I need to abort the mission!
Lilly Cross had memorized escape routes since she was twelve.
Every building.
Every hallway.
Every blind spot.
By the end of her first week at the academy, she already had four clean exit plans.
By noon today, "I need to leave."
The Back Gate
The back gate opened at exactly 3:40 PM.
Lilly adjusted her bag and walked calmly, heart steady, breathing controlled.
No panic. No haste.
Just another student leaving early.
She turned the corner—
And froze.
Noah Sato stood there.
Not blocking the gate.
Not guarding it.
Just… standing.
Hands in his pockets. Looking at the sky.
"…Oh," he said softly when he noticed her. "You're heading out?"
Lilly's blood went cold.
Why is he here?
Did he predict this route?
She forced a smile. "Yeah. I forgot something at home."
Noah nodded once. A slow, understanding nod.
"…That makes sense."
It does!?
He stepped aside.
Relief flooded her chest.
She took one step forward—
And the gate clicked shut automatically as a security drill announcement echoed overhead.
"Unauthorized exit temporarily locked. Please return to campus."
Lilly turned slowly.
Noah blinked. "Oh. Bad timing."
He didn't touch anything.
Then why—
She swallowed.
Route one: compromised.
The Faculty Stairs
Ten minutes later.
Lilly ascended the faculty stairwell, slipping past a distracted teacher. Her movements were silent, precise.
This stairwell connected to the underground parking.
She reached the landing—
And stopped.
Noah sat on the steps.
Eating bread.
"…You again?" slipped out before she could stop herself.
He looked up. "Oh. Hi."
Why does he sound like this is casual!?
"I thought you left," she said carefully.
"I was going to," Noah replied. "But Nana said I should walk more. It's good for circulation."
Her mind screamed.
Nana.
Is this a warning? A code phrase?
"So," Noah added, tearing off another piece of bread, "you're not skipping class, right?"
"…No," she said automatically.
He smiled. "Good."
The lights flickered.
A faculty member's voice echoed from below.
"Stairwell closed for inspection."
Lilly turned.
The doors slid shut.
She looked back at Noah.
He was already standing.
"Oh," he said. "Guess we should head back."
Route two: sealed.
The Fire Alarm
Desperation crept in.
Lilly waited until the hallway emptied, then slipped into the utility corridor.
Her fingers hovered over the emergency lever.
Pull it. Chaos. Disappear in the crowd.
She reached—
And paused.
Noah's reflection stared back at her from the polished metal wall.
"I wouldn't do that," he said quietly.
Her heart nearly stopped.
"…Why?"
He tilted his head. "It'd be loud. People would get scared."
That was all.
No threats.
No pressure.
Just… expectation.
Her hand dropped.
Route three: neutralized without force.
The Secluded Classroom
There was only one place left.
An abandoned classroom on the east wing. No cameras. No sensors. A place used by students to hide—or break down.
Lilly entered and locked the door behind her.
Her breathing was uneven now.
He knows.
He's letting me try.
This is psychological containment.
The door opened.
Noah stepped inside and closed it gently.
Click.
He didn't move closer.
Didn't raise his voice.
Didn't even look threatening.
"So," he said, "you've been trying to leave all day."
Her knees nearly gave out.
She laughed weakly. "I guess you noticed."
"I did," Noah replied. "You're not very good at hiding it."
He saw everything.
Silence pressed down.
Lilly clenched her fists.
"…What do you want from me?"
Noah blinked. "Huh?"
She stepped forward.
Voice trembling. Eyes sharp.
"You've boxed me in. You cut off every exit. You followed me without following me."
Her lips curved into a bitter smile.
"…So just say it."
He frowned slightly.
"Say what?"
Her chest tightened.
Of course.
He wants me to say it.
She exhaled.
"…Okay," she whispered. "You win."
Noah's eyes widened.
"I'll stay," she said. "I won't run. I won't resist."
She met his gaze.
"…I'll be yours from now on."
The words echoed in the empty room.
Noah froze.
Then—
"What!?" he yelped.
Her breath caught.
"…You don't want that?"
He waved his hands frantically. "N-No! That's not— I mean—!"
He took a step back, flustered.
"We're already friends," he said. "Aren't we?"
Friends.
The word hit her harder than any threat.
"You… consider this friendship?" she asked.
"Yeah," Noah said, genuinely confused. "You walk with me. You talk to me. You haven't punched me. That's friendship, right?"
Her worldview cracked.
This wasn't domination.
This wasn't conquest.
This was… normal.
"…Then why stop me from leaving?" she asked softly.
Noah scratched his cheek.
"You looked lonely."
Her throat closed.
"…That's it?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
Silence.
Then—
"Oh!" Noah added. "Also, do you want to come over? Nana made stew."
"…Your house?" she repeated faintly.
"Yeah. It's close."
Lilly stared at him.
Then, slowly…
"…Okay."