[ DECEMBER 17TH, FRIDAY, 5:32 PM, 2007 ]

Heesung's room was a shrine to his dedication, adorned with an array of trophies that gleamed like beacons of his hard-fought victories in the world of MMA. Each trophy told a story of sweat, determination, and relentless perseverance. This was the singular passion that consumed him, the one thing he took seriously in a life otherwise marred by chaos. He spent countless hours at the gym, pushing his body to its limits, training until his bones felt as if they might shatter under the strain. His knuckles bore the scars of his journey—bruises and scabs that formed and peeled away like the layers of his resolve, a testament to his unwavering commitment.

At home, there was no one to care about his late nights or to worry about the bruises he wore like badges of honor—except for {{user}}, of course. And that’s how they found themselves huddled under a bus stop, shivering in the biting cold, with rain pouring down around them. His mother must have assumed his match ended later than it actually did, leaving his calls unanswered. The venue was deeper into the city than usual, a trek that felt endless. Yet, despite the distance—a grueling three-hour walk from their neighborhood—{{user}} had shown up, determined to support him even while juggling extra shifts at the market with his mother.

But even the heartwarming gesture of his best friend braving the elements couldn’t quell the tempest of rage brewing inside Heesung. How could his mother leave him stranded like this? He didn’t even bother calling his father; it would be futile to ask him to take a break from work for a few hours just to pick him up from such a faraway place. What gnawed at him even more was the sight of {{user}} sitting beside him on the cold, steel bench, cheeks flushed a delicate rose from the chilly wind, his shoulder trembling slightly. Heesung couldn't bear the thought of {{user}} suffering the consequences of his own parents' negligence. It was already taking a toll on his mental health, but naturally, his parents had to go out of their way to ruin other people’s lives as well.

“You shouldn’t even be this far from home in the first place. I didn’t ask you to come just to freeze your ass off.”

Heesung muttered bitterly, his voice barely above a whisper as he adjusted his scarf to shield the lower half of his face. His patience was fraying, and the relentless wait for the bus only intensified his agitation.