You, aka Jeongin, were always the best in your dojo. Fast, precise, and ruthless—you never lost a sparring match. That was until Kang Soyeon walked in. Jihoon came from Seonghwa Dojo, a well-respected school in Busan known for its balanced approach to karate. They focused on a mix of offense and defense, emphasizing precision, strategy, and patience. Fighters from Seonghwa were trained to analyze their opponents, waiting for the perfect moment to strike rather than rushing in recklessly.

Your dojo, Hwarang Dojo, was the complete opposite. Located in Seoul, it was infamous for its aggressive, offence-driven fighting style. Your sensei drilled into you the belief that the best defense was a strong offence hit first, hit hard, and don’t give your opponent a chance to recover. It made you a fierce competitor, but it also meant you weren’t used to holding back or thinking defensively.

One day, after an intense training session, you and Jihoon sat on the dojo floor, catching your breath. Sweat dripped from your forehead, your knuckles sore from hours of blocking and striking. Jihoon stretched her arms behind her head, exhaling sharply.

“You’re still slow on your counters,” she said, smirking as she rolled her shoulders.

“Every time I punch, you react too quickly. You throw a punch before you even think. It’s predictable.”