The next morning, the classroom buzzed with pre-bell chatter. Jin sat at his desk, staring blankly at a textbook, his mind miles away on Balthazar’s army.

A shadow fell over his page.

"So, Jin," Lynn leaned on his desk, batting her eyelashes. "When are you going to take me out on that date?"

Jin blinked, looking up. "Wait. You were serious?"

"Well, no duh!" Lynn laughed, flipping her blonde hair. "I was totes serious."

"Really?!?" Jin’s eyes widened.

"Why do you sound so shook?" Lynn giggled, poking his chest. "I’ve made it no secret that I like you, silly."

"You do?"

"Wow, Jin," Lynn shook her head. "For a supersoldier, you sure can be dense."

"I’m sorry, Lynn," Jin rubbed the back of his neck, genuinely flustered. "I’ve just really been focused on this mission. Girls aren't usually... part of the equation."

"I know it is important," Lynn’s voice softened. "You know I love Luna, but you can’t be all work and no play, boo boo. You'll burn out."

"This is true," Jin conceded.

"So," Lynn grinned mischievously. "You should consider playing with me."

Jin choked on air. "Cough! Cough! WHAT?!?!"

"HAHAHA!" Lynn slapped the desk. "Jin, your reactions are wild AF!"

Luna walked up, dropping her bag on the adjacent desk. "Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

"Oh nothing," Lynn smirked. "Just trying to figure out when Jin is going to gather the courage to ask me out."

"Hey!" Jin protested.

"Jin, just ask her out already," Luna sighed, opening her notebook.

"I would, but..."

"I know, I know," Lynn waved a hand. "Your mission, blah blah blah. Oh, I know! Luna, why not come with us? That way Jin can 'keep an eye on you' while we hang out."

"But..." Jin started.

"Why would I want to go on your date, Lynn?" Luna frowned. "That sounds like third-wheel hell."

"We can make it a double date!" Lynn beamed. "That would be totes lit."

"Hold on..." Luna argued. "I don't have anyone to go with."

"Yes, you do." Lynn pointed toward the door. "Hey, Leven!"

"What?!?" Luna hissed. "No!"

"Lynn, stop!" Jin warned.

"Oh, stop being so extra," Lynn ignored them.

Leven Soto strolled in, his uniform pristine as always. "Lynn, Luna. What's up?" He glanced at Jin with disdain but said nothing.

"So guess what?" Lynn clapped her hands. "You get to take Luna out on a date this weekend."

"Lynn!!" Luna groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"Oh, hush, you two," Lynn scolded. "So Leven, this weekend. Double date. Me and Jin. You and Luna."

Leven’s eyes lit up. "Oh really? Sounds fun. I’d be delighted."

"Good, all settled," Lynn declared. "Luna and I will let you boys figure out the details. Just make sure it's lit, fam."

"Are you sure?" Jin asked dryly. "You've been doing such a good job organizing my life so far."

"Hush it," Lynn winked. "Anyway, we will leave you to it. Come on, Luna."

Lynn dragged a mortified Luna away. Jin and Leven were left standing in the aisle, the air between them turning icy.

Leven dropped the charming smile instantly. "Meet me on the roof for lunch. ALONE."

"I'd rather not," Jin replied, not looking at him. "Being around your face ruins my appetite."

"Just do it," Leven hissed, walking away.

Lunchtime arrived. The roof was empty, save for the wind rattling the chain-link fence. Leven stood near the edge, looking out over the city.

Jin kicked the door open. "Okay, let’s get this over with. I don't want to be here longer than I have to be."

Leven turned slowly. "Why are you here, Jin?"

"Hey, dumbass, did you forget?" Jin rolled his eyes. "You told me to meet you here."

"I'm sorry," Leven said coldly. "You misunderstand me. Why are you here? In this school? In this city?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Please stop insulting my intelligence," Leven took a step forward. "I know exactly what you are."

"Look, I don't know what you THINK you know..."

"Jin," Leven pointed a finger. "I know you're a Guardian."

Jin froze. "Whaaaaat? A Guardian? Like a parent?"

"I'm no fool," Leven snapped. "That is the only explanation for how easily you defeated me last time. I am Leven Soto. No normal man can defeat me, let alone humiliate me without lifting a finger. So I ask you again. WHY ARE YOU HERE? AND WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH LUNA?"

"Look, crazy guy," Jin sighed, dropping his act. "I don't have to tell you anything."

"Fine," Leven assumed a fighting stance, his Ki flaring faintly—a surprising development. "If you won't tell me with words, maybe you will answer my fists."

"LOOK—"

Before Jin could finish, Leven sprang into action. He threw a sharp jab aimed at Jin’s nose. Jin blocked it lazily, grabbing the fist.

"Don't be stupid," Jin warned. "This didn't work out very well for you last time."

"HA! Things change!"

Leven twisted his wrist free and launched a high kick at Jin’s temple. Jin leaned back, barely avoiding the shoe.

He has gotten a lot faster, Jin realized, eyes narrowing. This could be more annoying than I anticipated.

Leven pressed the attack, unleashing a flurry of strikes—hooks, elbows, knees. Jin blocked and parried, stepping backward. Leven was pushing him toward the wall.

He’s actually using Ki to reinforce his strikes, Jin noted. Sloppy, but effective.

Jin’s back hit the concrete wall. Leven threw a spinning side kick. Jin ducked. The kick slammed into the wall, cracking the concrete.

Okay, that would have hurt.

Jin swept Leven’s standing leg. Leven fell, but he caught himself with one hand, handspringing back to his feet. As he rose, he lashed out with a heel kick that caught Jin square on the forehead.

Thwack.

Jin stumbled back, falling onto his butt. He touched his head; there was no blood, but it stung.

Leven stood over him, panting but triumphant. "Looks like someone has been doing some training."

"As soon as I figured out what you were," Leven smirked, wiping sweat from his brow, "I began focusing on controlling my Ki. That’s right, Jin. If I truly wanted to, I could have been a Guardian too."

"Don't get cocky," Jin growled, kipping up to his feet. "Because unlike you, I actually am one."

Oh great, Jin thought. So the boyband reject is Ki sensitive too. Looks like I might not get to finish my sandwich today.

"You’re good," Jin admitted, cracking his neck. "But I'm better."

"What? You think this is over?" Leven shoved Jin’s chest.

Jin shoved back harder. They squared off, circling each other.

That’s right, Jin, Leven thought, his ego swelling. Not so easy this time around, huh? Leven Soto can rise to any challenge. Now I shall make you pay for trying to steal my woman and spitting on my honor.

"YAAHH!"

Leven let out a battle cry and charged.

Jin decided to stop playing defense. He met the charge head-on.

They collided in the center of the roof.

Boom.

Fists met forearms. Shins met thighs. It was a brutal exchange of martial arts prowess. They mirrored each other perfectly—Leven threw a right hook, Jin blocked and countered with a left. Leven ducked a roundhouse and swept; Jin jumped the sweep and threw a knee.

After a solid minute of trading blows, Leven saw an opening. He threw a wild hook. Jin ducked under it and exploded upward with an uppercut.

CRACK.

The punch connected with Leven’s gut, lifting him off his feet. Leven gasped, eyes bulging. But he didn't fold. He grabbed Jin’s shoulder and drove a knee into Jin’s stomach.

"Oof!" Jin grunted.

They traded body shots like boxers in a phone booth. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Jin landed a cross to Leven’s face, splitting his lip. Leven spit blood and clinched, landing two knees to Jin’s ribs. Jin broke the clinch, grabbed Leven’s arm, pivoted, and executed a perfect judo throw.

SLAM.

Leven hit the deck hard. Jin was on him instantly, locking in a headlock and raining down hammer fists.

"Stay down!" Jin shouted.

"Never!" Leven bucked his hips, rolling Jin over. He scrambled to Jin’s back, locking his arms around Jin’s waist, and arched hard—a belly-to-back suplex.

Jin slammed into the concrete. Leven scrambled on top, raining down punches. Jin caught a wrist, pulled Leven down, and threw his legs up—triangle choke.

"Ghk!" Leven gagged, his face turning purple.

Leven stood up, lifting Jin with him, and slammed him back down to break the hold.

Jin released the choke but scrambled to Leven’s back as they rolled. He sunk in a rear naked choke, locking his forearm under Leven’s chin.

"Tap or sleep!" Jin hissed in his ear.

Leven clawed at Jin’s arm, his vision tunneling. He was fading.

"WHAT THE HELL?!?"

The roof door slammed open. Noah stood there, eyes wide, holding a half-eaten sandwich.

Jin released the hold and shoved Leven away. Leven gasped, coughing violently on the ground.

"You're lucky he showed up," Jin panted, standing up. "But if you come at me again, I’m not letting go. And that, I promise."

Crap, Jin thought, rubbing his bruised ribs. That donkey porker got a lot better. I actually had to put some effort in.

Jin stormed past Noah and down the stairs.