Don't Hold Back
Don't cry. Uncle's heart weakens.
It was just like any other day on the walk home from school. As we headed toward the house, five little punks blocked our path.
"You the second-grader Kim Do-hyun?"
"Yeah, and?"
"What a rude little shit. We're older than you—listen to how you're talking."
"Oh, you're older? Thought you were friends since you look so grown-up. Well, this kid's outta here then."
"".....""
Elementary kids arguing over age? Hilarious. I tried to brush past, but the unsatisfied brats blocked the way again.
"They say you're the top dog in second grade."
"Soccer? That shit's kid stuff up to middle school."
"".....""
I pulled off flashy dribbles on the bare ground—no ball needed—and the punks just gawked. Fitting their age, pounding these idiots cleared the blockage in my head.
"We mean fighting."
"Nah, I'm total trash at that. If it's a fight you want, hit up Kang Hyeok-su from class 9. He was bragging about beating some fourth-graders before."
"...Word is you won."
"Huh? No way. I got wrecked last time. Ask the class 9 kids."
What's the point of beating kids? Persuasion works on every brat. They huddled, whispering. Look at that pure innocence—they couldn't even imagine a lie.
I gave a quick bow and dragged Hwang Jun-woo and Hong Yu-bin away from them.
"Whoa... that was scary as hell..."
"Right? Why'd you spread those rumors~?"
"Sorry..."
"It's fine~"
Jun-woo, scared shitless, clutched his chest like his heart was pounding. He wouldn't stay scrawny forever, but damn, he was cute like this.
We hit our usual tteokbokki joint, scarfed down a 300-won slushie, 3,000-won tteokbokki, and sundae, then headed home.
Back home, I declared boldly to Mom.
"Mom, let's go buy a phone!"
"Why does a kid like you need a phone?"
"What if I get kidnapped? Gotta call you if shit hits the fan."
"Call the cops...?"
Mom occasionally stabbed with brutal facts. She was right—I hadn't even considered the police.
"Oh yeah? Pigs exist."
Those pig bastards swung their batons at me daily, so I instinctively saw them as enemies.
Mom frowned at my weird talk.
"You don't call cops 'pigs' to their face."
"People's guardian?"
"...Whatever. How much are these phones anyway?"
Mom sighed and shifted to phone prices.
"Let's ask Yu-bin's mom."
"Yeah, good call."
Mom figured phones were pricey. She and Dad had ancient ones—five-year-old junk.
We called Yu-bin's mom and headed straight to buy one.
We arrived at school early in Mom's car. Way too early, so I held Min-ji's hand and strolled the playground.
"Oppa, school!"
"Min-ji's gonna go soon too~"
"Really?"
"Yup."
Min-ji froze at the sand pile, pointing with her tiny finger.
"Oppa, sand play!"
Min-ji, who never yelled demands at me before... Lately, she was voicing wants like other kids.
"After school~ Can't now, we'd get dirty. You can wait, right?"
"Wanna now..."
"Slide then?"
"Yeah!"
I lifted her to the slide top and sent her down. Her giggles echoed through the tunnel.
Mom watched from the parked car as we played. I kept Min-ji entertained till kids arrived, then sent her off.
"Play nice at kindergarten too. Got it?"
"Yeah! Bye oppa~"
Mom rolled down the window, urging her to hurry or she'd be late. Playing with Min-ji was more fun than I thought. Back then I didn't get it, but her looks weren't just baby charm—she objectively bewitched adults. More than the four-year gap.
Class was the usual grind. What do you make a nine-year-old do? Just play.
Some homes burned with education fever post-regression, but not ours. Only exam-season nagging. Mom never pushed studies—we aced everything anyway. She felt guilty for all she couldn't give us, always apologizing. Dad too...
PE and computer class were fun. Back then, FIFA was my only game. Now 'Space Craft' flew by—using 26-years-future builds crushed noobs. Fun at home too.
Other classes? Nothing. Pretending to read while YouTubing on the smartphone was tough. Battery limits sucked.
With time left, I planned optimal stock plays—that was it.
Then, the smartphone buzzed after ages.
I ignored them as kids. Brats who don't learn moderation do worse.
Even with the 'Future Diary,' I couldn't rewind.
Never thought they'd pull this shit on Jun-woo.
Jun-woo gets beaten bad. Because of me...
Watching hospitalized kid-Jun-woo drives me insane.
Didn't expect kids worse than Kang Hyeok-su.
I can rewind. Writing like this will do it.
Before revenge like me...
Don't hold back.
This diary was worlds apart from before. Like it spoke straight to me.
I figured the 'Future Diary' pulled self-updating entries daily. Yesterday's was emotionless—what I did.
Bottom line: Jun-woo suffers worse than expected.
Even future-me got the diary but couldn't change it. So I ignored it first time. Now, editing directly.
The killing intent in the words... Those brats' heads got smashed.
I'd do it. Parents find out. I regret seeing family's pain late.
Mom's face flashed—first learning I fought at school, bowing to their parents.
Reading the future diary, my gaze drifted outside. Kids waited for me.
"'Don't hold back,' huh..."
"Huh? What?"
I chuckled and shook my head at the girl beside me.
"Nothing."
After class, I sent Yu-bin and Jun-woo home first.
Jun-woo looked thrilled at walking alone with Yu-bin. The guy who stuck by vegetable-me till the end.
Pre-regression, Jun-woo learned soccer—he hated it—for kindergarten-me. That's how we bonded.
Skinny school-Jun-woo got targeted for hanging with me. I wrecked every one.
But pranking nine-year-old Jun-woo... Heavy heart as I sent them off.
"Teacher needs me—gonna take a while."
"I'll wait!"
"Nah~ Go ahead. Might be dinner time."
"Okay!"
Yu-bin stared like it was no big deal, face set to wait harder. Kinda funny.
"Jun-woo's got study hall. Can't focus alone if you're waiting."
"Really?"
"Duh~"
Hong Yu-bin furrowed her brow, pondering. I showed her the phone.
"Whoa! You got a phone!? That's the latest model!"
Jun-woo was the only without one. Gift next time... Swapped numbers with Yu-bin first.
Satisfied, Yu-bin left with Jun-woo.
The lurking brats spotted me as I exited slow.
"You tricked us, you little shit?"
Future-me probably half-assed it and sent them off. Even seeing the diary.
I still thought kids straightened out with environment. Mild scolding, per diary.
Followed the two-years-older pack to the back hills. Casually answered the incoming call.
"Yeah, Mom."
The kids flinched, ready to bolt. I smirked; their faces flushed.
"Yeah, school's out. PE teacher's making us play soccer though."
-"But you promised Min-ji..."
"...You remember?"
-"She's waiting. Hurry."
"Finishing quick."
Now I got why future-me slacked despite the diary. Promised Min-ji playtime—wanted home fast.
They'd retaliate on Jun-woo after I roughed them...
Hung up. Fourth-graders circled me. Two-year gap loomed large for elementary kids.
"Don't freak. We're just bonding. Same lie you told—same beating."
Grinning brats. Big for kids, but still kids. No biggie.
This body could bare-hand high schoolers maybe, middle one-two easy. These? Under Hyeok-su weight class.
"You're fucked...!"
While distracted, one charged, swinging.
Don't hold back.
Sorry Min-ji... Gotta invest time here.
Ducked the fist, grabbed it tight. Loaded weight, unleashed full-power overhand hook to the jaw.
Crack!
Probably his first. Groggy haze.
Passing out to a smaller kid's punch.
His head snapped; he crumpled. Silence fell.
"From now on, don't cry. Uncle's heart weakens."