The next day at school, everything seemed normal. At least on the surface.
Ishaan sat at his desk, staring blankly at his notebook. The teacher's voice echoed faintly in the background, but none of it registered. His thoughts were elsewhere—on the video, on the warning, on the unknown.
"—Ishaan!"
A loud voice cut through the classroom.
He flinched and turned toward the door. Then he froze.
Standing at the entrance was a senior student. Well-built, confident, with neatly styled black hair and a naturally charming presence that immediately drew attention. The moment he stepped inside, the entire class reacted.
Several girls began whispering among themselves, some even blushing.
But Ishaan wasn't just staring. His face lit up.
Without thinking, he stood and rushed forward. "Big brother!"
Before anyone could react, Ishaan hugged him tightly.
"When did you come?" Ishaan asked excitedly. "And this uniform—don't tell me you got transferred here?"
The senior smiled warmly and patted his head. "Yeah, my little brother. I just transferred."
Karan.
A familiar face from their elementary school days. A senior who had always looked out for Ishaan and Gaja. Someone they both respected.
Karan chuckled. "Missed me that much?"
Ishaan grinned. "Of course!"
Then he leaned closer to Karan's ear and whispered mischievously, "Don't tell me that psycho devil sister also transferred here?"
For a second, everything felt normal.
Then something changed.
A strange sensation crept up Ishaan's spine. The air around him suddenly felt warm. Heavy. Dangerous. His smile faded slightly.
"—Wait."
Before he could react, Karan's expression froze. Slowly, they both turned around.
And there, standing right behind them, was a girl.
Her eyes glowed with a sharp, dangerous intensity. Her hair lifted slightly, as if charged with invisible energy. Her presence alone was terrifying.
Silence fell.
"—G-Glory," Karan's voice trembled.
In the next second, both Ishaan and Karan broke into cold sweat. Karan immediately stepped forward. "Wait—Glory, listen! I didn't mean it—"
But before he could finish—
SMACK!
"YOU IDIOT!"
Chaos erupted.
Ishaan panicked instantly. "S-Sorry! Sorry, Glory sis! I swear I won't say anything like that again! I promise—on Karan brother—!"
Too late.
Within moments, both Ishaan and Karan were on the ground, each with a visible bump on their heads.
Glory stood there, arms crossed, clearly annoyed. Her beauty was undeniable, but so was her terrifying aura. Without another word, she grabbed Karan by the ear.
"First day at school and you're already causing trouble?!"
"Ow ow ow—Glory, wait, listen—!"
She dragged him out of the classroom. Just like that.
Silence followed.
Then a desk slowly opened from inside. Gaja peeked out cautiously. "—Are they gone?"
Ishaan, still on the floor, replied weakly, "—Yeah. They're gone."
Gaja quickly came out, letting out a deep breath. "Thank god." He looked at Ishaan and burst out laughing. "You got beaten again!"
Ishaan groaned. "Don't remind me."
Gaja shook his head. "Man, just hearing her name gives me chills." He crossed his arms. "That psycho devil, Glory. Even seniors used to be scared of her back then."
Ishaan slowly sat up. "—Yeah." Then smiled slightly. "But still, I don't understand how Karan brother manages her."
Gaja smirked. "Honestly."
Ishaan looked toward the door. "But you have to admit—"
Gaja raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Ishaan grinned. "They're perfect for each other."
Gaja laughed. "True. One is so kind—and the other—"
"—looks like an angel but fights like a demon."
Both of them burst out laughing.
Then Ishaan suddenly said, "—Hey, Gaja."
"Yeah?"
"When do you think we'll find our angel?"
Gaja paused. Then: "Bro, first survive Glory sis. Then we'll talk about angels."
They laughed loudly again.
Soon the school bell rang. Classes began. And just like that, the day passed.
After school, Ishaan and Gaja stood near the gate, waiting.
A few minutes later, Karan and Glory arrived. Karan looked exhausted. Glory looked completely normal.
"—You survived?" Ishaan asked.
Karan sighed. "Barely."
Gaja chuckled. "Respect, bro."
Glory shot them a sharp look. All three immediately went silent.
Then, without another word, the four of them walked together under the fading evening sky. The streets of Noctra glowed softly under the golden light of sunset. For a moment, everything felt normal. Peaceful.
Ahead, Ishaan and Gaja walked side by side, laughing, teasing each other, completely carefree. As if nothing in the world could touch them.
Behind them, Karan and Glory followed at a slower pace. Their steps quieter. More measured.
Glory gently held Karan's hand. Then, without hesitation, she wrapped both her arms around it, resting slightly closer to him as they walked.
"—It feels nice." Her voice was soft. Almost a whisper.
Karan glanced at her. "What does?"
Glory looked ahead—at Ishaan and Gaja. "—Seeing them like this." A small smile appeared on her face. "—It reminds me of before."
Karan didn't interrupt. He simply listened.
"I wish," she continued slowly, "time could just stay like this." Her grip on his hand tightened slightly. "—Like the old days."
For a moment, she fell silent. Her eyes dimmed just a little. As if something painful had crossed her mind. Something she didn't say out loud.
But Karan understood. He always did.
Without saying anything, he gently placed his hand on her head. Softly. Comfortingly.
"Don't worry," he said with a calm smile. "As long as I'm here, everything will stay like this." A small pause. "—Nothing like the past will happen again."
Glory looked at him. Her expression softened. A faint smile appeared. But her eyes held both relief and a trace of sadness.
"—Okay."
They continued walking. Side by side. Hand in hand.
Ahead, Ishaan and Gaja burst into laughter again over something stupid. Completely unaware.
Behind them, Karan and Glory watched.
For a moment, both of them smiled.
Then, silently, they tightened their grip on each other's hands and kept walking.
As if trying to hold onto this moment just a little longer.
Because deep down, they both knew—
Moments like this don't last forever.