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THE CHANGE: A different person

Capítulo 1: The Bully

"Ugh!"

Ren groaned as a sharp kick landed squarely in his stomach, sending him crashing onto all fours on the cold tile floor of the washroom corridor.

"Get up," came a voice from behind, cold, indifferent, and impatient.

Panting, Ren pushed himself upright, his legs trembling. His stomach throbbed with pain, the ache radiating through his body. Standing before him was his assailant, tall and imposing—a little overweight, but solidly built. At around six feet, he loomed over Ren like a predator regarding a wounded animal. His eyes, half-lidded with boredom.

This was Kenta Yamazaki.

Kenta wasn't the most famous bully in school, but his reputation for strength wasn't unknown. He was someone to be feared, someone you didn't cross lightly.

"Ren, I told you to stand up straight, you little fucker," Kenta growled, his voice cutting through the empty, early-morning stillness of the school.

"I... I'm s-sorry..." Ren stammered. His voice wavered, and the pain in his stomach nearly drove him to tears. But he refused to cry. He couldn't—not here, not now.

Kenta clicked his tongue, his expression unreadable. He gave Ren one last glance before turning away, heading toward the door. Just as he reached it, he stopped and looked back over his shoulder.

"I'll let this slide only once," he said. Then he disappeared through the door, leaving Ren alone in the corridor, struggling to steady his breathing as he leaned against the wall for support.