Reality Quest: Lookism

As promised, here's the bonus chapter. Let's reach 100 likes! 🤠

....

Parents...

They are one of the most important people in your life.

Treat them well, remember, we are all humans, even them make or have made mistakes.

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The next morning, sunlight streamed through Jin's curtains, gently nudging him awake. His body stirred, fresh from the previous day's grueling training. With a groggy yawn, Jin sat up and stretched, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness. His eyes scanned his room briefly before he swung his legs over the bed and stood up.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted into his room, luring him downstairs. He quickly washed up and dressed in comfortable clothes, letting his muscles enjoy a rare day of relaxation.

Descending the stairs, Jin was greeted by his mother sitting at the dining table with a mug in hand and her phone in the other. She looked up and gave him a small smile, her usual stern demeanor softening. His father was seated nearby, flipping through a newspaper, a half-eaten slice of toast on his plate.

"Good morning." Jin mumbled, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Morning." his mother replied. Her tone carried that familiar mix of love and exasperation. "How late were you out yesterday? You looked exhausted."

Jin shrugged, pouring himself a glass of water. "Just some training. Nothing too crazy."

His father lowered the newspaper and gave Jin a pointed look. "Nothing crazy? Your knuckles looked like they went through a meat grinder last week. You should ease up before you really hurt yourself."

Jin chuckled nervously, trying to brush off the concern. "I'm fine, really. You guys worry too much."

His mother set her mug down, her gaze softening. "Since you're free today, why don't you spend the day with us? It's been a while since we've done something together as a family."

Jin paused, caught off guard by the suggestion. He'd been so focused on training, fighting, and his goals that the idea of a quiet day with his parents seemed almost alien. But as he glanced at their expectant faces, he realized how much he missed spending time with them.

"Sure." Jin said with a nod. "What's the plan?"

His mother's face lit up, and even his father raised an eyebrow in surprise. "We'll figure it out as we go." she said. "But first, breakfast."

....

After a hearty meal together, the family set out in their car, his father behind the wheel and his mother directing him with her usual precision. Jin sat in the back, leaning his head against the window as the city passed by. It felt strange to be driven around after so many weeks of running through streets and dodging thugs.

Their first stop was a small market his mother loved. The bustling rows of vendors, each shouting about their fresh produce or handmade goods, created a lively atmosphere. Jin's mother darted between stalls, haggling like a seasoned veteran while his father followed behind, occasionally shaking his head at her persistence.

"Jin, look at this!" his mother called, holding up a woven scarf. "Doesn't it look great?"

Jin glanced at the scarf, the bright colors clashing with his usual monochrome style. "It's… colorful."

His mother frowned. "You need to add some life to your wardrobe. All that black makes you look like you're in a gang."

"Uh, funny you say that-" Jin started, but his father interrupted with a chuckle.

"She's been saying the same thing to me for years. Don't worry, son. It's a battle you'll never win."

They shared a laugh, and Jin felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in a long time. The banter, the teasing, it all felt so normal, so grounding.

After the market, they headed to a nearby park. The spring air was crisp, and families filled the open spaces, kids running around while couples strolled hand in hand. Jin and his parents found a bench near a pond, watching as ducks glided across the water.

His mother leaned back, letting the sun warm her face. "I used to bring you here when you were little, Jin. You'd chase the ducks, and your father would scold you for scaring them away."

Jin smirked. "Sounds about right. Did I ever catch one?"

His father laughed. "Not even close. You'd trip over your own feet before you got anywhere near them."

The image of a younger, clumsier version of himself brought a smile to Jin's face. He leaned back on the bench, letting the nostalgia wash over him.

"So, Jin." his mother said after a while, her tone turning more serious. "What's been on your mind lately? You've been so focused on your training. Is there something you're not telling us?"

Jin hesitated, debating how much to reveal. He couldn't exactly tell them about the bully council or his plans to fight his way to the top. Instead, he shrugged and said, "I just… want to be strong. Strong enough to protect the people I care about."

His father nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's admirable. But remember, strength isn't just about muscles or fighting. It's about knowing when to step back, when to protect others without putting yourself in harm's way."

Jin looked at his father, the words sinking in more deeply than he expected. "Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

....

Their next stop was a small café his mother loved, tucked away in a quiet alley. The smell of freshly baked pastries filled the air as they sat down with their drinks and snacks. Jin's mother ordered her usual tea, his father opted for a strong black coffee, and Jin treated himself to a sweet latte.

"You've always had a sweet tooth." his mother teased, watching as Jin took a sip. "Remember when you'd sneak cookies from the jar when you thought I wasn't looking?"

Jin grinned. "To be fair, you always left the jar in plain sight. It was practically an invitation."

His father chuckled. "He's got a point."

The lighthearted conversation continued, flowing effortlessly between memories and random topics. Jin found himself relaxing in a way he hadn't in weeks, his usual worries temporarily forgotten.

As the sun began to set, the family made one last stop at a bookstore. Jin's mother browsed the shelves with an almost childlike excitement, while his father lingered in the history section. Jin wandered aimlessly, picking up a book here and there but not really looking for anything in particular.

Eventually, his mother returned with a stack of books in her arms, beaming like she'd just won the lottery. "These should keep me busy for a while." she said.

His father raised an eyebrow. "You said that last time, and half of those books are still unread."

"I'll get to them eventually." she replied, brushing off his comment.

Jin laughed, shaking his head at their playful bickering.

....

By the time they returned home, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink. Jin helped carry the groceries and books inside, setting them down in the kitchen. His mother thanked him with a warm smile, her eyes filled with affection.

"Today was nice." she said softly. "We should do this more often."

Jin nodded. "Yeah, we should."

As he headed to his room, he felt a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. The day had been a reminder of what he was fighting for, why he pushed himself so hard. It wasn't just about strength or power, it was about protecting the people who mattered most.

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1246 words.