Sea didn't expect anything.
Not kindness.
Not peace.
Not even silence.
So when he walked into class and everyone suddenly stopped whispering… he froze.
Eyes darted around, ready for another snide laugh. Another paper ball. Another sharp note stuck to his back.
But nothing came.
Instead, Van waved him over with a bright smile. "Come sit by me."
Sea blinked.
Nick had moved his bag to make space. "Hurry before I change my mind," he joked, winking.
Sea hesitated. This had to be a trap. It always was.
But then Van leaned closer and whispered, "Boss told us to watch you. And not in a creepy way. He said if you cry again, he's gonna set the school on fire."
Sea's eyes widened.
Nick smirked. "And he was dead serious, baby."
For the first time since arriving at that cursed school… Sea laughed. Soft, surprised. Real.
And the classroom didn't feel like a battlefield anymore.
---
Later at lunch.
A small, warm picnic had appeared on the rooftop. Sea didn't know who planned it, but everything was his favorite. Strawberry milk. Soft bread. Tofu stew. Even candy.
Boss was already there, sitting on the bench with that unreadable face. The wind played in his hair.
"You're late," he said, not looking at him.
Sea smiled. "I didn't know I was invited."
"You're always invited."
Sea sat down, and for a moment, they just ate in silence.
Boss watched him quietly. "Those girls won't bother you again."
"I know," Sea said, barely a whisper. "Thank you…"
Boss's fingers grazed his hand, just lightly. Just enough to feel.
Sea looked at him.
Boss didn't move his hand away.
Instead, he said, "I don't want you sad anymore."
"I'm not," Sea replied honestly. "Not right now."
---
Back in the building.
Whispers had shifted.
They weren't mocking anymore.
They were afraid. Curious. Intrigued.
"Sea sits with Boss now."
"He made Boss smile."
"They say Boss hit someone just for touching him."
But Sea didn't hear them.
He was laughing with Van and Nick.
And Boss stood by the window, watching from afar… smiling so faintly, only someone obsessed would notice.
And he was obsessed.
Sea didn't know it yet…
But Boss wasn't just protecting him.
He was claiming him.
Piece by piece.
And no one would take him away—not even fate.
---
To be continued