After Lucifer said, "I joined this college for nothing. Just like everyone else to get a degree,"
the entire hall went silent.
His face was straight, emotionless.
Some students whispered to each other.
The host on stage forced a small laugh.
"Alright… looks like this year's students are very straightforward," she said.
Then she pointed toward him. "Get the mic from that boy."
A senior walked over, took the mic from Lucifer, and the program moved on.
Lucifer quietly sat down. He didn't care about the stares or the whispers.
When the event ended, students began leaving for their respective departments.
Lucifer turned around, searching for the hijab girl who had sat behind him
but she was gone.
A faint sadness touched his chest. He sighed and began walking toward his department building.
Then,
a hand touched his shoulder.
"Hey… are you searching for me?"
Lucifer turned around. It was her.
His heart skipped. His pulse jumped.
His palms were sweaty again.
She smiled playfully. "Relax, I was just kidding. Why do you look so nervous? You're sweating."
Lucifer tried to say something—anything—but his throat was dry.
He couldn't form words.
The girl laughed softly. "Hello, my name is—"
Her voice faded.
He blinked, confused.
"What… what was your name?" he asked.
She tilted her head. "You didn't catch it? Okay, I'll tell you one last time. My name is—"
Again, her voice disappeared—like the air itself swallowed the sound.
Lucifer stared blankly. "What's happening to me…" he whispered.
Before she could try again, someone shouted from across the field,
"Hey! Come on! Our class is starting!"
She looked back. "Ah okay! See you tomorrow, same place!"
Then she waved and ran off, her laughter echoing faintly as she vanished into the crowd.
Lucifer stood there, confused.
"Why… why can't I hear her name?" he murmured.
The psychology department wasn't inside the main campus.
It was a short walk away, in a newer-looking building.
Lucifer arrived and stood in front of it.
The ground floor read MSW Department.
The first floor Psychology.
He gazed up, lost in thought.
That's when a voice came from behind him.
"Hey, can you move a bit?"
Lucifer turned.
A short guy, maybe 165 cm, stood there wearing a face mask and a backpack.
Lucifer stepped aside silently.
The masked boy looked at him curiously. "Which department are you in?"
Lucifer didn't reply. He simply walked toward the stairs.
The boy muttered under his breath, "Why's he so arrogant…"
He shook his head and walked toward the restroom.
Lucifer reached the first floor.
The psychology classroom looked clean and bright almost too bright.
When he entered, every student turned to stare.
Whispers spread quietly.
"Hey, that's the guy from the hall…"
"Yeah, the one who said he joined for nothing."
Lucifer ignored them.
He walked to the middle bench and sat down the same way he had during the Fresher's program.
Moments later, the bell rang.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor.
At the same time, the masked boy ran out of the restroom, trying to reach class before the teacher arrived.
He turned the corner
and collided straight into the professor at the doorway.
The professor fell to the ground with a loud thud.
The class went silent.
Everyone stared.
Lucifer just sighed and muttered under his breath
"…and here we go again."