The next day felt wrong from the start.
Marvello walked alone.
No Amanda beside her.
No commentary.
Just quiet streets and the steady rhythm of her steps. Amanda was sick. Forced rest.
The kind she hated.
Marvello hated this more.
She was halfway down the street when the sound hit first.
An engine.
Fast. Too fast.
She looked up.
A motorcycle tore down the road straight toward her.
Her body reacted before her mind could.
She tried to move.
Nothing.
Her legs locked, glued to the pavement like the street had claimed her. Breath caught. No time to think.
She raised her hands and covered her face.
The motorcycle skidded to a violent stop inches away.
Dust exploded.
Silence.
Then coughing. Hers. Sharp, uncontrolled, as she waved dust away from her face. Her bangs still covered one eye, untouched somehow.
The rest of her hair was lightly disordered, strands slipping loose.
She lowered her hands.
Looked up.
A boy stood over the bike.
He pulled off his helmet and shook his head once, hard.
Hair flew everywhere.
Dark, thick, unruly, refusing discipline.
Sharp jaw. Alert eyes. A smile that looked like it enjoyed trouble a little too much.
And then the detail that snapped her fully awake.
He was wearing her school uniform.
Her eyes narrowed instantly.
"Why," she said flatly, "are you driving like that?"
He leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on the handlebars, smirk already in place.
"Excuse me, ma'am," he said lightly, "you were standing in the middle of the road contemplating dear life. Not my fault."
Her stare sharpened.
He swung off the bike smoothly and extended his hand. "Xavier."
She looked at his hand.
Blink.
Then smacked it away.
His eyebrows jumped. "Hey—don't do that. Fierce," he muttered, rubbing his knuckles.
Marvello didn't apologize.
Xavier laughed, already stepping back toward his bike. "Nice meeting you."
He glanced down at her uniform, then back up at her face.
"Oh," he added. "Looks like we'll meet again."
Helmet on. Engine roaring.
He took off down the street without another word.
Marvello watched him disappear.
Then she sighed.
"…People."
--
By the time Marvello reached the school gates, the morning noise had fully woken up.
Voices. Footsteps. Lockers slamming. Life continuing like yesterday hadn't tried to break her.
She stepped onto campus—
And immediately—
"MARVELLO!"
Hanah came flying in from the side, red hair blazing like a warning flare, nearly colliding with her.
"Where were you yesterday?" she demanded. "Do you know how boring it was without you?"
Marvello barely flinched. "I was busy."
Hanah squinted. "That's never a good answer."
Behind Hanah, Ji-Hyun approached more quietly.
He looked smaller than usual in the crowd, uniform a little too neat, expression soft, almost fragile.
He adjusted his bag strap with both hands like he didn't quite trust the day yet.
"Good morning," he said gently.
Marvello nodded. "You're early."
"I couldn't sleep," he admitted with a small smile.
Hanah looked between them. "You two are being weird. I don't like it."
The bell rang before Marvello could reply.
Class settled into its usual shape.
Desks. Sunlight.
The faint smell of chalk.
Their homeroom teacher stepped in, tapping the desk once for attention.
"Before we start," she said, "there's an announcement."
The room stilled.
"Next Friday, there will be an academic quiz challenge," she continued. "Your class, Class 2-A, will be competing against the seniors of Class 3-C."
A ripple went through the room.
Seniors.
"That's not optional," the teacher added. "Each class will send a small team. Names will be selected by performance."
Whispers erupted.
Hanah leaned over instantly. "Oh. Oh no. Seniors play dirty."
Ji-Hyun swallowed. "They're… really good."
Marvello didn't react.
The teacher picked up her notes.
"This is not about winning," she said pointedly. "It's about discipline and preparation. You will be evaluated."
Her gaze lingered on Marvello for half a second longer than necessary.
"Class dismissed."
As chairs scraped and voices rose again, Hanah grinned. "So," she said, nudging Marvello, "guess who's getting drafted?"
Marvello slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Depends," she replied coolly. "On who survives the seniors."
Ji-Hyun blinked.
Hanah laughed.
And somewhere in the building—
Interest quietly sparked.
Lunch hour spilled into the corridors like noise with momentum.
Marvello walked toward the cafeteria with Ji-Hyun beside her, tray already balanced in one hand, mind half on nothing. Ji-Hyun kept pace easily today. Better. Steadier.
"You're eating?" he asked, almost surprised.
"Yes," she replied. "Don't sound shocked."
He smiled. Small victory.
They hadn't gone far when Eric fell into step with them, easy grin, backpack slung low. "So," he said, glancing between them, "quiz against the seniors. That's bold."
"Stupid," Ji-Hyun corrected gently.
Eric laughed. "Same thing."
Marvello didn't slow. "They'll underestimate us."
"That's dangerous," Eric said. "For them."
He peeled off near the stairs with a casual wave. "See you."
They turned the corner toward the cafeteria doors—
And Marvello collided with someone solid.
Her drink tilted. Nearly fell.
She caught it just in time.
"—Tch."
She looked up.
Tall. Too tall. Broad shoulders. Relaxed posture like the world made room for him automatically.
Xavier.
Helmet-less this time. Same reckless calm. Same unfair face.
She blinked.
Then frowned. "You."
He grinned. "Me."
"You almost made me drop my drink."
He tilted his head. "Funny. You always blame me when you're the one standing in the way."
Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
He leaned in just enough to be annoying. "It's a pattern."
She opened her mouth—
He tossed something at her.
A handkerchief.
She caught it on reflex.
"For the spill you didn't spill," he said, already walking away. "Try not to attack traffic today."
The audacity.
She stared at his back, jaw tight.
Ji-Hyun cleared his throat. "Sorry," he said automatically.
Then he paused.
Smiled.
"…Finally someone."
She shot him a look.
Marvello folded the handkerchief once, shoved it into her pocket without looking at it.
"Let's go," she muttered.
Ji-Hyun followed, still smiling.
And behind them—
Xavier laughed quietly to himself.
They sat near the edge of the courtyard, away from the cafeteria noise. Shade. Low voices. A bench that had seen better days.
Ji-Hyun was half-leaning forward, phone clutched in both hands like it mattered.
"Amanda," he said softly.
Her voice came through tinny and congested. "I sound awful, don't I? Please tell me I don't sound like I'm dying."
"You sound… dramatic," he said gently.
She laughed, then coughed. "Rude. Anyway, are you eating? And are you making sure she eats?"
Ji-Hyun glanced at Marvello. "Yes. And yes."
"Good," Amanda said. "Take care of her for me."
"I will," he replied without hesitation.
There was a pause. Then he smiled.
"I have something to tell you," he added. "I'll come to your house today. With Marvello."
Amanda inhaled sharply. "Together?"
"Yes."
"…You're really not scared of Mary or Nairo?"
Ji-Hyun shook his head, even though she couldn't see him. "Not when you're both with me."
Silence.
Then, softer—"Sure," Amanda muttered. But she was smiling. He could hear it.
He hung up.
Ji-Hyun turned to Marvello, grin lingering.
She arched an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're telling her."
He nodded. "I'm absolutely telling her."
She stared at him.
"…You mean about Xavier."
Ji-Hyun's smile widened.
"Of course."