Students began whispering among themselves.
"Have you heard? She's back in college."
"Hah! So you heard it too?"
They exchanged knowing looks, their voices dropping even lower.
"Looks like things are going to get interesting again…"
"What's going on? Why are they all buzzing like that?" Havey asked, craning his neck from his desk to see what was happening.
Lea looked around, trying to catch bits of the whispers. "It sounds like they're talking about someone…"
"Someone important?" Havey asked, still stretching to see.
"…Or someone problematic," Lea added quietly.
Ivy didn't move.
But her attention shifted.
Her fingers stilled on the page.
She's back…?
A faint uneasiness crept in.
Havey finally gave up and turned to the nearest student. "Hey, who are you all talking about?"
The student hesitated for a second… then leaned closer.
"Darsey."
The name hung in the air.
Lea stiffened.
Havey blinked.
Ivy slowly closed her book.
So… it begins.
Even though the novel didn't explain much about Darsey, one thing was clear—
something about her was off.
The way she acted… it didn't feel genuine.
She behaved like a "green tea" girl—sweet and gentle on the surface, but with hidden intentions underneath.
At times, she even gave off the image of a perfect "white lotus"—pure, kind, and innocent in front of everyone.
But Ivy knew better.
People like that… are the most dangerous.
Her eyes darkened slightly.
Because they never show their real face until it's too late.
As soon as Darsey entered the classroom, she walked straight toward Ivy.
"…Um, are you… Ivy?" she asked softly, putting on an innocent expression. Her shoulders shrank as she looked down.
"I'm… sorry. I didn't know you weren't the one who pushed me. I… I'm really sorry," she said, lowering her head even more.
She gently held Ivy's hand.
"I… assumed it might be you because… I heard some rumors that you're quite different from others. So… I thought you might do something like that… without any reason."
Ivy remained calm, her expression barely changing.
"Oh," she said simply, then gently pulled her hand back.
Darsey froze for a moment.
She stared at Ivy, her expression going blank.
"…What? That's it?" she asked, clearly caught off guard. "No… more to say?"
There was a hint of disbelief on her face.
As if she couldn't understand the reaction.
Ivy raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What else were you expecting?"
Darsey blinked.
Her usual soft, pitiful expression flickered for a second—
almost cracking.
"I… I apologized," she said, her tone still gentle but slightly strained. "I thought you might… say something more."
Ivy's gaze stayed steady.
"I accepted it."
Darsey stood there, momentarily speechless.
That wasn't how this was supposed to go.
A few students nearby started whispering.
"She's not even reacting…"
"That's kind of cold…"
Darsey's eyes flickered.
For a split second—
something sharp passed through them.
But just as quickly, she lowered her gaze again.
"I… I see," she said softly.
Ivy didn't respond.
She simply picked up her book again.
The dismissal was clear.
Darsey's fingers curled slightly at her sides.
This isn't right…
She lifted her head once more, forcing a small, fragile smile.
"Then… I hope we can get along from now on," she said.
Ivy turned a page.
"We'll see."
Another pause.
This time—
Darsey didn't know what to say.
From the side, Havey leaned toward Lea and whispered, "Why does this feel more intense than a fight?"
Lea nodded slowly.
"…Because it is."
Darsey quietly returned to her seat, her face tinged with clear embarrassment.
"...Ivy, did you really forgive her?" Havey asked, lowering his voice.
Ivy turned to him slowly, her expression flat.
"Do I look like an idiot to believe whatever she says?"
Havey blinked.
"…No, but you said it so calmly—"
"That doesn't mean I believed her," Ivy cut in.
Lea leaned closer. "Then why didn't you say anything?"
Ivy glanced in Darsey's direction for a brief second.
Then back.
"Because people like her…" she said quietly, "…want a reaction."
Darsey sat silently, biting her nails.
Why… why isn't this going as I planned?
Her eyes flickered toward Ivy, frustration building beneath her calm exterior.
The class finally ended.
Havey turned to Ivy, patting her shoulder with a grin.
"It's the day, Ivy."
Ivy frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Hold your horses," he smirked.
Ivy turned to Lea, silently asking for an explanation.
Lea just shrugged.
She had no idea what was going on either.
Havey dragged both Ivy and Lea along without explaining anything and drove them off in his car.
After a while, the car came to a stop.
Ivy stepped out—
…and froze.
An amusement park stood right in front of her.
Bright lights.
Loud music.
People laughing everywhere.
She blinked, stunned.
"…Havey."
He grinned proudly.
"Surprise."
Lea's eyes lit up instantly. "No way… an amusement park?!"
Havey crossed his arms, looking pleased with himself. "You both have been too serious lately. So—I fixed it."
Ivy stood still for a moment, taking it all in.
The lights… the noise… the laughter around her.
It felt unfamiliar.
"…You dragged us all the way here for this?" she asked.
Havey smirked. "Yes. And don't even think about running away."
Lea grabbed Ivy's hand excitedly. "Come on! Let's go!"
Before Ivy could protest, she was already being pulled inside.
For a second, she resisted.
Then—
she stopped.
A small breath left her.
…Maybe this isn't so bad.
Havey bought the tickets and handed them over.
"Today, no overthinking," he said. "Just enjoy."
Ivy looked at the ticket in her hand.
Then at them.
A faint smile appeared.
"…Fine."
And just like that—
she stepped inside.
Lea dragged Ivy toward the rides, her excitement impossible to contain.
"Let's go on that one first!" she pointed at a giant wheel.
Havey immediately shook his head. "No way. We're starting with something fun—roller coaster."
Ivy glanced at both of them.
"…You both are insane."
Lea gasped. "You're scared, aren't you?"
Ivy scoffed. "I'm not."
Havey grinned. "Then prove it."
A few minutes later—
Ivy sat strapped into the roller coaster.
She looked straight ahead.
Calm.
Composed.
Until—
the ride started moving.
Her fingers slowly tightened on the handle.
"Havey…" she said flatly.
"Hmm?"
"If I die—"
"You won't."
"—I'm taking you with me."
Lea burst out laughing.
The ride climbed higher.
And higher.
Ivy's expression stiffened.
"…I take it back."
Too late.
The drop came.
A scream tore out—
not from Lea.
Not from Havey.
From Ivy.
The wind rushed past them as the coaster plunged down.
Ivy's grip tightened, her scream swallowed by the roar of the ride.
Havey laughed beside her. "You said you weren't scared!"
"I'm not—!" Ivy tried to argue, but her voice broke as the ride twisted again.
Lea was laughing uncontrollably. "This is the best!"
The ride slowed after what felt like forever.
Ivy sat there for a second, breathing hard, her hair completely messed up.
Havey unbuckled himself, still grinning. "So… not scared, huh?"
Ivy stepped out, her legs slightly shaky.
"…Say one more word," she warned.
Lea wiped tears from her eyes, still laughing. "You should've seen your face!"
Ivy glared at both of them.
But then—
a small, reluctant smile appeared.
For once—
she wasn't thinking about the novel.
Not about Anos.
Not about Darsey.
Just this moment.
And it felt… light.
They moved on to the next ride.
This time, something slower.
Ivy sat quietly, still recovering.
"Water ride," Havey announced proudly.
Lea clapped. "Yes! This will be fun."
Ivy narrowed her eyes. "This feels suspicious."
A few minutes later—
A huge splash drenched them.
Lea screamed and laughed at the same time.
Havey shook his head like a wet dog.
Ivy sat there, soaked.
Completely drenched.
After going on all the rides, they finally headed to a restaurant inside the park.
They ate while laughing about the day—
especially Ivy's scream on the roller coaster.
"Don't remind me," Ivy muttered, though there was no real annoyance in her voice.
Havey grinned. "Too late. That memory is permanent."
Lea giggled. "I never thought I'd see you like that."
Ivy shook her head, but a faint smile stayed on her lips.
After dinner, Havey drove them back to their condo.
The ride back was quieter.
Comfortable.
Lea leaned back, half-asleep.
Havey hummed softly while driving.
Ivy looked out the window.
The city lights passed by slowly.
Her expression softened.
Today… was nice.
Ivy gently shook Lea awake, and the two of them headed back into the condo.
Havey watched them go, then drove off.
The night grew quiet.
From a distance—
someone stood in the shadows, watching.
His gaze followed Ivy until she disappeared inside.
A slow smirk formed on his lips.
"So… you're not living with him."
CAN YOU GUESS WHO IS THAT MYSTERIOUS PERSON?
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