June 4th, 9:00 AM — Class Hall
The sun filtered through the tall windows, casting warm rays across the classroom floor. Kairon and Aria stood by the window, watching quietly as Ivy made her way over to Akira, who was organizing her things near the back.
"Good morning," Ivy said with a soft smile.
Akira looked up, slightly startled, and gave a brief nod. "Morning."
"Do you mind if I ask you something?"
Akira hesitated. "I'm a little busy right now. Maybe later."
"It won't take long," Ivy assured her. "Were you there when Kei had that fight with the students from Class C?"
There was a flicker of emotion in Akira's eyes. Her smile faded. "I... I don't know anything. Sorry."
She turned to leave, but Ivy instinctively reached out and gently grabbed her hand. Akira flinched and pulled away, stumbling back slightly. Something small slipped from her pocket and fell to the floor with a faint clatter.
"I'm so sorry!" Ivy said quickly. "I didn't mean to—"
Akira bent down and snatched the item—a memory chip—before Ivy could get a good look at it.
"It's fine," Akira muttered, clutching it tightly. She quickly walked away, her pace quickening.
She whispered to herself as she left, "I can't let anyone know… about this mask I'm hiding."
Kairon watched her retreating figure from the window, arms crossed, eyes narrowing slightly.
"She retreated when Ivy entered her personal space," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Edward Hall's theory again… She's guarding something. Deeply."
---
Behind the Lockers
Akira crouched low behind a row of lockers, tears slipping down her cheeks as she stared at the chip in her hand. Her camera lay beside her, powered off.
"Why now...?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Why can't I do anything right…?"
---
Back in the Hall
"Well… that didn't go well," Aria muttered.
"I thought I could get through to her," Ivy said, clearly disappointed.
Kairon looked thoughtful. "She's not ready to talk. Not yet."
---
June 6th, 10:00 AM — The Mall
The mall was buzzing with people, filled with the sounds of chatter and distant music. Akira stood beside Kairon and Ivy outside an electronics store, fidgeting with the strap of her bag.
"Thanks for coming with me," she said quietly.
"You don't have to thank us," Ivy replied, smiling.
"You said your camera stopped working?" Kairon asked.
Akira nodded.
Inside, the repairman examined the camera while Akira stood nervously by the counter. Ivy stayed close beside her while Kairon kept a slight distance, watching everything.
"The battery's completely dead," the repairman said. "Do you have a warranty?"
Akira's hands trembled slightly as she reached into her bag. Ivy noticed and quickly helped her, pulling out the paper.
"Here," Ivy said, handing it to him.
As the repairman took it, his fingers brushed Akira's. She flinched and took a quick step back.
He glanced at her, puzzled, but didn't comment. "Looks like it's valid. You can come back in a day or two to pick it up. I'll need your name, address, and contact number."
He handed her a pen.
Akira took it with shaking fingers. But she couldn't write. Her hand wouldn't move.
Kairon stepped in, gently taking the pen from her. "I'll write it down."
The repairman frowned. "She's the one who owns it. Shouldn't she—"
"We're her friends," Kairon said firmly. "And she's under warranty. There's no issue here."
After a pause, the man shrugged. "Fine. You're good to go."
---
Mall Café Table
The three of them sat at a small table with drinks. Akira kept her eyes down, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her cup.
"Thanks again," she said.
"You really don't need to keep thanking us," Ivy replied. "Akira… can I be honest with you?"
Akira looked up.
"You don't need to be so formal with us. We're your classmates. You can relax."
Akira looked down again. "I'm sorry. I'm just... not used to this."
"You don't need to force anything."
Kairon studied her, noting the tension in her posture. She was doing her best, but she was clearly overwhelmed.
"I'll be right back," Ivy said, heading toward the restroom.
Akira and Kairon were left alone.
Kairon cleared his throat. "Akira… if there's anything on your mind—"
"Do you think I'm wrong?" she asked suddenly. "For staying quiet about what happened to Kei?"
Kairon paused. "That's not my decision to make."
"But if I stay silent… I know I'll regret it."
"Then why are you telling me this?"
Akira's cheeks flushed. "Because... your eyes. I feel like I can trust you."
He blinked. "My eyes?"
"I know it's weird," she said quickly. "But I just feel that way."
Kairon looked at her thoughtfully. "Whatever choice you make, make it for yourself. Don't think about what others want. If you're ready to speak… that's what matters."
She stared at him, clearly affected by his words. A moment later, Ivy returned.
"It's getting late," she said.
Kairon nodded. "Let's head back."
Ivy gave him a quiet glance. "Mind if I stop by your room tonight?"
Kairon didn't respond immediately. He looked calm… but thoughtful.
---
Later — Room 5, Boys' Hostel
Ivy sat on Kairon's bed, scrolling through her phone.
"Thanks for letting me come," she said.
"Why did you want to?"
"I've been digging into something… and I think I found something weird."
She held out her phone, showing him several pictures. They were of a girl who looked like Akira—except she wasn't wearing glasses, and she was in a swimsuit at the beach.
"Doesn't this look like her?" Ivy asked.
Kairon leaned in. "Yeah… it does. Even without the glasses."
"But if she doesn't wear glasses…"
"She's using the glasses to mask herself," Kairon said. "They're not for helping her see clearly."
Ivy stared at the screen. "Then who is she really?"