The school was loud.
Students talking. Laughing. Moving like nothing in the world was wrong.
Too normal.
Lily stood at the entrance.
Watching.
Just days ago—
The world had seen him.
A black screen.
A distorted broadcast.
A figure labeled—
Villain.
And now—
He was here.
Walking into school like nothing happened.
…How?
She stepped forward.
And there he was.
Leo.
Walking casually.
Unbothered.
Like he hadn't just placed a target on himself.
Like the entire system wasn't already watching him.
"Leo."
He stopped.
Turned.
Smiled.
"Oh," he said lightly.
"You found me again."
Lily walked up to him.
"What are you doing?"
Leo blinked once.
"Going to school."
Her expression didn't change.
"You put a bounty on yourself."
Leo nodded.
"Yeah."
"…Why?"
Leo looked at her for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"If someone manages to kill me…"
"I won't be your problem anymore."
Lily's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Out of everyone who could possibly do that…"
"…none of them would use that power the way you do."
Leo blinked.
Then smiled faintly.
"I'm touched."
"So you actually like me."
"…No."
Her tone didn't change.
Flat.
Controlled.
"You treat it like a game."
"A joke."
She stepped closer.
"But right now…"
"It's safer in your hands."
A pause.
"In anyone else's…"
"…their selfishness…"
"…their regrets…"
"…would lead to catastrophic consequences."
Leo's smile faded—just slightly.
"…Regret, huh."
His eyes sharpened.
"I didn't think you understood things like that."
He tilted his head.
Studying her now.
"After all…"
"You look human."
A pause.
"But you don't act like one."
Silence.
Lily froze for a fraction of a second.
Not visibly.
But internally—
Something didn't respond.
No anger.
No irritation.
No pain.
Just… awareness.
"…This is a waste of time," she said.
She turned away.
"I hope you get figured out soon."
Leo watched her walk off.
Not smiling this time.
She didn't react.
A small pause.
So that's it…
Then—
"Yo, Leo!"
The moment broke.
Leo turned.
Derek ran up to him.
Energetic. Loud. Normal.
Too normal.
"Why were you talking to her?" Derek asked.
"She's not even top three in this school."
Leo glanced back briefly in Lily's direction.
"…She's interesting," he said.
Derek frowned.
"Interesting?"
Leo smirked faintly.
"You wouldn't get it."
A small pause.
"I just don't know why she chose a low profile."
Derek blinked.
"…Wait."
"You mean that question you asked before?"
Leo didn't answer.
Derek shook his head.
"Man, you really have problems."
"You took first in every exam…"
"And this is what you focus on?"
Leo shrugged.
"Everyone needs hobbies."
A bell rang in the distance.
Students began moving.
Derek stretched.
"Come on, we'll be late for assembly."
He grinned.
"I can't wait to hunt some monsters."
Leo started walking.
Hands in pockets.
"…Yeah."
A faint smile returned.
"I can't wait."
Behind him—
For just a moment—
Derek's expression shifted.
Subtle.
Unnoticed.
Then gone.