The car slid into the parking area of a luxurious restaurant.
Aria looked at Sinas doubtfully.
"I heard this place serves some of the best food in Mumbai," Sinas said casually. "It's my favorite restaurant. Haven't you been here before?"
Aria nodded slightly. "Yeah… a few times."
Sinas smiled. "Then let's go inside."
Aria hesitated. "I'm not sure…"
She looked down at herself—her school uniform, her messy appearance. She didn't feel like she belonged in a place like this.
Sinas noticed.
He stepped closer, gently lifting her chin so she would look at him.
"Hey," he said softly, looking into her eyes. "You're already pretty. You don't need anything else to look beautiful. Just be the way you are."
Aria froze for a moment.
Before she could respond, Sinas stepped out of the car and walked around to her side, opening the door for her.
She was stunned.
Her crush… her idol… standing there, opening the door for her, speaking words she had only seen in dramas.
Aria felt a rush of happiness.
But somewhere deep inside her heart… something still hurt.
Sinas noticed it.
Even as he pulled out a chair for her…
Even as he pointed out the beauty of the restaurant…
Aria seemed distant.
Lost in her thoughts.
Even in one of the most beautiful moments of her life—the kind she had always dreamed of—she couldn't fully enjoy it.
A part of her was still back in KHSS.
And Sinas could feel it.
"Is something bothering you?" he asked gently.
Aria quickly smiled. "No… of course not."
Sinas leaned back slightly. "You know, I have a special ability to read people's minds."
Aria let out a small laugh. "It's not some special power… I'm just bad at hiding my emotions."
But as she finished the sentence, her voice lowered.
She wasn't really talking to him anymore.
She was talking to herself.
To the mistakes she made that day.
Sinas understood.
He didn't push further.
"I get it," he said calmly. "You don't want to talk about it."
He paused before continuing—
"But let me give you one piece of advice."
Aria looked up at him.
"Life is like that. Good things, bad things… they come and go. But don't forget to enjoy the present."
His voice softened.
"The past matters. The future matters. But what truly matters is now."
He gave a small smile.
"The problem you're facing today might be solved tomorrow… but this moment? It won't come back."
Aria took a deep breath.
Then she smiled.
"Okay, Mr. Sinas," she said playfully.
Sinas chuckled.
And just like that, the tension eased.
For a while, Aria let herself relax—and she finally began to enjoy the moment.
Mourning _____
Aria stopped at the entrance of KHSS, her breath catching slightly as her eyes traced the path ahead. What used to be a broken, neglected walkway had now turned into something far worse. The rain from the previous night had soaked the ground into a thick stretch of mud—dark, sticky, and unforgiving. Each step looked like it would swallow her whole.
Her nanny's warning from the morning echoed in her mind—"Be careful… after rain, creatures come out… snakes, insects…"
Her fingers tightened around her bag.
The overgrown bushes on both sides looked wilder than ever, their branches drooping, leaves dripping, hiding God-knows-what beneath them. The entire place didn't just look like a bad school anymore… it looked alive. Watching. Waiting.
Aria swallowed.
She couldn't even run.
Carefully, hesitantly, she stepped forward. Her shoes sank slightly into the mud with a soft, sickening sound. She flinched.
Step by step, she forced herself through it—her movements slow, awkward, her face tightening in disgust as mud splashed onto her socks, her uniform, her skin. The smell of wet earth mixed with decay made her want to turn back.
I tried… she murmured inwardly, her jaw tightening.
I really tried.
She could still leave. She could turn around right now. But she didn't.
Because she couldn't.
She hadn't told her nanny anything about this place. Not the condition. Not the fear. Not the truth. If she did, she would be pulled out immediately—and then… she would lose her only chance to reach GHSS.
To reach Sinas.
So she endured.
Alone.
After what felt like forever, she finally reached the school building—but it wasn't any better. The tiles were smeared with the same mud, the floors wet and dirty, as if the outside had simply crawled inside. There was no difference between the path and the building anymore.
Aria let out a quiet, bitter breath.
"Today is worse…" she muttered under her breath.
And then it hit her.
The whispers.
The looks.
Yesterday.
Her chest tightened.
She could already imagine their eyes on her—judging, mocking, blaming. She couldn't face them. Not Zorvath. Not Danvy. Not anyone.
Her steps slowed.
For a moment, she just stood there at the entrance, unsure… unwilling.
"Aria!"
The sudden voice broke through her thoughts.
She turned.
Ruby came running toward her, her maroon layered hair bouncing, her face lighting up as if nothing in this world was wrong. Before Aria could react, Ruby reached her and immediately grabbed her arm, clinging to it tightly.
"You came!" Ruby beamed, holding onto her as if she belonged there—like she belonged to her.
Aria stiffened slightly.
Ruby didn't notice.
"Zorvath asked for you," she said quickly, her voice excited. "Rooftop meeting. Right now."
Aria's expression hardened instantly.
"No," she said, almost immediately.
She wasn't doing this again.
Not after yesterday.
Not after everything.
"I'm not meeting him. Or any of them."
Her grip on her bag tightened.
"I'm here only because I have to be. Just two months… that's it."
Two months.
That was all she needed.
With her uncle's influence… with Sinas's support… she would leave this place and go to GHSS.
That was her goal.
Nothing else.
"I'm not getting involved again," she added, her voice lower now. "I tried yesterday. And I was the one blamed."
Ruby's grip tightened.
"Please," she said, softer now—but more insistent. "Just come once."
Aria looked away.
She wanted to refuse.
She should refuse.
But Ruby didn't let go. Instead, she leaned closer, holding onto Aria's arm even tighter, almost possessively—like letting go wasn't an option.
"Please…" she repeated, this time with a small pout, her tone turning clingy, almost artificially cute.
Aria exhaled slowly.
This girl…
"…Fine," she muttered at last.
Ruby's face instantly lit up.
Without waiting another second, she started pulling Aria along, still clinging to her arm as if Aria was hers alone—like she had no intention of letting anyone else take her away.
And Aria… let herself be dragged.
Maybe this was a mistake.
Or maybe…
This was her last try.
As they walked, Aria glanced sideways at Ruby.
Ruby still hadn't let go.
Her fingers were tightly wrapped around Aria's hand, almost as if she was afraid Aria might disappear the moment she loosened her grip. Even as she walked, she stayed close—too close—her shoulder brushing against Aria's arm.
Aria noticed it.
And something about it felt… familiar.
The way Ruby held her hand—
It was exactly how Sona used to.
That same quiet possessiveness. That same unspoken fear of being left behind.
Aria exhaled softly.
Ruby, on the other hand, was talking non-stop—jumping from one topic to another, her voice light, energetic, almost overwhelming. She didn't seem to notice the silence from Aria at all.
And somehow… that made it worse.
Because it reminded her even more of Sona.
Aria's grip loosened slightly.
When did this happen…? she thought.
She remembered clearly the version of Ruby she had seen before—the girl from that room. The one who sat with Lord, Lizzy, and Mike. That Ruby had been quieter. Observant. Almost… normal.
But this?
This Ruby was completely different.
Clingy. Talkative. Almost desperately attached.
Aria frowned slightly, her brows knitting together.
I didn't expect this…
Her gaze lingered on Ruby for a moment longer.
Two different sides.
Two different behaviors.
And Aria couldn't tell which one was real.
Rooftop ___
The rooftop door creaked open.
Aria stepped in—long black hair slightly damp from the humidity, strands clinging near her face, her sharp blue eyes scanning the space.
For a second.
Silence.
Then Sona saw her.
Sona shot up from her seat instantly, her short hair—streaked in blue, pink, and violet—catching the light as she moved. Her face lit up, pure and unfiltered happiness breaking through her usual quiet sadness.
"Aria—"
But the word died before it could fully form.
Because Ruby walked in right behind her.
Maroon layered hair bouncing lightly…
Still holding Aria's hand.
Tightly
.
Like it belonged there.
Sona froze.
Her smile cracked—then vanished completely.
Her fingers slowly curled into her palm, nails pressing into her skin as her eyes locked onto their hands. That exact hold… that quiet closeness…
That was hers.
Now it wasn't.
She sat back down slowly.
Silent.
Broken—but hiding it.
The shift didn't go unnoticed.
Rithul, tall and composed with his neatly combed hair and thin glasses, straightened slightly, his sharp gaze catching everything in a second. His expression didn't change—but he understood.
Leo, leaning casually against the wall with his wolf-cut hair falling effortlessly over his forehead, let out a soft breath, his usual chill expression fading just a little as he glanced between Sona and Aria.
Aswin, sitting cross-legged, opened his mouth like he was about to crack a joke—then paused, sensing the tension. Still, he muttered under his breath,
"Ah… drama already started…"
No one laughed.
Sreya and Danvy exchanged a quick look, subtle but loaded.
And Mirzand—
Messy black hair, silver rings glinting as his fingers moved slightly, chains resting against his neck—just observed. His sharp eyes flicked from Sona… to Ruby… to Aria.
Reading everything.
"Well…" Mirzand finally stepped forward, voice smooth, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Looks like we have a new guest to our meeting."
Aria's brows furrowed slightly.
"Our meeting?" she asked, her tone controlled—but clearly not pleased.
No one answered.
The silence stretched.
A few meters away, Zorvath moved.
He had been lying back lazily—but now he rose, tall and broad-shouldered, his messy black hair falling slightly over his sharp eyes.
His presence alone shifted the air.
He walked toward Aria slowly.
No hurry.
No hesitation.
Just control.
"Be grateful," he said, voice low and steady, "that they're still treating you well… after what you did."
Aria's expression hardened instantly.
"What have I done?" she shot back, stepping forward without fear. "You were the one—"
"Whoa, whoa…" Zorvath lifted his hand slightly, cutting her off, a faint mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"Stop your speech. We had enough yesterday."
A few faint reactions—Leo exhaled, Aswin looked away, Mirzand's smirk deepened.
"To be honest," Zorvath continued, tilting his head, eyes sharp, "it was good. Better than the political leaders here."
A pause.
"I just hope you don't end up like them."
Aria let out a short breath—half laugh, half challenge.
"At least I can give a good speech," she said, stepping closer, her blue eyes locking onto his.
"What do you have?"
A beat.
"KiNg oF rOoM zErO?"
Rithul's brows lifted slightly.
Mirzand watched more closely now.
Sona looked up without meaning to.
Zorvath didn't react immediately.
Then—
"Making your own students die?" Aria added.
That hit.
A flicker crossed Zorvath's eyes—small, but real.
"At least they were Room Zero… when I was leading," he said quietly, stepping closer, his voice dropping.
"When you started meddling… we lost that too."
A pause.
"Oh… thanks for that."
Aria didn't move.
"If that hell closes," she said firmly, "it's better than staying open and killing them slowly."
Her voice was steady.
"You're feeding them poison."
Zorvath's jaw tightened—but his voice stayed calm.
"If that 'poison' wasn't there," he said, each word heavier than the last, "they would've died from hunger."
Silence.
Even Aswin didn't speak.
Aria frowned slightly.
"What do you mean 'die'? You're just upset your dirty business is gone."
A faint, humorless chuckle escaped Zorvath.
"Look at this," he muttered. "The little princess doesn't know KHSS."
His gaze locked back onto her.
"They're not your Sinas," he said. "They don't live in comfort. You blocked their only source of money."
A beat.
"You're responsible for their empty stomachs."
That landed.
Hard.
Sona's eyes flickered.
Rithul looked down slightly.
Even Leo's expression shifted.
But Aria stood firm.
"There are other ways," she said, her voice lower but stronger. "Room Zero isn't the only option."
Zorvath raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Plenty," she continued. "You just choose the worst one."
A smirk.
"Name one."
Aria paused.
Just a second.
Then—
"Anywhere," she said. "There are jobs—"
"Where?" Zorvath cut in instantly.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it dominated.
"Where are minors getting hired?" he continued, stepping closer again.
"And even if they do… you think it's easy?"
His eyes held hers.
"They'll work like dogs."
A pause.
"And still starve."
Aria's breath slowed.
Her mind raced.
But she didn't back down.
"If not," she said, steady now, "then we'll create something."
That shifted the room.
Mirzand's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rithul looked up.
Even Zorvath's smirk paused.
"You only know illegal ways," Aria added. "Doesn't anything legal come to your mind?"
A second of silence.
Then—
Zorvath smiled.
Not mocking.
Interested.
"Alright."
The word landed differently.
"I'll charge you with it."
Aria frowned.
"…What?"
"I challenge you," he said, stepping back slightly, giving space—but not control.
"Find a way."
A pause.
"To feed them."
His gaze sharpened.
"Legally."
A sharp scoff cut through the silence.
"Huh… are you just too lazy?"
All eyes snapped to Aria.
She tilted her head slightly, a mocking edge in her voice, her blue eyes glinting with defiance.
"They trust you—not me. So it's your responsibility. Stop making excuses and do your work."
A ripple moved through the group.
Aswin's eyes widened slightly—she really said that…
Leo let out a low breath, almost impressed.
Rithul adjusted his glasses, watching closely now.
Mirzand's lips curled faintly, interest deepening.
Zorvath didn't react immediately.
He just stared at her.
Then—
"Why?" he asked simply.
The single word landed heavy.
"You said there were other ways," he continued, his tone calm but cutting. "Then do it. Show us."
A step closer.
"You love meddling, don't you?" he added, voice sharpening just a little. "Jumping in… making things worse…"
A pause.
"Now fix it."
Silence pressed in.
"Or shut up," he finished coldly, "and quit."
That hit harder than shouting ever could.
The wind moved across the rooftop, lifting strands of Aria's long black hair, brushing them across her face—but she didn't move.
Her eyes didn't leave his.
Zorvath's gaze stayed locked on hers—unwavering.
"If you can do it…" he added, quieter now, but far more dangerous,
"I'll quit."
A shift.
Even the air felt tighter.
Sreya leaned slightly forward.
Danvy's eyes narrowed.
Rithul went still.
Mirzand's smirk faded into something more serious.
And Sona—
Sona looked up again.
This time, not at Ruby.
At Aria.
Aria didn't answer immediately.
For a brief second, she thought.
Really thought.
Her gaze dropped slightly… then lifted again—clear, sharp, decided.
She stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
Until she stood right in front of Zorvath.
Face to face.
Close enough to feel the tension between them.
The sun hung right above, its light cutting between them—casting sharp shadows, as if the rooftop itself had split into two sides.
The wind picked up again.
Aria's hair moved with it, strands dancing around her face, her blue eyes catching the light—bright, unyielding.
"I agree," she said.
No hesitation.
No fear.
"If I win… you quit."
A pause.
Zorvath's lips curved slightly—not into a smile, but something close.
"And if you lose…" he replied, his voice low, steady,
"you quit."
The words settled like a final blow.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The challenge was real now.
Aria held his gaze for one last second.
Then—
Without another word…
She turned.
And walked away.
The rooftop door creaked open again.
Then shut.
Leaving behind silence…
And a storm that had just begun.