Angela froze the moment he stepped into the classroom. A cold shiver crept down her back like ice water. She wished someone—anyone—would barge in and interrupt them. But even if they did… would it stop Hiro? Yesterday, only Kaito and Taros had been able to pull him back.
"Well, well… look who we have here," Hiro's voice filled the silent room as he strolled in, eyes gleaming like he already knew her thoughts. He walked right up to her and perched casually on the desk in front of hers. "How are you, Angel?"
Angela narrowed her eyes, trying to ignore the way her stomach twisted. She cleared her throat, refusing to show fear. "You left me in perfect shape last night, so yeah… I'm fine."
"Ouch," Hiro laughed softly, leaning back with a grin. "I wish a girl had said that to me. Would've meant a lot more." His smile didn't reach his eyes. For a moment, he closed them, like he was replaying something in his head. Whatever it was, she didn't want to know.
Angela couldn't help but wonder if everyone here was insane—and if she was the only one clinging to reality.
"I'm not mad, if that's what you're thinking," Hiro said suddenly, eyes snapping open.
Her heart jumped. He heard that? She remembered what Stales had warned her about. Hiro could read minds, but only if she thought of something specific while he was nearby. She cursed herself silently.
"Stales?" Hiro raised a brow, his tone sharp. "Who's that?"
Angela's breath caught. She looked away, fists clenched. She wanted to punch him, to wipe that smug look off his face—but she couldn't. He was stronger than her. The big bad wolf.
"I like that," he said with a chuckle, brushing his fingers through his hair. "Big bad wolf… fits me, don't you think?" Then he leaned forward slightly. "Why are you here?"
Angela shot him a look. "I should be asking you the same thing."
His smirk grew, and she hated how calm he was, like he was playing a game only he knew the rules to. She could already feel her patience slipping. They were heading down the same path they did last night—and she wasn't sure she'd make it through again.
"You're supposed to be in the cafeteria with the others," Hiro said. "It's breakfast time."
Angela blinked, realizing suddenly how quiet the building was. She hadn't even noticed the time. No wonder the halls were empty.
"So you didn't know," Hiro crossed his arms, nodding to himself. "Interesting. I came here to ask you a few things. If you answer them right… maybe, just maybe, I won't have to use my powers on you today. Let's hope the moon goddess is on your side."
Angela turned away and looked out the window, hoping someone would walk past, hoping she wouldn't have to deal with him alone again. But there was no one. Just silence. Just her and the lunatic in front of her.
And it looked like she was stuck with him.
Angela didn't want a repeat of yesterday. She couldn't afford it. That kind of drama would only drag her deeper into trouble, and right now, she needed to lay low, stay invisible.
"A low profile?" Hiro raised a brow, clearly amused. "Now that's interesting. I like where this is going."
She groaned inwardly. Of course he liked it. This was probably a game to him, and she felt like the piece he enjoyed pushing around.
"Just stop reading my thoughts," she snapped. "Or I swear, this conversation ends here."
"You're really something," Hiro said with a little laugh, shaking his head. "Alright. I won't read your mind. But you better talk. How are you connected to Kaito?"
"God forbid I'm related to someone like him," Angela said before she could stop herself. "He's just my roommate, nothing more."
Hiro leaned in slightly, his smile never fading. "You don't hate him, though. I know you don't. You can stop pretending. Last night, I heard you. You were thinking of him. When you needed help, when you were scared, you called out for him. Do you remember that, Angel?"
She froze. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She didn't care about Kaito… did she? It didn't make sense. It wasn't supposed to mean anything. But how could she explain that to Hiro without sounding confused—or worse, weak?
"Tell me, Angel," Hiro pressed, his voice low but firm. "I want to know. Right now."
She stared at him, her thoughts racing. There had to be a way to shut this down. "Why don't you ask Kaito?" she said, forcing herself to stay calm. "You two have known each other for years. He should be the one to answer all your stupid questions."
Hiro laughed softly, shaking his head. "No, he won't tell me. Not when it comes to you. You're different. You're special to him. That's why I came to you. And make no mistake, you're going to tell me—whether it's the easy way… or the hard way."
Angela rolled her eyes and scoffed. "You're not going to get anything out of me. I've never met Kaito before this school. We don't talk. We're not related. We're nothing."
She said it with conviction, but deep down, even she didn't fully believe it.
Hiro didn't say anything else. He just sat there, staring at her like she was a puzzle he couldn't figure out. His eyes never left her face, and the longer he stared, the harder her heart pounded. Fear crept in, making her skin crawl. Was he reading her mind again? He could be. He was always unpredictable like that.
Angela cleared her throat, hoping to snap him out of whatever weird trance he was in, but he didn't even blink.
"He's gone," she whispered under her breath, glancing at the window, praying someone …anyone would show up.
"I'm not," Hiro's voice came out low, and her heart jumped.
Before she could react, he reached out and gently placed his middle finger under her chin. Slowly, he lifted her face to his. He leaned in so close their foreheads almost touched, and for a second, it felt like their lips might meet. Her breath hitched.
"Something about you drives my wolf insane," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers. "I don't know why, but I want to find out. Who are you, Angel? Really?"
Her chest tightened. What the hell was he talking about? What was he even feeling? Why would his wolf be reacting to her? She hadn't done anything to lead him on. She hadn't flirted, hadn't even looked at him twice unless forced to. What was wrong with him?
And yet, he didn't move. His finger was still under her chin, his eyes now flicking down to her lips. She felt his gaze like ice running over her skin, and it made her want to scream. For a heartbeat, she thought he might actually kiss her and she hated that her body froze instead of moving.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Alex stood in the doorway, clearing his throat loudly.
Hiro pulled back at once, dropping his hand like he'd just woken from a spell. His face shifted in confusion, maybe even embarrassment, like he couldn't believe what he was doing.
Angela shot to her feet, her cheeks burning. She wanted to crawl under the floor and disappear.
Of all the people in the world… why did it have to be Alex?