Lookism:Choi Jinwoo

Chapter 3- Daily Life

The town of Haneul, Jinwoo's home, was vast, a thriving blend of urban life and rural charm. Tall buildings lined the streets, bridges connected distant neighborhoods, and bustling markets thrived next to wide-open fields. It was a town that represented growth and hard work, much like Jinwoo himself. He ruled this place in his own way, not through intimidation, but through respect earned by his unyielding strength and intellect.

The sun had barely risen when Jinwoo's alarm went off, the soft beeping cutting through the quiet of his room. He stretched, his muscles taut under the skin, honed from years of training. He moved with the kind of purpose that only came from discipline.

"Time to start," he muttered to himself as he slipped into his workout clothes. 

His morning routine was rigorous. A hundred push-ups, a hundred sit-ups, and running ten kilometers around the town. The roads were still quiet, save for a few early risers setting up shop in the markets. As Jinwoo ran, his sharp eyes took in everything, from the bustling preparations of vendors to the distant view of the school he would attend later.

Halfway through his run, a group of children playing in the open field spotted him. Their faces lit up as they waved.

"Hyung! Hyung!" one of them called out.

Jinwoo slowed his pace and jogged over. "Morning, you guys up early?"

"We're practicing for the game later!" the tallest kid, Minho, beamed with excitement.

Jinwoo chuckled, leaning down to ruffle Minho's hair. "Make sure you don't slack off. I'll be watching."

The kids burst into eager nods, the prospect of Jinwoo watching their match a source of motivation.

"You're the best, Hyung!" Minho called as Jinwoo jogged off again. He was a guardian to them, someone they could look up to and rely on. It wasn't something Jinwoo had asked for, but it was something he took seriously.

By the time Jinwoo finished his morning routine, the sun was high enough to cast light across the town. He returned home, grabbed a quick shower, and changed into his school uniform. It wasn't long before he was walking down the road toward Haneul High School, the large buildings of the town looming over the streets. 

His reputation preceded him wherever he went. 

At school, students parted when he walked through the corridors, a mix of awe and respect following him. It wasn't just because of his physical strength—though that was a major factor—but because of his sharp mind. He excelled in every subject, something that often caught people off guard when they first met him.

In class, the teacher called out, "Alright, class, who can solve this problem?" She scribbled an intricate equation on the board, and the class fell silent.

Jinwoo raised his hand, almost lazily. "It's a linear equation, so the solution is x equals 5."

The teacher smiled, nodding. "Correct, Jinwoo. As usual."

His classmates exchanged looks. It was almost unfair, they thought. Not only was Jinwoo the strongest in the entire town, but he was also one of the smartest students in school. 

During lunch, Jinwoo sat by the window, watching the bustling activity outside as students enjoyed their break. His group of friends, though small, were loyal. They knew Jinwoo wasn't the most talkative guy, but when he did speak, it was worth listening.

"What's up with you today? You've been quiet," said Daeho, one of his few close friends.

Jinwoo glanced over at him, taking a bite of his food. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing much," Jinwoo replied with a shrug. "Just got a lot on my mind."

Daeho chuckled. "You always have something on your mind. Let me guess—another fight?"

"No," Jinwoo shook his head, smirking. "I'm done with that for today."

But outside of school, Jinwoo's responsibilities never truly left him. As the unofficial protector of the town, there were always people who came to him for help. It wasn't uncommon for merchants in the market to pull him aside, asking him to settle disputes or handle troublesome outsiders who thought they could take advantage of the peaceful town.

Later that afternoon, Jinwoo was on his way home when a young shopkeeper ran up to him, out of breath.

"Jinwoo! There's some guys over at the market causing trouble," she gasped.

Jinwoo raised an eyebrow. "How many?"

"Three," she replied, still catching her breath. "They're trying to shake down the old man at the corner stall."

Jinwoo sighed. "I'll take care of it."

He arrived at the market a few minutes later, spotting the trio of thugs harassing the old stall owner. The man, well into his sixties, was trying to stand his ground, but it was clear he was outmatched.

"Get lost," one of the thugs spat, shoving the old man back. "This place belongs to us now."

Jinwoo stepped forward, his presence alone causing the group to freeze. His reputation in the town was enough to make most troublemakers think twice, but these guys were either new or foolishly brave.

"Leave him alone," Jinwoo said calmly, his voice steady but commanding.

The thug in charge turned, sneering at Jinwoo. "Who the hell are you?"

Jinwoo stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Doesn't matter who I am. You're leaving now."

There was a tense silence as the thug sized him up, clearly not understanding the gravity of the situation. But as Jinwoo's eyes bore into him, the man's bravado wavered.

"We were just leaving," the thug muttered, motioning for his friends to follow him. They hurried off, not daring to test their luck.

Jinwoo turned to the old man, giving him a nod. "You alright?"

The shopkeeper smiled gratefully. "Thanks to you, Jinwoo. Those guys won't be back, will they?"

"Not if they know what's good for them," Jinwoo replied, his voice carrying a rare warmth. He wasn't one to brag or seek attention for his actions, but the people in this town meant something to him. Protecting them was second nature.

As the sun began to set, Jinwoo made his way home, the streets once again calming as evening fell. The town of Haneul, with its sprawling markets, busy streets, and close-knit community, was his domain. Not because he had claimed it, but because he had earned the respect of those who lived there.

As he lay down in bed that night, his mind drifted back to the day's events. The town had once been overrun with chaos and delinquents, but now it was a place of peace—a peace he had fought for and maintained. And even though he kept a low profile, everyone knew that when trouble came, it was Jinwoo they could rely on.

Tommorow is a special day as tommorow Jinwoo will graduate!.