrown in jail. I have to look after my father and grandmother; they’re both in the hospital right now."

Tay’s tone was sharp, "Just do what the note says so you can have the money to do whatever you like."

The boy shook his head, his eyes pleading, "No, New is a good guy. What if something happens to him? I don’t want him to suffer because of me. I can work to provide for my family. If I have to drop out of college, that’s fine. New has already helped me with so many things."

Tay pressed on, "Then why did you bring the money to college if you don’t want to do the job?"

The boy sighed, "I just brought it in case the person who sent the money came to see me. I thought I could return it to them."

Tay leaned in closer, his voice low and menacing, "Just do as the note says. I’ll handle everything else."

"But—" the boy began to protest.

Tay cut him off with a warning glare, "Don’t try to argue, or you’ll never see your family again."

The boy, terrified, nodded silently as Tay walked away, leaving him trembling. Once out of sight, Tay called his men. "Follow that boy everywhere he goes. Keep your distance but don’t lose sight of him."

Back in New room, New was deep in thought. "Why did he come and go like that without even saying goodbye? Such a rude guy. Does he even know manners?"

Just then, New’s mother entered the room. "What’s on your mind, son? You seem a bit preoccupied."

New, still pouting, replied, "Ma, that guy from Japan I told you about? Remember?"

New’s mother nodded. "Yes, I remember."

"He came to the cafeteria to eat, and I thought we would have lunch together. But when I stepped out for a bit, he left without saying goodbye," New explained, his voice tinged with disappointment.

His mother smiled, trying to soothe him. "Why are you bothered by that? He must have had something important to do, which is why he left."

"But still, he—" New began to protest.

His mother gently interrupted, "Okay, okay, stop complaining. In this world, not everyone is the same. He must be different from others. Now, finish your juice and do whatever you like." She handed him a glass of juice.

New took a sip and then set the glass down. "Ma, what are my friends doing? Tell them to come here. I’m bored."

New’s mother chuckled, "Why don’t you go to their room and have fun? Why should they come here?"

"Hmm, I’ll go," New said, handing the glass back to his mother without finishing it. He ran out of the room.

New’s mother called after him, "New, you didn’t finish your juice! Come back here!" But he didn’t listen and kept running, eager to see his friends.

New’s mom just shook her head, well aware of her son's behavior.

The next day, when New arrived at his class, one of his classmates approached him—it was Gun, the same boy Tay had met. "New, can you help me with that chapter?" Gun asked.

New nodded with a smile. "Of course, Gun. But promise me you won’t fight again."

Gun sighed, "They were the ones who started the fight, but okay, I promise."

New smiled again. "All right, we can study during break time."

Gun nodded and took his seat at his desk. During their free period, they studied together. Day by day, Gun, New, Force, and Pond became good friends. New was already aware that Gun's father and grandmother were in the hospital and that Gun was struggling to earn money. New had offered him financial help multiple times, even saying Gun could repay him whenever he could, but Gun had always refused.