The bell rang.
School ended.
Students packed their things, conversations overlapping as they prepared to leave.
Veron leaned back in his chair.
"…Tch."
A quiet click of irritation.
Emilia and Daniel were still talking.
Closer now.
More comfortable.
Mira didn't join them.
She stayed where she was.
Still.
Watching.
Then—
She noticed it.
A boy.
Looking at her.
Not smiling.
Not speaking.
Just… staring.
Mira met his gaze.
Held it.
For a second longer than before.
Then looked away.
But this time—
She frowned slightly.
Just a little.
The feeling in the room had changed.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Just…
Different.
Min Ji sat quietly.
Still calm.
Still composed.
But then—
For a moment—
Her eyes moved.
Not to the class.
Not to the door.
But—
To the only empty seat in the room.
Jin's seat.
She looked at it.
Softly.
And thought—
"…I hope you're okay."
The moment passed.
The classroom returned to normal.
But something had already begun.
Something that would turn everything upside down.