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Dominique had trained in boxing for three years at a professional level. Outside the ring, she studied at a prestigious academy where she consistently ranked in the top ten of her class. She was known for having both beauty and intelligence—but what truly made people wary of her was her strength.To most, Dominique seemed perfect.But beneath that perfection was a sharp temper and impulsive nature that often got the better of her.Everything fell apart after a reckless fight.It started when a group of students mocked her and dragged her family’s reputation into it. Dominique lost control. What should have been a small confrontation turned into a brutal fight that left multiple students injured. Someone recorded the incident, and the video spread quickly, threatening the image of her school—and her parents’ respected status.The school expelled her without hesitation.Only one school agreed to accept her transfer:Ganghak High School.The moment Dominique stepped onto the campus, whispers followed her everywhere. Her story had already spread. Even in a place filled with delinquents, many students kept their distance. Strength recognized strength—and Dominique’s reputation made her untouchable.Almost.There was one person who showed no fear.Geum Seongje.Unlike the others, Seongje didn’t avoid her. Instead, he mocked her whenever their paths crossed—subtle insults, amused smirks, and the occasional cold glare. He seemed irritated by her reputation, as if he didn’t believe the stories.Dominique ignored him at first. She had dealt with people like him before.Until he challenged her.A boxing match.Seongje wasn’t interested in a messy street fight—he wanted to test her properly.Dominique accepted without hesitation, assuming he would be no different from the other delinquents she had fought.But the moment the match began, she realized something was different.Seongje wasn’t reckless.He was calm. Precise. Watching her.For the first time in a long while, Dominique felt her pulse quicken—not from fear, but from adrenaline. He wasn’t treating her like a legend or a threat. He was treating her like an opponent.Someone worth breaking.And Seongje, in return, found himself intrigued by her intensity. Dominique fought with raw emotion and relentless force—unpolished in control, yet impossible to ignore.What began as a challenge slowly turned into something deeper:A rivalry fueled by pride.
A connection built through violence.
And a fascination neither of them expected.
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The gym behind Ganghak High smelled faintly of dust and worn rubber mats. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a pale glow across the empty space.Word had spread fast.Students gathered along the walls, whispering, waiting.In the center stood Dominique, rolling her shoulders loose. Her hands were wrapped cleanly and tightly—professional. Controlled. Familiar.This was her territory.Footsteps echoed from the entrance.He arrived without urgency.Geum Seongje walked in with that same unreadable expression, hands in his pockets like this was nothing more than a casual interruption to his day.The murmurs grew louder.Dominique watched him carefully.He didn’t look nervous.He didn’t even look excited.Just calm.That annoyed her more than anything.“Ready?” she asked, adjusting her stance.Seongje tilted his head slightly, studying her—her posture, her balance, the way her weight shifted lightly on the balls of her feet.“Don’t hold back,” he said.No countdown.No signal.Dominique moved first.Her jab shot forward—fast, sharp, precise. It cut through the air toward his face.Seongje leaned back just enough for it to miss.Not a flinch.A calculation.Dominique’s eyes narrowed.Fast reflexes.She followed with a quick combination—jab, cross, left hook.This time, Seongje stepped inside her range instead of retreating.Unexpected.His forearm redirected her hook, pushing it off-line. The movement wasn’t clean like a trained boxer—it was practical, efficient.Street fighting.Dominique pivoted quickly, creating distance again. Her heartbeat picked up—not from exhaustion, but from something sharper.Interest.Seongje didn’t chase her immediately. He circled instead, watching.Studying.He’s reading me.The realization hit, and irritation sparked in her chest.Dominique rushed forward again, increasing her speed. Her punches came heavier now—less testing, more pressure.One landed.A clean hit to his cheek.The sound echoed across the gym.Some students gasped.Seongje’s head turned slightly from the impact.Then he looked back at her.And smiled.Not amused.Not playful.Something darker.The atmosphere shifted instantly.Before Dominique could reset her stance, Seongje moved.Fast.Far faster than before.He stepped inside her guard, closing the distance where boxing became harder to control. His hand caught her wrist mid-motion, redirecting her punch, while his shoulder drove forward—not striking, but forcing her balance backward.Dominique staggered one step.Then two.She caught herself quickly, eyes widening.He changed speeds.Adrenaline surged through her veins.For the first time since transferring, Dominique felt it—that sharp thrill she only got when a fight wasn’t predictable.When an opponent refused to follow the rules she knew.She grinned.“Finally,” she muttered.Across from her, Seongje rolled his neck once, gaze sharpening.He had seen enough.Dominique wasn’t just reputation.She was real.And that made her interesting.The next round of movement began faster—harder—neither of them holding back now, the gym filled with the sound of footsteps, breath, and impact as rivalry took its first real form.Not just a fight.The beginning of an obsession.
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Dominique’s fists were starting to feel heavier, but her movements stayed sharp.Across from her, Seongje watched quietly, his breathing steady despite the marks forming along his cheek.She stepped forward again.Jab. Cross.This time, both landed.The sound echoed through the gym.A murmur spread through the crowd.Seongje didn’t counter.He only studied her—her determination, the frustration building behind every strike.Dominique pushed harder.Another combination.Faster.Stronger.Her final punch connected cleanly, forcing him a step back.Then another.And another.Seongje let the momentum carry him until his foot slid slightly against the mat.He didn’t correct it.He didn’t recover.He simply allowed himself to fall backward.The room erupted.Dominique froze.For a moment, she didn’t move—didn’t breathe.Something felt off.Seongje lay on the mat, staring up at the ceiling like nothing had happened. No urgency. No irritation.Just calm.After a few seconds, he sat up slowly.Their eyes met.And that was when she noticed it—That faint, knowing look.Understanding hit her instantly.He let her win.Dominique clenched her jaw.Not embarrassed.Not satisfied.Annoyed.Excited.Because now she needed to fight him again—this time for real.Seongje stood, brushing dust from his uniform.“Not bad,” he said casually.Dominique smirked, though her eyes burned with challenge.“Next time,” she replied, “don’t hold back.”For the first time, Seongje’s smile sharpened.“That’s the plan.”
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The murmurs around the gym slowly returned as the fight came to an end.Dominique stood steady, fists still raised out of instinct, while Geum Seongje pushed himself up from the mat.No referee.No official announcement.But everyone already knew.Dominique had won.Seongje brushed the dust off his sleeve like the result didn’t matter.Students began whispering louder now—impressed, shocked, curious.Dominique turned slightly, about to leave.Then—“Hey.”His voice stopped her.She glanced back.Seongje was already looking at her, calm as ever, but this time his gaze lingered longer than before—not analyzing her stance, not measuring her strength.Just looking.“You’re stronger than I expected.”Dominique shrugged. “Obviously.”She started to turn again—But he stepped closer.Not aggressively.Not challengingly.Just enough to close the distance.Dominique blinked once, caught off guard.Seongje leaned slightly toward her, voice low enough that the others couldn’t hear.“But that’s not the interesting part.”Her brows furrowed. “What is?”A small pause.Then—“The way you looked at me when you thought you might lose.”For the first time that day, Dominique felt her composure slip.Just a little.Her expression tightened. “I wasn’t—”“You were.”His tone stayed calm. Certain.Then his gaze softened—barely noticeable, but enough to change the air between them.“You looked good like that.”Silence.Dominique’s brain stalled for half a second.Heat rushed to her face before she could stop it.Annoyance hit immediately after.“Stop talking.”Seongje smirked.Not mocking.Satisfied.Because he’d seen it—that tiny reaction she couldn’t control.And Dominique knew it.She turned quickly and walked toward the exit before he could say anything else.But her heartbeat didn’t slow down.Not for a while.Behind her, Seongje watched quietly.Interested.Very interested.
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Dominique was cleaning up in the gym, rewrapping her hands after the fight. The excitement had died down, but the whispers lingered.“Hey.”A calm, authoritative voice cut through the air.She looked up. Baekjin was standing at the doorway, arms crossed, expression unreadable.“You’re Dominique, right?” he asked.She nodded cautiously. “Depends on who’s asking.”He smirked faintly. “I’ve heard about you. Beating Seongje… not bad for a transfer student.”Dominique stiffened. That one punch to Seongje’s pride had clearly made waves beyond her own school.“I have an… offer,” Baekjin continued, eyes sharp. “Join the Union. You’ll get protection, resources, respect. You could be untouchable.”Dominique’s first instinct was to scoff. “Why would I ever want that?”Baekjin raised an eyebrow. “Because you’re good. Because someone recommended you.”Dominique narrowed her eyes. “Who?”Baekjin’s smirk widened. “Let’s just say… someone who knows you well. Think about it.”And just like that, he turned and left.Dominique froze, pulse quickening—not from fear, exactly, but from curiosity and suspicion.She didn’t know it yet, but Seongje had orchestrated the entire thing behind her back.And she had no idea how much this ‘invitation’ would pull her deeper into Ganghak’s dangerous orbit.
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The streets near Ganghak High were quiet, but Dominique’s footsteps echoed too loudly for her liking.She was heading home, gloves still loosely wrapped from her training session, when a figure stepped out of the shadows.“Dominique, right?”The man was tall, muscular, and exuded a dangerous calm. Baekjin had sent him, and the message was clear: test her.Dominique’s brow furrowed. “Why?”He smirked, cracking his knuckles. “I’m here to see if you’re as strong as they say.”Dominique sighed. “I don’t have time for this.”Before she could react further, he lunged.The fight began.Dominique blocked his first strikes easily, rolling with his power, redirecting, countering. She had trained for this. She was prepared.…but he was fast, relentless. She blinked too slowly once, and he landed a clean punch to her ribs. She staggered slightly. Just enough.From the shadows, Seongje’s eyes narrowed.He had been watching silently, his posture relaxed, hands in his pockets. His internal rule was simple: she handles this herself. Only step in if necessary.He knew the man wasn’t enough to defeat Dominique—not really. But a part of him enjoyed watching her adapt.The next punch came faster than she expected. Dominique raised her guard, but the momentum caught her off guard—she stumbled, barely managing to block the follow-up.Her breathing quickened. No big deal. Keep calm.But at that exact moment, he swung a heavy hook that would have knocked her off her feet.A shadow moved.Seongje stepped in.He didn’t punch first. He didn’t even say anything. He moved like lightning, catching the man’s wrist mid-swing and twisting him off balance. The force sent the man stumbling backward into a trash can.Dominique froze.Her heart hammered in her chest.“What the…?” she stammered, eyes wide.Seongje glanced at her briefly, expression unreadable. Then his gaze returned to the man, who was scrambling to recover.Dominique’s voice came out before she could stop herself:
“Why did you--”Seongje shrugged. “You were distracted. That’s all.”Her face burned. Part pride, part embarrassment, part what the hell is going on??The man groaned from the trash can, clearly defeated, and backed off. Dominique’s fists clenched instinctively, but she didn’t move.Seongje’s eyes flicked to her, faintly amused. “Are you okay?”Dominique’s mouth opened, then closed. She couldn’t find words. The adrenaline was fading, leaving a new kind of tension in its place—anger at being caught off guard, confusion at why he’d care enough to step in, and… something else she didn’t want to admit.Finally, she huffed, trying to regain her composure.
“I… I can handle myself.”Seongje tilted his head, smirk just barely tugging at his lips.
“I know.”
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Dominique heard about the fight during dismissal.“Seongje’s behind the old storage building.”She didn’t react immediately. Just kept packing her bag.Another voice added, “Guy from another school. Heard he’s strong.”That was enough.Not because she cared.Because she needed information.If she was going to beat Geum Seongje properly next time, she had to understand how he fought when it wasn’t controlled. When it wasn’t a match.So she went.The back of the school was already crowded when she arrived. She stayed behind the wall, unseen, just enough to watch.And she watched.Seongje moved differently than he did against her. No teasing. No smirking. Just efficient, sharp movements. Every step calculated. Every strike deliberate.Dominique narrowed her eyes.So this is how he really fights.Her mind started memorizing everything. The way he shifted his weight. The way he baited the other guy forward. The way he conserved energy instead of rushing.She almost felt annoyed.He definitely hadn’t shown her all of that.The opponent stumbled back, clearly losing ground.It was almost over.Dominique relaxed slightly.Then the guy reached behind a stack of broken desks.And pulled out a metal bat.Her expression changed instantly.Seriously?Seongje hadn’t seen it yet. His back was partially turned as he adjusted his stance.The opponent rushed forward, lifting the bat high.Dominique didn’t think.She moved.The bat swung down——and stopped.Her hand caught it before it could land properly.The impact rattled through her arm, but she didn’t let go.The entire area went silent.She pushed the bat aside, eyes cold.“Using a weapon because you’re losing?” she said flatly. “That’s embarrassing.”The opponent hesitated.That was enough for Seongje.Within seconds, the fight was over.The other guy fled.And that’s when Dominique realized what she had just done.Everyone had seen it.She had stepped in.For him.A few students whispered immediately.“Did she just protect Seongje?”“There’s no way.”Dominique felt heat crawl up her neck.Oh no.She stepped back instinctively.This was not what she came here for.Without saying a word, she turned to leave.Behind her, she felt it.His gaze.
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“Dominique.”She stopped.Of course he would say her name.Dominique kept her back facing him for a second longer, hoping—very unrealistically—that if she didn’t turn around, the entire situation would somehow undo itself.It did not.The whispers were still there.She inhaled once, steadying herself, then turned.Geum Seongje was already looking at her.Not confused.Not annoyed.Interested.That made it worse.“What was that?” he asked.His voice wasn’t teasing, but there was something faintly amused in his expression, like he had just discovered something unexpected and entertaining.Dominique crossed her arms immediately, defensive.“Don’t misunderstand.”A few students leaned closer, pretending not to listen.She felt the embarrassment creeping back.“I stepped in because he used a weapon,” she continued quickly. “That’s it.”Seongje tilted his head slightly.“And if he didn’t?”“I wouldn’t have moved.”A short pause.Then—“I see.”But the way he said it didn’t sound like he believed her at all.Dominique’s eyes narrowed.Why does he look like that?Seongje stepped a little closer.Not threatening. Just enough to make the conversation feel more private.“You were watching from the start.”It wasn’t a question.Dominique froze for half a second.“…I was studying your moves.”The words slipped out before she could stop them.Silence.Then—Seongje smiled.Not a wide smile. Just a small one. But it was enough to make Dominique immediately regret everything.“Studying me?” he repeated.Heat rushed straight to her face.Wrong choice of words. Extremely wrong choice.“That’s not what I meant.”“It sounded like that.”“It wasn’t.”Seongje didn’t reply right away. He simply looked at her for a moment longer, as if trying to figure something out.Dominique suddenly became very aware of the fact that people were still watching.Oh no.This looks bad.Very bad.She stepped back quickly.“Anyway, the fight’s over,” she said, forcing her voice back to its usual flat tone. “So don’t think too much about it.”Seongje’s eyes sharpened slightly at that.“Too late.”That made her pause again.Before she could respond, someone from the crowd muttered loudly enough to be heard.“They’d actually be scary together.”Dominique’s soul left her body.She turned instantly.“Say that again.”The crowd scattered.Seongje laughed quietly.Dominique snapped her head back toward him.That did not help.Not at all.This situation was getting worse by the second.“I’m leaving,” she said quickly.And this time, she actually did.She walked fast. Not running. Never running. But fast enough that no one could stop her.She did not look back.She did not say another word.And she absolutely did not notice the way Seongje kept watching her until she disappeared past the gate.—The next week, Dominique avoided him.Completely.If she saw him in the hallway, she turned the other way.If she heard his name, she pretended not to.If their paths almost crossed, she suddenly remembered something very important in the opposite direction.Because every time she thought about what happened, the same thought appeared.Everyone thinks I like him.Which was ridiculous.Obviously ridiculous.Completely ridiculous.…right?Unfortunately, avoiding Geum Seongje turned out to be much harder than she expected.Because now—He was looking for her.
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Dominique wiped sweat from her brow, swinging the heavy bag with precise, controlled punches. The gym at school was nearly empty. Most students had gone home or were hanging out outside, but she didn’t care. This was her space, her time, and nothing else mattered when her gloves connected with the bag.She bounced lightly on her toes, focusing on speed and power, her mind completely in the rhythm of the fight. Three years of training had built this instinct into her muscles; every movement was automatic.Then she felt it.A presence. Somewhere behind the ring. She didn’t look, didn’t break her flow. She had enough experience to sense someone watching.“Not bad,” a voice said, calm but teasing, almost soft enough to make her pause.Her gloves froze mid-swing.She turned slightly. Of course. Geum Seongje was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, smirk in place, watching her like he owned the gym. Her stomach tightened, but she kept her posture perfect, swinging the bag again to mask the flutter in her chest.“Were you planning to just stare, or…?” she said, voice flat but sharp, already annoyed.“Depends,” he said, stepping closer but not too close. “Maybe I’m thinking of cheering you on.”Dominique raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Right. Sure.”He smirked. “You work too hard to not get some credit.”She rolled her eyes and returned to her punches, trying to ignore him. But he stayed, leaning casually, watching her movements, noticing every tiny twitch and shift in her form. He knew she’d notice him noticing.Then, without warning, he walked over and dropped a bottle of water on the floor near her.“Thought you might need this,” he said, voice casual, like it was no big deal.Dominique blinked. She stared at it. She stared at him. Her cheeks heated slightly. “I—don’t need it,” she said, picking it up reluctantly, but her gloves still tingled from the sweat and the punches.Seongje only smirked, leaning back against the wall again. “Sure you don’t. But I’ll be around if you change your mind.”Dominique rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, but there was a tiny, undeniable shift in her chest. She hated that he could make her feel that way without doing anything at all.And with that, she turned back to the bag, gloves raised, focus back on her world, because boxing was hers. Always hers.But she knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, that Seongje would probably be watching her again tomorrow.
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Dominique’s gloves rested against the bag, but her gaze never left him. Seongje had been standing there, arms crossed, smirk perfectly in place, calm as ever… and it was driving her insane. He’s not even reacting. That’s exactly why she had to take control.She stepped closer, close enough that he could feel her presence, but not so close as to lose the aura of dominance she cultivated so carefully. Her fingers brushed against a strand of hair at his temple, tucking it back slowly. He didn’t flinch. Didn’t move.Her chest rose, eyes narrowing playfully. “Still pretending you’re untouchable, huh?” she murmured, leaning just slightly forward. She could see the faintest twitch in his smirk, and it made her pulse spike.Her hand slid under his jaw, tilting his face toward hers. “You need a little… instruction,” she whispered, voice low, teasing, dangerous. She could see him analyzing her, silent, amused… and she hated that she loved it.Seongje didn’t even blink. Just… smiled. Calm, unflinching, enjoying her boldness.Dominique’s heart thundered. She had crossed a line, invaded his space, and yet… he wasn’t flustered. He wasn’t even slightly taken aback. She leaned a little closer, daring, letting her forehead almost brush his.Finally, he spoke. Voice low. Smooth. Sharp.“You really think you can teach me something?”Her breath hitched slightly, but she forced herself to stay composed, chin high. “Yes. And you’re going to pay attention.”He smirked wider, eyes glinting. “Oh, I am paying attention.”Her hand lingered on his jaw, almost weightless, just enough to remind him she was here, she was dominant, she was Dominique. He didn’t move, didn’t resist, didn’t speak again. And that silence… that made her flare, made her want to push further.She straightened, fists back on the bag, stepping close enough to feel the faint heat of his body without touching. “Good,” she said, voice dripping with challenge. “Because I don’t repeat myself.”Seongje’s grin didn’t fade. He leaned slightly against the wall, watching, letting her dominance burn while keeping his calm. Every punch, every move, every word from Dominique was an attempt to dominate him… and every second, he just let her try.Dominique’s heart raced. She was flustered. She was daring. She was confident. And yet… he wasn’t fazed. She hated it. Loved it. Wanted more. And the tension—hot, electric, dangerous—hung thick in the air between them.
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Dominique leaned in, gloves loose, teasing, letting her fingers brush along his jaw. Her voice dropped low, smooth, playful. “Still not going to react?”Before she could finish, Seongje’s hand shot up and grabbed her wrist, then the other hand yanked her close, pressing her back against the wall of the gym. Her eyes went wide. The bag swung dangerously nearby as her pulse spiked.“You think you can tease me like that?” he murmured, voice low and dangerous, lips inches from hers. He pressed in, just enough that she could feel the heat of him, his gaze locked on hers with a smoldering intensity.Dominique froze, every instinct screaming, heart hammering in her chest. She tried to pull back, tried to assert herself, but his grip was firm, inescapable, like he was completely in control.Then his lips moved—close, teasing, a fake, almost-kiss—but not actually. Just enough to make her knees weaken and her mind go blank. He held her there, smirking against her lips, silent, letting her burn from the heat of it.Her gloves brushed uselessly against him, and her voice came out a stammered, “I—I’m not—”“Shh,” he whispered, tilting his head slightly, breaking eye contact to glance down at her lips again. “Careful. You’re making it hard to stay calm.”Dominique’s chest heaved, face flushed, pride bruised—but also something else… excitement, heat, complete chaos in her system. He released her with a chuckle, just enough to let her straighten, trying desperately to regain composure.Seongje leaned back slightly, still smirking, watching her like she was a storm he’d just poked, letting the tension linger. “You’re bold,” he said softly, voice calm, teasing. “I like that.”Dominique huffed, turning away, muttering under her breath, cheeks burning. “I’m… not…” She clenched her fists. She wanted to be angry, dominate, act untouchable—but inside… she was completely undone.And Seongje? Calm. Collected. Smirking. Completely enjoying the chaos he’d just created.
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