Leon had always been an unlikely romantic. Beneath his imposing frame, tattooed arms, and reputation as a street fighter, he hid a secret: a love for romance novels. In a room cluttered with stuffed toys, bookshelves stacked with novels adorned with delicate covers, and a cozy pink pajama set with pandas, Leon was lost in another world. His rough exterior belied a softer side that very few people had ever glimpsed.
For Leon, life was full of contradictions. Despite his soft-hearted nature, he had been caught up in the gritty life of a gangster since he was a teenager. It wasn’t something he had sought out, but trouble always seemed to find him. With a face that looked like it was sculpted for brawls, people tended to assume he was a delinquent. Rejected by peers who feared his intimidating looks, and drawn into a gang when no one else would accept him, Leon had played the role assigned to him, even if it wasn't the life he truly desired.
Then, one night, during a gang war that should have been like any other—full of swinging fists, snarling threats, and rules about keeping it to fists and blades—a gunshot echoed.
Leon felt a searing pain in his head. The world tilted, then everything went black.
