Chapter 10
The hostel corridor felt quieter than usual.
Soft yellow lights lined the ceiling, casting long shadows across the floor. A faint breeze slipped through the open windows, carrying distant voices from outside.
Naiiyraa walked beside Mimi.
Or rather—
Mimi, who was now Naiiyraa.
And Naiiyraa, who now lived as Mimi.
"…We should act normal," Mimi said under her breath.
"I am trying," Naiiyraa replied softly.
But her voice carried tension.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
Even walking like this—
Felt like stepping into someone else's life.
"Don't look nervous," Mimi added.
"He'll notice."
Before Naiiyraa could respond—
Footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Slow.
Steady.
Unmistakable.
Both of them stopped.
From the far end—
Nehan Senoria approached.
The air shifted instantly.
Heavy.
Cold.
Naiiyraa's breath caught.
Instinctively, she lowered her gaze and stepped slightly behind Mimi.
Mimi didn't move.
She stood exactly where she was.
Nehan stopped in front of them.
His eyes fixed on Mimi.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
"…So," he said quietly,
"I finally found you."
Mimi met his gaze.
Calm.
Controlled.
"You're mistaken," she said.
A faint smile appeared on Nehan's lips.
But there was no warmth in it.
"For three years," he replied,
"I've been searching for you."
A pause.
"And now you're standing right in front of me… pretending nothing happened."
Behind her—
Naiiyraa's hands trembled slightly.
Every word felt like it was meant for her.
"You caused her death," Nehan continued.
His voice dropped.
Lower.
Colder.
"And you expect me to believe you're innocent?"
Mimi's fingers tightened.
But her expression didn't change.
"You believe what you want," she said quietly.
Silence.
Nehan stepped closer.
Not fast.
Not aggressive.
But enough to make the distance feel suffocating.
"…I don't believe anything," he said.
"I prove it."
A pause.
"And I will."
Naiiyraa felt her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
She wanted to speak.
To stop him.
To tell the truth.
But she stayed silent.
Mimi shifted slightly, placing herself fully in front of Naiiyraa.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Answers."
The word came instantly.
"And if I don't get them…"
Nehan's eyes darkened.
"…I'll make sure you regret ever surviving."
The threat hung in the air.
Clear.
Unavoidable.
Then—
A voice interrupted.
"That's enough."
All three turned.
Genya stood a few steps away.
Her gaze steady.
Her presence firm.
"She's with me," Genya said.
Nehan looked at her.
"…Since when?"
"Since now."
A brief silence followed.
Nehan studied her.
Carefully.
As if weighing something unspoken.
Then his gaze returned to Mimi.
"…This isn't over," he said quietly.
A pause.
"You don't get to escape this."
Without another word—
He turned and walked away.
His footsteps faded into the distance.
Only then did the tension break.
Naiiyraa let out a shaky breath.
"…That felt real."
Mimi exhaled slowly.
"It is real."
A pause.
"He's not guessing anymore."
Genya crossed her arms, watching the empty corridor.
"He doesn't need guesses," she said.
"He's already decided."
Naiiyraa's chest tightened.
"…Then what do we do?"
Genya looked at her.
For a moment—
Her expression softened.
"You survive long enough," she said quietly.
"…for the truth to matter."
Silence settled again.
And somewhere beyond that corridor—
The past was already catching up.
End of Chapter 10