Season 3 — Episode 16
The comment hung in the air.
A drop of sweat ran down Naya's face as she struggled to compose herself. Her eyes remained fixed on Jin, as though she was waiting for him to take back what he had just said.
Naya: "W-what do you mean?"
Jin blinked and paused for a moment before making himself clear.
Jin: "Gary is... dead."
Naya's eyes widened at the confirmation. Her hand immediately reached for the doorframe, gripping it tightly as she tried to keep herself standing. Her knuckles turned white from the force.
Naya: "It... It can't be right?"
She asked as if she were trying to convince herself that what Jin had said was a lie.
A moment later, she seemed to realize that Jin had been standing outside the entire time.
Naya: "I'm sorry. You came all this way and I— I didn't even ask you to come and sit."
Jin: "It's okay. I'm fine here."
Naya: "No, no. You can come inside. I can't let you stand out there in the snow. And I have some questions too."
She stepped aside, giving Jin enough room to enter.
Jin quietly stepped inside.
The warmth of the house immediately contrasted with the cold outside. It was a comfortable, well-kept home, with polished wooden flooring and a small table positioned in front of the couch.
Jin sat down on the couch, his eyes briefly wandering around the room as Naya headed toward the kitchen.
She began preparing something for him.
While waiting, Jin's gaze settled on a photograph resting against the wall. It showed a younger Gary standing beside Naya, both of them looking noticeably happier.
Jin continued looking at the photograph until he heard footsteps approaching.
He turned his head as Naya returned and sat on the opposite couch, placing two cups of warm tea on the table between them.
Jin: "Thank you for the tea."
He bowed slightly before sitting back.
Naya: "My pleasure. Make yourself at home."
The words struck Jin unexpectedly.
For a brief moment, an uncomfortable feeling surfaced inside him—something he didn't want to feel again.
He quietly brushed it aside.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The warmth of the tea slowly filled the silence between them until Naya finally spoke.
Naya: "Do you know..."
She held the warm cup between both hands, looking down at the table with a faint smile.
Jin raised his eyes toward her.
Naya: "Gary told me about you years ago, when he was still in elementary school."
Jin's expression remained neutral.
Jin: "Really?"
Naya nodded slightly.
Naya: "He used to say..."
Six years ago
Gary: "Mom, there's a kid who's different from the rest. He doesn't talk or play with the others, and I heard he doesn't have parents. I feel bad for him. I'd like to become friends with him."
Naya smiled warmly at her son.
Naya: "Oh, really? Then I'd like to meet him. Bring him home sometime, sweetheart."
Present
Naya paused and took a sip of her tea.
Jin remained silent, listening.
After a moment, she looked at him again.
Naya: "So... did you guys become friends?"
Jin's fingers tightened slightly around the cup.
After a brief pause, he answered.
Jin: "Yes. We became friends."
A smile appeared on Naya's face.
Naya: "That's nice to hear. I'm glad."
Her gaze shifted toward the photograph on the wall. Her smile remained, though there was a quiet sadness beneath it now.
Naya: "I was thinking of scolding him when he got home, since he hasn't come back since last week."
She looked down at her cup.
Naya: "I was worried today when I heard the news. I wanted to believe everything would be alright..."
Her fingers slowly tightened around the cup.
Naya: "When I heard that knock on the door, my heart skipped a beat. Then I became confused about whether I should scold him for not coming home for a week... or check if he was alright."
She looked toward Jin.
He listened without interrupting.
Naya: "Thank you for becoming friends with him."
She bowed slightly while remaining seated.
Jin didn't respond.
He couldn't.
Instead, he wondered how she could appear so composed after just learning that her son had died.
Perhaps she really was fine.
Or perhaps...
She was simply pretending to be.
---
The moment Jin stepped out of the house, the door closed behind him.
He remained there, leaning against the closed door instead of immediately leaving.
Through the wood, he could hear it.
Faint sobs.
The sound of someone desperately trying to hold back their grief.
Jin lowered his gaze toward the snow beneath his feet.
He remained still for a few seconds before his eyes slowly shifted toward the building across the way.
Alan was standing against the wall.
His hands were tucked inside his pockets.
Alan: "Looks like you're not done yet. You know what to do, Jin."
Alan pushed himself away from the wall and turned to leave.
Alan: "There's a ramen shop at the next corner of this street. Meet me there after you finish."
Jin watched him leave.
His gaze then returned to the door.
After a moment, he reached for the handle.
He opened it and stepped inside again.
Naya was sitting on the couch, her hands covering her eyes. Her glasses had been left on the table.
Her shoulders were still trembling from the sobs she had been trying to suppress.
The sound of the door opening made her flinch.
She quickly wiped her eyes, reached for her glasses, and slowly stood.
Naya: "Oh, Jin. I thought you left."
Embarrassment crossed her face, and her cheeks turned slightly pink.
Naya: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be like that in front of you."
Jin looked at her calmly.
Jin: "It's okay. I can understand how you feel."
Naya looked up at him.
Naya: "Y-yeah."
Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but she hesitated.
Jin noticed.
Jin: "It's okay. You can ask me if there's something."
Naya looked at him with a worried expression.
Naya: "Was Gary... actually a criminal?"
Jin answered without hesitation.
Jin: "No, he was not."
Naya's shoulders immediately relaxed.
She placed a hand against her chest, visibly relieved.
Naya: "Thank God."
Her gaze then shifted toward Jin's hand.
She reached out and gently took it.
Jin flinched at the unexpected touch but didn't pull away.
He looked at her hand with slight confusion.
Naya: "It's cold. You were standing out in the snow, right?"
She released his hand and headed toward her room.
Jin lifted his hand slightly and looked at it.
The warmth of her touch still remained.
A moment later, Naya returned carrying a muffler.
She stepped closer and carefully wrapped it around his neck.
Jin looked down at it.
Jin: "What is this for?"
Naya adjusted the muffler before pulling her hands away.
Naya: "To keep you warm. There."
Jin looked at her.
Jin: "But why?"
Naya smiled softly.
Naya: "Because you're Gary's friend. And I'm sure he would want me to take care of you."
Jin felt something strange in his chest.
He couldn't describe what it was.
He simply lowered his head slightly.
Jin: "Thank you."
Naya smiled.
Naya: "Be safe on your way."
She clasped her hands together in front of herself as she followed him toward the door.
Jin stepped outside and looked back at her one last time.
Naya remained standing in the doorway.
Naya: "And Jin..."
Jin had been about to turn around, but he stopped.
Jin: "Yes?"
Naya looked at him.
Naya: "I would be happy if you came back again."
Jin's eyes widened slightly.
He turned toward her and answered in a low voice.
Jin: "I will."
Naya waved goodbye and remained at the doorway until Jin disappeared from her sight.
---
Jin eventually reached the corner shop where Alan had told him to meet him.
He entered the ramen shop and immediately spotted Alan sitting on a stool at the counter.
Two bowls of ramen were already waiting.
Alan glanced toward him.
Alan: "So, you've come."
Jin sat beside him without saying a word.
Alan studied him briefly.
Alan: "Something strange, huh? You look lost."
Jin picked up his chopsticks.
Jin: "It's nothing."
Alan looked down at his own bowl and grabbed his chopsticks.
Alan: "How was it?"
Jin picked up some ramen.
Jin: "It was fine. Visiting her was a good choice."
He glanced toward Alan.
Alan took a bite from his bowl.
Jin watched him for a moment.
Jin: "You are quite the person."
He paused.
Jin: "You knew what you were doing, didn't you?"
Alan didn't answer.
Jin simply looked back at his ramen.
Jin: "Whatever. I'm tired. Gonna rest afterwards."
The two continued eating in silence.
CITY HOSPITAL
The city hospital was unusually busy.
People moved through the corridors in every direction, some patients walking slowly with family members beside them while others waited near the walls. Nurses moved between rooms with trays of medical supplies, checking charts, speaking quietly to patients, and occasionally hurrying toward another section of the building.
Despite the activity, the atmosphere remained relatively calm.
Inside one of the rooms, Max lay on a hospital bed with a drip stand positioned beside him. His injured hand was wrapped tightly in fresh bandages, covering the wound that had been treated earlier.
His eyes trembled slightly as he slept.
Then, everything around him disappeared into darkness.
A younger voice echoed inside his mind.
Little Max: "STOP!"
The voice became louder.
Little Max: "STOP IT! STOP HURTING HER, UNCLE—"
Max's eyes suddenly opened.
He slowly sat upright, breathing heavily as he looked around the room. For a moment, his expression was confused, as though he was trying to figure out where he was.
Then his gaze settled on Casey.
She was sitting on a chair near the edge of the bed, her head resting close to his legs. The movement caught her attention, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Casey: "Max?"
She stretched slightly before moving closer to check on him.
Casey: "How are you feeling now?"
Max looked at her.
His breathing gradually settled, and his heartbeat slowed as he realized he was safe.
He then looked down at his injured hand.
The treatment had already been completed. The wound was covered, and all that remained was time for it to heal.
Max looked back at Casey.
Max: "What happened?"
Casey sighed quietly.
She already knew he wouldn't remember.
Whenever Max entered that strange state, his memories of what happened afterward seemed to disappear.
Casey slowly sat down on the stool beside the bed.
Casey: "Of course, you don't remember."
Before Max could respond, Casey's attention shifted toward the door.
Footsteps approached from the corridor.
A moment later, the door opened and Ellie entered.
She immediately walked toward them and stopped nearby, her hands held together against her chest as she looked at both of them with concern.
Ellie: "Max, Casey. Are you two alright?"
Casey gave her a reassuring look.
Casey: "Yes, we're fine."
Max lifted his left hand slightly.
Max: "Just a small injury."
Ellie breathed a sigh of relief.
Ellie: "That's good to know."
Her eyes then wandered toward the other side of the room.
There was another bed in the opposite corner.
Ellie looked over and noticed two boys from Ironfall. Chris was sitting on the edge of the bed while Wayne was lying down.
Wayne's leg was wrapped in bandages.
Ellie approached them, her expression becoming concerned again.
Before she could ask what had happened, Chris spoke.
Chris: "He was stabbed."
He lifted his own left arm, showing the injury he had received.
Chris: "I was too, but not as badly as him. He also fell from the second floor."
Ellie covered her mouth in surprise.
Ellie: "How is he now?"
Chris glanced toward Wayne.
Chris: "He'll be fine. No bones were cracked from the impact."
Ellie nodded, relieved.
Ellie: "That's good to hear..."
She turned back toward Max and Casey.
Wayne tilted his head slightly, looking toward them from his bed.
Wayne: "He was one of the lowest ranks of Nameless School."
Chris nodded in agreement.
Ellie looked between them.
She had never taken much interest in combat ability ranks, so the information didn't mean much to her.
Ellie: "Nameless School? Wasn't that abandoned a long time ago?"
Chris nodded.
Chris: "Yeah. I was surprised someone from there came to our school."
He paused briefly.
Chris: "I heard some classmates were mocking Nameless School that night, and he happened to be there. We didn't know until he got up and announced it."
Ellie's eyes widened.
Ellie: "Wait, he was there and you guys didn't know?"
Casey answered from behind her.
Casey: "Yes. That night, Ironfall and Blackridge students were sitting together in the classroom, so we just thought he was one of us."
Ellie: "Oh..."
The door opened again.
This time, Mark entered the room.
Chris immediately stood up while Wayne shifted slightly in his bed.
Mark walked over and looked down at Wayne.
Mark: "How's your health, Wayne?"
Wayne gave him a small nod.
Wayne: "I'm fine. Just need a bit of rest. I won't be able to fight for now."
Mark nodded.
Mark: "That's not a problem. We settled things. It's over."
Casey suddenly remembered something.
Casey: "Oh, yeah. I heard the news."
She looked toward Ellie.
Casey: "Ellie, shouldn't you check on your friends? I heard there was a criminal out there near Blackridge."
She paused.
Casey: "Even the cops were after him."
Ellie smiled softly.
Ellie: "They'll be fine, because Alan is with them."
Casey looked at her.
Casey: "Alan?"
Ellie nodded.
Ellie: "I believe he can handle things. That's why I wasn't worried. I just wanted to check on you guys."
Mark looked at Ellie for a moment before raising an eyebrow.
Mark: "Are you Alan's girl?"
Ellie immediately shook her hands, her face burning slightly.
Ellie: "No, no! We're friends... Well, childhood friends, you could say. So I know him."
Mark's expression changed with understanding.
Mark: "Oh!? That makes sense. That's why you're not worried about him."
Ellie: "Yes..."
She answered quietly, though the faint blush remained on her face.
Scene out of the hospital.
---
The roads surrounding Nameless were quiet, with almost no one around. The snowfall had stopped, but a thick layer of snow remained across the streets and along the sides of the old buildings. The cold air had settled over the area, making the usually empty streets feel even more deserted.
Jin was walking toward his home. After everything that had happened that day, he didn't want to think about anything else. He simply wanted to return home and have some peace.
As he turned onto another street, however, he suddenly stopped.
He looked over his shoulder and stared down the empty road behind him. There was no one in sight, but he could tell that someone was nearby.
After watching the street for a moment, Jin finally spoke.
Jin: "I know you're there. Come out."
A girl slowly stepped out from behind one of the walls.
It was Lily.
She walked toward him with her hands placed behind her back, looking slightly hesitant despite having followed him this far.
Lily: "Wasn't stalking you. I just hesitated to approach you."
Jin remained where he was as she came closer.
Jin: "What do you need now?"
Lily glanced around the quiet street before looking back at him.
Lily: "It's about the Nameless school mystery."
Jin stared at her.
Lily knew he hadn't been happy about her digging into the mystery, especially after she had eventually discovered the truth. She lowered her gaze slightly before explaining why she had approached him.
Lily: "I know that you didn't like that I was looking into it and even got the answer, so I just came to apologize."
Jin's expression remained unchanged.
Lily looked at him for a moment before looking away again. She waited, expecting him to say something, but Jin remained silent.
The silence became slightly uncomfortable, and Lily eventually broke it herself.
Lily: "Are you still angry about it?"
Jin didn't answer immediately. After a moment, he turned away from her and began speaking.
Jin: "Just make sure no one else knows about this. If I ever hear someone else talking about this and me..."
He glanced back at Lily over his shoulder, his expression still calm.
Jin: "Then you'll be in trouble."
With that, Jin continued walking down the street.
His figure gradually disappeared into the darkness as he moved farther away, leaving Lily standing alone beneath the cloudy sky.
She watched him for a few seconds before finally looking upward.
Lily: "I won't tell anyone. It's a promise."
---
2 months later...
The grounds of Ironfall Academy had returned to their usual liveliness. The fountain stood in the middle of the school courtyard, surrounded by plants and trees along the edges that gave the area a peaceful atmosphere. After everything that had happened recently, it almost felt strange to see the academy looking so ordinary again.
Students had returned to their usual activities. Some were studying together, others were playing around in the courtyard, while a few groups were either training or getting into small fights of their own.
Even the classroom that had been damaged during the previous incident had been repaired. The windows were replaced, the broken sections had been fixed, and there was barely any indication that anything had happened there.
A few groups of girls were gathered together, discussing the upcoming Christmas party scheduled for the following evening.
Girl: "Have you bought the gifts?"
Girl: "I asked my parents to buy me that latest makeup kit."
The girls chuckled softly.
Girl: "No way! Your parents agreed to that?"
Another girl smiled.
Girl: "Of course they would. She's their lovely daughter."
---
Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, a group of boys sat near the fountain.
Three younger students, now around thirteen years old, were sitting together. They had been part of Henry's group before the tournament, but things had changed since then.
Chris eventually walked over to them.
The three boys looked up at him as he approached.
Chris: "Not gonna train?"
The boy with the leaf-cut hairstyle shook his head slightly.
Harry: "We are. The group just feels empty without our former leader being here."
Chris glanced toward the school building.
Chris: "Yeah... Henry stopped coming to school after our fight in the tournament, huh."
He paused briefly before looking back at the boys.
Chris: "Well, don't feel sad. You have to keep moving without him. He would never want you guys to stay stuck at the same rank, right?"
The other two boys had slicked-back hairstyles. One of them nodded in agreement.
Rio: "You're right, Chris. We gotta keep Henry's group moving up."
The other boy shrugged.
Tyler: "We probably need to expand the fighters."
Chris rubbed the back of his neck.
Chris: "Ah, well, maybe you guys can. Mark isn't planning to expand our personal group. It's just me, Wayne, and Mark. Just the three of us."
Rio looked at Chris.
Rio: "Because you three are strong. We're D-Ranks. We might not be enough in an actual fight."
Chris gave him a reassuring smile and patted his shoulder.
Chris: "At least you're doing it. Besides, you guys aren't even that old yet, so don't worry about everything right now. Just study more than you fight."
He looked at all three of them.
Chris: "Got it?"
The three boys nodded immediately.
Chris gave them one last look before turning around and walking away.
---
Inside the cafeteria, Lily sat alone at her usual seat, away from the rest of the students.
Her thoughts kept returning to the conversation she had with Jin.
She needed to keep what she had discovered a secret. If anyone else found out, she knew Jin wouldn't take it lightly, and she had no intention of making him angry again.
Lily looked around the cafeteria.
Everything seemed fine now.
There were no more disturbances.
No criminals running around.
No strange incidents.
Just their normal school life.
She finished her food and returned the tray before leaving the cafeteria.
As she walked through the hallway, she quietly spoke to herself.
Lily: "Glad everything seems to be normal."
She continued walking for a few steps before suddenly stopping at the sound of someone calling her name from farther down the hallway.
Samantha: "Lily!"
Lily looked over her shoulder.
Samantha was approaching with Kelly and Mina, as usual.
Lily walked into her classroom and stopped beside her seat.
She looked toward the three girls approaching her.
For a brief moment, she remembered everything that had happened recently.
Then she quietly muttered to herself.
Lily: "Yeah... too normal."
ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Next Day — Evening
The city was glowing with numerous lights, the tower with a big clock standing tall between them, showing 8 o'clock.
Snowflakes were falling slowly, though only in small amounts.
People were walking around, buying presents, eating food, taking pictures, and enjoying themselves.
In front of the Clock Tower was a large, round open space. In the middle stood a beautiful antique-style fountain, surrounded by people and couples sitting around, laughing and enjoying the evening.
The atmosphere, just a few hours before Christmas, was as beautiful as ever.
Perhaps even more so.
---
In one of those houses, there was a medium-sized home. It was square-shaped, though it looked beautiful despite being relatively small.
The exterior was well-maintained, and inside was a cozy bedroom with a bed in one corner, a nightstand and lamp beside it, and a study table on the other side.
And much more.
Alan lay on the bed, doing nothing but staring at the ceiling.
His phone rested near his pillow, while one arm was placed above his forehead, partially covering his face.
Outside the building, a car, perhaps a taxi, came to a stop.
A girl stepped out and waved as the taxi drove away.
She then turned toward the building and pressed the doorbell.
Alan slowly got up.
He had never gotten visitors here before. None of his school friends even knew about this place, at least as far as he knew.
He opened the door, expecting that perhaps someone had come to the wrong address or that it was a delivery.
But when he looked outside, he saw Ellie.
She was wearing a brown hat and an overcoat over her brown sweater and skirt.
Ellie smiled softly as she greeted him.
Ellie: Good evening, Alan-kun. Merry Christmas.
Alan: Good evening. Merry Christmas.
He stepped back inside, leaving the door open for her.
Ellie followed him and closed the door behind her, carefully taking off her shoes before stepping onto the polished floor.
She looked around.
Ellie: Nice place. It hasn't changed much since then.
Alan came back from the kitchen holding two glasses and poured red grape juice for both of them.
Alan: I'm surprised.
He pushed one of the glasses toward her as Ellie sat down at the dining table and took off her hat.
She pulled a strand of hair behind her ear before taking the glass.
Ellie: Surprised because I remembered the address?
She asked before taking a sip.
Ellie: This is nice. You sure keep good-quality stuff.
Alan sat down on the chair opposite her.
Alan: Yeah. I didn't think you would remember.
Ellie pouted.
Ellie: You thought? Alan, you should know I would never forget.
Alan closed his eyes.
Alan: Well, I should have known.
Ellie laughed softly as she set the glass down.
Ellie: You haven't even asked what I came here for.
Alan: Do I have to? You can just come whenever you want.
He took another sip of his drink.
Ellie's cheeks seemed to have gained some warmth.
Ellie: Yeah, right... But still, do you not remember anything else?
Alan took the empty glasses onto a tray and headed into the kitchen, speaking casually from there.
Alan: Can't remember for now. If you know, then tell me.
Ellie got up from the chair, took off her overcoat, and hung it on the wall before settling herself on the edge of the mattress.
She looked toward Alan as he came out of the kitchen and stood in front of her.
Ellie: I wanted you to guess it, but you're so oblivious.
She grabbed the box she had brought with her and handed it to him.
Ellie: Open it.
She smiled, slightly shy as well.
Alan took the box.
It felt cold.
He sat down next to her and opened it.
Inside was a beautiful and delicious-looking cake.
Alan looked at her for a moment.
Alan: This is for me?
Ellie nodded and gently patted his head.
Ellie: You're so careless, but... Happy 17th birthday, Alan.
Alan gently pushed her hand away as he stared at the cake, then looked back at her.
Alan: My birthday... right.
He looked back at the cake.
Alan: It's been so long since I celebrated it. I remembered, but I wasn't expecting someone to say this to me.
Ellie nudged him with her elbow while pouting softly.
Ellie: Of course! You didn't even bother to tell anyone about it, correct!?
She then placed her hands behind herself and leaned slightly.
Ellie: But I do. You told me nine years ago, right?
Alan: Hmm... thank you for all this.
Ellie: Nah, nah, it's okay. No thanks between us, okie?
She smiled and placed a finger against her lips.
Alan smiled faintly and put the cake box on the nightstand.
He turned toward her and sat against the headboard. Ellie remained where she was, though she pulled her legs up onto the bed.
Alan: So, where did you live all this time?
Ellie: Umm... I was staying at a small apartment. I could manage the rent somehow.
Alan: I see. Planning to live there?
Ellie: I mean...
She blushed before shaking her head slightly.
Ellie: Yes, I will. But we're gonna have a sleepover at your place for tonight.
Alan raised an eyebrow.
Alan: A sleepover?
Ellie nodded.
Ellie: Yes. I came alone, but I called our friends. They'll be arriving near 12 AM to celebrate Christmas and your birthday.
Alan sighed.
Alan: Should've told me that.
He looked at the clock.
Alan: Still two hours for that.
He looked at her.
Ellie looked back at him.
An awkward silence followed, though perhaps it was only awkward for Ellie.
Alan seemed to simply be looking around or occasionally at her.
Ellie tucked her hands between her thighs.
Alan: You're too early. Now you don't have something else to do, right?
Ellie: Yehh! I just thought I...
She continued without looking at him directly.
Ellie: Maybe we could have some time to ourselves before that.
Alan: For what?
Ellie answered a little louder than she intended.
Ellie: I mean, we can just chat and all. I came back here after a long time, but...
She looked around.
Ellie: I don't think there's anything to discuss about this place, as it looks the same.
She smiled faintly.
Ellie: Cozy and warm.
Alan: Yeah, I know. But that's the good part, isn't it?
Ellie nodded.
She then looked at him as Alan started scrolling through his phone.
Ellie's lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she paused.
Alan: Just lie down and rest. You're probably tired.
Ellie gave him a slight look.
Ellie: Stop observing too much, you idiot.
There was no real heat behind her words.
She lay down and looked up at the ceiling.
After a moment, she spoke again.
Ellie: So you haven't celebrated your birthday since "THAT" time?
Alan: Yeah.
Ellie smiled softly.
Ellie: Then...
She sat up slightly on her elbow and looked at him.
Ellie: I will make sure you remember this one. Not just this one, but every one from now on.
She lay down again.
Alan glanced at her before returning his attention to his phone.
Then—
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Ellie's eyes opened.
Alan got up to answer it.
Ellie: Wait, nobody was supposed to come yet.
Alan: Could be someone else?
Ellie: Maybe.
Alan moved toward the door and looked through the peephole.
To be continued...