Lea sat in the classroom, pouting in anger. "Hmph."
"Hey, I heard you moved in with Lea. Good for you! Oh—looks like you got me
something for housewarming," Havey said casually.
He picked up the box in front of them and opened it.
Ivy immediately felt uneasy. She tried to stop him—subtly shaking her head—but didn't say anything out loud.
Too late.
Havey took a big bite.
The moment it touched his tongue, he froze—then spat it out.
"Yuck! What is this? Is this meant to be thrown away? Even beggars wouldn't eat this—forget them, even dogs wouldn't—"
Ivy frantically gestured at him, signaling him to stop.
Then she pointed at Lea.
She made it.
Havey's eyes widened.
He slowly swallowed.
I'm dead… I'm so dead…
"Ha… ha…" Havey laughed nervously. "Oh! I didn't get the taste at first… now I'm slowly savoring it. It's… very good."
Lea stared at him with a blank, poker face.
"…Then why don't you have another bite?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
Havey's soul left his body.
"Y-Yeah… yeah," he forced a smile, his hands trembling as he took another bite.
The moment it touched his tongue—
Nope.
He clamped his mouth shut, trying to hold it in.
A second later, he bolted to the washroom.
After a few minutes, he came back, wiping his mouth.
"Haha… looks like I have poor digestion, haha…" he laughed awkwardly.
Lea didn't look away.
She just kept staring at him.
Havey avoided her gaze, looking everywhere but at her, laughing nervously.
Then suddenly—
"Sorry."
He bowed his head.
"I shouldn't have run my mouth like that."
Lea sighed. "It's okay… I know I'm not a great cook."
Havey smiled in relief.
As they continued talking, someone suddenly stood beside Ivy.
She turned—
It was Evyan… and Anos.
Ivy froze for a moment, clearly surprised.
What the heck… why are they here?
Am I getting dragged into another bullying plot again?
No… there shouldn't be any more scenes like that for Ivy in the story…
Then what is this now…?
"Ivy, you need to come with us," Yoshua said.
Ivy frowned. "...Why should I?"
"Didn't you get the notice? Check your phone."
She did.
A message popped up—she had been selected as a member of the student council.
Right…
The real Ivy and Anos were chosen because of their entrance exam ranks…
So this is happening now…
Looks like my peaceful days are officially over.
"Okay," she said calmly and followed them.
At the student council room, positions were assigned.
Anos was elected as the Secretary of the Finance Club.
Ivy was appointed as the Secretary of the Discipline Committee.
They received their badges and stepped out.
"Hah! You're only here because of my dad," Anos said mockingly. "Know your place."
Ivy didn't even look at him.
"…Oh. Thank you," she replied flatly.
Anos's expression darkened.
He grabbed her arm and slammed her hand against the wall.
"Don't act like you're some high-class person," he snapped. "You're lower than low."
Ivy yanked her hand free.
"Listen, I don't have time to play your games—and I'm not interested either. I'm not getting in your way, so you better stay out of mine. It's good for both of us."
Without waiting for a response, she walked away, leaving him behind.
Anos slammed his fist against the wall.
"You… how dare you talk to me like that? I'll make you regret it."
Ivy clenched her jaw as she walked down the corridor.
She hadn't even involved herself in his matters, yet he still came after her.
"F**k this freaking novel," she muttered under her breath.
On her way to class, Ivy saw Kylan standing near the stairs. She tried to walk past him as if she hadn't noticed.
"Looks like… you have a hobby of collecting men," he smirked.
Ivy stopped, raised an eyebrow. "...Why? Are you interested in becoming one?" she said, turning to leave.
Before she could take a step—
Kylan grabbed her and pinned her against the wall.
"I don't like the way you talk to me," he said, his voice low near her ear.
"If you have a problem with me, then stay out of my way," she shot back, trying to pull free.
His grip tightened.
With one hand, he held both of her wrists effortlessly.
"Well, I'm here to settle a score," he said.
He pulled her closer by the waist and poked her stomach.
A teasing laugh escaped him.
"Looks like you don't have abs."
For a split second—
That drunken night flashed in her mind.
She struggled to free herself, but his grip only tightened, pulling her closer.
He smirked at her failed attempts.
"Maybe I could check properly… if there's nothing in the way," he said, his tone teasing but dangerous.
As his hand moved , Ivy's body stiffened. A chill ran down her spine.
"Enough."
Her voice, low and sharp, cut through the moment.
She lifted her knee abruptly, forcing space between them, and twisted her wrist just enough to break his hold.
Stepping back, she straightened her shirt, her eyes now cold and unyielding.
"Don't cross the line," she said, her gaze locking onto his. "I won't tolerate it."
For the first time, there was no hesitation in her voice—only warning.
She finally wrenched herself free and stormed away, anger burning through her.
"What the f**k was that?" she muttered under her breath.
Why am I getting dragged into all this?
As Ivy stormed ahead, someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
She turned sharply, anger flashing in her eyes—
"Ivy, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?" Havey asked.
Her expression shifted instantly.
"It's nothing… I'm just not feeling well. Let's go," she said, brushing it off.
From a distance, Kylan watched them.
His fist clenched.
"…You're fine with him touching you… but not with me."
His gaze darkened.
Havey dropped Ivy and Lea at their condo. Just as he was about to leave, Lea suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, why don't we have a party?" she suggested, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Lea was so excited about the idea that neither of them had the heart to refuse.
"Fine, let's do it," Havey said with a grin.
Ivy gave a small nod.
The three of them headed out together and went to a restaurant to celebrate their little "party."
They were all enjoying their time together, laughing freely.
Soon, they headed to karaoke, grabbing the mic and singing their hearts out—completely carefree.
Ivy felt something unfamiliar yet warm spreading through her.
She had never been this happy—neither in her past life nor in this one.
A small fear crept in.
What if this is just a dream…?
What if I wake up any moment… and all of this disappears?
She glanced at them—laughing, singing, pulling her into their chaos.
A soft smile formed on her lips.
I never thought… spending time with friends could feel this nice.
Havey drove them back since it had gotten late and dropped them at the condo.
Ivy lingered for a moment.
It looked like she wanted to say something… but hesitated, caught between speaking and staying silent.
Havey noticed.
He tilted his head slightly. "Ivy… do you want to say something?"
"Well… I—I need to tell you guys something," Ivy said, hesitating.
Then she looked at Havey.
"So… Havey, will you stay tonight?"
They all went upstairs. Ivy and Lea sat down while Havey stepped aside to make a call.
"Ah, yeah, Mom… I'll be staying out tonight. Okay, bye."
He hung up and turned back toward them.
He sat down beside them.
Lea and Havey waited quietly, giving Ivy the space to speak.
"…I think… I'm ready to say it," Ivy began, her voice trembling slightly.
There was a pause.
"…I'm an orphan… and I was hated by my foster parents…"
She slowly opened up, sharing pieces of her childhood—things she had kept buried for so long.
Her voice wavered at times, but she didn't stop.
Havey and Lea stayed beside her the whole time, holding her hands gently, silently assuring her that she wasn't alone anymore.
"And… that's my story," Ivy finished softly.
She lowered her gaze.
"I was never really loved growing up… so I don't know… if I can believe that someone can care for me without a reason."
They pulled Ivy into a tight hug, their voices thick as they sniffed back tears.
"You have us," Lea whispered. "Never think you're alone."
"Yeah," Havey added softly. "And… thank you for trusting us. For letting us into your world."