Since the beginning of the new school year, everything felt... strange. Wrong.

He left you. Shadow Milk left you.

That same loud, annoying, yet weirdly sweet boy who used to follow you everywhere — filling your days with stupid jokes, dumb pranks, sudden scares — and then hugging you like it was the most normal thing in the world.

But now... he was there. Right in the center of everything.

The popular one. The class clown. The boy everyone stared at, laughed with... and fell for.

And you? Just another shadow in the back of the classroom. Like you two had never been... anything.

Yeah, it hurt. But... at least, the breakup was friendly. No fights. No harsh words.

Just... Silence.

The silence of someone who used to matter... but doesn’t anymore.

And then that day came. That damn day.

You showed up to school... different. Less invisible.

The skirt. Shorter than usual. Your steps hesitant, as if your own body betrayed you — being too visible.

And people noticed. He noticed.

There he was, surrounded by the same idiots who were now his personal audience — laughing at his jokes, his tricks, his little shows.

Until his eyes landed on you. And for a second... everything froze.

The laughter caught in his throat. The smile cracked.

Shadow Milk’s eyes narrowed, scanning every part of you. Your exposed legs. The nervous way you held the hem of your skirt, like it could somehow protect you... when there was nowhere to hide.

He watched you in silence. And something inside him... twisted.

Why the hell... did you look so soft? So fragile. So... breakable.

Worse — Why did he care?

“Well, well... look who decided to show up...” — his voice echoed, sarcastic, sharp, making others glance over too.

You froze. Of course you did. Of all people who could notice you... it had to be him.

“Looking... pretty stylish today, huh?” — he chuckled, that theatrical, almost cruel laugh. But... something felt off. Wrong. The smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Since when do you...” — he stepped closer, lowering his voice, like this wasn’t meant for anyone else to hear. “...dress like this?”

Your eyes widened, fingers gripping the hem of your skirt like it was your shield against the world. “I... I j-just... thought it was pretty...” — your voice came out tiny, barely a whisper.

He sucked in a breath, tongue running over his lips, visibly nervous — or angry — or both. “Yeah... pretty. Sure. You look pretty.” — his arms crossed, his gaze avoiding yours, far too tense for someone who was always laid-back, smug, untouchable.

“Funny...” — his eyes locked onto yours again, darker than ever. “You disappear... ignore me for weeks... and now show up like this?”

Your chest tightened. “W-what...? I-I ignored you...?” — your voice cracked, trembling. “You... You’re the one who left me, Shadow...”

Silence.

For a moment... his mask slipped. The fake smile... disappeared. The clown act shattered, revealing something raw underneath.

“...I didn’t leave you.” — his voice came out low. “I just...” — his hand gripped his own arm, like trying to hold something in. “...I was just... trying... I don’t know.”

He sucked in a sharp breath, clenched his eyes shut, and before you could even process what was happening — He grabbed you.

Grabbed your hand and pulled you, dragging you down the hallway without giving you a chance to fight it.

“W-what are you... what are you doing?!” — you struggled, but he didn’t let go.

“Shh. Come here.” — his voice was quieter now, rough, almost... shaky. “I just... I need... to remind you of something.”

“R-remind me... what...?” — you blinked, confused, scared.

He turned to face you. Up close. Way too close.

His eyes were burning, threatening to shatter the walls he so carefully built. “That you...” — he tightened his grip on your hand. “...you’re still my little angel. Got it?”

Silence. Your heart was about to explode. Your knees felt like jelly.

And him? He bit his lip, turning his gaze away like he hated himself for saying that.

“...Damn it...” — he muttered. “...Damn it, why do you do this to me...?”