The canteen pulsed with noise. Trays clattered against metal counters, chairs scraped against the tiled floor, laughter rose and fell like waves. The scent of fried food and fresh bread hung heavy in the air. Dozens of conversations tangled together, but none of them reached the corner table by the window.
There, Aira sat alone.
Her movements were precise, almost mechanical—cut, lift, chew, swallow. Her eyes never left the plate, her posture straight, her face an unmoving mask. Students passed by her table, glancing for a moment before quickly looking away, as though even a glance might draw her cold attention. Nobody sat near her. Nobody dared.
Until they arrived.
The door opened, and a hush followed them like a shadow. Seven figures stepped into the canteen, a group whose presence demanded notice without a word: Kai, Valentina, Rei, Bianca, Damian, Ivy, and Zane. Wealth clung to them, power followed them, and fear kept most at a distance. They weren't just students. They were a force.
Valentina's eyes locked on the corner. "I'm sitting there," she said smoothly.
Bianca arched a brow, snapping her gum. "You sure? She doesn't exactly scream friendly."
Kai grinned, mischief flickering in his eyes. "That's what makes it fun."
They moved as one, a tide too strong to resist. Chairs scraped as they sat around her table, their presence shrinking the noise of the canteen until it felt like only their corner existed.
Aira didn't look up. She didn't pause. She simply spoke, her voice sharp and flat, slicing through the air."You need something?"
The lack of warmth in her tone could have frozen fire, but none of them moved to leave.
Rei sat directly across from her, his elbows resting casually on the table. "You always eat alone?"
"It's not a problem." Her reply came quick, clipped.
Rei tilted his head, his gaze softening as it dropped to her hands. Her sleeve had slipped just slightly, just enough. Faint, pale scars mapped across her wrist like whispers of an untold story. He didn't flinch, but his eyes lingered longer than he should have.
His voice was quiet, almost respectful. "Those aren't from nothing."
For the first time, Aira looked at him. Not startled. Not flustered. Just… still. Her eyes were ice, unreadable."Observation is dangerous when you speak too loud."
Rei blinked, then nodded slowly, accepting the warning for what it was.
Zane leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed loosely. Unlike the others, he didn't try to speak. His gaze was steady, calm, calculating. The usual smirk that curved his lips was gone.She's… something else.
The silence stretched until Ivy, ever the peacemaker, cleared her throat. "Sooo… we're all here, and it's kinda awkward." She gave a sheepish smile.
Valentina leaned forward, her tone disarming, almost gentle. "We're not here to start drama. Just wanted to eat with you."
Bianca shrugged, tilting her head. "Yeah, maybe be friends… if that's a thing you're into."
Aira's fork froze midway to her mouth. Friends. The word struck her like an unfamiliar melody. Distant, almost impossible. Her chest tightened, but her face betrayed nothing.
"…I don't understand why."
Kai leaned in, grin widening. "Because you're interesting."
Damian, his deep voice cutting through, added, "And not fake. We hate fake."
Aira's hand lowered the fork with deliberate calm. "I don't need anyone."
Bianca's gaze locked onto hers. There was no challenge in it, only quiet sincerity. "Doesn't mean you have to be alone."
The table went silent again. Only the buzz of the canteen filled the air.
Zane's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. The tension in her shoulders, the way her lips pressed tight, how even her breaths seemed measured and restrained. She wasn't just cold—she was guarding herself with every fiber of her being.
She was a fortress.And somehow, they had stepped inside the gates.
Aira finally muttered, barely above a whisper. "Do what you want."
It was the closest thing to permission she could give. The group exchanged glances—silent agreements passing between them.
Valentina smirked faintly. "I guess we'll take that."
The others relaxed, their conversation picking up again—this time with Aira at their table. They laughed, teased, argued, and filled the silence that used to cling to her like a shadow.
Aira continued eating, her face still blank, her aura still cold. But for the first time, she wasn't alone.
And though she didn't smile, didn't join, didn't soften—something invisible shifted. The ice hadn't melted. Not yet.
But it had cracked.
Zane leaned back, watching her with a thought that echoed louder than his silence.Fire would freeze in her presence… but what if we melt the silence instead?
The storm was stirring.And it had only just begun.