The gates of High Value International School stood tall as ever.
Nothing had changed.
Except—
Section E walking in together after days of absence.
And at the center of it—
Jay.
"You're all fine now," she said, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "So act like it."
"…We are fine," Kavin muttered.
"You tried to steal snacks while 'dying.' Don't talk."
"…That was recovery phase."
"That was stupidity."
Behind them, a few students slowed down.
Whispers started.
"They're back…"
"Section E…"
"And… that's her, right?"
Jay ignored all of it.
Like always.
The moment they stepped into the corridor—
It began.
"Jay."
She didn't turn.
"What."
"Bag."
"…Carry it yourself."
"I'm still weak."
"You were running five minutes ago."
"That was adrenaline."
She stopped walking.
Turned.
Looked at Kanning.
"…Give it here."
He handed his bag over instantly.
Smug.
"Thanks."
"You're carrying it after school."
"…We'll see."
Cin appeared next to her like he teleported.
"Jay, I'm tired."
"You just got here."
"It's emotional exhaustion."
"You don't have emotions."
"…That's mean."
He still leaned on her anyway.
Jay sighed—but didn't push him away.
Inside the classroom—
Silence fell.
Section E had returned.
Chairs scraped as they walked in.
Eyes followed them.
But no one said anything.
Because no one ever did.
Jay put Kanning's bag down.
Then immediately turned—
"Sit properly. No acting weak now."
"We're still recovering," Thyme said lazily, dropping into his seat.
"You're talking too much for someone recovering."
Gorya smirked slightly.
"She didn't change."
"Neither did you," Jay shot back.
Felix and David sat quietly, as usual.
But the moment Jay walked past—
Felix lightly tugged her sleeve.
She stopped.
"…What."
"Water."
"There's a bottle on your desk."
"…Give."
She stared at him.
Then—
Picked it up and handed it to him anyway.
"…You're all unbelievable."
"Thanks," he said calmly.
From the back—
"Jay."
She didn't even need to look.
Keifer.
"What."
"You didn't bring your bag."
"…I forgot."
"You were busy controlling everyone."
"I wasn't controlling."
"You were."
"…Shut up."
He almost smiled.
Class started.
Or at least—
It tried to.
Five minutes in—
"Jay."
She closed her eyes slowly.
"…Now what."
Kavin leaned back in his chair.
"Pen."
"You have one."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't."
She turned.
Held up his pen.
"…This?"
"…Oh."
Silence.
"…Give."
She threw it at him.
"Next time, I'm not helping."
"You say that every time."
"And yet I still do."
A few minutes later—
"Jay…"
She didn't even respond this time.
Cin just rested his head on her shoulder from the side.
"I'm bored."
"Then study."
"I might collapse."
"You won't."
"What if I do?"
"I'll ignore you."
"…Cruel."
But he stayed there anyway.
Even the teacher paused at one point.
Looking at the entire section.
Then at Jay.
Then just… continued teaching.
Because dealing with them?
Not worth it.
By lunch—
It got worse.
Cafeteria.
Noise.
Students everywhere.
And Section E—
Taking over their usual space.
Jay sat down.
Finally.
Peace.
Silence.
A moment to breathe—
"Jay, food."
She looked up.
"…Get it yourself."
"We're still recovering."
"No, you're not."
"We are."
"No, you're lazy."
"…Same thing."
She stared at them.
Long.
Hard.
Then stood up.
"…What do you want."
Five minutes later—
She came back.
With food.
For everyone.
"You're the best," Kanning said.
"I hate all of you."
"You don't."
"…Eat before I take it back."
They started immediately.
No hesitation.
Cin slid closer again.
"Jay."
"…Eat."
"I am."
"Then stop talking."
"I can't eat without talking."
"Try."
"…No."
Keifer watched quietly again.
Same as before.
Nothing loud.
Nothing obvious.
Just—
Watching her.
Halfway through—
She finally sat properly.
Started eating.
And for once—
No one stopped her.
No one called her.
No one asked for anything.
She noticed.
Looked up slightly.
Everyone was just…
Eating.
Calm.
Normal.
"…What," she said, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing," Gorya replied.
"You're being quiet."
"We're eating."
"You're never this quiet."
"Enjoy it."
She didn't trust it.
But—
She didn't question it either.
For the first time since morning—
She relaxed.
Just a little.
And around her—
Section E stayed close.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Not causing trouble.
Just there.
With her.
"…Don't get used to this," she muttered again.
Kavin smirked slightly.
"Too late."
Jay didn't reply.
But she didn't argue either.
And somehow—
Even in the middle of HVIS,
With noise everywhere,
With eyes always watching—
Section E felt the same as before.
Close.
Comfortable.
And completely hers.