“Shut up and go flirt with someone else,” Melio snapped, his red and green hair glinting under the classroom light.
His tone cut through the air, sharp enough to silence the students sitting nearby.
Liberia raised an eyebrow.
“Someone woke up angry today.” Melio slowly turned toward her.
“I was angry yesterday too.” A few students snickered.
“He’s got a point.” “Does he ever smile?” “Probably forgot how.” Melio ignored them completely and returned his attention to his book.
Maris, sitting a few rows away, felt his jaw tighten.
How can he be so rude…?
He glanced around the classroom.
Everyone seemed relaxed.
Some students were talking, others were laughing, and a few were still comparing their test scores.
Maris swallowed.
His heart began pounding.
Now.
His palms became sweaty.
Just say it.
He stood.
A nearby student noticed him.
“What’s Fruing doing?” “Wait…
is he actually going somewhere?” Maris walked toward Liberia.
His steps were stiff.
His throat felt dry.
Liberia looked at him curiously.
“Yes?” Maris stopped in front of her.
“Lyberia…” he began softly.
She tilted her head.
“I-I love you.” The classroom instantly became silent.
Maris clenched his fists.
“Would you…
be my girlfriend?” For three seconds, nobody moved.
Then someone whispered, “No way.” Another student covered his mouth.
“He’s actually confessing?” Melio slowly raised his eyes from his book.
Liberia turned toward Maris.
Her ocean-blue eyes hardened into shards of ice.
“So listen carefully, Maris Fruing.” Maris’s expression stiffened.
“First, go and kill an entire planet.” The room became even quieter.
Liberia crossed her arms.
“You can’t.” Someone in the back whispered, “That’s a brutal requirement.” Another student muttered, “Bro got a planetary-level qualification test.” A few students laughed.
Liberia continued.
“Because you’re weak.” Maris’s eye twitched.
“And ugly.” The laughter became louder.
“Pathetic.” “That’s rough.” “Someone get him a chair.” Maris remained completely still.
His face looked calm.
Far too calm.
But his hands were trembling.
From the corner of the classroom, a lavender-haired girl lowered her gaze.
Sophria’s fingers tightened around her pen.
“Poor Maris…” she whispered.
Her expression remained gentle.
But behind those soft eyes, something darker stirred.
He’s like me.
Broken.
Alone.
If I want him…
I’ll make him mine.
She looked toward Maris again.
But why do I feel angry when they’re laughing at him?
Melio glanced at Maris.
For a brief moment, his expression changed.
Almost imperceptibly.
Then he looked away.
“Tch.” Liberia noticed.
“What’s wrong, Melio-chan?” “Nothing.” “You looked worried.” “I wasn’t.” “You definitely were.” “I wasn’t.” A student nearby whispered, “They’re doing this again.” “Every day.” “Honestly, I think Melio secretly cares.” Melio’s eyes narrowed.
“I can hear you.” The student immediately looked away.
“Understood.” — After Class The bell rang.
Students immediately surrounded Sophria.
“Sophria!
You were amazing in the test again!” “How did you solve question thirty-two?” “Wanna hang out later?” “Can you help me study?” Sophria smiled politely.
“Sure.
Maybe later.” A student laughed.
“She rejected all of us without actually rejecting us.” “That’s a talent.” Sophria maintained her smile until the crowd finally dispersed.
The moment they left, her shoulders dropped.
“Oof…
this popularity might kill me someday.” She glanced toward the classroom door.
Maris was gone.
Her expression softened.
I wonder where he went.
She walked toward a small corner shop.
The bell chimed softly as she entered.
She walked straight toward the counter.
“One of these, please.” The shopkeeper handed her a small, heart-shaped box of chocolates.
Sophria stared at it.
Her cheeks became slightly warm.
It’s just chocolate.
She hugged the box against herself.
That’s all.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Probably.
Her decision was made.
— Planet Red Under a crimson sky, where the air shimmered with heat and the ground reeked of ash, a lone man stood upon a battlefield of defeated warriors.
His gaze carried quiet hunger.
I wonder what that Fruing boy is doing right now…
Before his thought could settle, a four-armed warrior roared and charged toward him.
“YOU!” The man looked up.
“Too slow.” His hand shot forward.
He caught the incoming punch.
The warrior’s eyes widened.
“What—?” The man’s grin widened.
With a powerful squeeze, the warrior’s attack collapsed.
He threw him aside.
“Pathetic.” The remaining warriors stared.
One whispered, “He’s not even tired.” Another took a step backward.
The man noticed.
“Running?” Nobody answered.
He smiled.
“Good.” He looked toward the fading sun.
“This was the last insect on Planet Red.” He turned away from the battlefield.
“Their war is over.” His crimson eyes narrowed.
“But soon…” A grin appeared.
“I’ll fight that Fruing.” — Outside Maris’s House Evening painted the sky gold.
Sophria stopped near the gate, clutching the chocolate box close.
Then she noticed something.
Maris was training in the yard.
Wind spheres erupted from his hands and slammed into wooden targets.
“Again.” Another sphere formed.
It struck the target.
Too far to the left.
Maris frowned.
“Tch…
I can’t even hit the center.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Again.” Another sphere.
Miss.
He stared at the target.
“Fantastic.” Sophria covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
He’s actually trying this hard?
Maris sighed.
“Guess I’ll take off this sticky mask and wig.” Sophria froze.
“What?” The wig slid off.
Then the mask.
Her eyes widened.
The boy beneath the disguise looked completely different.
Stormlike eyes.
Sharp features.
A face that could easily draw attention without him even trying.
Sophria’s breath caught.
He’s…
beautiful.
She stared.
I liked him before.
Her fingers tightened around the chocolate box.
But now…
Her cheeks burned.
I’m completely in love.
A voice came from the doorway.
“So, you finally showed your real face.” Maris turned.
His sister stood there, grinning.
“I’ve been telling you for years that hiding like this is ridiculous.” Maris sighed.
“Control yourself, sis.” She laughed.
“Relax.
I’m just saying you’ll make half the academy faint if they see you.” Sophria’s eyes widened.
His sister…
She slowly lowered the chocolate box.
Maris looked away, wiping sweat from his brow.
“I told you.” His voice became quieter.
“My face distracts people.” His sister’s smile faded slightly.
“What do you mean?” “They stop seeing who I am.” She looked at him for a moment.
Then sighed.
“You’re still worried about that?” Maris didn’t answer.
From outside the gate, Sophria watched silently.
Her eyes softened.
Maybe that’s why he hides it.
She looked down at the chocolates.
“…then maybe…” Her cheeks turned red.
“I’m already too far gone.” — Later That Night Maris stood outside with his sister.
The two looked toward the night sky.
His sister noticed his unusual expression.
“What?” Maris pointed upward.
“Maybe mom is watching us from there?” His sister, Guris blinked.
“What?” She looked toward the sky.
“I don’t see anything.” Maris narrowed his eyes.
“It’s there.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah.” She stared harder.
“Maybe you’re imagining it.” Maris shook his head.
“No.” He remained silent for a moment.
Then added, “It’s watching us.” His sister’s smile disappeared.
“What is?” Maris continued staring upward.
“I don’t know.” The wind passed through the trees.
Neither of them spoke.
Far above them, something moved beyond the clouds.
And Maris kept watching.