Rooftop – The Confrontation
Keon didn't go to lunch. He climbed to the rooftop like always, hoping no one would be there.
No such luck.
Fuyu leaned against the railing, eyes already on him like he'd been waiting.
Keon sighed. "What, you live up here now?"
Fuyu pushed off the railing. "You're not what you pretend to be."
"I'm not pretending anything."
Fuyu walked forward, slow and measured. "You just put a senior in the nurse's office with three moves. And sat down like you didn't care."
Keon shrugged. "Self-defense."
"No," Fuyu said. "That was instinct. You moved like you've done it before. Like you were trained. That wasn't just fighting. That was control."
Keon didn't respond.
Fuyu's eyes narrowed. "So who taught you?"
Still, silence.
"Let me guess," Fuyu continued, "You're not just the quiet transfer. You're running from something. Or someone. Maybe both."
Keon looked at him, voice low. "Why do you care?"
Fuyu stopped.
And for once, the usual mocking tone was gone.
"Because I see the same thing in you that I see in myself," he said. "Someone pretending to be normal when they've never had the chance."
The rooftop was quiet for a long second.
Then Keon replied, quietly, "I'm not like you."
"Not yet," Fuyu said. "But one day, you're gonna have to pick a side. Pretending doesn't last forever."
---
Ground Level – Shadows Watching
Down in the courtyard, Nova stood silently beneath the trees, eyes scanning the rooftop above.
A shadow lingered at the edge of the school fence — a figure in a gray coat and dark glasses, watching with interest.
Nova's hand twitched toward her earpiece.
"They're getting closer," she murmured.
Mai's voice crackled through.
"Keep him safe. No matter what. If anyone makes a move… break their legs first, ask questions later."
Nova didn't smile. But her knuckles cracked.
---
The Walk Home – Unspoken Thoughts
Keon walked alone after school, earbuds in, but not listening to anything.
Fuyu's words stuck in his head. Pretending doesn't last forever.
He clenched his fists. He didn't want to choose sides. He didn't want to be dragged into anything.
But the world didn't care what he wanted.
---