Alvano approached the window and found Theo still peeking through it with a curious face and a ridiculous pose like an amateur detective.
"Don't act like some stalker," Alvano teased, patting Theo's back with a small laugh.
Theo winced. "I don't know her. Who is that girl? How does she even know where I live?"
Alvano peeked out as well. When he saw the girl, he immediately recognized her—the girl who had helped them that time. "That's her… the girl who helped us during the incident yesterday."
"Huh?" Theo turned quickly. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. You passed out back then, so you didn't see. But I still remember her face. She was the first one to come before Joshua even knew we were half-dead."
Theo frowned. "Wait… you mean she's the one who brought us to the hospital?"
Alvano nodded slowly. "We were taken in her car. You were rushed first to the ER with another driver. I could only open my phone and contact Joshua after I got to the hospital."
Theo fell silent for a moment. "But… how does she know my address?"
"No idea," Alvano replied, equally puzzled. "Maybe she found out herself? But clearly, she's not just anyone."
Outside, the girl was seen checking her phone, matching the house number, then staring at Theo's house for a moment. Her face looked slightly relieved before she walked toward the gate.
Theo and Alvano exchanged glances.
"Just open it, it'd be rude to leave our savior standing outside," said Alvano.
Theo nodded hesitantly, then went out to open the gate.
The girl smiled politely. "You both seem better now. I'm glad."
Theo stayed silent, feeling strange and slightly awkward.
"I… haven't had the chance to thank you," Theo finally said. "If it weren't for you, we might've—"
The girl quickly interrupted with a gentle smile, "It's fine. No need to make it a big deal."
Theo and Alvano invited the girl inside to chat for a bit as a way to express their gratitude for her help.
Inside the living room, the girl walked in politely, her eyes wandering slightly as she observed the room. Theo's house wasn't particularly tidy, with some items scattered around and the decorations rather plain.
"Make yourself at home… though honestly, this barely looks like a home," Theo said with an awkward laugh.
The girl smiled faintly, then sat on the sofa facing Alvano. Not long after, Theo returned with a cup of hot tea and placed it on the table in front of her.
"Thank you," the girl said, bowing slightly.
Once the atmosphere had eased a little, she spoke softly. "Are you really okay now?" she asked Theo, looking at him directly as if to see for herself.
Theo paused for a moment. Honestly, he still felt pain in several parts of his body, with some internal injuries not yet healed. But he couldn't tell the truth. Not even Alvano or Joshua knew his real condition.
"Yeah… I'm fine. Just a bit sore, but nothing serious," he replied with a faint smile.
Alvano, sitting beside him, could only watch silently. Deep down, he was convinced his hunch was right—Theo hadn't fully recovered.
The girl then let out a small sigh. "But I still can't believe it. How could both of you get attacked just like that… by people you don't even know?"
The words instantly made the air feel slightly tense.
Alvano leaned back slightly, interlacing his fingers and looking at the girl. "Like I said yesterday at the hospital… that man in the jacket was really strange. But… somehow, I feel like Theo and that man knew each other."
The room went silent for a few seconds. Theo turned to him quickly, eyes slightly wide. "I don't know him," Theo said seriously, shaking his head. "I swear, I've never seen that guy before."
Alvano watched his friend's expression closely. Even though Theo seemed sincere, something about it still felt off—as if he wasn't telling everything.
The girl then cut in with a calm but sharp question, "Have either of you… made trouble with anyone recently? I mean, at school or elsewhere?"
Alvano immediately answered, "I don't even know anyone." He shrugged, looking relaxed.
But Theo… stayed quiet.
Theo's mind immediately went to the incident a few days ago—those eight people who had ambushed him on a deserted street. Their hateful faces, the metal rods and wooden sticks in their hands, the fury blazing in their eyes. He knew… that might have been where it all started. But… was the man in the jacket part of them too?
"I… might've caused a little… trouble," Theo finally admitted in a low voice. "But it's nothing big… just some people who don't like me."
The girl exhaled lightly, then lifted her teacup. "I think… you both should report this to the authorities. This isn't just a personal issue anymore. An attack like that could happen again anytime. If they come back and you're not prepared…"
Theo lowered his head. Alvano just stared blankly ahead. The girl's suggestion made sense… but deep down, they both knew this problem was far more complicated than a simple police report.
Theo exhaled softly before speaking. "This problem… might be better if I handle it myself, rather than involving the police."
Alvano immediately turned to him, confused. "What do you mean, Theo? You want to handle this alone? This isn't something small."
The girl also looked surprised. Her eyebrows raised slightly as she stared at Theo questioningly. "You're not serious, are you?"
Theo gave an awkward smile and scratched his head. "I just think… it's a small matter that won't bother us again. Maybe just… a misunderstanding."
That answer sounded like nonsense. Even Alvano knew Theo was hiding something. But he chose not to press him for now, especially since their guest seemed suspicious too.
The girl gazed at Theo for a while. Her eyes were calm, deep, as if she could read his thoughts. Then, the tension in the room seemed to fade away. The aura radiating from her was soothing—just like that night when she appeared on the dark road, driving away the man in the black jacket with nothing but her calm yet powerful presence.
Theo felt his chest lighten, the tension within him slowly dissolving. Alvano also seemed more relaxed, as if the weight on his shoulders had lifted.
"You don't need to worry too much," the girl said gently with a soft smile. "If you ever see that man again… report it to the police immediately. Or—" she handed Alvano a small piece of paper, "—call me. This is my phone number."
Alvano took the paper with a puzzled expression. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"If you're in danger, I can help… in my own way," she replied softly. "Every action deserves its consequence, right? I just want to do what's right."
Her words left them both momentarily silent. Alvano stared at the paper in his hand, while Theo frowned slightly. Something about the way she spoke… didn't sound like something a normal teenager would say.
After that, the girl stood up from the sofa and neatly straightened her skirt. "I think I should go now."
Before she reached the door, she stopped for a moment and turned around. "By the way, I haven't properly introduced myself… My name's Arwen Elvara. From class 10-A."
Alvano and Theo both froze for a moment upon hearing her name. Then they quickly stood up and accompanied her to the front gate.
"Thank you so much, Arwen," said Alvano politely.
"Yeah, thank you… for everything," Theo added, still unsure what else to say.
Arwen replied with a small smile. But before getting into her car, she seemed to remember something. "Oh right… about your motorcycle, Theo."
"Huh?" Theo frowned.
"I had it taken to the repair shop, but… it's too badly damaged. So I asked my father to buy you a new one instead."
"A-a new motorcycle?! Seriously?!"
"Yes," Arwen answered lightly. "An angel delivered it to you."
Theo and Alvano could only stare blankly, not knowing whether to be amazed or utterly confused by this girl.