Lookism: What If

"DANIEL!"

His mother's voice cut through Daniel like a blade.

His eyes flickered, his breathing hitched. He turned his head slightly, seeing her standing there, hands clenched tightly together, her face filled with fear and desperation.

"This… This isn't you." Her voice trembled, but she stepped forward anyway. "Please, Daniel. You're not a monster."

For a moment, Daniel didn't move. The rush of adrenaline, the madness that had consumed him just moments ago, it warred against something deeper inside him. He wasn't this person. He wasn't some mindless beast who couldn't control himself. He had won. He had proven himself.

He didn't need to take it further.

The rock slipped from his fingers, landing on the ground with a dull thud. His hands fell to his sides with his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. Then, slowly, he turned toward his mother and bowed his head.

"...I'm sorry, Mom." His voice was quiet, heavy with exhaustion and shame. "I didn't want you to see me like this."

Seonhui's expression softened, and without hesitation, she rushed forward, wrapping her arms around him.

"I don't care how strong you get." she murmured against his shoulder. "Just… don't become like them."

Daniel clenched his jaw but nodded.

Before anything else could be said, the PE teacher finally arrived. She took one look at Logan's unconscious body and Daniel's bloodied form, her mouth opening as if to demand an explanation.

Then, Daniel looked at her.

Just one look.

A cold, emotionless gaze that carried only a warning.

The teacher stiffened, her authority wavering instantly. She had seen enough to know what had happened. And she knew that if she pushed this in the wrong direction, the situation could turn bad for her.

So instead, she cleared her throat and straightened. "I… apologize for the bullying that's happened under my watch. Logan Lee will face disciplinary action."

Daniel didn't respond. He just nodded slightly before turning away, Seonhui following beside him as they left school together.

....

(Friday, April 19, 2024 – 5:16 PM)

They had walked home in silence. Daniel could feel his mother glancing at him every few moments, but she didn't say anything. When they finally reached their small apartment, she turned to him with a sigh.

"Come inside, Daniel. You need to rest."

But Daniel shook his head. "I need to do something first."

Seonhui frowned, her hands going to her hips. "Daniel, you're covered in blood! You can't just-"

"I know." he interrupted gently. "I'll be quick."

She huffed but didn't argue further. "At least clean yourself up first, for heaven's sake."

Daniel nodded, stepping inside. He showered quickly, washing off the blood and dirt. The hot water eased some of the pain, but his muscles still felt sore, his body stiff from the earlier fight. After dressing in fresh clothes, he grabbed a damp towel and rubbed the soreness from his arms and legs. It wasn't much, but it helped.

The moment he was done, he threw on his shoes and rushed out the door.

Seonhui's voice followed him down the hall. "Don't do anything stupid!"

He didn't answer.

Because what he was about to do was very, very stupid.

....

(5:55 PM)

The moment Daniel walked back into the building, heads turned.

The students who had seen the fight earlier stiffened, some of them shrinking back. Whispers spread like wildfire, why was he back?

Daniel ignored them.

He walked through the halls, his pace was steady, when he reached his classroom, he pushed open the door.

Silence fell instantly.

The teacher wasn't inside.

Only his classmates, who looked at him with wide, wary eyes.

And then, his gaze landed on Logan's goons.

They tensed the moment his eyes locked onto them. Their faces paled, their backs straightened. One of them opened his mouth to say something-

Daniel moved.

Before they could react, his fist crashed into the first one's face. The guy's head snapped to the side, his chair tipping over as he collapsed. The second lackey barely had time to raise his arms before Daniel grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward before driving a brutal knee into his stomach.

The third tried to run.

Daniel caught him by the back of his shirt and threw him into the desk. The wood groaned under the impact as the guy hit the surface before crumpling onto the floor, coughing violently.

The classroom was dead silent.

Daniel rolled his shoulders, stepping over the bodies sprawled at his feet. He crouched down and begun searching their pockets.

Wallets. Phones. Some loose cash. He took it all.

Once he was done, he stood up and looked down at the groaning, beaten figures.

Then, with no hesitation, he spat on them.

"This is a farewell." he muttered before turning on his heel and walking out.

(6:13 PM – Home)

The apartment was quiet when Daniel walked in. His mother was already waiting for him at the small dining table with a warm bowl of soup placed in front of an empty seat. She gestured for him to sit, her expression soft yet serious.

Daniel obeyed without a word but his body was still sore.

Seonhui exhaled, folding her hands together. "Daniel… I've decided. You can transfer schools."

He blinked, processing her words.

In the canon story, his mother had known about the bullying but pretended not to, thinking that acknowledging it would only embarrass her son. But now, after what she had seen today, she was giving him an escape.

Daniel nodded. It didn't matter, he needed to go to Seoul anyway. Everything he planned required him to be there.

His mother smiled in relief before her eyes drifted toward the portrait on the wall.

Daniel followed her gaze.

It was a framed photo of his parents on their wedding day. His father, Sangcheol Park, stood tall in a black suit with a straight posture, his face was calm and composed. Beside him, his mother looked so much younger, so full of life.

[Image.]

A soft chuckle escaped Seonhui's lips. "You know, Daniel… today, when you were fighting, when you were in that… state…" She paused, as if searching for the right words. Then, with a warm yet distant smile, she finished, "You reminded me of your father."

Daniel's heart stopped. His eyes widened as his mind raced.

'Wait… She saw Father use Heat Mode!?'

He immediately leaned forward, his voice intense. "Mom, are you serious? Did Dad really fight like that?"

Seonhui blinked at his sudden reaction but nodded. "Yes, though I don't know exactly what it was. But when he was younger he used it."

Daniel listened carefully while his fingers gripping more the edge of the table.

Seonhui's eyes softened, lost in memory. "We were together one night… and someone came after us. I don't know why or who they were, but your father… he fought."

Her lips pressed together as if recalling something heavy. "And Daniel, the way you moved today, the way you smiled through all that pain, it reminded me of him."

Daniel's breath was shallow with his thoughts spiraling.

His father had Heat Mode? That information was never revealed in the manhwa. There had been so little about his father at all.

What did this mean?

Before he could ask, his mother's expression turned awkward, hesitant. "But… to be honest, comparing you to your father right now…" She let out a small chuckle. "It's like comparing the movements of a puppy to a lion."

Daniel froze.

The words hit harder than any punch Logan had thrown at him.

----

Hehe, some AU lore..