Kuya's office didn't believe in comfort.
It believed in discipline. Ruz sat across from the desk, one leg bouncing slightly under the table, pen spinning between her fingers like it had a life of its own. Papers were spread in front of her organized, labeled, annoyingly neat.
She hated how good she was at this.
"…You skipped line three," Kuya said without looking up.
Ruz didn't even glance at the paper. "I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
A pause.
Then,
"…Check again."
She clicked her tongue, eyes dropping to the document for half a second.
A beat.
"…Oh."
Adrian, still leaning against the wall, let out a quiet laugh. "That was fast."
Ruz shot him a look. "Say one more word and I'll misfile your existence."
"You already did that years ago."
"I can make it permanent."
Kuya didn't react outwardly, but there was the faintest shift at the corner of his mouth.
"…Fix it," he said.
Ruz sighed dramatically but corrected the line, handwriting sharp and precise.
That was the thing about her.
Chaos outside.
Precision inside.
"…Done," she muttered.
Kuya finally looked up, eyes scanning the page briefly before nodding once.
"Good."
Ruz leaned back in her chair, arms stretching. "…See? Efficient."
"Barely," Adrian added.
"Still counts."
Kuya closed the file. "You're improving."
Ruz blinked.
Not expecting that.
"…Don't say that like it's rare."
"It is."
"…Wow."
Adrian snorted.
"Frame that moment. It won't happen again."
Ruz grabbed a paper clip and flicked it at him.
It hit his shoulder.
He didn't even move.
"…Weak," he said.
"…You're testing your luck."
"I don't need luck. I have reflexes."
"You won't have them when you're asleep."
Kuya stood, effectively ending the conversation.
"That's enough for tonight."
Ruz immediately stood up. "Finally."
"But " Kuya added calmly.
She froze mid-step.
"…No."
"Tomorrow. You come here after school."
"…No."
"Yes."
"I have a life."
"You have responsibilities."
"I reject them."
"You won't."
"…You're consistent."
"And you're predictable."
Adrian pushed off the wall. "This is entertaining."
Ruz pointed at him again. "You're still next."
"I'll bring snacks."
"Bring your will."
Kuya shook his head slightly. "Go to sleep. Both of you."
And just like that, Dismissed.
Next Day at school, The school was loud. Not house-loud. Different. More chaotic. Less familiar. Ruz walked through the hallway with her usual expression neutral, distant, unreadable. Her bag hung loosely over one shoulder, steps steady. No unnecessary eye contact. No unnecessary conversations.
Section C. Her space. Liam was already there, sitting sideways on his chair, lazily scrolling through his phone. He glanced up as she entered.
"…You look like you fought someone."
Ruz dropped into her seat. "I did."
"…You're joking."
"I'm not."
He stared at her for a second.
"…I don't know if I should be concerned or impressed."
"Both."
"…Fair."
A small pause. Then,
"You always like this?" Liam asked casually.
"Like what?"
"Like you're about to either solve a problem or create one."
Ruz leaned back slightly. "…Depends on the day."
"And today?"
"…We'll see."
That answer didn't comfort him. At all.
If the house was chaos, this was war.
Students crowded everywhere, noise bouncing off walls, trays clattering,voices overlapping.Ruz stood in line, already annoyed.
"…If someone cuts in front of me, I will commit a crime," she muttered.
"You threaten that a lot."
She didn't turn.
"…You appear a lot."
Adrian stepped beside her, hands in his pockets, completely relaxed.
"…Miss me?"
"No."
"Liar."
"Delusional."
Behind them, Rifat leaned against the wall, watching with a faint smirk.
"…You two again."
Ruz glanced at him. "…You survived yesterday."
"Barely. You throw drinks like you're aiming for a record."
"Maybe I am."
Adrian chuckled. "She practices."
"I don't practice. I'm naturally talented."
"Violence isn't a talent."
"It is in my category."
Rifat shook his head, amused.
"You're impossible."
"You keep showing up. That's your mistake."
They finally got their food. And then
The real fight began.Ruz sat down first, placing her tray like she owned the table.
Adrian sat across from her. Rifat beside him. Liam arrived a moment later, hesitating before sitting next to Ruz.
"…I feel like I'm entering danger," he said.
"You are," Adrian replied calmly.
Ruz picked up a fry Adrian took it mid-air and she froze. Slowly turned her head.
"…Give it back."
"No."
"That was mine."
"It's mine now."
"You're testing your survival instincts."
"They're strong."
Ruz reached for another fry.
Adrian moved the tray.
"…Oh, you're dead."
She lunged slightly, He blocked their trays shifted Drinks nearly spilled
"…HEY!" someone from another table snapped. Ruz ignored it completely.
"You think this is funny?" she said.
"It is."
"You're stealing my food."
"I'm sharing."
"That's not sharing!"
"It is if I eat it."
Rifat laughed under his breath.
Liam looked between them, confused.
"…Why do you act like siblings?"
Silence, just for a second.Then
"We don't," both Ruz and Adrian said at the same time. Too fast.
Too synchronized.
Liam blinked.
"…That was suspicious."
"You're suspicious," Ruz shot back.
"I just got here!"
"Exactly."
Meanwhile, A group of girls at a nearby table were watching, whispering,
annoyed.
"…Why is she so comfortable with them?"
"…She's always around Adrian."
"…And Rifat too."
"…She's new. Acting like she owns the place."
One of them stood up. Walked over.
"…You should learn some boundaries," she said, looking directly at Ruz. The table went quiet. Ruz looked up slowly.
"…You should learn timing."
The girl frowned. "I'm serious."
"So am I."
"You're being disrespectful."
"You approached me."
"That doesn't mean...."
"It does in my world."
Adrian leaned back, watching.
Interested. Rifat smirked slightly.
Liam whispered, "…This is going to escalate."
"Yes," Adrian replied.
"Why are you calm?!"
"Because it's entertaining."
The girl crossed her arms. "You think you're special?"
Ruz tilted her head slightly.
"…No."..... "Just different."
"That's not a good thing."
"It's not supposed to be."
The tension sharpened. Then Rifat spoke.
"…Relax. It's not that serious."
The girl looked at him. "You're defending her?"
"I'm preventing a scene."
"Too late," Adrian added.
And then,Ruz stood. Slow, Calm. Dangerous.
"…You're bothered," she said to the girl.
"Yes."
"…That's not my problem."
"It becomes one when...."
"No," Ruz cut in.
"It doesn't."
A pause. Then she added
"…Also, for future reference?"
She glanced at Adrian briefly.
Then back.
"…He's my brother."
Silence. The cafeteria Actually went quiet.
Liam blinked. "…Wait..... what?"
Rifat raised an eyebrow.
The girl froze. "…That's not funny."
"I'm not joking."
Adrian stretched slightly in his seat. "Took you long enough."
"You were enjoying it."
"I was."
Liam stared between them. "…You're serious?"
Ruz exhaled. "…Unfortunately."
Adrian smirked. "She loves me."
"I tolerate you."
"Same thing."
Rifat let out a low laugh. "…That explains a lot."
The girl stepped back slightly, embarrassed now.
"…You could've said that earlier."
Ruz shrugged. "You didn't ask nicely."
A few students started whispering louder now.
"Wait they're siblings?"
"Since when?"
"I thought—"
Ruz rolled her eyes.
"…And before anyone creates theories"
She added casually
"…I'm adopted."
Another wave of silence. Then noise. Whispers spreading faster now.
Liam leaned closer, lowering his voice. "…That doesn't bother you?"
Ruz glanced at him. A beat.
"…No."
Simple, firm,true.
Adrian looked at her briefly. Something quieter behind his usual expression.
Then he reached over took another fry from her tray. Ruz stared at him.
"…You're unbelievable."
"You love me."
"I will fight you."
"Later."
"Now."
And just like that the noise came back.
Whispers clung to the walls, trailed behind footsteps, slipped between conversations like smoke that refused to disappear.
They're siblings.
She's adopted.
She poured a drink on Adrian.
She fought Rifat.
Ruz ignored all of it like always.
Hallway... After Lunch
The corridor was less crowded now. But not quiet, never quiet.Ruz walked with her usual steady pace, one hand in her pocket, the other holding her bag strap loosely. Her expression? Calm.Too calm.
Which usually meant, Trouble.
"RUZ!"
She didn't stop.
"I KNOW YOU HEARD ME!"
She sighed.
"…You're loud, Liam."
Liam jogged up beside her, slightly out of breath.
"I have emotions!"
"Control them."
"I can't. You revealed a whole life story like it was nothing."
Ruz glanced at him.
"…It is nothing."
"That's not nothing!"
"It is for me."
He stared at her for a second, trying to read her expression.
Failed.
"…You're scary."
"I've been told."
Before he could respond
"Adrian!"
A voice called out from ahead.
Ruz's steps didn't stop.
But her eyes shifted slightly.
A group of boys stood near the staircase.
Relaxed.Confident.Watching.
Adrian was already there.
Of course he was.
Leaning casually against the railing like the place belonged to him.
"Finally," he said as Ruz approached.
Ruz stopped a few steps away.
"…You collect people now?"
"I attract quality."
"You attract noise."
"Same thing."
Liam whispered
"…I don't like this."
"No one asked," Adrian replied.One of the boys stepped forward.Tall. Easy smile. Sharp eyes.
"Yo," he said, nodding at Ruz.
"So this is her?"
Ruz raised an eyebrow.
"…I have a name."
"Relax," he grinned.
"I'm Marco Andres Bautista."
Another one leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching quietly.
"Diego Luis Herrera "he added
Next to him,with messy hair waved.
"Enzo Rafael Villanueva "
"I've heard a lot."
"That's unfortunate," Ruz replied.
Marco laughed.
"Yeah, I like her."
"Don't," Adrian said immediately.
"She bites?" Enzo asked.
Ruz answered flatly,
"Only when necessary."
Diego smirked slightly.
"…She's not joking."
Liam whispered—
"…Why do I feel like I walked into a gang meeting?"
"Because you did," Adrian said.
"I want to leave."
"No."
Before Liam could argue, another voice cut in.
"Looks like the whole circus is here."
Ruz didn't need to turn. She already knew.
Rifat.
Leaning a few steps behind.Hands in his pockets.Expression calm.EyesLocked on her.
"…You follow me now?" Ruz said without turning fully.
Rifat stepped closer.
"Coincidence."
"You appear too often to be one."
"Maybe you're just memorable."
Ruz looked at him now.Direct.
"…That's not a compliment."
"It wasn't supposed to be."
Marco looked between them.
"…Oh. This is interesting."
Enzo grinned.
"THIS is the fight girl?"
"She has a name," Diego muttered.
"She also has attitude," Marco added.
"I have patience too," Ruz said.
A pause.Then,
"Don't test which one runs out first."
Silence,brief and then...
Rifat stepped closer.Just enough.Not touching. But close enough to challenge.
"…You like threatening people?"
Ruz didn't move.Didn't step back.
"…Only when they need reminding."
"Of what?"
"That I don't repeat myself."
A beat.Then Adrian pushed off the railing.
"Alright," he said lightly. "Let's not break school property."
"Who said anything about breaking?" Ruz replied.
"I know you."
"Then you should be worried."
"I am. For him."
Rifat smirked slightly.
"…You think I need protection?"
Adrian shrugged.
"No. I think you need luck."
Ruz tilted her head.
"…He won't have it."
That did it. Rifat stepped forward closer now. Too close.Ruz's eyes dropped briefly, To the distance between them, Too small. Her expression changed. Not obvious but enough.
"…Move," she said quietly.
Rifat didn't.
"…Or what?"
That was the mistake. Ruz moved first.Fast.Her hand caught his wrist, Twisted slightly. Not enough to injure.Just enough to control.Rifat reacted instantly Stepped forward
Closed the distance their shoulders almost collided. His free hand caught her arm, stopping her next move.Now they were locked.Close.Balanced.Equal.
"OH" Enzo stepped forward. "WE'RE DOING THIS?"
Marco grabbed him.
"No. Watch."
Diego's eyes sharpened.
"…They're not playing."
Liam panicked.
"WHY ARE WE WATCHING?!"
Adrian?Calm.Too calm.
"Relax," he said. "This is warm-up."
Ruz's grip tightened slightly.
"…You don't listen."
Rifat's voice dropped.
"…You don't warn properly."
She smirked faintly.
"…That wasn't a warning."
Then, She pulled.Quick.Sharp.
Rifat stepped forward unexpectedly Off balance, Just for a second and enough.
Ruz moved to push him But He recovered fast. Too fast.His grip shifted pulled her slightly instead. Now she was the one stepping forward. Their positions reversed. A pause.Close again. Breathing steady. Eyes locked.
"…Better," Ruz said.
"…You too," Rifat replied.
Then, they both let go. At the same time.
Stepped back. Like nothing happened.
Silence. Then
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Liam nearly yelled.
"Practice," Adrian said.
"PRACTICE FOR WHAT?!"
"Life."
"I DON'T LIKE YOUR LIFE!"
Marco laughed.
"Okay yeah, she's dangerous."
Enzo nodded.
"I'm a little scared."
Diego added quietly
"…She held her ground."
Rifat rolled his wrist slightly.
Testing. Then looked at her again.
"…You don't panic."
"I don't need to."
"You should."
"You first."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"…You're going to be trouble."
Ruz adjusted her sleeve calmly.
"…I already am."
Adrian stepped between them slightly.
Not blocking. Just… there.
"Alright," he said. "Fight club's closed."
"Who made you leader?" Ruz asked.
"I was born this way."
"You were born annoying."
"Gifted."
"Cursed."
Liam groaned.
"…I need new friends."
"No, you don't," Enzo said. "This is premium entertainment."
Marco nodded.
"Best thing I've seen all week."
Diego glanced at Ruz one more time.
"…You're different."
Ruz picked up her bag again.
"…I've heard."
She started walking. Then paused. Turned slightly. Looked at Rifat.
"…Next time—"
A beat.
"…Don't get close."
Not loud.Not aggressive.Just—Clear.
Rifat didn't argue. Didn't smirk. Just watched her.
"…Then don't pull me first."
Ruz held his gaze for a second longer.
Then—
"…We'll see."
And walked away.Liam scrambled after her.
"I'M NOT STAYING HERE ALONE WITH THEM!"
Behind them Silence lingered.Then,
Marco exhaled.
"…Yeah. She's not normal."
Adrian smirked slightly.
"I told you."
Rifat leaned back against the wall again.
Eyes still on the hallway she disappeared into.
"…No," he said quietly."…She's not."
A pause.Then a faint smile.
"…She's interesting."
And just like that, the tension didn't end.It settled,waiting.Because this wasn't over. Not even close than before.
But this time it carried something new. Truth. And consequences.