The next day, I found myself in the familiar passenger seat of my dad's car, the morning sun streaming through the windows.
"Hey, Dad. Don't you think it's time I got a motorcycle?"
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're old enough, I suppose… But you'll need to get your driver's license first."
"Exactly! Can you give me the money for the license?"
He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his face. "You're going to pay for it yourself? Well, that's responsible. How much is it?"
"I'm not sure... maybe 750k?" I guessed, hoping the amount wasn't too outrageous.
The car pulled up in front of the school gates, and my dad handed me a wad of cash.
"Be careful, and remember, no funny business with that money," he said, a hint of worry in his eyes.
I nodded, tucking the bills into my wallet.
No funny business, indeed. I had no intention of paying that corrupt officer for a license. I could always ask Dove for help; she probably knew someone who could expedite the process legally.
Blam! I closed the car door and waved goodbye to my father.
As I turned to enter the school, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me from behind.
What the—?
I looked down to see Marcel grinning up at me.
"Yo! Looks like you're flush with cash today!" he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Get off me, you weirdo," I grumbled, trying to wriggle free from his embrace.
He released me, a playful pout on his face. "So what's the money for? Do we have to pay for something at school?"
"It's for my driver's license, I'm going to pay someone to help me get it without taking the test."
"Ooh la la, engaging in some illegal activities, are we?" Marcel teased, wagging his finger at me.
"Stop it, you're being weird again, i don't want people thinking I'm into guys."
"Geez, I'm not swinging that way! I was just joking."
"Oh..." I suddenly remembered something, a wave of panic washing over me.
"What's wrong?" Marcel asked, noticing my sudden shift in expression.
"I forgot to change my textbooks!" I exclaimed, pulling my bag off my back and rummaging through it. "This is still yesterday's book... I didn't bring any for today's classes."
"...Well, you could always go back home and get them, It's still early."
"Nah, I don't really feel like studying today anyway, I'm still tired from the gym."
"Oh, right! You were working out with Dove, weren't you? Show me those muscles!"
"I don't have any yet, I just started training two days ago," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Well, you should be a model, then, with that body, you could be the next big thing!" Marcel said, nudging me playfully.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Not interested, besides, I have other priorities right now."
"Come on, if you got those muscles and became a model, you'd be even more popular!" Marcel insisted, his eyes gleaming with the possibility.
"I don't want to be in those weird photo edits," I said, shuddering at the thought of being turned into some kind of meme. "Let's just go to class."
We entered the classroom, a hush falling over the students as their eyes followed my every move. The atmosphere was charged with a palpable mix of curiosity and apprehension.
I ignored their stares, making a beeline for my desk. As I sat down, Marcel plopped down beside me, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement.
"Dude, they're still talking about you from yesterday!" Marcel whispered excitedly.
"Yeah, yeah, they were probably just scared," I mumbled, trying to downplay the incident.
They weren't scared, they were just... well, they got a taste of the Harbinger's power, and they didn't even know it.
I thought to myself, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.
I dropped my bag onto the desk and pulled out my phone.
I needed to talk to Lenna about Hana.
I stood up.
"Where are you going now?" Marcel asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"I need to ask Lenna something important," I replied.
Marcel nodded. "Alright, alright. Just be careful."
I left the classroom and made my way towards the tenth-grade wing.
As I reached Lenna's classroom, I hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door.
Everyone stared at me, their eyes wide with curiosity. I scanned the room, searching for Lenna, but she wasn't there.
One of her friends, a girl with short, dark hair, approached me. "You're Senior Xian Ying, right?" she asked.
"Yes, Are you a friend of Lenna's?"
"Yes, my name is Athique." She extended her hand, a friendly smile on her face.
"Athique... nice to meet you," I said, nodding politely but not taking her hand.
She retracted her hand awkwardly. "So... you're probably looking for Lenna?"
"Yes, Where is she?"
"She hasn't arrived yet. You can wait here if you want."
I nodded, not wanting to cause any further disruption.
"Thank you," I said, then turned and left the classroom.
I paced the hallway, my mind racing.
I needed more information about Hana's killer. Perhaps she knew something that could help me expose him.
I stopped at a window overlooking the schoolyard, lost in thought.
"Hmm... I need more information about that killer... Maybe Hana knows something."
As I gazed out the window, a cool breeze caressed my face, offering a momentary respite from the thoughts that swirled in my mind.
"This is a good life, i wonder if what Dove said is true..."
Her words echoed in my ears: You will! Just wait! It's all part of your destiny!
Will my life be filled with more supernatural encounters from now on?
I wondered, a shiver running down my spine. The thrill of the unknown was exhilarating, yet the uncertainty of it all was also daunting.
"Oh, there she is..." I mumbled to myself, spotting Lenna walking through the school gate alone.
There was no sign of Hana's ghostly figure beside her. Perhaps she had gone directly to Lenna's house.
< Chapter 036 > Fin.