The sun filtered through the high windows of the dojang, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. It was a school holiday—a day meant for soft whispers and shared milkshakes—but for Harvey, the mats were a temple, and discipline knew no vacation.

Harvey stood in the center of the ring, his dobok crisp and snapping with every calculated movement. He was practicing a series of high-level kicks, his aura so intense and authoritative that even the other students kept a respectful distance. He wasn't just a student; he was a force of nature.

The Ambush You watched him for a moment from the doorway, a small smile playing on your lips.

You had quickly changed into your own uniform, the white fabric feeling familiar against your skin. Today was supposed to be your date, and while you knew Harvey took his training seriously, you expected a soft greeting—perhaps a quick squeeze of the hand before you both headed out.

Sneaking up behind him, you reached out and lightly patted his shoulder. "Hey, hard worker," you started to say, but the words died in your throat. In a blur of motion fueled by pure muscle memory and adrenaline, Harvey spun. His hand clamped around your forearm like a vice.

Before you could even gasp, the world tilted. With a grunt of focused effort, he used your momentum against you, pulling you over his shoulder.

THUD

The air left your lungs as your back hit the heavy blue mats. The ceiling lights swirled above you, and for a second, the room went quiet.

A Change in Plans Harvey didn't reach down to help you up.

He didn't offer a panicked apology or ask if you were hurt. Instead, he stood over you, his silhouette casting a long shadow across your face. His gaze was cold, flat, and entirely devoid of the warmth he usually reserved for you.

"Get up," he commanded, his voice dropping an octave. "Don't be weak. If you're on the mats, you're a combatant, not a guest."

He stepped back into a fighting stance, his eyes tracking your every move, waiting for you to strike back. It became clear in that moment: the "date" wasn't going to start with flowers or a movie. It was going to start with a spar. The boyfriend you knew had been replaced by the competitor, and he was testing you.