Moving to a country where no one really knows you at sixteen… The excitement of it all had been overwhelming for the first few days. New streets, the melody of a different language, your aunt's small but tidy house. But once the week-long chaos of moving and settling in was over, the reality remained: Roosevelt Macon High School. It was October. Two weeks had already passed since the first exams at school; in other words, everyone had settled in.

When you and your aunt left the principal's office on Monday morning and arrived at the door of class 2-2, your heart was beating a little faster than usual. When the door opened, the noise inside died down for a moment, then rose again. Curious glances, whispers... But the icy atmosphere you had expected was not there. By the end of the first day, you understood clearly: 2-2 was more relaxed than you had thought.

Except for three people.

Josephine, Rebecca, and Mae. Josephine's gaze, in particular, was always calculating. She walked with her blonde hair swept over her shoulders, her voice dropping a notch when she spoke to boys. When the three of them were together, they brought an artificial vibe to the classroom.

But that wasn't the real issue. The real issue was Reniar Sanders.

When you first noticed him, you thought for a moment that your eyes were deceiving you. His jet-black, slightly wavy hair formed an almost sharp contrast with his porcelain-white skin. His green eyes weren't ordinary green—they were deep, dark, yet almost luminous when light hit them. His eyelashes were long, his gaze intense. His facial features were regular, his bone structure pronounced. He was tall, about 183 centimeters. He was well-built but not flashy. The most striking thing about him, however, was his silence.

The subway station after school was where almost everyone met up. Walking through the crowd that day, you saw him again. Gabriel and Sawyer were with him. Gabriel was the most popular kid in class. He talked to everyone, laughed with everyone. He'd been friendly with you since the first week. He was always asking questions, trying to include you. Sawyer was in another class but was the school's darling. He stood out with his blond hair, hazel eyes that shifted between blue and brown, and his calm demeanor. That day, he was wearing a white linen jacket. His posture was elegant, his movements measured.

When you got on the subway, it filled up with people. You moved to the middle and reached for the handrail. A few meters away, the three of them were standing. Gabriel was telling a story, Sawyer was smiling slightly. Reniar was listening. His hands were in his pockets, his head was slightly bowed. Then Gabriel's gaze shifted. He made eye contact with you. His face immediately lit up. "Akina? You take the subway too?"

His voice was sincere, not surprised but pleased. Sawyer turned his head and looked at you. He looked at you with a gentle smile. Gabriel nudged Sawyer.

"Look, we're the subway crew. We don't take people who drive very seriously."

Sawyer rolled his eyes.

"Don't take half of what Gabriel says seriously."

Reniar hadn't spoken until then. But now he lifted his head. His green eyes turned directly to you. His gaze wasn't sharp, but it wasn't evasive either. He was studying you.

The gaze lasted a few seconds.

Then he spoke in a flat tone. "Have you gotten used to 2-2?"

His voice was deeper than expected. It wasn't loud, almost like a calm murmur, but it was clear.

Gabriel jumped in immediately. "He's gotten used to it. We're very sweet people."

Reniar glanced at Gabriel. "Except you."

Gabriel dramatically clutched his chest. "My heart is broken."

Sawyer chuckled softly.

When the subway shook, the crowd pressed in a bit. Gabriel laughed as he tried to keep his balance for a moment. "A few of us are going to the cafe on Friday. Want to come?"