Leo sat alone in the classroom, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
The silence felt heavy… almost suffocating.
"God… school is literally the worst place I've ever been," he muttered.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"Well… it's still better than the hospital…" his voice dropped slightly,
"…especially those damn needles."
For a moment, his expression changed.
A flicker of discomfort.
A memory he didn't want.
Then—
"Who the hell are you talking to?"
Leo froze.
His heart skipped.
He turned quickly and saw Jane standing there, staring at him like he had lost his mind.
"How long have you been there?" he asked.
Jane folded her arms.
"Seriously? You're answering my question with another question?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"And you expect me to respond?"
Leo scratched his head awkwardly.
Jane sighed.
"The history teacher is looking for you."
Leo smirked, trying to shake off the tension.
"Looks like I'm in trouble. Probably one of his long boring speeches."
"Just stand up," Jane said flatly. "Let's go."
As they walked out, Leo glanced around the empty classroom.
"By the way… why is no one here? Hope nothing happened."
Jane gave him a look.
"That's because we have history class, idiot."
Silence followed.
But this time… it wasn't just awkward.
It felt distant.
Like Leo wasn't fully present.
The stairs.
Leo hated them.
Each step felt heavier than it should.
"Thank God it's not the third floor…" he muttered under his breath.
Jane clenched her jaw, clearly holding back a reaction.
They entered the history class.
Instantly—
All eyes turned to Leo.
The room felt tight.
Judging.
Watching.
Leo forced a grin.
"I'm sorry, sir. I was in the bathroom."
"For two hours?" the teacher replied.
A few students laughed.
Leo's smile faded slightly.
The teacher sighed.
"Everyone, you can go. Class dismissed. Jane, stay back."
Leo turned to leave—
"Apart from you, Leo."
He paused.
"I thought history class was three hours…"
This time, no one laughed.
The teacher walked closer.
His voice softened.
"Leo… I know you're trying to act like everything is normal."
Leo didn't respond.
"I understand you've lost people…" the teacher continued,
"…but you still have your mother."
Leo's fingers tightened slightly.
"Try to make her proud."
For a moment—
Leo looked… human again.
Not joking.
Not hiding.
"Yes, sir," he said quietly.
Back in class, Leo dropped into his seat.
Axiel appeared almost immediately.
"Sup, Leo. You've been skipping classes. What's wrong?"
Leo sighed.
"Axiel… you're one disturbing human."
Then he added softly,
"But don't worry… I'm fine."
Axiel leaned closer.
"Prove it."
Leo grabbed his hair lightly.
"I'll tell your crush you've been disturbing me."
Axiel jumped back.
"Okay okay! You've proven it!"
Leo smirked-
But it didn't fully reach his eyes.
After School
Leo walked alone.
No friends.
No waiting.
Just him.
I hate crossing roads…
He stepped forward.
A car sped past him—
FAST.
Too fast.
Leo froze.
His body locked.
His chest tightened.
For a second… he was back there again.
Helpless.
Trapped.
Then he forced himself forward and ran across.
He made it.
Breathing heavily.
"That was close…"
BANG!
The sound shattered everything.
Screams.
Footsteps.
Chaos.
Leo turned—
People were running.
Pushing.
Panicking.
Then—
A voice.
"Bro, you missed the target! And why didn't you use a silencer?!"
Leo's heart slammed against his chest.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
A girl in a hoodie rushed toward him.
She stopped.
Her body stiffened.
"Are you okay?"
Leo tried to respond—
But his throat wouldn't cooperate.
No sound.
No control.
Then—
His legs gave out.
He fell.
Hard.
That's when it hit him.
He was the one who got shot.
Warm liquid filled his mouth.
Blood.
His vision shook.
The girl stepped back.
Before leaving, she said coldly,
"Fall back. The target escaped."
Leo lay there.
Alone.
Surrounded by noise…
Yet completely isolated.
I can't die.
His chest tightened.
Not like this…
Tears slid down his face.
I didn't even say goodbye…
Through the chaos—
Someone ran past him.
Jane.
So close.
Yet so far.
She didn't see him.
Leo tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
Then—
A glow.
Soft.
Strange.
Moving toward him.
"Can you see me?" a voice asked.
Leo's lips trembled.
"H… help… me…"
The light paused.
Then—
It smiled.
And rushed into him.
Everything went dark.