Jayjay POV
After the girl stepped out of the black car, the attention slowly drifted away from her. Just like that. As if she was only a passing moment.
We were about to leave too when a soft voice called out—
"Kiefer… and Jay."
Every single one of us turned.
Kiefer moved at the same time, but his shoulder clipped the girl's books, sending them tumbling to the ground. The sound echoed softly between us.
He didn't pick them up.
I did.
As I handed the books back, I looked at her, confused.
"How do you know our names?"
Section E's attention snapped fully onto her now.
She blinked, surprised, then smiled gently.
"I don't. I just read his hoodie."
"Oh," I said quietly, embarrassed.
She turned to Kiefer.
"Do you know where the business class is?"
He didn't answer.
She waited.
Nothing.
Her eyes moved to the rest of Section E, hopeful.
Still no answer.
Then it hit me.
Business.
I pointed casually. "They're the ones doing business," I said, indicating Kiefer, Yuri, and David.
"Thanks," she said politely before walking past us.
She stopped in front of Ci-N.
"What course are you doing?"
For the first time since I'd known him—
Ci-N didn't reply.
Not a joke.
Not a grin.
Nothing.
Before the silence could stretch further, Yuri suddenly sneezed.
Once.
Then again.
He rubbed his nose, clearly uncomfortable.
Kiefer's voice cut in, cold and sharp.
"Step back."
The girl froze, confused by his tone. She hesitated but took a step away anyway.
She looked at Yuri, concerned.
"Are you okay?"
Ci-N answered before Yuri could.
"Of course he's not. Your perfume is too strong."
Yuri sighed and added flatly,
Ci-N spoke again"Why can't I kill animals or people around you?"
Then he smiled.
But it wasn't real.
It was forced. Fake.
And that was when I knew something was wrong.
Adrian noticed it too. His brows pulled together, confusion flashing across his face. He was always playful, childish, loud—never like this.
Adrian and I exchanged a look.
I swallowed, uneasy.
"Goodbye," I said quietly.
The girl nodded, still smiling, and walked away.
We all split in different directions after that.
Ci-N followed me, scratching his head.
"I think I'm lost."
Despite everything, I smiled.
But deep down, something felt off.
And I had a feeling—
That girl wasn't just a coincidence.