The next morning, Aera got up quietly as usual. She walked downstairs, the marble floor cold beneath her feet.
Meera Auntie was already there, like always chopping vegetables in the kitchen, her bangles softly clinking as she worked. The only warmth in the house.
Her mother sat at the dining table, scrolling through her phone, perfectly dressed even in the early hours.
"Madam," Meera said gently, wiping her hands on her apron, "yesterday was the result day of the young lady."
Her mother didn't look up. "You don't need to interfere."
"I'm not interfering," Meera replied softly, "but if I was your daughter, I'd want you to ask."
Her mother paused, then looked at Aera. "Did you pass?"
Aera nodded faintly. "Mm."
"Good," her mother muttered, eyes already drifting back to the screen.
That was it.
No 'I'm proud of you.'
No 'How did you feel about your rank?'
No 'Do you want a treat?'
Just… silence. Again.
They ate in that silence too. The kind that doesn't fill your stomach, just your chest, with weight.
After breakfast, Aera grabbed her bag and left for school. She didn't look back.
As soon as she stepped onto campus, noise flooded her ears. Students were rushing past her, faces filled with excitement and chaos.
What now? she thought. Did In-su start another fight or something?
She weaved through the crowd and headed for her classroom.
"THERE you are!" Lia's voice rang out behind her.
Aera turned. "What's going on?"
"You know what happened yesterday?" Lia began dramatically, hands flying everywhere. "When I told my parents my rank, my dad was like, 'For real? Did you start using your brain finally?' he literally said that."
Aera gave a soft chuckle.
"BUT WAIT!" Lia suddenly gasped. "I forgot! I was waiting for you to come!"
Aera raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
Lia grabbed her hand like it was a matter of life and death. "TO THE BASKETBALL COURT. NOW."
"Why?"
"Because In-su and our boys are having a match against Section A," she beamed. "And I heard Jake is planning to dunk someone's ego into the floor."
Aera blinked. "…Why does that sound like something he'd actually do?"
Lia grinned wide. "Because it IS something he'd do. Now come on! I brought popcorn and let's go support our disaster squad."
Aera couldn't help it, her lips curved into a real smile.
This… this was her real home.
The basketball court was already buzzing by the time Aera and Lia arrived. Students packed the stands, the air thick with competition and teen adrenaline.
They found a spot near the middle row and sat down.
Aera's eyes immediately caught sight of In-su, standing tall in his jersey, stretching his arms like a total pro. And just across from him, on the rival team, Jaewon.
"The topper guy," Aera muttered.
Lia followed her gaze. "Oh no. Him again?"
"Yup," Aera said, voice dry. "Looks like this match might end in blood. In-su and him? That's a disaster cocktail."
Lia just nodded with a grimace, as if already imagining the drama.
Soon, the game began.
As the ball flew across the court, they both got pulled into the chaos. In-su dodged, ran, passed and BAM, he scored.
The scoreboard blinked:-
Team E - 21 | Team A - 19
They both leapt up from their seats.
"YEAHHHH, GO INSU!"
"SLAY THEM!!" Lia screamed with her whole chest.
Aera tried to act cool, but her smile betrayed her. Every time In-su made a move, her heart did a lil drumroll solo.
Then, whistle. Break time.
While the teams rested, a wave of girls floated toward Jaewon, offering him water like he was some parched anime prince.
Jaewon, smirking, tossed a "Look who's popular" glance at In-su.
In-su? Unbothered. Untouched. Unfazed.
His eyes didn't wander to Jaewon's fangirls.
His eyes… found Aera.
Their eyes locked.
Lia caught it too and nudged her shoulder like a gremlin. "Go give him your water bottle," she whispered with a smirk.
"Huh...wha...no!"
"DO IT, YOU COWARD!"
Aera, heart punching her ribs, got up and handed him the bottle.
In-su took it without hesitation. "Thanks," he said softly, and before she could run, Ruffle.
He gently messed up her hair like she was something precious.
Her brain short circuited. She turned and fled like a shy bunny, cheeks on fire.
Back in their seats, Lia stared at her with fake tears in her eyes.
"Oh my Jack and Rose…"
"Shut up," Aera hissed, hiding her face.
Lia zipped her lips. Literally mimed zipping it.
The match resumed, and with one final whoosh, In-su's team bagged the win.
Jaewon stormed off, red in the face. No more smirks. No more fanboys. Just ego bruised.
In-su lifted his T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his face, revealing just enough of his abs to make Aera forget the rules of breathing.
She blinked. Then didn't.
Lia leaned over, whispering like a devil.
"Do you like what you see?"
"Wha—" Aera snapped out of it, turning to her. Lia was smirking. Big. Evil.
"You were literally drooling, girl. Wipe it."
Aera panicked and rubbed her face fast like she was trying to erase her existence.
"...Wait. There's nothing there... YOU TRICKED ME."
"HEHE. Jk."
Aera gave her the death glare of doom. "LIA…"
But the mischief wasn't over yet.
As they were about to leave, Aera paused. "Wait here in the corridor, I'll just go wish In-su."
Lia nodded, clueless.
Aera walked off, congratulated In-su with a quiet "You were cool and congratulations," and came back with a sly grin.
"I heard Jake was saying you're short, and your brain is brand new because... you never use it."
Lia froze.
Cue explosion.
"THAT LITTLE...WHERE IS HE?? I'LL RIP HIS EYELASHES OFF"
She stormed down the hallway toward Jake like a rocket about to commit war crimes, yelling his name.
"HUH?! I NEVER SAID THAT!" Jake said.
"THEN WHO–"
She turned.
Aera was laughing. Hard.
"YOU...YOU...YOU EVIL BEANSPROUT!"
Aera just ran.
Screaming. Laughing. Dodging death threats.
Just another chaotic day in the beautiful mess called school.