The fan above buzzed like it had something to say, but no one was listening—not even the teacher.
Mrs. Kaur was halfway through a complex integration problem on the board, her chalk hand moving swiftly, her voice sharp yet rhythmic. Ryu barely blinked, copying the steps with practiced focus.
Today, she wasn't sitting alone.
Ravi was beside her, unusually quiet.
Not fidgeting. Not cracking lame jokes.
Just... smiling to himself.
Not because Rey was angry. Not because of some plan.
But something else entirely.
He couldn't name it, not yet. Just that sitting next to her felt less like chaos and more like calm.
Ryu flipped a page and whispered, "Focus on the method, Ravi. You'll mess it again."
"Right," he said, then grinned. "Thanks, Professor Ryu."
From two rows behind, Rey's pen stopped mid-stroke.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He wasn't listening to the lecture anymore. Just to their whispers. The way Ravi leaned closer. The way Ryu didn't seem to mind.
And before Rey could look away, two voices nudged him from the left.
"Looks like Ravi's trying to steal your seat," said Kabir, nudging Rey with a smirk.
"Or your girl," added another boy, barely hiding his grin.
Rey didn't respond.
Didn't need to.
The glare in his eyes was already loud enough.