THIRD PERSON'S POV
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23:48 PM
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The night air cut through jackets like they were paper.
Every door and window had long since been shut tight. Along the empty streets, where not a single soul was supposed to be outside, came the crunch of boots against gravel, accompanied by distant hoots and howls.
The sky was clear—yet not a single star shone above.
Nearby, trash cans toppled over as stray cats hissed viciously at one another.
The figure moved with practiced ease and certainty.
After several turns, they stopped at an alleyway lined with greasy walls, potholes, muddy paths, and the persistent stench of decay unique to that area.
Another figure stood at the far end.
Hunched unevenly beneath a dark cloak that nearly merged with the night itself.
A tiny sound escaped each time it breathed.
Like a broken whistle struggling—and failing—to function.
The first figure stopped three steps away.
"Maztaaa..."
The hunched creature reached out a thin hand. Rotten dark skin peeled away with each movement before it suddenly jerked back as though burned.
Moonlight briefly caught its face.
The wind rustled violently, carrying dried leaves through the alley.
The two figures stared at one another.
The hunched creature trembled before fumbling a brown folder from beneath its cloak. Dried blood and dirt smeared the surface.
"S-sorry... V2 try clean... V2-2... V2 make worse... Mazta—"
The other figure calmly took the folder and scanned through its contents, giving a satisfied nod. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small bottle and handed it over.
"V2 grateful... V2 grateful..."
The creature limped away hurriedly.
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Country H Academy
One week later
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"Ivy, you're embarrassing me. Stop moving like a granny."
Donald snorted, but one sharp glance from Ivy shut him up instantly.
Nora sighed dramatically and adjusted her phone on the stand before hurrying back toward Ivy.
"We need to make memories. Stop acting like this is strange."
"It IS strange," Albert replied flatly from his shade under an umbrella "This isn't Arts School. We have that department too, but they practice indoors—not outside with millions of people watching."
Nora ignored her completely and continued demonstrating the dance steps.
Standing beside the serious-looking Ivy made the whole thing look oddly mismatched.
Students crossed the training field constantly:
some heading to class,
some sparring,
some relaxing,
and many slowing down to watch the spectacle unfolding before them.
How a transfer student had somehow managed—in less than a week—to turn two of the academy's strongest teams into reluctant playmates remained a mystery to everyone.
Sarah stood beside Ivy helplessly as Nora continued her explanation.
"One, two—hip thrust, hip thrust, left, right, pet-a-pet. One, two. Come on girls, try again!"
Lily copied her enthusiastically. Her steps were clumsy, but her genuine happiness made it difficult to notice.
Zoe, meanwhile, wasn't even attempting to hide her displeasure.
"Wow, Ivy, you've got skills. Come on, smile for me, baby."
Donald kept snapping pictures with his camera—especially of Ivy and Zoe glaring at him.
"Even your glares are hot!"
Ivy ignored him entirely and focused on the video playing on her phone.
Who Is She by Kiss Of Life.
Nora had spent days trying to involve them.
Today, she had finally succeeded.
A few nearby students laughed.
"This isn't Country A, weirdo. They're top fighters, not dancers."
Nora's expression dimmed immediately.
She glanced toward the girls.
Sarah offered an apologetic smile.
Lily remained the only one fully enjoying herself.
Zoe already looked seconds away from leaving.
And Ivy still seemed more interested in the dance tutorial than the actual activity.
"Well... you girls don't have to if you don't want to—"
"Finally."
Zoe immediately turned and walked away.
Nora's shoulders dropped.
Sarah smiled softly and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, don't feel bad. We're just... built more for battles. But this is fun too. It's nice having someone like you around."
Richard nodded from where he sat.
"True. Your extroverted nature is a breath of fresh air compared to our schedules."
While they comforted her, Ivy calmly removed her jacket and loosened her ponytail.
"Step aside, lady man."
She shoved Donald aside and adjusted Nora's camera herself.
Everyone froze.
Then the music started.
Ivy didn't just attempt the challenge.
She performed the entire choreography flawlessly.
Every movement landed perfectly.
Body control.
Facial expressions.
Energy.
Precision.
Donald blinked slowly before clutching his chest dramatically and leaning against Nathan.
"She's not a grandma after all... my heart."
More students stopped walking.
Some pulled out their phones to record.
Others cheered openly.
Some simply stared in shock.
The ever-composed Ivy Da Vinci had another side.
She finished with the final pose just as applause erupted across the field.
Lily and Nora immediately squealed and jumped around excitedly.
"Thanks sis! You're the best!"
Nora kissed both of Ivy's cheeks repeatedly until Ivy finally laughed softly and pushed her away.
"Okay, okay. You're welcome. Sheesh."
Nora happily sat down nearby and immediately began editing the video.
"You HAVE to dance with me. Teach me pleeeaaasssseeeee!"
Lily clung dramatically to Ivy's arm, staring up at her with enormous puppy eyes.
Ivy smiled faintly and rubbed her hair while students gradually returned to their activities.
A group of girls approached slowly, clapping.
"Impressive. Ivy, right?"
Ivy glanced toward the red-haired girl.
"Yeah?"
"I'm Nathalie. Cheer Captain for the high school division." She smiled confidently. "I want you to join us."
"No thanks."
Nathalie's smile froze.
Her friends looked equally stunned.
"...What?"
"I'm not interested in cheering," Ivy replied with a shrug.
Nathalie's gaze traveled slowly over Ivy's clothes before she scoffed.
"I wasn't asking. But think about it."
She turned and walked away, her entourage following behind after handing Ivy a contact card.
Ivy barely glanced at it before passing it directly to Nora.
"Here. Audition."
"Kk."
Nora accepted the card absentmindedly, still editing her video.
Nathan watched both girls for a moment before smiling lightly.
"You have talent, Ivy. You should join the dance club."
"I already signed up during my first week here. They still haven't approved it."
"What? Nonsense. As captain, I approve."
Donald proudly grabbed both his backpack and Ivy's before she could protest.
"Come on. Practice starts soon anyway."
Before Ivy could respond, he dragged her away.
The others simply watched them leave in amusement.