WHY AM I CRYING ?

My hands trembled as I recalled the fighting style of Muay Thai fighters. I could only vaguely remember it, but I thought my right hand should be raised in front of my face for defense. Instinctively, my hand moved up on its own, clenched tightly into a fist, covering my nose and eyes to protect myself. My left foot stepped forward, my right foot moved back as a support, forming a stable stance.

(At this moment, Giang was adopting a boxing stance, but he forgot to bend his knees for better balance.)

Kiên stood opposite me, looking surprised. He stared at me, seemingly analyzing my strange stance. I thought to myself, "Maybe he's being cautious because he thinks I know how to fight."

BAM!

A moment of distraction, and I was punched straight in the face. A loud ringing filled my head, blurring my vision. It felt like a swarm of bees was buzzing around my ears. "Damn it! I'm screwed!" I forced myself to stay alert and observe him. Kiên lunged forward again. Instinctively, I backed away. Something just whizzed past my right eye. In that brief instant, he had thrown a left hook. If I hadn't dodged in time, I would've been knocked out on the spot.

He charged again, this time with a powerful right hook—like a raging bull charging at its target. Panicked, I retreated further. But this time, my right foot landed incorrectly. His punch missed and cut through the air.

A sharp "CRACK!" echoed. His right hand… was injured?

I suddenly realized—he had overextended his punch, using the wrong technique, putting too much strain on his wrist. His face twisted in pain as he clutched his right hand tightly. At this moment, I was no longer standing directly in front of him but had shifted to his left. This was my chance!

Without hesitation, the moment he turned his face toward me, I threw my right fist with all my strength.

THWACK!

My punch landed directly on his nose. He staggered backward, clutching his face. Drops of blood dripped onto the ground. My chest heaved as I gasped for air, my heart pounding against my ribs.

"Anh! Are you okay?!" — Duyên screamed in panic.

"Huh…? What's going on…?" — My friend, who had been lying on the ground all this time, finally began to regain consciousness.

Not wasting this opportunity, I quickly pulled him up and grabbed his hand, dashing straight for the school gate. But Kiên, his face burning red with rage, immediately gave chase. I wasn't fast enough to outrun him—especially while helping my dazed friend.

Before I could react, Kiên grabbed my friend's shirt and yanked him back. I barely had time to brace myself before a left hook smashed into my face. My heart nearly stopped, my head spun, and a searing pain exploded across my face. My right cheek went numb, my teeth felt like they were about to fall out, and my nose started bleeding.

This fight… just got real.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself back into a defensive stance. I couldn't back down. This time, I retaliated with a left straight punch.

But my punch was too weak. It barely fazed him.

A grave mistake. And I paid the price.

WHAM! WHAM!

Two devastating punches—one from the right, one from the left—slammed into me like sledgehammers. My entire body collapsed onto the ground. My mind went blank.

"Did I… lose?"

I could only lie there, my breath weak and shallow, helplessly watching what would happen next.

Suddenly, something flew through the air.

THUD!

A rock smashed into Kiên's head. He staggered, blood trickling down his forehead, staining his white school uniform red.

"Babe! Are you okay??!" — Duyên shrieked, eyes burning with fury as she glared at us.

In the chaos, my friend hoisted me onto his shoulder and took off running. I had no strength left to ask anything.

All I knew was… we had escaped.

But this victory… felt dirty.

My head spun, nausea overtook me, and finally, I blacked out.