The morning sun cast its warm glow over J High as students began filtering through the school gates. Some arrived in groups, laughing and chatting, while others walked alone, lost in thought. The atmosphere was peaceful, with only the occasional chirping of birds breaking the silence.
However, the tranquility was short-lived, as a tanned teenager walked through the gates, drawing the attention of the student body. "Lol! Isn't that Van?!" someone exclaimed.
"After a week of seclusion, he finally decided to come back?" another student chimed in.
"Yeah, the school had been too peaceful without him..." a voice trailed off, followed by snickers and whispers.
As Van walked slowly through the crowd, people couldn't help but gossip. His reputation preceded him, and it seemed everyone had an opinion about his return. Van, however, remained oblivious to the commotion, his hands still buried deep in his pockets as he navigated through the sea of students.
"Haaa... Another annoying morning," Van mumbled to himself as he walked by, until a familiar voice called out to him.
"Hey Van!"
Van stopped and turned around, his eyes locking onto Mary's bright smile. Beside her stood Vin Jin, his arm encased in a cast, a constant reminder of their previous encounter.
Van's gaze drifted from Mary to Vin Jin, a hint of awkwardness creeping into his demeanor. "Hey..." he waved, his eyes searching for any sign of residual anger or resentment from Vin Jin.
Vin Jin's response was a silent nod, his expression unreadable because of his sunglasses. The tension between them was palpable, a testament to the unresolved emotions lingering from their past conflict.
The group's silent walk came to an end as they parted ways to head to their respective classrooms, leaving Van to enter his room alone. As he stepped through the doorway, all eyes locked onto him, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh as he made his way to his seat.
The teacher soon arrived, but Van was certain that the students weren't paying attention to the lesson. Instead, they were busy gossiping about him, their whispers and glances his way a constant reminder of his notorious reputation.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period, and the teacher hastily exited the classroom. As the room erupted into chatter, Van decided leave the class and go to his usual spot for some fresh air.
Van sat on his seat, the gentle breeze brushing past his face, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him. However, his tranquility was short-lived, as he sensed another presence approaching.
"Hey..." Van waved towards Eli, who gazed at him suspiciously before returning the greeting.
"Why are you sitting here alone? Didn't find any girl to harass?" Eli questioned, his tone laced with skepticism. Van exhaled deeply, feeling a hint of frustration.
"I'm not like that..." he mumbled, rubbing his temples in an attempt to calm himself. "I have never laid my hands on a girl, and I never will." Van's eyes locked onto Eli's, his gaze sincere.
Eli's expression remained unreadable, but Van continued, "I just got too carried away with the fight, and it made me lose control."
As Eli sensed the sincerity in Van's words, his gaze softened, and he said, "Still doesn't mean I'm keeping my eyes off you." Van chuckled, responding, "Yeah, I still need a rematch for my loss."
Their laughter echoed through the air, and they began talking to each other, lost in conversation for a long time.
As they sat together, a group of students passing by did a double take. "Huh? Isn't that Van and Eli?!" one of them whispered.
"Wait, are they really talking and laughing right now?!" another student exclaimed.
"Holy shit! They look like long-time buddies!" someone else chimed in.
The group quickly dispersed, eager to spread the shocking rumor: Van and Eli, sworn enemies, had apparently made up and become best friends. The news sent shockwaves through the school, leaving everyone stunned and wondering what had brought about this unexpected truce.
"Well, that was unexpectedly fun... We'll meet later, I guess," Eli said, standing up and waving goodbye at Van, who returned the gesture.
Just as Van was about to stand up and leave, he spotted the woman he had met yesterday at the shop. She was walking towards him with a bright smile on her face.
"Hey!" she greeted, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
Van waved back at her, feeling a hint of surprise at running into her again so soon.
"You're the guy from yesterday at the store, right?" she questioned, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Van nodded his head in response, and she smiled before slipping him a business card with a phone number on it.
"My uncle said to give you this," she explained. "He promised it will be worth your time."
With that, she bid him farewell and walked away, leaving Van in a state of utter shock.
"What the...?" he mumbled, his eyes fixed on the business card as he wondered what it could possibly mean.