Iris's POV
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I felt wasn't clarity....it was heaviness.
Not the sharp, unbearable pain from last night… but a dull, lingering weight in my head, like something had passed through and left its shadow behind.
For a moment, I didn't move.
I just lay there, staring at the faint light spilling across the floor… and then I realized,
I was still on the ground.
The memory came back slowly.
The table.
The pain.
The fall.
"…Oh."
A quiet breath left my lips as I pushed myself up, my hand pressing against the edge of the table for support. My body protested slightly, but it wasn't anything I couldn't manage.
I had handled worse.
Carefully, I made my way to the bed and sat down, letting the softness ground me for a second before I reached for my phone.
The screen lit up.
Two missed calls.
Anya.
A small, familiar warmth touched my chest.
She really calls every morning…
I was just about to call her back when the phone buzzed in my hand, her name flashing across the screen again.
Right on time.
I picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Why didn't you pick up earlier?" she asked immediately, her tone sharp with concern that she didn't bother hiding.
I leaned back slightly. "I was in the kitchen."
A pause.
Then a softer, "Okay."
And just like that, the call ended.
I stared at the screen for a moment before lowering it slowly.
She knew.
Or maybe… she just trusted me enough not to push.
Either way, I was grateful.
My thumb moved absentmindedly as I unlocked the phone again...and then stopped.
A chat.
His name.
Kaizer.
I didn't rename it.
I had seen other girls saving their crush's name with hearts, emojis, ridiculous titles that made everything feel louder than it needed to be.
But I didn't want that.
If something had to be real… it had to stay simple.
I tapped on the chat.
And froze.
The last messages were from three days ago.
The day I told him that I will guide him today too.
My grip tightened slightly.
I forgot.
A small wave of guilt settled quietly inside me.
I should've remembered.
I should've at least messaged.
I stared at the screen longer than necessary, thoughts slowly beginning to crowd in.
Should I go today?
Can I even manage this daily?
Studies.
Work.
Home.
Everything already felt like it was slipping through my hands.
And this,
This wasn't a responsibility.
This was a choice.
And choices… were the first things you let go of when life got heavy.
My chest felt a little tight.
Just as I was about to lock the phone,
A message popped up.
Today too 4 PM, right?
I blinked.
Once.
Then again.
He… remembered.
A faint, almost helpless smile touched my lips before I could stop it.
Of course he did.
He was that kind of person.
For a few seconds, I just sat there, staring at the message like it carried more weight than it actually did.
Maybe… I should go.
Just today.
And then I'll tell him.
Face to face.
That I can't continue this.
That I don't have time.
That it was nice… while it lasted.
The thought felt heavier than it should have.
Because this,
This was the first time in two years…
that I wasn't just watching from a distance.
I had actually talked to him.
Sat beside him.
Heard him say my name.
A quiet exhale escaped me.
"Responsibilities first," I whispered to myself.
Even if something inside me didn't fully agree.
I shifted slightly...and paused.
The heaviness in my head…
It was gone.
Completely.
I blinked in surprise.
"…That's new."
A small relief settled in my chest.
At least I could go without worrying about collapsing again.
My fingers moved quickly over the screen.
Yes. 4 PM.
And bring Lux too.
I stared at the message for a second.
Then sent it.
And just like that,
the day had begun.
---
Kaizer's POV
I was already ready.
Too ready.
Standing beside my bed, I checked the time again.
3:34 PM.
Too early.
I exhaled slowly and ran a hand through my hair, trying to settle the restlessness that didn't quite have a reason.
It was just a study session.
Nothing else.
Then why was I waiting like this?
I picked up my phone.
Her message.
Yes. 4 PM.
And bring Lux too.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
Of course she would include him.
That was just… her.
I locked my phone and finally stepped out once the clock neared 3:50.
The walk to the library felt longer than usual, though I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the way my thoughts kept shifting...never settling, never staying in one place long enough to understand.
But the moment I reached,
I saw her.
Not Iris.
Anya.
Standing outside, arms crossed, her expression carrying that usual mix of impatience and sharp awareness.
I walked up to her.
"Hi."
She looked at me, then nodded. "Hi."
A brief silence.
Then,
"Is your soap brand coming too?" she asked casually.
I blinked once.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
She hummed, like she expected nothing else.
And then,
out of nowhere,
"Do you like Iris?"
My head snapped up.
"What?"
She raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "I mean… do you like the way she teaches?"
A pause.
Then I exhaled.
"Oh."
"…Yes," I said.
She nodded slowly.
But something about her expression didn't change.
And then,
her thoughts.
They came, unfiltered.
A stream of teasing, dramatic commentary directed at Iris, even though she wasn't here yet.
I frowned slightly.
Does she always think like this?
Before I could process further,
everything went quiet.
Instantly.
Completely.
I looked up.
Iris.
She had just reached.
And just like that,
the noise faded again.
It always did.
For a brief moment, we just looked at each other.
No words.
No interruptions.
Just,
presence.
But before anything could settle,
"Surprise!"
Lux.
Of course.
The moment broke.
Anya rolled her eyes.
Iris smiled faintly.
And I just stepped aside.
"Let's go in," I said.
---
The library was quieter than usual.
Not empty...but peaceful enough to think without everything collapsing into noise.
We took the same table as before.
Same positions.
Same distance.
Different feeling.
Iris placed a few copies in front of me.
"My chemistry notes," she said softly. "You can use these."
I looked at them.
Neat.
Clear.
Structured in a way that didn't feel overwhelming.
"…Thank you," I said, meaning it more than usual.
She nodded, then began explaining how to approach them...not just what to read, but how to read, how to break things down without letting them pile up.
And for the first time,
it made sense.
Not completely.
But enough.
Lux and Anya sat across, occasionally interrupting with questions or comments, most of which turned into arguments within seconds.
But somehow,
it didn't disturb me as much today.
Time passed.
Quietly.
Naturally.
Until,
Iris's phone buzzed.
She glanced at it, her expression shifting for just a fraction of a second before she locked the screen again.
Then she looked at us.
"There's a cultural fiesta next month," she said. "One spot is still open… if anyone wants to participate."
Lux leaned back. "I would've participated, but—"
"But you don't have any talent," Anya cut in immediately.
He went silent.
I almost smiled.
For a second, a thought crossed my mind.
I could sing.
But,
No.
I didn't say anything.
"By the way," Lux added, turning to Iris, "I talked to my father… but he doesn't have connections in that department."
Something flickered across her face.
Quick.
Almost invisible.
"…It's okay," she said with a small smile.
But it wasn't fully there.
And before I could stop myself,
"What happened?"
Lux answered instead.
"Her grandmother is admitted in the hospital."
The words settled heavily.
And without thinking,
"But she was okay..."
Silence.
All three of them looked at me.
I straightened slightly.
"I mean… she should be okay," I corrected quickly.
A pause.
Then they nodded.
The moment passed.
But something stayed.
Then Anya leaned forward.
"Why don't you participate, Iris?" she asked. "There's prize money too."
Iris shook her head lightly. "I don't have any particular skill."
"You can dance," Anya said instantly.
I glanced at her.
Dance?
Iris looked unsure. "Not like that…"
"You can," Anya insisted. "Contemporary suits you."
A small silence followed.
And then,
before I could overthink,
"If she dances… someone could sing."
The words left my mouth before I fully processed them.
All three turned toward me.
I held their gaze for a second.
Then added, more calmly,
"I mean… if it's a duet performance."
Anya looked at me.
Surprised.
"Do you sing?" she asked.
"…Sometimes."
Lux snorted. "He's lying. He sings really well."
I ignored him.
Anya leaned back, clearly interested now.
"That could work," she said slowly. "Dance and singing together… it'll stand out."
Iris hesitated.
"I don't know…"
"It's just an idea," I said. "You don't have to..."
"And the prize money?" Anya interrupted.
A pause.
Then I said,
"We can split it."
Iris looked at me again.
This time differently.
"I don't need.." she started.
"I know," I said calmly. "That's why we split it. Equal effort."
A silence settled between us.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… thoughtful.
Then,
"…Okay," she said softly.
And for some reason,
that felt bigger than it should have.
---
Outside, the sky had begun to soften into evening.
We stepped out together, but not for long.
At the gate,
we split.
Anya went with Iris.
Lux came with me.
But as I walked away,
I found myself glancing back once.
Just once.
And for a moment,
I thought she did the same.
---
Something had started.
Quietly.
But not lightly.