Anton parked near the university where Casey studied. He stayed far away this time due to the scars on his face. Many would ask; others would be scared, so to avoid trouble, he stayed away, not to draw attention.
"Who would've thought my handsome face would now look so fierce? At least Akira likes it." Anton thought these words as he looked at Akira in that tight-fitting outfit.
Who would've guessed? Now Anton is prioritizing other things during rest times. "Well, I should look for a food stall."
"Mom, that man scares me."
"Don't look at him, honey. Vagrants are common in our country; that's why you must study so you don't end up like him."
"Yes, mommy."
Anton looked at the girl with a penetrating expression, causing her to be so scared that she started to cry. "Damn it, what's wrong with being a vagrant? At least they're free from the trends."
...
"I'm looking for a student named Casey Cooke. Is she currently on the premises of this university?" Akira approached the receptionist to inquire about the target they were looking for.
"I'm sorry, I can't give you that information."
Akira smiled slightly and said, "Maybe you're not understanding me. I said I need information about Casey Cooke, which means you'll give me access to everything I need, or else not only will you lose your job, but you'll also be affected."
The man in charge looked at Akira's ID, and upon knowing she was from the police, he smiled apologetically. "You should've started by showing your badge; we wouldn't have wasted so much time."
"Hurry up; I don't have much time."
"Right away."
Akira was observing this complex, where teaching took place. She could tell it was a very conservative place with few students. Truth be told, for this place to work, it must be one where excellent mentors attend.
But among the crowd, Akira could see a young woman who was with a group of what seemed to be friends. She immediately said, "There's no need to give me information; I've found her."
"Well, this is my first day."
"Have you heard that both the forest and the shopping center are closed? It's insane. What the hell did they have to use to decide to close the shopping center?"
"Maybe a lunatic started killing people with an axe."
"Don't joke about that."
"It's just a joke."
Casey looked at the group of friends she had interacted with before, and to be honest, they were idiots. She didn't know why she was here with them instead of being alone, where she would like to be.
Everyone decides, like her, to join a group of idiots they call solid friends to fit into society. This isn't optional; for Casey, it's necessary, so this would continue this way until she graduated.
"Miss Casey Cooke."
Casey and her friends turned around to see who was calling them. When they saw a woman with Asian features, everyone looked at Casey for answers.
"I don't know her..."
Akira smiled slightly and said, "I know you don't know me, but I know you too well to come looking for you. Are you interested in talking about the man you met a few years ago?"
Casey was terrified to hear that; she immediately wanted to leave, but Akira held her arm and said, "We've caught him, so you don't have to hide anymore. Don't you want to talk about it?"
"I have nothing to talk about."
"Ma'am, our friend looks quite affected, so it would be better if you left us alone."
"Yes, better go back to your country."
"If you don't shut up, I'll shut you up with shots, so you choose." Akira showed the gun she had on her waist to silence these hateful students.
Casey looked at Akira, and regardless of this, she asked, "Have you caught him?"
"My fiancé did it; he's interested in talking to you."
"Okay, let's go."
...
Anton looked at the pigeons in the distance. The previous conversations had become a bit strange, so now he just wanted to rest his mind to avoid misunderstandings.
"I know you feel empty; the world isn't fair to everyone, but that's what we'll live with until the time comes to die. It's fair that you don't want to join my team, but I promise you that if you're by my side along with those who have believed in me, you won't have to feel strange."
Casey didn't say a word. She didn't feel comfortable talking about her special condition, much less with a stranger. Truth be told, she couldn't formulate a response right now.