Morning came quietly.
Not the dramatic kind. Not the kind that demanded attention. Just light slipping through the curtains, the fan humming above, the city already awake somewhere beyond the walls. The room no longer felt like it was holding its breath.
Kai noticed that first.
He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, listening. No pressure. No heaviness pressing outward. Just ordinary silence layered with distant horns and footsteps.
See? he told himself. Nothing happened.
He got up before his thoughts could wander too far.
The bathroom mirror reflected a familiar face—calm, unreadable, slightly tired. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, tied his tie with practiced ease. The school uniform felt grounding. A reminder of routines. Of normal life.
From the kitchen came the sound of plates and soft conversation. Breakfast was simple. Warm. Predictable. Kai ate quietly, answering when spoken to, nodding at the right moments.
Sora sat close to him, as always.
Too close.
She leaned against his arm, humming to herself while poking at her food. "You're spacing out again," she said, eyes flicking up to him.
"I'm not," Kai replied.
She smiled like she didn't believe him and leaned in even more. "You promised to walk with me today."
"I always do."
"Good."
She seemed satisfied with that and went back to eating, shoulder still pressed against his.
By the time they stepped outside, the street was alive with students in identical uniforms. The air smelled like dust and exhaust and morning tea. The city moved fast, uncaring.
And that was when Kai noticed the stares.
Girls turned their heads as he and Sora approached. Whispers followed their steps, catching on the wind. He felt it immediately—unwanted attention filtered through thoughts, curiosity, admiration.
—It's him… it's Kai… —He looks handsome today. —I wonder if he notices me. —So calm… so perfect. —Why does he always look like that?
Kai's chest tightened, though he didn't move differently. Sora tugged at his sleeve. "Kai, look! Everyone's staring!"
He looked down at her, expression neutral. "Ignore them," he muttered.
She pouted. "Boring."
Joro appeared around the corner, backpack slung off one shoulder. "Morning, Kai. You're attracting fans already?"
Kai smirked faintly, but said nothing. Sora rolled her eyes and looped her arm through his again. "Come on, let's go. Don't mind them."
Ayko arrived moments later, slightly out of breath, hair tied loosely. She smiled when she saw them. "Morning, Sora, Kai."
The four of them moved through the street, a stream of students flowing past, some sneaking glances at Kai. The thoughts persisted, layering over the morning bustle.
—He's so composed. —How does he do that? —I wish I could be as cool as him. —He's so handsome. I can't look away.
Kai focused on breathing. Step by step. Filtering. Ignoring. Controlling.
Sora stayed glued to his side, occasionally bumping into him on purpose, a small smile playing on her face. "Kai, buy me juice later," she said.
"You already had juice yesterday," he replied.
"So?"
"I'll see."
As they walked, the whispers turned into direct approaches.
"Hey, Kai!" a girl from their class called, waving a folded notebook. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Before he could answer, another girl stepped up. "Wait! I have something to show you!"
Sora's grip on his arm tightened. "Excuse me, he's busy," she snapped, glaring.
Ayko leaned closer to Kai. "I'll talk to them," she muttered, voice low but firm.
Kai raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly at their combined defense. Sora and Ayko were already in full protect mode, shoving the curious girls back with polite but icy smiles.
"Maybe later," Ayko said, blocking another girl from getting too close. "He has something important to do."
Sora pouted. "Yeah, go away. He's mine!" she whispered, tugging Kai's sleeve.
Kai tried not to laugh. He could hear all their thoughts—so many whispers, so much curiosity—and yet he stayed calm, letting Sora and Ayko handle it while he filtered the flood.
By the time they reached the school gate, the crowd thickened. Whispers followed them to the halls. Girls nudged each other, trying to peek at him, whispering behind their hands. Sora's grip on Kai tightened, and Ayko's glare was pointed at anyone who dared look too long.
Kai opened his shoe locker, and a small pile of letters fell onto the floor. Notes, envelopes, and small folded papers—clearly from students in admiration, curiosity, or flirtation.
Sora scoffed, snatching one up. "Who even writes this many letters?" she muttered, glaring at Kai and then at Ayko, her clingy jealousy obvious.
Ayko peeked over, her own pink blush spreading. "Wow… that's… a lot of attention," she said quietly, trying to sound casual but her tone sharp with possessiveness.
Kai knelt to pick up the letters, expression calm, ignoring the brewing tension. He felt it all—the attention, the whispers, the silent comparisons—but he stayed collected.
Joro clapped him on the shoulder. "Man, looks like your popularity just keeps growing. You gonna do anything about it?"
Kai shook his head. "Popularity isn't worth the trouble."
Joro looked at him, serious for a moment. "You sure? Because it's not just attention. Someone's bound to notice the… things you keep hidden."
Kai paused, eyebrow raised. "I know."
Joro nodded, as if confirming something to himself. "Just… be careful. Don't let it slip."
Kai's gaze flicked to Ayko and Sora—both unaware of the full truth, but already protective in their own ways. He smiled faintly, quietly, the corners of his lips lifting.
The school bell rang sharply.
Kai turned toward the classroom, feeling the familiar pressure in the back of his mind, subtle but insistent. The day had just begun, and already the currents around him were stirring.
He glanced at Joro. "We'll talk later."
Joro nodded.
And then, from across the hall, a familiar voice whispered thoughts only he could hear.
—He's different today… something's coming.
Kai froze.
The world seemed to tilt slightly.
He swallowed, heart tightening, knowing the calm morning was about to end.
Something was waiting.
And it was watching him.