The morning felt different.
Not because of the place—
but because of the quiet tension that hadn't left since yesterday.
Stephan's phone buzzed.
Ketty:Good morning 🙂
He looked at it for a second.
Then replied—
Stephan:Morning.
Simple.
But his eyes didn't leave the screen.
Another name was there.
Pixel.
There was a pause.
Then—
he typed.
Stephan:Good morning.
He stared at it for a few seconds…
then locked his phone.
🍽️ Breakfast Area
All the students were gathered.
The place was full of noise.
Laughter.Voices.
Pixel sat with Ketty.
Stevan sat beside Pixel—
talking non-stop.
Ketty smiled, listening quietly.
Across the space—
Stephan sat with Johan and Hill.
Johan noticed him looking at his phone.
Johan: Morning message, huh?
Stephan: Just eat.
Hill smirked.
Hill: Not Ketty, right?
Stephan didn't answer.
Johan laughed.
Johan: Bro is gone.
Hill: Completely.
Stephan ignored them.
His eyes moved—
towards Pixel.
And then—
his phone buzzed again.
Pixel:Morning.
Just one word.
No effort.
But it stayed.
Johan leaned in.
Johan: Not replying?
Stephan: Later.
Hill: That's worse.
Before Stephan could respond—
something changed.
The noise around them shifted.
Students started whispering.
"Is that…?"
"Wait, seriously?"
More heads turned.
And then—
he walked in.
Tall.
Sharp features.
Confident without trying.
A presence that didn't need attention—
but got it anyway.
Someone said it first.
"Daniel…"
And suddenly—
everyone knew.
A senior.
But not just any senior.
Daniel.
The national basketball player.
Famous in the college.
Known by almost everyone.
Students stood up.
Some waved.Some called out his name.
"Daniel!"
"Bro, long time!"
He smiled lightly.
Not arrogant.
Not trying.
Just used to it.
He greeted a few people casually.
Shook hands.
Talked like he belonged everywhere.
Johan looked impressed.
Johan: Okay… that's Daniel.
Hill: Even I know him.
Stephan didn't say anything.
But his eyes stayed on him.
One of the students asked—
Student: What are you doing here?
Daniel smiled slightly.
Daniel: Just around.
A small pause.
Then he added—
Daniel: Missed my juniors a bit.
Laughter spread around.
Another student said—
"You don't randomly come for that."
Daniel shrugged lightly.
Daniel: Maybe I had a reason.
The answer was casual.
But something about it—
felt intentional.
Stephan noticed that.
After a few moments—
Daniel's eyes moved across the place.
Scanning.
Then—
they stopped.
On her.
Pixel.
But he didn't go immediately.
He stayed where he was.
Talking.
Like it wasn't urgent.
But the moment was already set.
After some time—
he walked forward.
Not directly.
Just naturally.
Until he reached near her table.
Pixel looked up.
And for the first time—
there was a visible reaction.
Not big.
But enough.
"Daniel."
Her voice was calm.
But familiar.
Stephan noticed that immediately.
Daniel smiled slightly.
Daniel: Still the same.
Pixel: You too.
Simple exchange.
But it carried something more.
Ketty looked between them.
Confused.
Stevan smiled excitedly.
Stevan: You're famous, right?
Daniel laughed softly.
Daniel: Something like that.
Johan leaned closer to Stephan.
Johan: This is bad.
Hill smirked.
Hill: Very bad.
Stephan didn't respond.
But his expression—
had changed.
Because for the first time—
someone else had a place
in her world.
And this time—
it wasn't being pushed by her.
Because now—
it wasn't just about getting closer to her…
it was about not losingto someone who already knew her.