🌿 Courtyard — Right After
The air still felt… off.
Not heavy.
Not dangerous.
Just—
Wrong.
Lily stood still.
"…It's still there."
Leo stretched slightly.
"…Then let's go check."
Simple.
Direct.
He turned toward the building.
But—
"Wait."
Olivia's voice.
Leo paused.
Glanced back.
Olivia smiled lightly.
"…You two go ahead."
Lily frowned slightly.
"…You're not coming?"
Derek raised a hand casually.
"…We've got something to talk about."
Leo smirked.
"…Since when?"
Derek shrugged.
"…Since now."
A pause.
Leo didn't question it further.
"…Alright then."
He turned.
"Come on."
Lily followed him—
But not without one last glance back.
Something about that felt…
Intentional.
🏫 Inside — Leo & Lily
The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
Footsteps echoed.
"…You trust them?" Lily asked.
Leo didn't stop walking.
"…Not really."
"…But I don't care."
That answer—
Was very Leo.
They reached the classroom door.
Leo pushed it open.
And there—
The teacher stood.
Waiting.
"…Took you long enough."
Leo smiled slightly.
"…So it was you."
🌳 Outside — Derek & Olivia
Silence.
The moment Leo and Lily disappeared—
The atmosphere changed.
Not visibly.
But—
Clear enough.
Derek sighed.
"…You didn't even try to hide it."
Olivia tilted her head slightly.
"…Neither did you."
Derek smirked.
"…Fair."
A pause.
Then—
His expression shifted.
Just slightly.
"…You felt it too, right?"
Olivia nodded.
"…Yes."
"…He's not normal."
Derek let out a quiet breath.
"…That's an understatement"
Olivia looked toward the building.
"…How far do you think he is?"
Derek shrugged.
"…Close."
"…Too close."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Closer than us?"
A small pause.
Then—
Derek smiled.
"…If he is…"
"…that's a problem."
Olivia:
"…You're treating this lightly."
Derek chuckled.
"…I always do."
"…Makes things more interesting."
Olivia didn't smile.
"…This isn't interesting."
"…It's dangerous."
Derek leaned back slightly.
Looking at the sky.
"…We're supposed to be the strongest, you know."
Olivia didn't respond immediately.
"…Supposed to be."
That word—
Hung in the air.
Derek continued.
"…And now some random teacher shows up—"
"…and suddenly things feel off."
Olivia:
"…He's not random."
Derek glanced at her.
"…Obviously."
🧩 Keeping the Secret
A student walked past nearby.
Both of them went silent instantly.
Normal.
Casual.
Like nothing happened.
Then—
After the student left—
Derek spoke again.
Lower this time.
"…Do you think he's connected to the bounty?"
Olivia nodded slightly.
"…Most likely."
Derek:
"…Then things are moving faster than expected."
Olivia crossed her arms lightly.
"…You're not worried?"
Derek smiled.
"…Should I be?"
Olivia:
"…Yes."
Derek:
"…Nah."
A pause.
Then—
"…Leo's still here."
That line—
Was simple.
But carried weight.
Olivia looked back at the building.
"…He doesn't know."
Derek:
"…Of course he doesn't."
"…That's the whole point."
A brief silence.
Then—
Derek stretched.
"…Anyway."
"…Let's go before he starts doing something stupid."
Olivia exhaled softly.
"…That's inevitable."
They both started walking back.
🏫 Back Inside — Leo & Lily
Leo stepped forward.
Face-to-face with the teacher.
"…Let's not waste time."
Lily stood beside him.
Focused.
"…You caused it."
The teacher smiled faintly.
"…Caused what?"
Leo's eyes sharpened.
"…That feeling."
A pause.
Then—
"…Yeah."
Silence.
The air shifted again.
And this time—
Even Leo noticed it clearly.
"…Alright."
He smiled.
"…Now I'm interested."