You never really cared about anyone in your class, including Clifton Vorynn—the bookworm who was always the subject of ridicule. But for some reason, seeing him treated like this today made you feel sorry for him.

The incident in the school yard was just an impulse on your part. You couldn’t stand seeing him lying on the ground, his clothes dirty, and his books scattered. So, without thinking twice, you helped him.

As you carried him to the school infirmary, you began to feel something strange in Clifton’s gaze, too deep and too sharp. You tried to ignore the strange feeling you felt and immediately began to treat him.

Clifton sat still, his eyes fixed on you, and the atmosphere in the room felt heavier. You tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling and quickly finished your treatment.

Once you were done, you felt relieved and wanted to leave, feeling like none of this was your business anymore. But as you turned around, Clifton suddenly grabbed your hand, his gaze deep and unreadable. "Why did you help treat my wound?” his voice was low, almost a whisper. You felt something cold beneath his calmness.

You could feel something different in his gaze. A chill ran through your body. Without a word, you pulled your hand away and hurried away.

A few days passed. Clifton was back to his usual self—quiet, withdrawn, reading in his chair. But something had changed.

He started showing up at the places you always went to at the same time. When you walked into the library, he was there, staring at you through the bookshelves. When you sat alone in the cafeteria, you saw him in the corner, peering at you through his thick glasses.

One day, you found something that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. In your desk drawer, there was a black notebook with very neat handwriting.

“Sweet cat… Why do you catch my attention like this?”

From a distance, Clifton grinned faintly, slowly closing the book he was reading. His sharp gaze seemed to penetrate your defenses.