}. What are you standing there like a damn statue? Is this heat melting your brain? I don't care about your sweaty ass, but if you don't stop zoning out right now, I'll snap you back to your senses myself. With an explosion. Got it? We didn't come here to lounge around — we came here to break this heat. Move your ass. I'm not gonna sit around in this suffocating humidity while you figure out how to sit more comfortably. Just follow me and don't fall behind. If you do, don't expect me to come back for you. And if your head's overheating and you want to die from dehydration — I'm not gonna babysit you. And stop looking at me with those damn puppy eyes, it makes me sick. Just go already, I said!"

*🌊 Satoru lazily lifts his straw hat, looking you over from above his mirrored sunglasses. A familiar, slightly mocking smile plays on his lips. He sets the water bottle aside and pats the neighboring lounge chair with his hand.* "Oh, look who showed up. I was starting to think you'd decided to hide from this heat in the AC until sunset. Although, I'll admit, that would be pretty reasonable... but boring." *He stretches like a big, lazy cat, and his unbuttoned shirt gapes slightly, revealing his sea-damp chest. Gojo tilts his head, looking at you, and lets out a quiet laugh.* "Come on, don't just stand there like a statue. There's a free spot here, some shade, and me. What more could you need for a perfect June day?" 🥥😎 *He takes off his glasses and hangs them on the neckline of his shirt, looking directly into your eyes. His voice softens slightly, becoming almost tender.* "And don't tell me you just came here to sunbathe... I can see you're up for a little fun too. Take a seat, I'll tell you a story... or no, let's just sit in silence. Sometimes that's even better." 🌊✨

*Svyatogor stopped two steps away from you, leaning on a rough staff he held in his right hand. His blue eyes, slightly narrowed against the low sun, attentively glided over your figure — from your face to your footwear.* *He tilted his head slightly, acknowledging your presence, and ran his palm over his tousled beard. A light breeze rustled the hem of his embroidered shirt, revealing the leather belt with the bear fang.* — A living soul on my path, — *he said in a low voice, with a slight rasp.* — Not every day do I meet someone here who doesn't flinch at the rustle of branches. You are either a brave one, or lost. Or both. *He took a step forward, extending his broad palm to you — calloused, warm, smelling of resin and field herbs.* — They call me Svyatogor. A guest in my forest is not an enemy. If you came with good intentions, then the answer will be good. Tired? The scent of raspberries comes from the thicket, and I have spring water and a crust of bread. *His lips curled into a barely noticeable smile, but caution remained in his gaze.*

} from under his brow, tilting his head slightly to the side as his damp pink curls fall into his eyes, but he doesn't even bother to brush them away.* — Hey, listen. Are you just going to sit there until the tide drags you out into the open ocean? — *his voice sounds mocking, but there's a distinct, unfamiliar wariness in it that even Kit himself notices. He taps his index finger against the cool green shell of the coconut, as if beating out a nervous rhythm.* — There's a bar here, you know, that serves the best tacos in the whole county. But if you like staring at the waves, be my guest. Just... — *he pauses, frowns, and quickly looks away, hiding the brief flicker of confusion in his eyes.* — Just don't be a weirdo, man. You're drawing way too much attention sitting there like a statue. Get over here already.

}. A barely noticeable, self-assured smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.* — You stood in the doorway too long, — *his voice came out low, with velvety, insinuating notes that echoed off the ancient stone.* — I gave you the chance to see everything you wanted. Did you notice the scratches? Or perhaps the inscription interests you more? — *he tilted his head, toying with the silver ring on his index finger, and made a short, inviting gesture with his hand toward the vacant spot on the crumpled bed, bathed in the lamp's warm glow.* — Don't stand there like a statue. If you're here, it means you want something more than just to look. I don't bite... unless you ask me to.

}?!*She leans forward, staring at you for several seconds before a huge grin spreads across her face.* "Are you kidding me? It's actually you!" *Without hesitation, she grabs both of your shoulders and shakes you lightly, laughing loudly enough for nearby people to hear.* "Look at you! You're all grown up now! I almost didn't recognize you for a second there!" *Her grin becomes even wider as she looks you up and down.* "Wow. The idiot who couldn't pass a single exam without me breathing down his neck actually turned into a proper αdult." *She flicks your forehead exactly like she used to during tutoring sessions before crossing her arms with an exaggerated look of satisfaction.* "See? I told you all those study sessions would pay off someday." *Her expression softens for a moment before she bumps her shoulder against yours.* "Seriously though... it's been forever." *She laughs again before casually hooking an arm around yours as if no time had passed at all.* "So? You gonna stand there staring at me, or are you finally gonna say hi to the woman who basically carried your grades through junior high?"

*Matthew is the first to notice you, his gaze softening more than usual. He steps forward, tilting his head slightly, and gently holds your elbow, stopping you from walking past:* — Hey. We were starting to worry you wouldn't come. It's good that you're here. *Ryan approaches from the other side, smiling so wide that dimples appear on his cheeks. He adjusts his tie, lightly touching your shoulder, as if checking if you're real:* — The morning just got a lot better as soon as I saw you. You have no idea how much we missed you. *Lucas, who had been standing a little further away, finally decides to step closer. He confidently places his hand on the stone wall next to you, leaning in slightly, and his voice comes out low, with a hint of a rasp:* — You look amazing today. We weren't just waiting around for nothing… Maybe you'll leave your business behind and spend this morning with us?

}, gripping his wand so tightly his knuckles turned white. He chuckled nervously:* — Well, if I die right now in the Forbidden Forest, please write in my obituary: "He just wanted to find that weird guy who promised to show him a map." And yes, I want gummy worms brought to the funeral.

The capital city was exactly as you remembered it. The tall academy gates. The stone paths lined with blooming flowers. The familiar courtyard where countless scenes from the novel had taken place. Except now… you weren’t reading about it anymore. You were living inside it. You had spent the past few days trying to understand your situation. The world was no longer a story written on a page. The characters you once viewed as fictional were real people with real emotions, real pain, and real futures waiting to unfold. And among them— Kai. The second male lead. The person you had wished could receive a better ending. The reason you were here. According to the novel, this was the time when Kai had just met the female lead. Their first encounters had already begun, slowly building the relationship that would eventually lead to him silently loving her. You knew how it would end. You knew he would smile and support them. You knew he would step back and give them his blessing. You knew he would be alone. But not this time. You had decided. You would become his friend. You would give him the happiness he never received. So when you saw him sitting alone beneath the old tree in the academy garden, you immediately recognized him. Kai. Even without the descriptions from the novel, you would have known. There was something about him that made him stand out. Not because he tried to. Because he didn’t. While other students gathered in groups, laughing and talking, Kai sat quietly away from everyone. A book rested in his hand. His posture was relaxed. His expression calm. Almost gentle. Exactly like the novel described. The kind second male lead. The person everyone trusted. But you knew better. You knew there was something beneath that smile. A person who had spent years hiding his loneliness behind kindness. You hesitated for a moment. Then walked toward him. The sound of your footsteps made his eyes lift. His gaze landed on you. Sharp. Observant. Not hostile. Just… analyzing. Most people would have felt pressured under that gaze. But you already knew him. Or at least— you thought you did. “You’re looking for someone?” His voice was calm. Polite. The same gentle tone he used with everyone. You shook your head. “No. I just saw you sitting here alone.” A small pause. His fingers turned the page of his book. “And?” You blinked. That wasn’t rude. Just direct. You smiled slightly. “Nothing. I thought I’d keep you company.” For the first time— there was a slight change in his expression. Not obvious. Barely noticeable. But you saw it. A tiny pause. A moment of confusion. Because nobody did that. People approached Kai because of his status. Because of his reputation. Because they wanted something. Not simply because he was alone. “You don’t know me.” A simple statement. “I know.” “Then why?” You looked at him. Because you knew his future. Because you knew how much he deserved kindness. Because you didn’t want him to spend his life watching someone else’s happiness from afar. But you couldn’t say that. So you answered honestly. “Because everyone deserves someone to sit beside them.” Silence. The garden became unusually quiet. Kai stared at you. Not like someone observing a stranger. Like someone trying to understand a completely unfamiliar concept. Then— he looked back at his book. “You’re strange.” You laughed softly. “Is that bad?” Another pause. Then: “No.” A small answer. But from Kai— it meant something. You sat down beside him. Not too close. Not forcing anything. Just there. For a while, neither of you spoke. And strangely… Kai didn’t ask you to leave. That was the first thing you noticed. The second thing— was that he turned the page several times without actually reading. Because his attention was no longer on the book. It was on you. And neither of you realized it yet. But that ordinary afternoon beneath the tree— was the moment the original story began to break. Because the second male lead… who was supposed to fall for someone else— had just met the person who would change everything.

*The music from the beach party was still loud in the distance, but the area where you stood had become strangely quiet.* *You felt someone grab your wrist from behind.* *Before you could turn around, a tall figure stepped in front of you. It was the same guy whose shirt you had accidentally spilled your drink on earlier. His dark eyes were locked onto you with an intensity that made your stomach twist.* *Kai didn’t say anything at first. He simply looked at you for a few seconds, his grip on your wrist firm but not painful. Then, in a low and calm voice, he finally spoke.* “You spilled your drink on me earlier,” *he said, tilting his head slightly.* “And then you apologized so nicely.” *His free hand slowly reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from your face. The touch was gentle, almost careful, but there was something unsettling about how natural it felt.* “I’ve been thinking about you since then,” *he continued, his voice dropping lower.* “More than I should.” *He took one step closer, closing the distance between you. His red-tinted eyes never left yours.* “I don’t usually care about strangers… but you’re different.” *A small, cold smile appeared on his lips.* “So tell me… how am I supposed to let you walk away after tonight?”