First Beat Down

Andrew, a young man, is laying in his bed with his loud and annoying alarm beeping. In his hand is a novel, The Love We Just Can't Have, is a tragic story about a shy boy and a student council girl falling in love with each other. But due to many unfortunate events they both lived a horrible life and didn't end up together.

He has been reading this novel ever since he randomly saw a single copy of it on a library. He was intrigue by the character designs, only to find out the author is a complete psychopath that's only intension is to make the main characters suffer. He’s been reading it nonstop since last night not catching a single sleep.

“Come on hurry up!”

As he can't help but gets swayed by the suspense as he is reading the part where the mc and the girl is trying to run away. It's the last few chapters and he is hoping to at least decent ending which they both escaped. But in the end, the two met a tragic end and sadly ended up being killed.

“Well, that was a horrible story”

Clearly unsatisfied, he throws away the novel out of frustration. He stared at the ceiling for a good long minute until finally he decided to get up from his bed. While showering, he has a very annoyed expression on his face.

"A complete waste of time!"

You can very much see the disappointment on his face. He sighs as he can't do nothing about it because he is not the author, if you can even call that an author. After he is finished, he brushed his teeth, puts on his uniform and with his backpack he left his room ready to start his morning.

"Andrew, you're going out already?"

A woman on her middle 30s exclaimed. This woman is none other than his Step-Mother Tina cooking breakfast in the kitchen. She's cooking eggs and bacons while the breads are being toasted.

"Yeah, I don't want to be late in school since it's the first day and all"

"But it's still 6:13 am, What about breakfast?"

Tina pointing to the table with hot breakfast ready to be devoured. She looks at him with enthusiasm as she is eagerly waiting for a positive answer.

"I'm going to skip for now I want to be the fir-"

But before he can even finish his words, Andrew trying to tie his shoes looked back at his Step-Mother only to see that she has a sad expression on her face.

"I see, you don't like your mother's cooking anymore?... You don't want to eat together?... Ok, I'll just throw them away then..."

She grabbed the food and seemingly trying to throw it into the trashcan. She looks like she is on the verge of crying.

'Ah I know this; those tears are definitely crocodile tears. Mom does this when she's trying to guilt trip me into doing what she wants'

Andrew sighs as he knows he can't get away with it.

"Ok I'll grab a bite..."

Defeated Andrew mumbled as walk to the table.

"Yay!"

Tina happily cheered as she successfully won and with her tears magically disappearing, she took a seat, and they started eating breakfast together. She has the happiest smile a person could have while Andrew sits there completely defeated.

"I'm heading out now"

"Be careful oh your way"

Andrew putting his shoes on ready to be on his way. He felt a little pain in his head, but he brushed it off. Walking towards the door he was suddenly stopped by his Stepmother because she suddenly called him.

"Also, Andrew! Have fun at school, okay?"

Again, with a bright smile his stepmother while happily waving at him.

"Yes mom"

Andrew couldn't help but smile for even though he isn't her biological son, she still cared for him like he was her own son.

“Crap, I'm late! Damn and it's already the first period”

On his way to his campus, for some reason trouble keeps showing up. He had to help an old lady to cross the road, help a woman chase her unleashed dog, and help a lost and crying little boy find his mother. By this time, tons of students were already finished with their opening ceremony and on their own classes. He's running as fast as he can so he can make it in time.

In a crossroad, he is waiting for the green light restless because he is already so late. When it's finally ok to go while he is hurriedly walking across, his vision suddenly became hazy, and his knees felt weak. That headache from earlier came back causing him to wobble.

"Ahh...this is definitely because I didn't sleep..."

Just then, while he is still in the middle of the road, a truck running at full speed suddenly appeared. With no brakes to stop it and is headed straight to Andrew.

"Oh crap!"

Shocked from the fact that the truck is about to hit which would definitely kill him on the spot. His body froze in the moment hindering him to move away from the danger that's about to come.

'Am I going to die?'

As the impending doom approaches, a memory flashes before him- it's the time he bought the novel, how he loved the cover art, how excited he was to read it thinking it's a cute romance story, how he was disgusted by the things that happened, how vexing it is to not able to help them, and how horrible that ending was.

As the roar of the thundering truck rips the air, he shuts his eyes as he braced himself for the hit.

And then, the world goes dark.

***

Expecting himself to be torn apart, he was a bit confused as to why he didn't feel any pain. Confused as to why he still breathing, he slowly opens his eyes only to find himself standing in a gate entrance of a school. Looking around trying to find a clue to where he was, he saw a sign that says Ryuusei Highschool, a name that he is very familiar. For some reason he is also wearing the school uniform. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he isn't seeing things. The school Infront of him right now is the place which the novel he hates the most took place.

Ryuusei High School, meaning shooting star, is a known school for its well education system, at least that's what the novel says about it. Few students here also came from different places and countries even which makes the school a bit diverse. It's also where the main characters study and where haft of the tragedies happened.

'Haha... I see...I'm dead huh? So, this the after-death thing I've read online. My brain could've picked a better option than this place'

He couldn't help but laugh a little to how absurd his situation is right now

'Well let's just get this over with...'

Finding a spot to sit down, he tried to wait thinking this dream would be over and he can finally rest in peace. But after some time, it seems he just won't disappear.

"I'll probably be here for a while, might as well look around.

Unmotivated, Andrew went inside ready to end this madness but not to the classes though for he has no idea where his classroom is supposed to be since this is all a dream.

'Can't believe I'm going back to high school even though I already graduated'

He jokingly commented to himself.

***

The bell rings as Andrew walks around exploring the school, he couldn't help but notice figures in the hallway. They are a group of four guys talking to each other. Judging on how they look, they are the typical delinquents you can see in movies. Talking loudly, he can hear them even though he is a bit faraway.

"Hey, you have you heard? That pipsqueak Yuki is going to ask the council president to go out"

"Yeah, I know, that retard thinks he has a shot

“Haha what a loser"

They laughed at each other's remarks.

'Yuki, now where have I heard that name before'

Then, realization hit him as the one they are talking about is none other than Yuki one of the main characters. In the first chapter of the novel, Yuki failed to confess his love to his crush, but he asked the girl to meet up later after the classes are finished.

'I see, so they are the ones who will beat him up later'

Andrew deciding not to be involved went the rooftop to spend his entire time. Laying down and looking at the sky, he tries to relax but is clearly bothered.

*Sigh*

"Can't be help, it's not like I don't want to help it's just... I'm already dead"

"Plus, even if it's a dream, it's been a while since I fought someone, and I don't want to be beaten up by four delinquents. Haha yeah that's right..."

A sad expression suddenly appeared in his face as he remembers what will happen later. After being beaten up, Yuki failed to meet the girl. Thinking he was messing with her feelings; she was hurt and decided not to interact with him. Both of their hearts shattered that day.

"No! don't get involve that's right! There's nothing good getting involve. It'll only make you more problems..."

A bitter memory resurfaced as he said those words.

"This is all fake anyways. There's nothing I can do... That's right..."

***

The classes are finished and most of the students are already gone. A group of four guys are hanging around in the hallway waiting for someone. The four guys smile as steps could be heard, and as the steps goes louder, they ready themselves.

"Hey what's up?"

They were surprised. Instead of Yuki, the four delinquents were greeted by Andrew. They can't help but be disappointed and annoyed.

"Tsk, not him"

"Beat it loser, this place is our turf"

One of the delinquents angerly declared.

"Okay chill, I'm just passing by"

Andrew shrugged and with a pace steady, walked straight ahead and walked past through them... or so they thought.

Bam! a punch was thrown to one of the guys immediately passing out from the hit.

"Wtf are you doing?"

One of them furiously shouts at Andrew.

Another one attempting to throw a punch but he immediate dodges it. Andrew seizing the moment, Bam! followed a kick in the stomach again knocking out the attacker. The two remaining guys were shocked unable to believe what just happened.

"You know, I learned from a lesson before that getting involved with other people will only give you problems"

Andrew calmly remarks.

"Huh?" Still shocked, one of them can't help but answer.

"But you know what? If getting involved means I get to beat up people like you. I don't mind making it my own problem"

With the look of satisfaction, he charges at the two of them attacking them with all his might.

***

Meanwhile, a boy is running in the hallway.

"Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! I'm late! I had to help Lopsy clean the classroom"

He is panting and sweating as he tries to run as fast as he can.

"I'm sorry Hana! I'm going to be late!"

He kept running and running and finally he reached a corner which would lead him to the roof top. As soon as he took the turn, he was greeted by five people. Four of them are laying on the floor beaten up and one with a bloody fist. Yuki recognizes the four of them, it's the same people who would always bully him at school.

Yuki screams as he was startled and terrified by the scene.

"Umm... what are-"

"Go"

Before Yuki can finish, Andrew quickly interrupted him.

"You got something important to do right?"

Yuki was startled, but he understood what he meant so he nods at Andrew before trying to leave.

"You better speak up now, I hate coward people with no backbone"

"Yes"

"Oh btw, I know this might sound horrible but... Thank you for beating up those people!"

Yuki with the brightest smile, thanks him with all his heart.

Yuki focused straight ahead and not looking back, he went off to where he is initially headed.

"His smile reminds me of Mom Tina’s"

Andrew, looking at his bloody fists, He remembers the time when he helped a girl from being attacked by someone. That someone happens to be the boss of his father which fired him after knowing his son was involved in his case. To make matters worse, the girl testified against him in the court. The reason why he was disowned by his own family.

"I have no more regrets this time”

Feeling weak, Andrew sat on the floor. He feels tired and yet satisfied from what he did. Smiling as he remembers Yuki’s thanks.

“Goodluck on your confession"

Andrew uttered one last time before his vision... goes dark.