Kai had been the first one out the door when the final bell rang.
He'd stood up quietly once the teacher dismissed them, slipped his bag over one shoulder, and walked out without so much as a glance back.
"Fast exit," Yuen commented, watching the empty space beside Annika's desk.
"He left before the class even finished standing," Mila observed.
Rei crossed her arms. "He doesn't like crowds. Or noise."
Leo closed his notebook calmly. "He's trained himself to observe and disappear. Doesn't want attention."
Annika exhaled, gathering her things.
"Or doesn't know how to say goodbye," she murmured quietly.
The main group walked out of the classroom, heading for the gate.
---
As they emerged into the courtyard, they noticed a quiet shift in the atmosphere—students weren't just walking out. They were looking somewhere.
Some stood still. Some slowed down. None of them approached.
"He left quickly," Annika said, scanning ahead.
"Or," Rei added playfully, "he's avoiding you."
Yuen gasped dramatically. "The betrayal… right when I was planning to adopt him into our madness!"
Mila was squinting slightly. "He didn't even say goodbye," she said. "Not that I blame him. We're loud."
Leo was already watching ahead.
"No," he said quietly. "He didn't leave because of us."
Yuen blinked. "What do you mean?"
Leo's eyes shifted toward the entrance.
"They're blocking his way."
Annika followed Leo's line of sight—just in time to see the three figures standing in front of Kai.
Her brow lifted slightly. "They're still doing that?"
Rei clicked her tongue. "They tried it with a first year last week. No one intervened then either."
Yuen cracked his knuckles. "Okay, I'm calling this now. Justice is coming — powered by Park."
He stepped forward.
"Mhm," Leo said, gently grabbing Yuen's shoulder.
"Wait."
Yuen blinked. "Huh?"
"Watch," Leo said, tone just above a whisper.
Rei raised an eyebrow. "You think something will happen?"
Leo nodded slightly, eyes narrowing on Kai.
"He refused to react. That's not fear. He's… controlling his reaction."
Annika's gaze sharpened. "Controlling?"
Leo nodded slowly. "He wasn't just silent. He was choosing silence."
Yuen looked back at the scene, a dawning realization on his face.
"…oh snap."
---
Near the gate…
Three boys stood shoulder-to-shoulder, blocking Kai's path like lazy sentries.
Nolan (bleached hair), Ross (thick eyebrows and unnecessary swagger), and Jamie (smirking with overdone confidence).
"What's wrong, transfer?" Nolan grinned. "Lost your voice?"
Kai said nothing. His head remained slightly down, eyes calm. He tried stepping sideways—but Ross shifted.
"Trying to escape?" Ross asked with a chuckle. "Nah. We're not done with you."
A light murmur rippled through nearby students.
"Poor guy…"
"He's new right? Rough start."
"Nolan's crew again."
"Yeah… nobody wants trouble with them."
Kai stood perfectly still, letting their words wash over him.
> This is pointless.
> Not a threat. Not worth energy.
Jamie leaned in with a mocking smile. "You gonna cry?"
Kai slowly lifted his head.
The curve of his movement was clean, precise, and somehow made the air around them feel colder.
His eyes met Jamie's—flat, unblinking, like still deep water with something ancient beneath.
"Look closely."
Jamie stammered, "W-what?"
Kai's voice was low, even—like the whisper of a blade.
"Are you seeing any tears?"
Jamie's breath caught.
Kai didn't blink.
"Do they look wet to you?"
For a moment, no one moved.
Then Kai stepped forward—just half a step—but it was enough.
"Do you want me to make you cry?"
The shift was subtle but powerful.
Nolan stepped back.
Ross flinched.
Jamie's posture fell apart—his smirk fading into uncertainty.
The three of them instinctively moved aside—silent permission granted by some invisible authority.
Kai brushed his collar once and walked past.
No glare.
No smirk.
Just cold, effortless control.
---
Behind them, the main group watched.
Yuen let out a slow whistle. "Holy hell…"
Mila's jaw dropped. "He broke them without lifting a finger."
Rei nodded. "That was pure aura. No tricks. No threats. Just presence."
Leo adjusted his glasses slightly. "That's not something you learn in school."
Annika watched him walk through the gate — quiet, unassuming, bag on his shoulder, like nothing happened.
There was no swagger. No triumph. Just a silent departure.
Yuen looked at Annika, waiting for her thoughts.
She watched a moment longer.
Then, loud enough for all her friends to hear, she said:
"He's interesting."
Yuen grinned. "Ohhh…"
Mila smiled. "That's one word for it."
Rei let out a quiet laugh. "You don't say.."
Leo nodded slowly, still watching where Kai had disappeared.
"Well," he said, adjusting his glasses with a calm voice.
"We're not normal... but he's different."
The group fell silent for a second - the weight of those words lingering like a question they weren't ready to answer yet.
A breeze blew through the courtyard, rustling the leaves above.
Somewhere beyond the gate, Kai walked alone into the fading evening light - silent, controlled, and unknowingly leaving ripples in everyone he'd crossed paths with.