That Same Night. .
Fire decided to take a long, hot bath.
The tub was full, steam curling into the air. She added a few things she'd brought from home—scents and oils meant to calm her racing thoughts. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun.
Soft music played in the background. Candlelight flickered against the tiled walls.
She slowly dipped into the water, her body easing beneath the surface, and let out a long breath.
Half her face sank under, eyes open, staring blankly at the water.
She hated this part—when you don't want to think about something, it somehow clings harder.
And just like that, the memory came flooding back.
That conversation in the library.
Oriel. Dhylan.
"Fyre."
Oriel finally looked serious. Her voice low.
"I think you should stop trying to understand him."
Fire opened her mouth, ready to argue—but nothing came out.
"I know you're lab partners, but outside of that, just… avoid him."
The weight in her chest sank deeper.
"Just hang in there for this semester. Next year, let's partner up instead."
Oriel offered a faint smile.
Fire nodded slightly, forcing a small smile back—while Dhylan, somewhere nearby, loudly disagreed with something completely unrelated.
Their words kept looping in her head.
The slow drip of water echoed against the tub, falling in rhythm with the music—and her spiraling thoughts.
Then his voice echoed next.
Are you dumb?
Shut up, Fire. You're distracting me.
Are you really stupid?
Stop dreaming, Fire!
His tone—sharp, cold, constantly annoyed—kept replaying.
The way he barked at her every mistake. The way he made her feel small, invisible.
Fire. Walking disaster.
She used to think he was just rude.
So why did her chest ache now?
"Maybe Oriel's right…" she whispered.
"This has been dragging on too long."
She sighed, letting her body sink deeper into the water, until only her eyes remained above the surface.
FOUNDATION DAY
INT – CLASSROOM – 7:00 AM
Fire stood near the front of the room, scanning every corner like a quiet manager before opening day.
"Do we need anything else?" she asked, fingers still adjusting the tablecloth out of habit.
"All good here!" the boys replied in unison, already busy taping up final signs and fixing lights.
The classroom had become something magical.
Each corner glowed with themed photo booths—romantic flowers, dreamy pastels, and one side lit in moody neon. Two cameras stood ready on tripods. Light panels were perfectly arranged, wires neatly tucked out of sight. The middle of the room had been cleared for the printing and payment station, while small tables offered drinks and sweets for waiting customers.
Fire had helped plan every inch of it—without even realizing she was the one leading it.
Late nights exchanging messages. Early mornings checking orders. Carrying props, organizing teams, calling in favors.
Her hands were in everything—even the smallest details. Doing her best in the role the class entrusted to her.
"It was really helpful that you knew someone willing to lend us this equipment, Fire!" Rika called from behind a rose-colored backdrop.
Fire smiled faintly. A memory flickered—
Over the phone
"Oh, Tomo's selling his old equipment," Ace had said.
"You might be able to borrow it before he sells it. He's upgrading anyway—it's just collecting dust now."
She didn't waste a minute. She called Tomo right after.
"Ya, I don't mind." — Tomo.
Back in the room, Fire looked around.
Everything had come together—just like they planned.
She watched her classmates, busy but cheerful. Laughing, teasing, working side-by-side.
At first, she was just trying to help.
But over time, through long group chats and messy afternoons spent setting up decorations… she'd started to feel like she belonged.
She'd gotten to know everyone. And they got to know her, too.
Now, it didn't feel like just a class. It felt like hers, too.
"We'll be opening in thirty minutes!" Lia called, checking the hallway with a quick glance.
"Wait—you forgot to give me a task!" Fire blurted out, almost panicking. Her hands fidgeted nervously, still ready to jump into action.
"Oh no, Fire. You're clear today." Lia smiled warmly, as though this was the most natural thing in the world.
"Eh?" Fire blinked in confusion, her mind still racing. "What do you mean, clear?"
"You've already done so much," Oriel added, stepping in with a grin that made Fire pause. "So, the class decided not to assign you anything today."
Fire stood frozen, the words sinking in, but not quite registering. "Wait… what?" The surprise hit her, leaving her speechless.
The class had noticed. They appreciated her. But it hadn't felt like anything extraordinary. She had just been doing her best, not realizing how much they had seen.
"Go on, relax! Enjoy the day!" Rika beamed, nudging her toward the door with a gentle, almost playful push.
"Don't worry about us!"
"Enjoy, Fire!" The class echoed in unison, their voices full of warmth and teasing affection.
Fire felt a rush of emotions—her chest tight with surprise, a smile pulling at her lips, and warmth spreading inside her. They really saw her.
Her heart fluttered.
Slam—
The door shut behind her like she'd just been evicted from her own home.
But instead of rejection, her chest bloomed with something soft and bright.
Appreciation.
Like confetti bursting inside her.
She stood still for a moment, just smiling.
The hallway outside was already alive—booths opening, laughter echoing, streamers dancing with the breeze.
"I really wanted to help, though…" she whispered.
But she didn't want to let their kind gesture go to waste.
She looked out from the second-floor window. Below, the courtyard was filled with food stalls and tiny carts run by school clubs. Banners waved, balloons bobbed, and the smell of sweet snacks floated up to greet her.
"I'll enjoy this one… for them."
Back in the Classroom
"I'm not wearing that!" Dhylan shouted, darting to the far side of the room.
"You agreed, idiot!" Oriel shot back, standing by the board, gripping a duck mascot head like it was some kind of weapon.
"I did not!" Dhylan yelled, ducking behind the boys for protection.
"Guys, help!" His eyes were wide, pleading for mercy, but the boys just cringed, clearly more disgusted by the oversized suit than sympathetic. No help here.
"DJ! Get over here!" Oriel snapped. "You said you'd be the mascot!"
"I thought you meant model! Like... modeling clothes! Not this—giant sauna suit!"
His face twisted in betrayal.
"Come here, or else," Oriel warned, her tone low and threatening now. The entire class was watching, half entertained, half trying to stifle their laughter. Another classic scene in the campus couple saga.
Oriel finally cornered him.
"DJ, you're holding up the class." Her eyes narrowed.
He sagged in defeat, holding up the duck suit like it was a heavy curse.
"How are we supposed to take good pictures with me in this thing?"
"We'll take the photos later. Change now."
His face lit up with mischief. "Promise?"
"Yes, yes." She rolled her eyes.
"Marriage both?" he grinned, slipping the question in like a trap.
"Yes, whatever—wait, what?!"
Too late. His smile widened, pure victory.
"Whatever!" Oriel exploded. "Just start changing, you idiot!"
"Should I strip here?" Dhylan's voice rang out louder than needed, the cheeky glint never leaving his eyes.
Groans and snickers rippled through the classroom.
"DJ!!" Oriel's eyes flared like a summoned demon.
With a nervous laugh, Dhylan muttered, "Oops." He grabbed the mascot suit in both arms and bolted for the door, escaping before the wrath of Oriel could catch up.
Next Chapter:
The festival bloomed around her—sunlight, laughter, cupcakes, and color—but Fire couldn't shake the weight pressing behind her smile.
She laughed at parfaits, admired the maid café, and told herself this day was for them. For the friends she still had. For the memories she wanted to keep.
But even sweet flavors couldn't cover the hollow ache where he used to be.
A flash of whipped cream.
A memory of his hand.
A voice that didn't belong to him.
The taste was perfect—but it felt empty.
Somewhere, across the school grounds, Ice sat alone in the quiet of the greenhouse—far from the joy he helped create, and far from the girl who couldn't forget him, no matter how hard she tried.
Neither of them were looking for each other.
But somehow…
They both felt the absence.