You shrugged at him and continued on your way, keeping your expression neutral. But inside? You were screaming.

Who the hell just casually chats with someone like that?

Your pulse was still hammering in your ears. That guy wasn't just creepy-he was wrong. His words lingered in your mind like an echo you couldn't shake.

You stole a quick glance over your shoulder.

He was still sitting there, petting the cat as if nothing had happened.

As if he hadn't just said something utterly unhinged.

Wait...

Unstable.

Your breath hitched.

The Unstable variety.

Among the Tainted, they were the ones who had fully embraced their fractured minds. The ones whose emotions didn't follow any logical path. They could be eerily calm one second, only to lash out in a frenzy the next. Some acted like children, giggling while committing horrific acts. Others... simply observed, waiting for a moment to test their curiosity.

And he...?

Oh, hell. He might be one of them.

You stiffened, walking faster.

Shit. I messed up.

But then again, it was just a brief encounter. Nothing more.

He'll forget about me.

...Right?

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Shaking off the lingering unease, you focused on your surroundings.

You needed to familiarize yourself with the layout.

The academy was massive-stretching halls, towering archways, and eerily pristine corridors. Everything was clean, too clean, making the occasional specks of dust or scuff marks stand out like scars on pale skin.

As you passed by various rooms, your gaze flickered toward the students.

Some were normal. Others... not so much.

A couple openly made out against a hallway wall, completely unfazed by passersby. Their movements were slow and obsessive, like they weren't just kissing but consuming each other.

Further ahead, a small group huddled together in a dimly lit corridor. Their heads were bowed, lips murmuring something rhythmic.

Prayers?

No.

A chant.

The unsettling sound made the hairs on your neck stand up.

What the hell kind of school is this?

You were still gawking at them, too caught up in your confusion-

When a sudden force slammed into you.

You stumbled back.

The impact sent you crashing onto the cold floor.

"Ow-what the-"

Your irritation flared as you prepared to snap at whoever had just knocked into you-

But then your breath hitched.

Because the person in front of you...

Was stunning.

He had a face so intense, so unearthly, it felt like it shouldn't belong to a real person.

His skin was pale, almost too pale, yet tinged with a soft flush that made him look feverish-like he had just escaped from something.

And his eyes...

A piercing silver, sharp yet slightly hooded, framed by pale lashes that only deepened his haunting gaze.

His lips were parted, soft and subtly tinted-whether from exhaustion, surprise, or something else, you weren't sure.

His hair, a wild mess of white waves, fell over his forehead, giving him an untamed, almost fragile look.

But he wasn't fragile.

No, there was something intense about him.

Something in the slight arch of his brows, in the faint shadows beneath his eyes, in the way he stared.

It wasn't fear.

It wasn't shock.

It was something far more dangerous.

Curiosity. Hunger. Interest.

He blinked, then quickly averted his gaze.

His fingers clenched slightly against the floor, as if steadying himself.

And then, in a voice barely above a breath-

"S-sorry! I didn't know you were there."

His words were simple.

His tone?

Not so much.

There was hesitation-flustered uncertainty, even-but beneath it, a hint of something else.

Like he was trying to process why you were here.

Why you had just collided with him.

Why he suddenly couldn't look away.

You blinked, quickly composing yourself. Your initial shock melted away, replaced by a sharp, calculating look.

Still seated on the floor, the silver-haired man seemed uncertain, his gaze flickering between you and the ground. His slightly parted lips and furrowed brows made him look almost... vulnerable.

A perfect opportunity.

You inhaled sharply, brushing off your uniform with a deliberately slow movement. Then, with a feigned exasperated sigh, you tilted your head and let your lips curve into a faint, knowing smile.

"Oh my, you're awfully clumsy, aren't you?"

Your tone was gentle, but there was a lilt of amusement, almost like you were scolding a child.

"Running into people like that... You should really be more careful."

His silver eyes snapped to you, widening slightly.

You leaned in just enough to invade his space, lowering your voice to a softer, coaxing tone-one that dripped with false concern.

"I mean, what if you had bumped into the wrong person? Someone less... patient than me?"

You saw it then-the subtle shift in his expression.

Intrigue.

Curiosity.

He wasn't used to being spoken to like this, was he?

Slowly, he parted his lips as if to say something, but you didn't give him the chance. Instead, you offered him a sweet, deceptive smile.

"Well, I suppose I'll forgive you. This time."

Then, with a playful hum, you extended your hand toward him.

A silent test.

Would he take it? Would he let you pull him up?

Or would he hesitate?

As soon as his fingers wrapped around yours, you felt it.

The hesitation. The brief pause.

Then, a quiet shift-like something clicking into place.

You pulled him up, expecting him to release your hand immediately.

But he didn't.

Instead, his grip lingered. Just for a second too long.

His silver eyes locked onto yours, the flush in his cheeks deepening, but his expression was unreadable. Then, ever so softly, he whispered:

"Thank you."

It was polite. Sincere, even.

But something about it felt off.

You brushed it off and turned to leave, but as you walked away, you couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.