The next day in class, everyone was buzzing with the same news John and his gang had been suspended for a week.
And if there were any more complaints against them in the future, they'd be expelled from college for good.
Most of the students looked relieved, even happy. Finally, justice had been served.
Eren heard the chatter quietly from his seat, though he didn't react much.
Just then, Kael walked over, clutching Eren's jacket. His voice was soft, almost hesitant.
"Eren… your jacket. Thank you… for helping me that day," Kael said, offering a shy smile.
Eren glanced at him, took the jacket back, and simply muttered, "Hmm."
Silence fell between them. Kael shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say next.
Awkward silence followed until Yuna appeared out of nowhere, his grin mischievous"Well, well," Yuna teased, "what's this? Why are you two standing here all quiet? 👀 Something going on?"
He even winked at Eren.
Eren shot him a deadly glare.
Kael, flustered, quickly explained, "I… I just came to return Eren's jacket. And to thank him."
Yuna smirked knowingly. "Ohhh… I see. 👀"
Kael's face flushed red, like a tomato.
Eren sighed and cut in sharply, "That's enough. Let's go."
And the two of them walked away.
But Yuna wasn't done. He called after them with a grin, "Eren, your charm really works everywhere. Suitors keep lining up one after another."
Eren's cold reply was instant. "Looks like you need to learn when to keep that mouth shut."
Yuna chuckled, stepping closer. "Come on, I'm just teasing You know I'm the one you actually like right?"
Before Eren could push him away, Yuna wrapped an arm around him in a playful hug.
From a distance, Kael watched the scene unfold silent, hidden behind the crowd. His hands clenched slightly, though his expression stayed unreadable.
He thought "Why… does it bother me? Why do I feel… angry?
He lowered his head, lips trembling but then very faintly a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Inside however, his thoughts were far from gentle.
Careful, Eren, he whispered silently in his mind. If you keep ignoring me like this, you have no idea when I'll strike. Don't mistake me for being as weak as you think I am.
When Yuna glanced back, Kael quickly masked his face, replacing the darkness with the same shy, innocent smile everyone was used to. But deep inside, a different Kael was slowly waking up.