The moon cast its silvery glow over the quiet courtyard, casting long shadows across the stone steps as Leo made his way up to the entrance of his family's estate. The match had been a grueling one, and Leo's body ached with exhaustion. To make matters worse, his clothes were covered in dirt and blood, a testament to the physical toll he had taken on the field.
As he approached the entrance, he noticed that the house was shrouded in an eerie silence. It seemed as though everyone was asleep, unaware of his late-night return. A faint sense of relief washed over him, knowing he could slip in unnoticed.
But his momentary peace was shattered when Eden, his stepbrother, appeared from nowhere, his eyes fixed on Leo's battered lip and stained shirt.
Eden sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Father warned you not to do anything to harm our family's reputation."
Leo's response was immediate and defiant. "Don't talk if you don't know anything," he snapped, trying to brush off Eden's accusatory tone.
Eden's eyes narrowed. "I wonder how they accepted you to that school, you didn't have a penny to your name," he taunted.
Leo's expression turned icy. "I have the potential to make money from anything," he shot back, his voice dripping with disdain. "Unlike you and your brother, who are stuck in their mediocrity."
Eden's face twisted with anger, and he reached out to grab Leo by the collar. But Leo was quick to react, sidestepping him with ease. "You're not match for me," he sneered. "Go study and try to improve those pathetic grades of yours."
The insult stung Eden, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might lunge at Leo again. But something about Leo's words struck a chord, and he backed off, muttering under his breath before disappearing into the night. Leo watched him go, a mixture of relief and unease swirling in his chest. He knew that this wasn't the end of their rivalry – not by a long shot.
The dimly lit room was cloaked in an eerie silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the city outside Leo's window. He lay on his narrow bed, his mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. The events of the day replayed like a film in his mind, each frame etched with a sense of disquiet. The faces of those he'd encountered that day floated before him like ghosts, their words and actions a blur.
Leo's thoughts were a maelstrom of confusion and uncertainty. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was stuck in a rut, trapped in a life that was slowly suffocating him. The people around him, the routine, the monotony - it all seemed so... pointless. For the first time, he felt the weight of his isolation acutely. If something were to happen to him, if he were to vanish into thin air, would anyone even notice? Would anyone care?
The thought sent a shiver down his spine as he lay there, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. It was a sobering realization, one that made him realize just how small and insignificant he felt in the grand scheme of things. The darkness outside seemed to seep into his room, wrapping itself around him like a shroud.
As the silence deepened, Leo's eyelids grew heavy, and he let himself succumb to the void. His thoughts drifted away like leaves on an autumn breeze, leaving him with nothing but the soft hum of the city and the dark certainty that tomorrow would bring more of the same.
The room seemed to grow darker still as he slipped into unconsciousness, his dreams likely to be as murky and unfocused as his waking thoughts. Yet, in that moment, there was a glimmer of hope - a spark that hinted at a possibility that tomorrow might bring change, that tomorrow might bring answers to the questions swirling in his mind like a vortex.
But for now, as the darkness closed in around him, all Leo could do was let go and surrender to the unknown.
As Leo emerged from the cozy warmth of his bed, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and began his daily routine. He stumbled to the nearest café on the road, ordering a steaming cup of coffee to kick-start his day. With his coffee in hand, Leo made his way to school, taking his time to appreciate the gentle morning light casting a golden glow over the quiet streets. The sounds of the city slowly came to life as he walked, a gentle hum of traffic and distant chatter filling the air.
Just as he reached the entrance of the school, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, expecting it to be a text from one of his friends or family members. But instead, a message from an unknown number flashed on the screen.
"Meet me at room 402," it read.
Despite his growing unease, Leo felt a morbid curiosity get the better of him. He decided that it would be better to find out what was going on than to ignore the message and wonder what could have been. So, with a deep breath, he tucked his phone back into his pocket and continued towards the school, making his way to room 402 on the 4th floor.
As Leo stepped into the room, he was struck by the unexpected opulence that surrounded him. Gone were the drab, institutional walls of his school days. In their place, he found himself in a sumptuous space that seemed more fitting for a luxurious penthouse than a private residence.
A sleek, flat-screen TV hung from one wall, casting a warm glow over the room. A gleaming wooden dining table stood against another, its surface polished to a high sheen. Even a gaming console sat nestled in the corner, its colorful controllers and games scattered about like tiny works of art.
Leo's eyes wandered across the room, taking in the rich fabrics and subtle lighting that added to the atmosphere of luxury. It was as if he had stumbled into a completely different world, one that was far removed from the dull routine of his daily life.
As he walked further into the room, his gaze drifted towards the center, where a figure emerged from the shadows. The sound of a low, smooth voice whispered "Welcome" in his ear, making Leo's heart skip a beat. He turned to face Kian, whose piercing eyes seemed to bore into his very soul.
The words "Was it you who texted me?" tumbled out of Leo's lips before he could stop them.
Kian's response was immediate. "I was," he said, his voice dripping with confidence.
Leo's eyes narrowed. "How did you find my number?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Kian's smile was slow and lazy. "Believe me, your number isn't the only thing I know," he replied.
For a moment, the two boys simply stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. It was as if they were locked in a silent game of cat and mouse, each waiting for the other to make their next move.
Leo's eyes narrowed as he asked, "Why did you call me?"
Kian's smile was calm and collected as he replied, "I wanted you to give me a math lesson."
Leo's expression turned skeptical. "I thought you didn't want to sit in on my class," he said.
Kian's smile remained unwavering. "Hmm, I've changed my mind," he replied.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What made you change your mind?"
"I did some research about you," Kian said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I even read some of your articles. I thought I could learn from you."
Leo's expression turned guarded, and he sat down on the couch. "Really?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Leo sighed and leaned back into the couch. "Unfortunately, I've learned a lot about you... or rather, heard," he said, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.
Kian sat down on the sofa in front of him, his eyes never leaving Leo's face. "I want to know what kind of things you've heard about me," he said, his tone firm and resolute.
Leo's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he continued to speak. "They say that you're dangerous that can be called as a demon. That if anyone misbehaves in school, you're the one who'll make them suffer the consequences."
Kian felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he gazed at Leo. He had never seen anyone look at him like that before - with a mix of fascination and fear. It was as if Leo was sizing him up, weighing his strengths and weaknesses.
"Who said that?" Kian asked, his eyes locked onto Leo's.
Leo's smile was slow to form, but once it did, it was radiant. "Almost everyone I've met here," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"But I don't even know their names," he said aloud, his voice laced with sarcasm. "I haven't communicated with almost any of them. How do they think I'm dangerous?"
Leo's brow furrowed in contemplation as he considered Kian's words. It was true, they didn't know Kian personally, so why were they harboring such fear and apprehension towards him? Yet, despite the logical explanation, Leo couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right. It was as if his instincts were screaming at him to be cautious, to be wary of Kian's intentions. But why? What was it about Kian that made them so uneasy?
The more Leo thought about it, the more his mind became tangled in a web of uncertainty. He knew he wouldn't find a simple answer, not one that would satisfy his curiosity or alleviate his concerns. Kian was a mystery, a puzzle with too many pieces missing. And Leo was beginning to realize that the only way to uncover the truth was to take a step forward, to confront his doubts and fears head-on.
"Anyway, let the others come, let's start the lesson," Leo said, his tone casual.
Kian raised an eyebrow. "It'll just be me," he replied, his voice was calm.
"I've been assigned to teach the five of you," Leo clarified, his hesitation evident.
Kian's grin grew wider. "Haa... that plan has changed. From now on, you'll give me a private lesson, only me"
Leo's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why?"
Kian's expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto Leo's. "Because they're not worth your time," he said bluntly. "And most of all, I don't want to share you with others."
Leo's confusion deepened as he struggled to decipher the underlying meaning behind Kian's words. What did he mean by "share with others"? And why was he so adamant about having a private lesson? The questions swirled in his mind like a vortex, drawing him in with their intensity.
As Leo slid the papers out of his bag, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. "Alright, let's get started," he said, his eyes locking onto Kia's. "I've got fifty questions here. I'll give you two hours to answer them."
Kia raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism creeping into his voice. "And what are you planning to do with your two hours?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
Leo's gaze roamed around the room, his eyes lingering on the eclectic assortment of trinkets and treasures that adorned the shelves. "Oh, just taking in the atmosphere," he said, his voice low and smooth. "There's a lot to take in here."
Kia chuckled, a wry smile spreading across his face. "You're free to use anything in the room."
Leo's eyes sparkled with amusement as he nodded, his gaze never leaving the room. "
Kian's fingers flew across the papers as he worked on the test, his mind focused on the complex algorithms and equations. But his gaze kept drifting towards the mirror in front of him, where he could see Leo's reflection walking around the room.
Leo, ever the curious one, was making himself at home. He strolled over to the closet and pulled out a tennis ball, his eyes scanning it before he crushed it beneath his foot.
Next, Leo wandered over to the game console, his fingers hovering over the controller as he scanned the available games. Kian's eyes flickered back to the screen in front of him, his mind still processing the equations, but his attention split between the two tasks.
Just as Leo was about to leave the console, his gaze landed on the fruit bowl on the table. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he plucked an apple from it and took a big bite. The sound of crunching fruit filled the room, and Kian couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Meanwhile, Kian was using the mirror to his advantage, letting Leo see what he was doing behind him while running the test. As he wrote the final equations, Kian's smile grew wider. He put the pen on the table and turned around to face Leo, who was still snacking on his apple. "Hey, what are you up to?" Kian asked, trying to sound casual despite his excitement about Leo.
Leo looked up at him with a grin, apple juice dripping from his chin. "Just exploring," he said, winking at Kian. "And finding out what kind of games you've been playing."
Kian rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "You know I don't have time for games when I've got work to do." It was nice to have someone around who didn't mind getting their hands dirty or making a mess.
"Is it over?" Leo asked, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. Kian nodded solemnly, his eyes never leaving Leo's face. Without a word, Leo sat down in front of Kian, pulling out his glasses from his bag and perusing the tests with an intensity that was almost palpable.
Kian's gaze followed Leo's movements, his eyes drawn to the boy's profile as he worked. "You have poor eyesight, huh?" Kian asked, his voice low and curious.
Leo didn't look up from the papers spread out before him, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Yeah," he muttered, his voice low and husky.
As Leo checked the tests, Kian's eyes never left his face, his gaze lingering on the subtle lines around Leo's eyes and the sharp angle of his jaw, the way his dark hair fell across his forehead in a messy swoop.
As Kian watched, he felt a spark of attraction ignite within him. There was something about this boy that was impossible to ignore - his quick wit, his quiet confidence, and the way he seemed to radiate an aura of mystery. Kian felt himself getting drawn in, like a moth to a flame, and he knew that he couldn't resist the pull of this intriguing boy one bit.
Leo set the test aside, his eyes locking onto Kian's as he spoke. "It's almost good," he said, his tone cautious. "There are a few topics missing, but the foundation is solid. First, we'll tackle the function and then move on to the logarithm."
Kian's gaze lingered on Leo before he spoke up. "Just to clarify, I don't really enjoy doing homework," he said, his voice laced with a hint of reluctance.
Kian's comment earned a disapproving frown from Leo. "How can you expect to improve if you don't put in the effort?" Leo asked, his tone disapproving.
Kian shrugged. "I'll do it here, and you can stay with me." His eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
Leo hesitated, then protested, "It'll take forever to finish."
But Kian countered, "Think about it, you can appreciate the peace and quiet. You can bring your book and read here while you study. No one will bother you here." His words were persuasive, and Leo's resolve began to weaken.
The offer wasn't entirely unappealing, and Leo found himself considering it. But before agreeing, he added one condition. "I have one condition," he said, his voice firm.
Kian's expression turned curious. "What is it?" he asked.
Leo's eyes locked onto his. "I want a coffee machine in the room," he said bluntly.
Kian smiled. He hadn't expected that request at all. "Okay," he agreed, his voice easy-going.
As they sat down to begin their study session, Leo couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at the prospect of having a coffee machine at his fingertips. And as they delved into their books, he realized that maybe this study session wouldn't be so bad after all.