The sky was orange in the late afternoon when Damian finished his last set of one-armed push-ups, with the heavy backpack on his back. Sweat was running down his face, his muscles were stiff and he was breathing heavily.
"Fuck… done." he said, rolling to the side and staying in the plank position for another minute, until his cell phone beeped.
He got up, took off his backpack and went straight to take a shower. Ice-cold water. Body on fire.
When he got out, he looked in the mirror, fixed his hair and picked up the tight black t-shirt that showed off his defined shoulders and chest.
"Tonight is just dinner… nothing special." he tried to convince himself, but he knew it was the first time he had gone out with a girl like that.
Later, Damian arrived in front of the restaurant in the city center. A famous place, not because it was expensive, but because no gang would mess with it. It was neutral territory. Everyone respected it.
Soo-min was already there, leaning against the wall, playing with her cell phone. When she saw him, she blushed.
"Wow… you look… really handsome, Damian."
Damian was speechless for two seconds. He looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
"Thanks… you look beautiful too."
Typical of a guy who never had a chance. She smiled at that.
They entered the restaurant. The lights were low, the smell of Japanese food was in the air, and several tables were filled with couples and small groups.
They sat facing each other. They ordered sushi, yakisoba, and soft drinks.
Between one bite and the next, they let their nerves out. Damian told some stories about when he used to get picked on at school before he met Jisoo. Soo-min laughed, throwing her head back.
"You really were so dense, huh?"
"Don't even tell me," Damian replied, smiling.
The conversation flowed. Laughter, glances, and that lighthearted atmosphere he had never felt before.
When the bill arrived, Damian insisted on paying.
"Are you crazy? Let me split it."
"No way. If I get beaten up after this, I want to at least die with dignity."
She laughed out loud, covering her mouth.
On the way out, they stopped in front of the restaurant. The light night wind hit them both.
Before they said goodbye, Soo-min approached and, without warning, kissed Damian on the cheek.
"I hope we can go out more often."
Damian froze for two seconds, feeling his face hot, his heart racing.
"S-s-sure… whenever you want."
She smiled and walked away. Damian stood still, with a slight idiotic smile on his face.
For the first time, it wasn't just about punches, takedowns, and gangbangs. There was something different going on there.
But the cloc
k wouldn't stop. Tomorrow was the day to face the 9ºC.