Ami's POV:
Celeste Arwyn Vale.
The name sits in Ami's mind like a chess piece waiting to be moved. Alia is out of the way for now, but Celeste remains, sharp, poised, and far more dangerous.
She has already begun weaving a plan in her head, careful threads forming a net. But plans take time.
Meanwhile...
It's midday at school. The corridors buzz with chatter as students flood the cafeteria. The smell of fried snacks and instant noodles fills the air.
Ami and Soha walk together toward their usual table, trays balanced in their hands. Their group has unofficially claimed a corner by the wide windows, light spilling across the spot like it belongs to them.
Sneha lingers behind.
Sneha (adjusting her hair, cheerful):
"You two go ahead, I'll be there in a minute. Quick washroom stop."
Ami (glancing back with a nod):
"Alright. Don't take too long."
[ 15 minutes later]
Sneha leaves the washroom, adjusting her hair in the mirror before stepping out. She hums softly to herself, phone in one hand, already thinking about grabbing food and joining the others.
But just as she turns the corner, a strong hand grabs her wrist from behind.
Sneha (startled, nearly dropping her phone):
"Wha-hey! What the-"
She's pulled into an empty classroom. The door clicks shut behind them. Her back brushes against the chalk-dusted wall as a figure steps forward, cornering her.
A voice, low but familiar, fills the room.
??:
"Lady… say what conditions you have. I'll take the responsibility. Since I took your first kiss…"
Sneha's eyes widen. She stares at him for a moment, then blurts out-
Sneha:
"Saad?! Monkey! First, let me go!"
He obeys, loosening his grip-though one arm stays braced against the wall, blocking her from slipping away.
Saad:
"Relax, I'm not a kidnapper. Yet."
Sneha crosses her arms, glaring.
"Dang, what's wrong with you? How are you going to 'take responsibility,' huh?"
Saad (dead serious):
"How else? By being your boyfriend."
Sneha blinks, caught between laughter and shock.
"…What kind of strange strategy is this?"
Saad shrugs.
"Not a strategy. Just say yes or no. I'm taking full responsibility."
Sneha narrows her eyes.
"And what about Ami? Don't you like her?"
For once, Saad doesn't joke. His voice is firm.
"I do like her-but as a friend. She made me realize… she feels more like a little sister to me. Not someone I want romantically. And she already has Dio. My feelings for her faded a long time ago."
Sneha (half-angry, half-flustered):
"Just like that? Feelings don't work like batteries, idiot. You can't just switch them off."
Saad (rubbing his head, sighing):
"Tch. Then what do you want me to do? Pretend? You think I can control feelings? They changed. That's the truth."
Sneha hesitates, staring at him. His eyes don't waver.
[Her thoughts swirl wildly]
Dang it. He is hot chicken… too hot to just shove off the plate. And he's stubborn-like, once he decides, he doesn't budge. That's dangerous.
She chews on her lip, staring at his face a little too long.
And Ami… I don't even know how she actually feels about him. She never talks about it openly. But… there's that other guy-Dio. But I do feel like they had a chemistry...
Obvious. Even Saad admits it.
Her brow furrows slightly.
So logically… Saad should be off Ami's list, right? Which means… technically… this is okay .Technically.
A sly thought crosses her mind, curling her lips.
Minus minus equals plus. If Ami isn't into him, and his feelings for her are gone… then me stepping in isn't wrong. It's just math. Romantic math.
She exhales softly, shaking her head at herself.
But dang, how do I just ignore this offer? Who turns down a hot, tall, golden retriever volunteering to be their boyfriend?
Saad notices her silence and leans closer, waving a hand in front of her face.
Saad (grinning):
"Yo, lady. Lost in the garden of Sneha's mind again? Should I water the plants?"
Sneha (snapping back, cheeks heating):
"Shut up! …Fine. I'll take the offer. Be my boyfriend."
Saad straightens immediately, surprised by her sudden answer.
Saad (blinking):
"That's it? Just like that?"
Sneha smirks, her playful tone returning.
Sneha:
"Nah. Not that easy. Be patient, golden retriever."
Saad blinks.
"Huh? There's still more left?"
Sneha (grinning):
"Duh. Let me finish typing the contract. I'll send you the file. You also send me your terms or whatever conditions you have-tonight."
Saad groans dramatically.
"Damn, why do things have to be this complicated?"
Sneha flicks his forehead lightly.
"Baby, that's how the world works. Now let me go."
Finally, Saad drops his arm and steps back.
The accidental encounter ends as suddenly as it began. They walk out of the empty classroom together, both pretending like nothing happened,but their steps fall in rhythm.
[Meanwhile at Soha and Ami's table in the cafeteria]
Ami leans forward, unwrapping her lunch.
Ami: "Soha, how's your practice going?"
Soha's eyes light up.
Soha: "Thanks to your support, I'm actually making progress. I've applied to a few singing competitions already. Let's see where luck favors me…"
Ami grins.
Ami: "Obviously you can do it. Your raw voice is so precious. But, tell me, after high school, what's the plan? Thinking about studying music in university?"
Soha nods confidently.
Soha: "Well, I did some research and found the best match for me,International XY University. The same place where Dio studies, by the way. They're known for supporting international students and have strong programs in the arts-music, dance, theater and even other fields like law. It won't be easy, but I'm ready to try."
Ami whistles softly.
Ami: "Damn, look at you-already so calculative, one step ahead of everyone else. But I agree with you. That university is huge in culture. I'm applying there too, for economics. You know how my father is obsessed with business."
She leans closer, whispering the last part.
Ami (whispering): "So, I have to make myself perfect to take over someday."
Before Soha can answer Ami's whisper, Dylan drops his tray on the table with a thud.
Dylan (grinning): "Yo, where's the other two? Don't tell me they ditched already."
Soha blinks, looking around.
Soha: "Wait… yeah, where are they? Sneha went to the washroom ages ago."
Ami frowns, pulling her phone out.
Ami: "It's been half an hour already. Let me give her a call-"
Before her thumb even touches the screen, a hand suddenly snatches the phone away.
Saad (grinning, leaning in): "Boo."
Ami (flinching): "AH-Saad! What the heck?!"
Sneha strolls up right behind him, tossing her hair back casually. She drops onto the seat with a dramatic sigh.
Sneha: "Finally here. Peace~ I swear this school's corridors are a maze."
Soha squints at her.
Soha: "Maze? It's literally a straight hallway."
Dylan raises a brow.
Dylan: "Uh-huh. And you two just happened to get lost… together?"
Sneha immediately grabs a fry from Soha's plate, avoiding eye contact.
Sneha: "Shut up, detective."
Saad just shrugs, sliding Ami's phone back across the table as if nothing happened.
Saad: "Relax, we're here now."
Ami crosses her arms, suspicious but amused.
Ami: "You guys are acting weird."
Sneha (mouth full of fry): "We're always weird. Deal with it."