Chapter 7
The ground remained silent.
Dozens of eyes were fixed on the stage, but for Naiiyraa, the world had narrowed to just one person standing in front of her.
Nehan.
His gaze didn't move away.
"Everyone," Nehan said calmly, turning slightly toward the crowd, "you may leave."
A wave of whispers spread instantly.
"But sir—" Miss Siera began.
"I said, you may leave."
His tone was still polite… but absolute.
Within moments, the ground began to empty. Students walked away slowly, many turning back to look at Naiiyraa with curiosity.
Mimi hesitated.
"Naiiyraa…" she whispered.
"I'll be fine," Naiiyraa replied softly, though her hands were trembling.
Mimi clenched her fists but finally walked away with the others.
Soon, only silence remained.
Nehan stepped closer.
Not too close.
Just enough to feel like pressure.
"You seem nervous," he said quietly.
"I don't usually stand on stages," Naiiyraa replied, forcing calm into her voice.
A faint smile touched Nehan's lips.
"That's not what I meant."
Silence.
The wind moved lightly across the open ground.
Then—
"Tell me," Nehan continued, "how do you know my sister?"
Naiiyraa's heartbeat skipped.
"I don't know her well," she said. "She's just a new student."
Nehan watched her carefully.
Every blink. Every breath.
"She doesn't 'just' talk to people," he said. "Especially not like that."
Naiiyraa stayed silent.
Nehan took another step forward.
"Then let me ask something simpler."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Who are you?"
The question felt heavier than anything before it.
Naiiyraa lifted her eyes to meet his.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"I already told you," she said quietly. "My name is Naiiyraa."
Nehan's expression didn't change.
But his eyes… sharpened.
"Names can be changed."
A pause.
"Faces too."
The air turned cold.
Far from the stage, near the entrance—
A figure stood watching.
Genya.
Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable.
"So… you finally noticed," she murmured to herself.
Back on the stage—
Nehan reached into his coat pocket.
Naiiyraa's body tensed instantly.
But instead of anything dangerous—
He pulled out a small photograph.
He held it up.
It was old.
Slightly worn.
A picture of two girls—
Zubii…
and Lerah.
"Have you ever seen her?" he asked.
Naiiyraa's breath stopped.
For a split second—
Her eyes betrayed her.
And Nehan saw it.
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Nehan lowered the photograph slowly.
"I thought so," he said quietly.
Not angry.
Not shouting.
Just certain.
Naiiyraa clenched her fists.
Her voice came out almost as a whisper—
"…What do you want from me?"
Nehan looked directly into her eyes.
"The truth."
A pause.
"About that night."
In the distance, clouds slowly covered the sun.
And for the first time—
The past began to open its door.
End of Chapter 7
I