....
Eric ran.
Not blindly—but with sharp precision.
His eyes stayed locked on the figure slipping through the back gate. The same person John had pointed out. The same one who had thrown the rod.
Behind him, he could hear footsteps.
Light. Controlled. Familiar.
John.
For a moment, something strange flickered inside Eric.
He still moves the same way…
But he shut the thought down instantly.
This wasn't the time.
The chase led them into a narrow corridor behind the auditorium. The figure ahead stumbled slightly—
—and that was enough.
Eric grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
"Who sent you?" Eric's voice was low, dangerous.
The boy struggled. "I—I don't know what you're—"
Before he could finish—
John stepped in.
"Don't lie."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
The boy froze.
John's eyes didn't show anger… but something far worse.
Clarity.
"You aimed for his head," John continued. "That wasn't a mistake. That was intent."
Eric glanced at John.
Same as always… you see everything.
The boy started shaking. "I swear! I was just told to create chaos! I didn't know it would go this far!"
"By who?" Eric tightened his grip.
"I—I never saw his face! He contacted me last night… said if I started a fight between Engineering and Architecture, I'd get paid!"
Silence.
Eric let go.
The boy collapsed and ran without looking back.
Neither of them stopped him.
Because both knew—
He wasn't the real enemy.
For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence between them.
The kind that carried years inside it.
Eric leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Looks like someone really wants us at each other's throats."
John didn't reply immediately.
He was looking at Eric.
Not as a rival.
Not as an enemy.
But as something… older.
Something buried.
"You're still reckless," John finally said.
Eric scoffed. "And you're still slow."
A pause.
Then—
A faint smile.
Almost invisible.
But real.
And gone just as quickly.
Because both of them remembered.
________________________________________
A small park.
Two boys.
One sketching quietly under a tree.
The other throwing stones at nothing in particular.
"Eric, sit still," young John had said, annoyed. "I can't draw you if you keep moving."
"I'm not a statue," Eric replied, grinning. "Make it fast."
John sighed. "Perfection takes time."
Eric flopped down beside him. "Then I'll just stay forever."
John looked at him.
"…Promise?"
Eric didn't even hesitate.
"Promise."
________________________________________
The memory shattered.
Just like it always did.
John turned away first.
"We shouldn't be seen together," he said, his voice back to its usual calm distance.
Eric's jaw tightened slightly.
"Yeah," he replied. "Wouldn't want to ruin your 'perfect image.'"
John didn't react.
But his fingers clenched… just a little.
"That's not the reason," he said quietly.
Eric pushed himself off the wall.
"Doesn't matter what the reason is," he cut in. "The result's the same."
Distance.
Always distance.
John closed his eyes for a brief second.
We don't have a choice…
But he didn't say it.
He never did.
Because some truths were too dangerous to speak out loud.
Instead, he changed the subject.
"Someone is targeting both groups," John said. "If we keep fighting each other, we're doing exactly what they want."
Eric looked at him.
For a moment, their old understanding returned.
Seamless.
Effortless.
"…So what are you suggesting?" Eric asked.
John met his eyes.
"Temporary truce."
The word hung in the air.
Heavy.
Risky.
Necessary.
Eric smirked slightly. "Working with you? That's gonna ruin my reputation."
"And yours won't?" John replied calmly.
Another pause.
Then—
"…Fine," Eric said. "But only until we find the one behind this."
John nodded.
"Only until then."
A lie.
Both of them knew it.
Because the moment they started working together…
The past wouldn't stay buried anymore.
And somewhere in the shadows—
Someone was watching them.
Waiting.
Smiling.
Because this…
This was exactly what they wanted.
End of Chapter 3 ⚡
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