shattered life, REBORN

The city streets pulsed with energy, neon signs flickering against the night sky as Hiroki and Peter walked toward a well-known restaurant. The air was rich with the aroma of sizzling meat and spices, a stark contrast to the silent intensity that still lingered between them after the recent battle. Hiroki, despite the soreness in his muscles, felt his stomach tighten with hunger, anticipation overriding exhaustion.

Peter cast him a sidelong glance and smirked. "Told you I'd treat you if you handled yourself well. You exceeded my expectations."

Hiroki shrugged, the corners of his lips barely twitching upward. "They weren't much of a challenge."

Peter chuckled. "Confidence is good. Arrogance? That gets you killed."

The restaurant's entrance glowed warmly, casting a soft light on the pavement. Inside, the ambiance was both inviting and sophisticated, wooden tables arranged under the dim, golden lighting. A waiter guided them to a table near the window, where city lights flickered in the distance.

"Order whatever you want," Peter said, settling back into his seat. "Consider it a reward for your hard work."

Hiroki wasted no time scanning the menu. Training had pushed his body to its limits, and tonight, he wouldn't hold back. He ordered a hearty serving of steak, rice, and grilled vegetables, accompanied by miso soup. Peter, in contrast, kept it simple with a beef bowl and tea.

As they waited for their meals, Peter leaned forward, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Now that you've had a taste of what you're capable of, it's time to discuss the next phase."

Hiroki raised an eyebrow. "Next phase?"

Peter nodded. "You're going back to school soon. You need to be prepared."

Hiroki's grip on the table tightened at the mention of school. It was the place where his downfall had begun—whispers behind his back, betrayals he never saw coming, isolation that had nearly broken him. But that was then. Now, he was different.

"First order of business—you need to ditch those piercings."

Hiroki frowned. "Why? They don't mean anything."

"They make you recognizable. We don't want that. You're not returning as the same Hiroki they knew. You're going back stronger, more disciplined. The last thing you need is unnecessary attention before you're ready."

Hiroki sighed, but he couldn't argue. Shedding remnants of his past self made sense.

"One more thing," Peter added. "Your hair. Dye it to black."

Hiroki exhaled sharply. "Seriously?"

Peter nodded. "Your current color makes you memorable. You need to blend in—for now. Once you've fully established yourself, you can decide what suits you best."

Hiroki stared at his reflection in the window, mulling over Peter's words. He was right. Returning to school wasn't about revenge or proving a point. It was about reclaiming his place, on his terms.

Their meals arrived, steam curling from the plates, the aroma momentarily washing away the weight of the conversation. Peter picked up his chopsticks and gestured at the food. "Eat. You earned this."

Hiroki nodded, taking his first bite. The flavors melted on his tongue, but this wasn't just food. This was a taste of progress, of discipline. A taste of the new path he was walking.

As they ate, Peter suddenly smirked. "Hey, Hiroki, you wanna hear a joke?"

Hiroki shot him a wary look. "Do I have a choice?"

Peter ignored the sarcasm. "Why did the scarecrow win an award?"

Hiroki sighed. "Why?"

"Because he was outstanding in his field!" Peter burst into laughter at his own joke.

Hiroki groaned. "That was awful."

"Oh, come on! That was golden! Alright, try this—why don't skeletons fight each other?"

"Why?"

"Because they don't have the guts!" Peter snickered, clearly enjoying himself.

Hiroki shook his head, rubbing his temples. "I think I just lost my appetite."

"Nah, you love it." Peter grinned. "You'll thank me for keeping things light. Balance, kid. Can't be all training and no fun."

Despite himself, Hiroki smirked. As much as he hated to admit it, Peter's ridiculous dad jokes were oddly disarming.

Peter smirked and leaned forward. "Alright, one last one. I promise this one's a masterpiece."

Hiroki exhaled. "Fine. Let's hear it."

Peter cleared his throat dramatically. "So, a guy walks into a pet store and says, 'I need twelve bees.' The shopkeeper carefully counts out twelve bees and hands them over. As the guy turns to leave, he notices something. He frowns and says, 'Hey, you gave me one extra.' The shopkeeper smiles and replies—" Peter paused for effect, "'That one's a freebie.'"

Silence.

Hiroki blinked once. Twice.

Then, despite himself, he let out a short, sharp laugh before groaning. "Oh my god. That was horrible! Why did I laugh?!"

Peter grinned in triumph. "Because deep down, you love my jokes."

"No, I really don't," Hiroki muttered. "That was so bad."

Peter leaned back, arms crossed. "Hey, if I can make you laugh, imagine what I can do to your enemies."

Hiroki shook his head, but something in his chest felt lighter. Maybe Peter was right. Maybe balance was necessary. He had spent so long drowning in anger and pain, but there was something refreshing about this moment, even if it came from terrible jokes.

As they finished their meal, hiroki leaned forward with a more serious tone. "Now that you mention it, you actually beat someone stronger than yourself. That's proof that you're strong too."

"ohh, that?" Peter slowly wipe her mouth with a tissue "it was nothing, i was just holding back to not paralyzing him and destroying his life to sit on the wheelchair forever."

hiroki with a shocked face "you were holding back?" he look at Peter's eyes like if he is joking or not "you almost beat the shit out that guy, gave him a horrible trauma, and i think he won't at all."

"ohh, come on..." peter replied "he will be fine."

hiroki sigh slowly "i hope you won't lie."

after paying the food, they both start walking back to their place, Peter's place...

Time skip: one week

A week passed in a blur of training, discipline, and routine. Hiroki's body continued to adapt, his mind sharper, his reflexes faster. Yet, despite the rigorous schedule, he found himself thinking ahead—about school, about how he would present himself, about making sure no one recognized the weak, broken version of him they had once discarded.

By the weekend, he made up his mind.

"Mr. Rasel," Hiroki said that morning, adjusting the straps on his training gear. "I need to go shopping."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Shopping? Since when do you care about shopping?"

Hiroki smirked slightly. "Since I decided not to return as the same person. I need new clothes, new supplies. Everything."

Peter studied him for a moment before nodding in approval. "Alright, fine. Let's go. But don't expect me to carry your bags."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Hiroki said, already planning what he needed. This was another step in cutting ties with his past, another step toward forging the new version of himself—one that wouldn't be ignored, pitied, or betrayed.

as they walked towards the mall, hiroki had nervous and worried face and peter notice it

"something wrong hiroki?" Peter asked curiosity and calmly "you look nervous."

"it's just..." hiroki pause for few second, before he speak, peter realized the reason of his nervousness

"don't worry boy, i won't let them take you away," Peter gently tap his shoulder "you have me hiroki, you'll be fine."

after what Mr. rasel said, hiroki sigh in relief and he calm himself down.

"thanks Mr. Rasel, thanks alot, if it wasn't for you i might be dead three month and never changed like this."

"don't mention it, i must do what i have too..."

hiroki smile slowly but the asked Mr Rasel something strange. "um, Mr rasel?"

 Peter turn his head to him "what's up?"

"remember that day when you pick me to your house and train me, you mentioned some kinda name... um, what was it? T.H. CLUB???"

"S.H. CLUB," peter added "it's a small name for Shattered heart club."

hiroki was kinda surprised "hmm, cool name though."

"thanks..." peter continues "the club won't end up with only you..." hiroki was puzzled, before he speak, peter added more "we might make the club bigger and also invite more of those who's their life been destroyed like you."

hiroki was shocked for what Mr. Rasel said, but he only nod in Approvement.

the time passed as both Peter and Hiroki try different man clothes for hiroki as it was his idea.

"um, Mr. Rasel, what color suit me more?" asked Peter

"hmm, dark blue, black, dark green and also jungle is kinda cool colors, but my opinion is gray and black" peter answered with confidence

"wow, you have good taste in fashion" Hiroki told Peter.

Peter slowly smirked and nod.

they continuing walks around the mall and talking about their routine and exercises, they pass by women clothes and underwear when... suddenly, Hiroki froze and saw something wish never see... which made hiroki eyes widen and his heart pressure goes high.

Peter was a few meters forwards away from him. "hey, why did you-" as Peter turns around, he saw nervousness and fear in Hiroki's eyes while he was breathing heavily, Peter rushed to him and gently tap on his shoulder

"hey, are you ok? what's wrong?" Peter added "hey hey, take a deep breath, calm down yourself boy" Peter told Hiroki with calm tone which made him return back to reality.

"HUH?! Uhh, my bad sir, i just..." Hiroki then pause for few seconds before replying. "they're here."

"who?"

"them..."

Hiroki pointed the place women clothes and underwear shop with his eyes where a tall brown skin guy and short brown hair girl, she was clinging to the brown guy's arm.

"i see..." Peter added "the brown guy was the one who ruined you life and the girls is..."

"my EX, ex girlfriend... Nao" Hiroki answered while he slowly calm himself down.

as hiroki meet his eyes on Peter, a chill goes down his spine, Peter was looking at them with cold eyes but pure rage, even though his face says he is calm, but the anger in his eyes says others.

"M-Mr. Rasel?!"

"hiroki, once you return to school, if somehow you saw him and asking you questions, I'll tell you what to do to impact your first poison them" Peter told hiroki in calm yet a little cold tone

"umm... ok."

"good, now let's return home, I'm kinda tired" told hiroki in calm tone

Hiroki's thoughts 'home? yeah... since he took me in, he treated me good, he somehow, reminding me of my father, maybe he is strict in training me, but he is too kind, and always smiling, HEH, Mr. Rasel, i promise to not disappoint you, mark my word!'

hiroki start following Peter and return home, but...

what does Peter meant by impact the first venom???

hope he won't go too far...

To Be Continue...