After the class ended and the bell rang, we all headed to the academy's courtyard, either to rest or have lunch.
I walked with Elithia and Luna, strolling around the academy, with Leon following us, of course.
He's annoying.
"This is the cafeteria. These are the classrooms. That's the principal's office, and finally, the student council."
Elithia kept parading us all around the academy.
But unfortunately, as we walked, we ran into Mari.
"I see you've made some friends, Klo."
"You could say that."
"How could a pretty girl walk around with you? And that boy—he seems as much of a weirdo as you."
"I'm his wi—"
I lunged at Luna to shut her mouth.
"Haha, what did you say, Luna…? We're friends. Yes, yes."
Luna bit my hand.
"Kya—"
"Don't do that, Klo. It makes me angry."
I lowered my head.
"…Sorry."
"You've really changed, Klo."
"What do you mean, Mari?"
"In the past, when someone mocked you, you would either hit them or cause trouble for them."
"I used to."
Mari kept staring at me until Elithia pulled us away.
"I think we'll be leaving, Lady Marcelia. Goodbye."
Elithia took us far away, then let us go.
"You leave, Leon. This will be a talk between the three of us."
"Oh, a talk between friends."
Leon left, and we were alone.
"So, Klo—"
I put a finger to my lips for silence.
"Follow me."
I took them somewhere far away, an open area where there were no students.
"Why did you do that?"
"Don't put your trust in everything, even if the place seems devoid of life."
"I'll continue what I was going to say. First, don't jump on others like that, Klo.
Second—"
Elithia turned her head toward Luna.
"Don't tell anyone about your marriage."
Luna and I both nodded.
"Now you two can head to the dorms. Luna, you can come with me, and Klo, you go to the boys' dorm."
I gestured with my hand in agreement.
We each took our own path, and I arrived at the dormitory.
...
I reached the room I was assigned to. My name was written above it.
"Klo Yuthnir."
That cursed name.
And underneath, another name. Doesn't matter—whoever that boy is, he'll be too afraid to room with me.
I opened the door with my student card and entered.
Everything looked normal. I stepped inside and took off my pair of shoes.
I went straight to the kitchen, specifically the fridge, since I'd been exhausting myself all morning thinking about dinner.
I opened the fridge and found healthy food.
Damn it, I was used to soda and pizza ordered by phone, and in this world, I'd gotten used to pastries and meats.
And now—barley bread, salad, a bowl of soup, and cooked meat.
Don't worry, Ethan. One year of healthy eating means nothing.
I took the food and placed it on the kitchen table.
The first spoonful was… cold.
"Tastes bitter. If I drink water with it, it'll taste even more bitter."
I looked around me, and unfortunately, I'd returned to solitude once more. And I'll stay trapped in it because of this name.
After finishing my meal, I washed my plate and returned it to its place with the other dishes.
I walked to the bedroom, which had two beds. I lay down on the lower one, facing the wall.
I slowly closed my eyes until I drifted off to sleep.
...
"Ethan, are you okay?"
I was staring at the desk I used to sit at in school.
It had cruel words carved into it, all aimed at me.
"Go to hell."
"Son of a drunk, haha."
"Die already and spare us."
I looked up slowly, only to see one of my subject teachers standing before me.
"You're a failure, Ethan. Here—this is a report you need to bring to your guardian."
He threw the report in my face, the one about my low grades and poor classroom work.
I didn't move my eyes from where they were; I just kept staring at the teacher as he started laughing.
"If you think there's someone out there who cares about you, you're wrong. No one loves you, cares about you, or even knows you exist."
I raised my hands to cover my ears and lowered my head. I slowly closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, I saw a group of teenagers, wearing headphones, joking with each other. Meanwhile, I only had an old phone I'd bought by saving up.
They looked at me with angry eyes and disgusting, mocking smiles.
"Hehehe, go to hell, Klo Yuthnir."
They all smiled and laughed at me.
I curled into myself, covering my ears and closing my eyes again.
I'll remain alone in both worlds.
...
I slowly opened my eyes to see sunlight streaming through the window, falling on my face.
Morning had come.
I got up and went to the kitchen to make a simple meal to fill my stomach.
Then I heard a knock at the door.
I walked to it, and when I opened it, it was Luna.
"Good morning, Klo. Sorry I didn't bring you dinner. The guards wouldn't let me into the boys' dorm at night."
"That makes sense."
"I brought you lunch, my hu-sb-an-d," she said the word "husband" playfully and with a hint of mockery. I have no idea why Luna does that.
She raised the food in her hand, its aroma filling the air. I took it from her and thanked her.
"Thanks, Luna. You can come in while I eat."
Luna entered and sat in the living room.
"I see you like cleaning."
"I've become like that. I think it's puberty's fault."
"I think so too, Klo."
I opened the lunch box—it was healthy food, but still better than what I had yesterday.
"Thank you, my god."
I started eating, my mind focused on one thought.
I'm not alone… there's someone by my side, always.
I looked at Luna.
She always thinks about me… and worries for me.
After finishing lunch, I called Luna to go.
"Let's go."
We left the room, locking the door behind us. Then I ran into that strange man.
"How are you, my friend Klo Yuthnir?"
I slowly looked at him.
"What are you doing here, Director?"
"Nothing. I'm just watching my future friend and his wife enjoying themselves."
"Are you a stalker?" Luna asked him.
"No, you're mistaken. All I want to tell Klo is… if you experience even a brief moment of happiness, it can change the way you see the world."
"But nothing lasts, Director. That's why we must hold on to the small things."
I kept walking with Luna as if I hadn't heard him. I didn't want to get involved with him—he's dangerous, and on top of that, a hero.
While we were going to class.
"You really are a miracle, Klo Yuthnir. Every time I meet you, you give me some wisdom I didn't know before and knew nothing about. To me, you're like a sage and a teacher."
I'm not, you idiot.