The streets were unusually quiet.
The chaos of the previous day had left its mark everywhere.
Broken stalls, damaged walls, scattered pieces of stone, and deep cracks across the road reminded everyone that the Octoheads had not simply been a training exercise.
Maris walked alone through the street.
His mask covered his face.
His wig concealed his hair.
To anyone passing by, he looked like the same ordinary, slightly awkward boy from Fruikler Academy.
But his thoughts were elsewhere.
Did Sophria see my real face yesterday?
He scratched the back of his head.
She was standing near my house.
He stopped.
There’s no way she didn’t.
Then he sighed.
“Whatever.” A strange sound came from behind him.
Maris slowly turned.
A wounded Octohead crawled out from between two damaged buildings.
It suddenly lunged.
Maris didn’t even flinch.
His hand shot forward and caught the writhing tentacle.
“You’re still alive?” Electricity sparked between his fingers.
The Octohead screeched.
Maris stared at it.
“That’s unfortunate.” CRACK!
Lightning surged through the creature.
It crumbled into ash.
Maris brushed his hands together.
“Now that’s convenient.” A soft voice came from ahead.
“Maris…” He looked up.
Sophria stood in the middle of the street.
Her lavender hair moved gently in the breeze.
She was holding something behind her back.
Maris raised an eyebrow.
“Can I…
see?” Maris blinked.
“See what?” Sophria hesitated.
Her fingers tightened around whatever she was hiding.
“You know…” Maris stared at her.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
“Wait.” He pointed at himself.
“You mean yesterday?” Sophria’s cheeks became pink.
“You saw my face?” She quickly shook her head.
“No.” Maris narrowed his eyes.
“That was a very suspicious ‘no.'” “I didn’t say anything.” “You just did.” Sophria looked away.
“At least…” She took a breath.
“…High School’s most famous girl deserves to see your face once more.” Maris stared at her.
Then sighed.
“So you definitely saw it.” Sophria smiled nervously.
“Maybe.” “That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one you’re getting.” Maris looked toward the empty street.
Then back at her.
“Fine.” Sophria’s eyes brightened.
“But don’t tell anyone.” “I won’t.” “I mean it.” “I know.” Maris touched the edge of his mask.
“I don’t want to become a curse for the boys…” He paused.
“…or a harem for the girls.” Sophria covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“You’re really worried about that?” “You haven’t seen what people at school are like.” “I have.” “Exactly.” He sighed dramatically.
“They’re terrifying.” Sophria smiled.
“You’re exaggerating.” “Am I?” She thought about Liberia.
Then about the students who had been following her around.
“…Maybe a little.” Maris slowly removed his mask.
Then he took off the wig.
His real appearance was revealed once again.
Sophria went completely silent.
The sunlight fell across his face.
His sharp features and piercing eyes were completely different from the awkward appearance everyone at school knew.
She stared.
Maris waved a hand in front of her.
“Hello?” Sophria blinked.
“Ah…” “Are you okay?” “Yes.” “You stopped talking.” “I was thinking.” “About?” She immediately looked away.
“Nothing.” Maris raised an eyebrow.
“You’re terrible at lying.” Sophria’s cheeks turned even redder.
After a few seconds, she gathered her courage.
“Can I ask you something?” “Sure.” Her voice became quieter.
“Can I…
touch my lips to yours?” Maris froze.
“…What?” Sophria looked down.
“A kiss.” Maris stared at her.
Then looked around the empty street.
Then back at Sophria.
“You mean…
you’re actually asking me that?” She nodded.
Maris’s expression became genuinely confused.
“Why?” Sophria looked at him.
“Because I like you.” His heart skipped.
She actually likes me?
For someone who had spent so long believing he was the least noticed person in the academy, the thought felt almost unreal.
Maris scratched his cheek.
“That’s why I don’t show my face.” Sophria smiled softly.
“Why?” “Because people start seeing the face instead of me.” He looked down.
“Then suddenly I’m not Maris anymore.” Sophria’s expression softened.
“You’re still Maris.” He looked at her.
She took a small step closer.
“With the mask.” She smiled.
“Without the mask.” Her voice became warmer.
“You’re still you.” Maris went quiet.
Sophria hesitated.
“Please.” Maris sighed dramatically.
“You really don’t give up, do you?” She shook her head.
“No.” He smiled.
“Fine.” He leaned forward and gave her a brief kiss on the cheek.
“Be happy with that.” Sophria’s eyes widened.
Her entire face turned red.
“You…” Maris stepped back.
“What?” “You actually did it.” “You asked.” “I didn’t think you’d actually—” “You asked!” Sophria covered her face.
Maris laughed.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.” She immediately lowered her hands.
“Don’t say that!” “Why?” “Because…” She couldn’t finish.
Maris grinned.
“Exactly.” Sophria slowly reached for his hand.
He looked down.
She held it tightly.
Her nervousness returned.
“There is something I’ve wanted to tell you.” Maris’s smile faded into curiosity.
“What?” Sophria took a deep breath.
“You and I are somehow the same…” She looked into his eyes.
“…yet different.” Maris listened quietly.
“You’ve always motivated me.” Her voice trembled.
“Even though you’ve suffered more than I have.” Maris’s expression softened.
Sophria continued.
“I’ve had a crush on you for so long.” She looked down at the small box in her other hand.
“I even bought these chocolates yesterday.” She held them out.
“I wanted to give them to you.” Maris looked at the box.
“You’ve been carrying those this whole time?” She nodded.
“Yes.” “That’s dedication.” She gave him a tiny smile.
“I suppose.” Then she looked directly at him.
Her nervousness disappeared.
“I…” She took another breath.
“I love you.” Maris froze.
The wind around him seemed to pause.
A faint spark of electricity danced across his fingers.
Sophria’s voice became firm.
“Will you date me?” Maris didn’t answer immediately.
For once, there was no joke.
No sarcastic reply.
No mask to hide behind.
Just Maris.
The boy who had always considered himself the loser.
The boy who had hidden his face because he feared people would never see the person underneath.
And now someone was standing in front of him…
choosing him.
He swallowed.
His eyes met hers.
Slowly, a small smirk appeared.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” Sophria blushed.
“Yes.” She waited.
“And you…?” Maris looked away.
“I’ll think about it.” Sophria’s eyes widened.
“You’ll think about it?” “Yes.” “That’s your answer?” “For now.” She puffed her cheeks slightly.
“That’s unfair.” Maris laughed.
“But know this…” He looked back at her.
“I don’t do ordinary.” A mischievous spark appeared in his eyes.
“If you choose me, you’re signing up for chaos.” Sophria’s expression changed.
She smiled.
“I’ve always wanted chaos.” Maris laughed quietly.
“Good.” The electricity around his fingers crackled once.
“Then let’s see where this goes.” The two stood quietly in the middle of the damaged street.
Their hands remained entwined.
Around them were the remnants of yesterday’s battle.
Broken buildings.
Scattered stones.
The scars of the Octohead attack.
Yet neither of them paid attention to the destruction anymore.
For a brief moment, Maris didn’t feel like the loser.
He wasn’t the masked boy.
He wasn’t the hidden powerhouse.
He wasn’t the strange Fruing everyone had started whispering about.
He was simply Maris.
And someone had chosen to see him.
For the first time, a strange thought crossed his mind.
Maybe I don’t have to face everything alone.
Above them, the wind moved gently through the ruined street.
And somewhere beneath that quiet breeze…
something new had begun.