This marked the end of Yapo's fight against Désiré and his crew. But hidden in the shadows, unnoticed by anyone, stood Mamadou—the strongest student in the entire school.
---
[In the Darkness – Mamadou]
Mamadou (inner voice, arms crossed, leaning against a wall):
"They were five. Five against one. And still, he's the one left standing."
He watched Yapo—sweat dripping, clothes torn, barely standing but proud, upright… almost in a trance.
Mamadou (slight smirk):
"This kid's a wild dog. He could've run. Cried. Begged. But he fought. Till the end. This isn't just strength. That's fire."
His eyes narrowed, intrigued—like he'd just discovered a spark of greatness he hadn't noticed before.
Mamadou (thought):
"Yapo… I'll remember your name now."
He turned away silently, leaving Désiré and his gang sprawled unconscious in the alley.
Mamadou (final thought as he walked away):
"That kid just shook up the whole school order… and I can't wait to see what he does next."
---
[Back Home]
The door clicked shut behind Yapo. His heart was still racing from the adrenaline of his victory. He had pushed his limits. He'd stood his ground. His grandfather was going to be so proud.
He dropped his gloves by the door, still catching his breath. But something felt off. Too quiet. No familiar sounds. No scent of food. No echo of his grandfather's steady footsteps.
— "Grandpa? I'm home!" he called out, but the silence swallowed his voice.
He walked down the hallway, growing more uneasy with each step. Then—
A thud. A door closing. At the back of the house. His heartbeat quickened. He rushed forward.
The door to his grandfather's room was ajar. He stopped in front of it, a cold feeling washing over him. Slowly, he pushed it open.
And what he saw… would haunt him forever.
His grandfather. On the floor. Motionless. A dagger in his chest. Blood soaking the carpet.
Yapo froze. His mind rejected it. Denied it. But as he dropped to his knees and touched the blood…
It was cold.
So was his grandfather's hand.
— "No… no no no…" he whispered, his voice cracking. He shook the lifeless body, his tears falling fast. "Please wake up… please…"
But there was nothing. Only the heavy air. The stench of death. And the sound of his shattered breath.
A scream tore from his throat, filled with anguish.
— "WHO DID THIS?! WHO KILLED MY GRANDFATHER?!"
He stood, fists clenched, body trembling with grief and rage.
This wasn't an accident. This was murder.
Suddenly, the front door burst open. Heavy footsteps approached fast. Yapo turned—
It was Mamadou.
He stopped in the doorway, his expression changing instantly when he saw the scene.
— "Yapo…" he breathed. "I'm so sorry. So, so sorry."
He stepped closer, but Yapo shot to his feet, anger boiling in his chest.
— "I'll find them. I'll make them pay."
His voice shook with fury, his soul burning for justice. For vengeance.
Mamadou kept his voice calm, but firm.
— "It's not your fault, Yapo. But you've got to keep a clear head. Rage alone won't help you. We need to know who did this."
Yapo looked him in the eye—dark, intense.
— "I can't be calm, Mamadou. That was my grandfather… He taught me everything. He made me strong. I won't let this go. I'll hunt them down."
Mamadou nodded slowly, seeing just how deep Yapo's pain ran.
— "Then I'll be right there with you. But promise me this—don't let hatred swallow you whole."
Yapo looked back one last time at the body. His jaw tightened.
In silence, he made a vow.
---
[At the Cemetery]
A grey sky. A soft rain.
The crowd stood quietly around the grave. The coffin sank slowly into the earth.
Yapo didn't cry anymore. He had no tears left.
Next to him, Mamadou stood like a statue. Not as the school's toughest fighter—
Just a friend.
Every sound of dirt hitting the wood echoed through Yapo's chest like thunder.
Yapo (voice cracked, barely audible):
— "I screamed… so loud, Mamadou. But he didn't answer. He just laid there… like he was asleep…"
Mamadou clenched his fists in his pockets. The memory still fresh.
He saw himself rushing into that house. Saw Yapo on his knees, shattered.
Mamadou (low, gravelly voice):
— "When I got there… you were trembling. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't believe it. He was already cold.
I've never seen eyes so broken in my life."
Rain rolled down Yapo's cheeks, mixing with silent tears.
Mamadou stepped closer, laid a strong hand on his shoulder.
— "Listen to me, Yapo. That day… I swore I wouldn't leave you alone again. I'm not your brother by blood. But I'll be your backbone.
You'll train with me. You'll use that pain. Turn it into strength."
Yapo (nodding slowly, jaw tight):
— "I never want to feel that helpless again… Never…"
Mamadou (a sad, but determined smile):
— "Then it's settled. We start tomorrow.
And just so you know—I won't go easy on you."
Yapo turned to him, and for the first time since it all happened… he smiled.
He looked one last time at the grave, and whispered:
— "I'll give everything I have. For you, Grandpa."