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*Chapter 10: Jealous Flames & Secret Storms*
The cafeteria was chaos. Screens floated in the air, replaying *The Kiss* in dramatic slow-motion. Students watched it like it was the climax of a romance drama, gasping, whispering, and laughing with every replay.
Kaito sat hunched over his lunch tray, hiding behind a plate of haunted mashed potatoes.
"Why is it still playing?" he muttered.
"Because you and Jin broke the afterlife internet," David snapped, stabbing his glowing fruit aggressively.
Kaito winced. "It was an accident—"
"Sure. Accidental tongue, too?" David cut in.
Jin choked on his juice. "DAVID!"
Kaito turned red again. "I didn't—there was no—TONGUE!"
Alexander entered the cafeteria like a thundercloud in a suit. Every conversation died. He moved silently, regally, like the air bent to his will. When he reached Kaito's table, the tension tripled.
Kaito looked up.
Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Come with me."
"Me?" Kaito squeaked.
Alexander didn't answer. He just turned and walked off.
David leaned over. "Pray for your ghost."
Kaito scrambled after him. "I'm too young to be exorcised!"
***
Alexander led him to the rooftop of the old observatory. The wind howled through the broken spires, stars glowing unnaturally bright.
"You're reckless," Alexander said without turning. "You draw attention. Trouble."
Kaito crossed his arms. "I didn't mean to kiss Jin. I fell."
Alexander turned, eyes glinting. "You fall too easily."
Kaito blinked. "Wait—what does that mean?"
But Alexander didn't answer. He just walked past him, brushing shoulders, sending chills down Kaito's spine.
Meanwhile, in the potion lab…
David threw ingredients into a boiling cauldron. Jin stood beside him, arms crossed.
"You're mad."
"I'm not mad," David lied.
"You almost froze the cafeteria."
"I was cold," he muttered.
Jin walked closer. "You're jealous."
"No, I just hate seeing people fall on you."
Jin smirked. "So you admit I'm attractive?"
David looked flustered. "I didn't say that!"
Jin leaned in. "But you thought it."
David glared. "Do you want to be turned into a toad?"
Jin winked. "Only if I get to sit in your pocket."
David accidentally exploded the cauldron.
***
That night, Kaito tried sneaking back to his dorm quietly. Instead, he tripped over a floating mop, screamed, and woke the entire hallway.
White Louise opened her door, eyes burning.
"If you breathe wrong one more time, I will hex your vocal cords."
Clare and Mara emerged behind her with matching eye-rolls.
"Embarrassing and loud," Mara sighed.
"It's giving... tragic protagonist," Clare added.
Kaito sighed and dragged himself to his room.
As he closed the door, a small ghost bunny floated over to him and squeaked.
"…At least someone believes in me."
He flopped on the bed.
Outside, someone stood in the shadows, watching through the window.
Alexander.
His fingers curled at his side.
And softly, he whispered,
"This world's not ready for you, Kaito… but I am."
—