Felix followed, still glancing back once, then twice, like he knew something just happened but couldn't quite prove it.
The buses filled quickly.
Twenty-five students per bus. Five from each class, just as planned. The mix felt forced at first—different groups, different circles—but the luxury of the buses softened things fast.
Wide cushioned seats. Cool air brushing lightly against warm skin. A smooth hum beneath their feet as the engines came alive.
Each seat had a small mechanism—pull, click—and a table folded out neatly in front. Students tested it immediately, tapping, sliding, turning it into temporary desks or snack stations.
Two teachers per bus. One seated at the front, watching the road. One at the back, watching them.
Snacks passed around. Drinks followed.
Conversations rose.
Laughter came easier.
And slowly, the earlier tension dissolved into something lighter.
By the time they reached Aleria City, the energy had shifted completely.
The buses slowed.
Then stopped.
Outside
Everything looked… different.
The first stop was the Hybrid Museum.
But even before entering, the change was obvious.
Hybrids walked openly along the streets.
Not hiding.
Not rare.
Just… existing.
For most of the students, it was the first time seeing so many at once. Their own city—Velmora City had none not something you casually passed on the street.
Here?
They were part of the rhythm.
Ears flicking. Tails swaying. Eyes catching light at strange angles.
It felt unreal.
—
Inside the museum, they were grouped quickly, students clustering instinctively with familiar faces even within assigned teams.
Their guide approached with a calm, practiced smile.
A fox hybrid.
Soft orange ears sat neatly atop her head, twitching slightly with movement, while a matching tail swayed behind her—slow, controlled, almost elegant.
"Everyone should know about hybrids by now, right?" she began, her voice smooth but engaging as she led them forward.
"Half human, half animal. A species that has existed for thousands of years due to a experiment to being a world wide spread."
She gestured lightly as they passed the first set of displays—statues, preserved records, visual reconstructions.
"Today, hybrids have their own system. Five major cities governed by hybrids themselves, where humans are allowed to live and interact freely… and one country exclusively for hybrids."
A few students leaned in closer.
Others whispered among themselves.
She continued without breaking rhythm.
"There are many types. The common ones you'll hear about—snake hybrids, fox hybrids, dog, cat, bunny, spider… and many more."
They moved past statues—each one detailed, capturing different forms, different evolutions.
"The first thing you'll notice about hybrids is simple," she said, stopping briefly near a display. "They are not fully human nor animal."
A small smile touched her lips.
"They carry visible traits. Ears, tails… sometimes more."
Her gaze swept over them, making sure they followed.
"But over time, evolution has changed things. Some hybrids can appear completely human."
A murmur ran through the group.
"They can hide their animal traits. But not perfectly." She tapped lightly against the glass of a display. "Eye color. Hair tone. Body systems. There is always something… that gives them away."
A pause.
Then her tone dipped slightly.
"And then… there's the third type."
The group leaned in without realizing it.
"Those whose animal side has evolved beyond their origin. They don't resemble their ancestors anymore."
She straightened.
"I won't go into detail on that."
But the way her tail flicked slightly
Said there was more she wasn't saying.
And just like that—
Curiosity settled deeper than before.
"So… what benefits do hybrids actually have?"
The question came from a girl near the middle, her voice carrying just enough curiosity to pull others in. A few heads turned, others leaned slightly closer without meaning to.
The fox hybrid guide didn't answer immediately.
Her tail swayed once behind her, slow and thoughtful, before she smiled.
"Well," she began, stepping forward again, heels clicking softly against the polished floor, "for starters—our senses."
She tapped lightly near her ear.
"Enhanced hearing. Sharper smell. Faster reaction time." Her gaze flicked briefly across the group, catching the ones whispering—and the ones pretending they weren't. "And of course… strength."
A pause.
"But that depends."
She gestured toward a nearby display—two contrasting figures.
"Predator type. Prey type. Or something in between."
Her tone didn't change, but the words settled differently.
"Each comes with its own advantages."
A few students exchanged glances.
Some impressed.
Some uneasy.
—
A boy raised his hand this time, not waiting long before speaking.
"Then what's the difference between the ones who can hide their animal traits… the ones who can't… and the rare evolved ones?"
That question made the guide stop walking.
Completely.
She turned back to face them, eyes narrowing just slightly—not in annoyance, but in consideration.
"Good question."
Her tail curled subtly behind her.
"Simple answer?" she said, lifting a finger. "The ones who can hide their traits… and the rare evolved ones… are the upgraded versions."
A few students blinked.
Others leaned in.
"They are stronger. Faster. More adaptable." Her smile thinned just a little. "And yes… usually more beautiful."
That last word didn't go unnoticed.
"But," she continued, her tone shifting, "rare evolved hybrids are different."
She paused, searching for the right way to phrase it.
"…Imagine giving a rabbit the body of a lion."
Silence.
The image landed harder than expected
.
"They no longer resemble what they started as," she added quietly.
And just like before—
She didn't go deeper.
But this time, it felt intentional.
—
The tour continued.
Glass cases reflected passing figures. Footsteps echoed. Soft murmurs layered under the guide's voice as she moved from one section to another.
Then—
"The law," she said, stopping near a more modern display.
A band.
Simple in design, but clearly not optional.
"All hybrids are required to wear an identification band."
Some students leaned closer.
Others frowned.
"It's not just for recognition," she added, reading the room easily. "It's for regulation."
Her voice stayed calm.
Too calm.
"Hybrids experience two cycles."
A few students shifted awkwardly.
"…Similar to human biological cycles," she continued, choosing her words carefully.
"But more intense."
Her gaze moved across them again.
"Heat periods. Emotional spikes. Instinct surges."
A faint pause.
" The sceond cycle Imagine mood swings… amplified a hundred times."
The silence this time wasn't curiosity.
It was discomfort.
"They can become unstable," she said simply. "In some cases—violent. Not always intentionally. Not always controllable."
Someone swallowed.
Quietly.
"But that doesn't make them monsters."
Her voice sharpened slightly at that.
"Predator or prey—it doesn't define morality."
Her tail flicked once, sharper now.
"Each hybrid is different. Each cycle is different."
And just like that—
She stepped back from the weight of it.
"So," she clapped her hands lightly, the sound cutting through the heaviness, "let's take a break."
—
The shift was immediate.
Tension loosened. Voices returned.
Shoulders dropped.
She led them out of the exhibit halls and into a luxury relaxation center attached to the museum—soft lighting, wide seating, glass walls that let sunlight spill across polished floors.
Students spread out quickly.
Some collapsed into seats.
Others gathered in groups, already talking over each other.
"Did you hear that part—"
"Rabbit with a lion body? That's insane—"
"So they can just—lose control like that?"
"I thought hybrids were just—like, ears and tails…"
Conversations overlapped.
Ideas clashed.
The hallway outside the rest area buzzed faintly, voices echoing off polished walls, but the restroom was quieter—muted, almost sealed off from the rest of the world.
Matthew stood near the sink, phone pressed to his ear, his reflection staring back at him through the mirror. His expression didn't change much as he listened—just a slight narrowing of his eyes, a brief pause before he answered.
"Yeah. I'll handle it."
The call ended.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, fingers brushing the edge of it once before turning toward the door—
It opened.
Ava walked in.
Matthew stopped.
A slight frown pulled at his brows. "This is the boys' restroom."
Ava didn't even glance around.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't care.
She walked straight toward him.
Each step measured. Calm. Intentional.
Matthew barely had time to shift before she reached him—
Her hand pressed against his chest—
And pushed.
He half-leaned into the cool porcelain edge, one knee bending instinctively to bring his gaze level with hers—close enough to catch the faint jasmine of her perfume, her breath warm against his skin.He reached to push her away, but she snagged his tie in a swift tug, yanking him down until their lips crashed together.
The kiss exploded like wildfire—raw, devouring, her mouth hot and demanding as she poured every ounce of pent-up craving into it. He froze for a heartbeat, stunned, before his body ignited; her tongue swept in bold and teasing, tangling with his in a slick, urgent dance that drew a guttural groan from deep in his throat.
Her fingers fisted in his hair, pulling him impossibly closer, nails grazing his scalp as she ground her hips against his, the friction sending jolts of need straight to his core.
She nipped his full lower lip hard enough to sting, then soothed it with a slow, sucking pull that made him buck involuntarily.
Her free hand slid down his chest, fingers digging into his shirt as if anchoring herself to the heat building between them—lips slick and swollen, breaths mingling in ragged gasps, the air thick with the scent of her arousal and his.
His hands gripped her shoulders, trembling between shoving her back and hauling her flush, his mind a haze of pure, throbbing want.
When she finally tore her mouth from his—after what felt like an eternity of wet, open-mouthed bliss—he was wrecked: chest heaving, eyes dark and unfocused, lips bruised red and slick with her gloss, a faint mark blooming where she'd bitten.
Ava lifted her hand, brushing her thumb lightly over his lower lip like she was inspecting her own work.
"I told you," she murmured, voice low, almost amused, "I'm going to chase you."
Her gaze sharpened just a little.
"Yet you're getting close to Sophia."
Matthew's eyes flicked up to hers, something darker settling behind them now.
"Are you saying," his voice came out rougher than usual, quieter, "that because you're chasing me… I'm not allowed to be with anyone else?"
Ava didn't hesitate.
"Yes."she murmured, staring into his eyes with that fierce, playful fire.He sneered, trying to reclaim control.
"You're being unreasonable."
"Thank you for the compliment," Ava teased, planting a quick, soft kiss on his cheek.
Then she waved his phone in his face, grinning wickedly. "So lost in that kiss, you didn't even notice me slipping this from your pocket. Used your fingerprint to open your phone and add my number—so cute of me, right?"
Matthew straightened, reaching for it, but Ava "tripped" forward, tumbling into his arms.
He caught her waist on instinct, their bodies aligning perfectly, her warmth seeping through his shirt.
She pouted up at him, all wide eyes and mischief. "Delete my number, and I'll kiss you in public next time."
"Do it, and I'll call the cops on you for harassment," he shot back, tapping her forehead lightly with the phone before turning to stalk out.
"Is it called harassment when your body responds to the kiss Ava said as she giggled.
Matthew Walk faster to put a distance btw them as he fixed his trousers.
When Matthew returned to where he sat with his roommate, he'd already calmed down.
"What happened to your lip?" Philip asked, eyeing the ravished, bitten swell that somehow looked sexy as hell.
"Damn, Matthew, you look like every girl's wet dream right now," Big V added, leaning back on the couch.
Matthew touched his lip, still feeling Ava's mouth on it—his body shivered in response.
"I fell and bit it," he said calmly, grabbing a dessert to eat.They nodded, buying it. He looked too natural, too unflappable—not like a liar.
Their guide, the hybrid fox, returned, and everyone stood for another quick tour, this time to the virtual reality wing.
They donned the gear and plunged into a simulated hybrid-only country—a teaser of what their world might hold.
When the time cut off and they removed the equipment, whispers erupted as students buzzed with their friends.
Back on the bus to Velmora City, it dropped them at the school gates. As students piled out, Matthew's phone rang.
Eyes flashing, he flagged a taxi and slipped inside before the teacher could speak—gone in a heartbeat.Ava's phone buzzed too: her annoying brother.
She answered, then grabbed her own taxi.Behind the top private school, Matthew's taxi halted.
He stepped out, striding into a dim alley where a guy in a hat and mask waited, package in hand.
Spotting him, the man handed it over. "Young master, we've got her exact location—everything on her."
Matthew tucked it into his bag. "And my parents' people?"
"They've been handled," the man replied quickly. "They found nothing. We cleared all traces. Ours included."
Matthew gave a small nod.
"Should we put a tracker on her next?" the man asked.
Matthew's eyes narrowed slightly.
A second passed.
"Do it. Send me the link."
The man nodded.
Then paused.
Footsteps.
He quickly disappeared like he wasn't there before.
Matthew turned to leave, but five boys pointed at him from the alley's mouth.
"Isn't that the dude who made our school lose?" the first snarled.
"Tsk, what's a Crownside punk doing here? Don't they know this is our turf? Looking for trouble!" the leader barked
. His crew pulled out phones, matching Matthew's face to pics.
"It's him.""Damn, strutting off like we're trash!"The leader charged with his four lackeys, surrounding Matthew.
"What're you doing here?" the first yelled.
"None of your business," Matthew said calmly, eyebrow arched.
"You've got guts, stepping into our territory. Strip—uniform, valuables, everything," the second demanded.Matthew chuckled.
"The fuck you laughing at?" the leader roared.
"I'm laughing at how dumb and blind you are. Your parents should stop wasting fees on a low budget cartoon gang."
"You bastard—I'm gonna kill you!" The fourth lunged with a wild punch.Matthew caught his fist mid-air.
The guy froze, yanking desperately—but Matthew's grip was iron, casual as a handshake.
He couldn't budge.
"What're you doing?" the leader snapped, confused.
The fourth blushed, embarrassed, and swung his free hand.
Matthew twisted the caught arm smoothly, flipping the guy off-balance.
As the leader kicked high, Matthew yanked the fourth forward like a ragdoll shield—using his body to absorb the boot square in the gut.
The others piled on, fists and kicks flying wildly, but every blow thudded into their own crew member instead: elbows cracking ribs, knees slamming thighs, the leader's follow-up punch glancing off the fourth's shoulder.
The guy yelped, a human punching bag taking the full barrage while Matthew stood untouched behind him, smirking.
"You're wasting my time," Matthew said lazily, then shoved the battered fourth away like trash.
The leader's face twisted with rage.
"Damn it—you're dead!" he roared, lunging forward with his knife.
The other three followed instantly—no hesitation, no mercy. Four blades cut through the air at once, flashing under the dim light.
Matthew didn't panic.
He moved.
A slight tilt of his head—one blade missed his throat by a breath.
A step back—another sliced through empty air.
A twist of his body—two more collided mid-swing with a sharp clang, the force making their wrists tremble.
His expression stayed calm. Too calm.
Cold.
The leader gritted his teeth and rushed him again—
THUD!
A bag dropped out of nowhere and smashed straight into his head.
"…What the hell—?!"
All five of them froze and looked up.
On top of the school wall, a girl was halfway over, one leg dangling as she climbed out.
She blinked.
"Oh. Oops," Ava said, completely unfazed.
"Didn't mean to interrupt. You guys can continue fighting."
From inside the compound—
"Don't ever come here again!" a teacher shouted.
Ava scoffed dramatically. "Oh please, like you don't love me! And why can't I see my brother, mister fatty? I'm heartbroken!"
A shoe came flying over the wall.
She caught it mid-air, stared at it for a second—
—and burst into laughter.
"I'm not returning this! Walk around with one shoe, sir!"
She jumped down lightly, dusting her hands like she hadn't just caused chaos.
Then she noticed them staring.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Why are you staring? If you want to fight, then fight. Tsk."
She picked up her bag and turned to leave—
Paused.
Walked backward.
Then turned, pointing straight at Matthew.
"Handsome!"
Matthew froze.
For a second—just one second—something flickered in his eyes.
Déjà vu.
The first time they met.
Behind the school.
Dirty water splashing over his bullies.
Her crazy grin.
The moment she grabbed a guy by the neck and dangled him halfway off the first-floor balcony like his life meant nothing.
Yeah.
That was when he knew.
She was insane and when she called him that nickname handsome Damm.
"You know him?" the leader snapped, dragging Matthew back to reality.
Then he sneered at Ava.
.