The classroom buzzed with its usual noise.
Students talked in small groups, some laughing, some complaining about assignments, while others simply waited for the next class to begin.
Near the window—
Kentarou stood with two classmates.
One of them—
Senku, as energetic as always.
And the other—
Lyoid.
Unlike most students, Lyoid had a calm and slightly serious aura. He was known in class for one specific thing—
He wrote novels.
Not just casually—
But seriously.
And today—
That was exactly why Kentarou was standing here.
"…So," Senku crossed his arms, looking between the two. "What's this about?"
Lyoid narrowed his eyes slightly at Kentarou.
"…For real?" he asked.
A pause.
"You want to write a novel?"
Kentarou nodded once.
"…Yeah."
Lyoid blinked.
Clearly not expecting that answer.
"…You?"
There was no mocking tone—
Just pure surprise.
Kentarou didn't react much.
"…You're the only one in our class who writes novels," he said calmly. "So I thought… I should ask you."
A brief silence followed.
Senku suddenly leaned in, his interest rising.
"Wait, wait—hold on," he said. "Why are you suddenly trying to write a novel?"
Kentarou paused.
Just for a second.
His eyes shifted slightly toward the window.
A certain face appeared in his mind.
Violet.
"…There's a reason," he said.
"Obviously," Senku replied. "And I want to know it."
Kentarou stayed quiet.
Lyoid watched him carefully.
"…Writing isn't something you just 'try'," Lyoid said after a moment. "It takes time. Effort. And a reason."
Another pause.
"…So what's yours?"
Kentarou didn't answer immediately.
Because even he knew—
This wasn't just about writing.
It was about something more.
Something personal.
Something he couldn't easily explain.
"…I just want to try," he finally said.
Senku immediately frowned.
"That's a fake answer."
"…It's not fake."
"It sounds fake."
Lyoid, however, didn't interrupt.
He kept looking at Kentarou—
As if trying to read what he wasn't saying.
"…Hmm."
Then—
Lyoid let out a small sigh.
"…Alright," he said. "If you're serious, I'll help you."
Senku blinked.
"Wait, that was fast."
"I'm curious," Lyoid replied simply.
He turned toward Kentarou.
"But don't expect it to be easy."
"…I don't."
"Good."
A small pause.
Then Lyoid smirked slightly.
"First question," he said.
"What kind of story do you want to write?"
Kentarou didn't hesitate this time.
"…A love story."
Senku's eyes widened.
"Of course it is!"
Lyoid raised an eyebrow.
"…I see."
Lyoid crossed his arms slightly, thinking.
"…Alright," he said after a moment. "Second question."
Kentarou looked at him.
"Do you have any storyline planned?"
A simple question.
A necessary one.
Kentarou froze.
"…Huh?"
Silence.
Senku slowly turned toward him.
"…Don't tell me…"
Kentarou looked away.
"…I might have…"
A pause.
"…completely forgotten about that."
Dead silence.
Then—
"YOU FORGOT?!" Senku almost shouted.
"…I was thinking about other things."
"Yeah, like romance and dramatic staring, right?"
Kentarou didn't deny it.
Lyoid sighed, placing a hand on his forehead.
"…You really are starting from zero."
"…Seems like it."
Another pause.
Then—
Lyoid let out a small breath and relaxed.
"…It's fine," he said. "You don't need to rush it."
Kentarou looked at him again.
"Take your time. Think about your story slowly," Lyoid continued. "A good story doesn't come instantly."
Senku leaned in again.
"Yeah, at least have a beginning before you become a famous author."
"I'm not trying to be famous."
"That's what they all say."
Kentarou ignored him.
Lyoid then raised one more finger.
"…Final question."
Kentarou focused.
"Do you know where you're going to write and upload your novel?"
A pause followed.
Kentarou blinked once.
"…Upload?"
"Yes," Lyoid said. "Writing is one thing. Sharing it is another."
Kentarou went silent again.
His mind—
Blank.
"…I didn't think about that either."
Senku slowly started clapping.
"Incredible. Truly incredible."
"…Stop."
Lyoid shook his head slightly, but there was a faint smile on his face.
"…You really are serious in a strange way."
Kentarou didn't respond.
Because deep down—
He knew.
He wasn't doing this properly.
He wasn't planning things like others would.
But still—
He wanted to do it.
For a reason he couldn't explain properly.
Lyoid looked at him one last time.
"…Alright," he said. "I'll help you with that too."
Kentarou's eyes shifted slightly.
"…Thanks."
"Don't thank me yet," Lyoid replied. "You still have a long way to go."
Senku grinned.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun."
And just like that—
Kentarou's new journey—
Began to take shape.
_________________________
The final bell had long faded.
Now—
Only the city remained.
Kentarou walked alone through the streets of Seoul, his hands in his pockets, his steps slow and unhurried.
But his mind—
Was far from calm.
"…A storyline…"
Lyoid's words echoed in his head.
A story.
A beginning.
A reason.
Kentarou sighed softly.
"…This is harder than I thought."
He kept walking.
Crossing streets.
Passing people.
Not really seeing any of it.
Lost in thought.
Then—
He slowed down.
A park.
Quiet.
Almost empty.
The sound of rustling leaves and distant footsteps filled the air, replacing the usual noise of the city.
Kentarou stopped.
"…Maybe…"
Without thinking too much—
He walked in.
—
He sat down on a bench.
The atmosphere was calm.
Still.
Perfect for thinking.
A gentle breeze passed by, moving the leaves slightly.
"…This is nice."
For a moment—
He simply sat there.
Breathing.
Letting his thoughts settle.
Then—
He closed his eyes.
"…Story…"
He began to think.
Slowly.
Carefully.
At first—
Nothing came.
Just fragments.
Feelings.
Memories.
Then—
Violet.
Her face appeared in his mind.
Her eyes.
Her voice.
The way she looked at him.
"…No…"
He shook his head slightly.
"…That's not enough."
A small realization formed.
If I just imagine myself becoming her boyfriend…
That's just… wishful thinking.
"…That would be a waste."
He opened his eyes.
His gaze turned serious.
"…I need something more."
Something real.
Something meaningful.
Something he could actually build.
A new thought formed.
Clearer.
Stronger.
"…What if…"
He leaned forward slightly.
"…I write about my love story…"
A pause.
"…But not exactly as it is."
His fingers tightened slightly.
"…Add fiction."
Something beyond reality.
Something creative.
"…And maybe…"
He looked up at the sky.
"…I can understand love better."
The idea slowly began to take shape.
Not just romance.
Not just imagination.
Something deeper.
"…Love…"
"…Imagination…"
A small pause.
Then—
"…And something unexpected."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Horror… mystery."
The words came out quietly.
But they fit.
Strangely well.
A mix of emotions.
Reality and fiction.
Love and fear.
Known and unknown.
Kentarou leaned back slightly.
"…This might work."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
For the first time—
He had direction.
Not perfect.
Not complete.
But—
A beginning.
And sometimes—
That was enough.