We Are

Chapter 4

Throughout the class, Revan knew that all his classmates were watching him. However, there was one person who unsettled him and made him feel uncomfortable.

He felt a gaze different from the others, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why. To confirm his suspicion, he turned his head to the right.

He saw a boy who had been staring at him with that distinct look all this time.

Unconsciously, they locked eyes for a few moments until, eventually, the boy turned away and faced the front of the class.

The boy sat at the far back on the left side, two desks away from Revan’s seat.

Revan kept observing him.

It seems like he hates me, Revan thought after recognizing the sharpness of the boy’s gaze. It was different from the looks his other classmates gave him.

Whatever. I don’t care, Revan shifted his attention back to the lesson.

Until—

The bell rang, signaling break time.

Revan sighed as he saw the girls in his class start approaching him. The teacher hadn’t even left the room yet.

This is troublesome, Revan thought, already trying to figure out a way to escape.

*****

Revan stopped studying and began tidying up the books on his desk. The clock showed 10 p.m.

His attention lingered on a particular book—one he had borrowed from the school library.

Suddenly, he recalled the girl he had met there. Her words echoed in his mind:

"Let me tell you, I’m not seeking attention like you said. You misunderstood."

I guess she really isn’t one of those kinds of girls, Revan thought.

If she had been following him, she would have treated him differently—being overly sweet or giving him special attention. But instead, she acted normal, as if she didn’t care about him at all.

I’ll return this book tomorrow, he decided.

*****

Revan pulled a book from the row in front of him. He was currently in the library.

He flipped through its pages absentmindedly, barely reading anything. His mind was elsewhere—distracted.

He knew there were a few people following him. More precisely, a few girls who were stalking him.

"Annoying," he muttered softly, barely loud enough for himself to hear.

Revan returned his gaze to the books on the shelf.

Then, by chance, he spotted a girl sitting across from him through the gaps between the books and the shelves.

She was engrossed in her reading.

Suddenly, Revan felt the urge to approach her.

*****

Diana walked along the bookshelves, scanning the titles. She already had two books in hand that she planned to read.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she focused on something.

She tilted her head.

There it was—the book she had fought over yesterday with the new student, Revan.

Wasn’t this book supposed to be returned tomorrow? she wondered.

Had someone already finished their assignment?

Diana remained still for a moment. Then, a thought crossed her mind—maybe Revan hadn’t actually borrowed the book yesterday. If that were the case, she shouldn’t have given it to him.

Finally, Diana decided to take the book.

She didn’t want a repeat of yesterday’s incident. None of her classmates had completed the assignment yet, so she didn’t know how they would find their materials.

After that, she sat at one of the empty tables in the library, choosing to sit alone.

Halfway through her reading, she suddenly lost focus.

Her attention drifted from the book to a figure approaching her table. That was the reason she had lost concentration.

The person sat down directly across from her, as if they were facing off.

Diana felt awkward.

That person acted as if she wasn’t even there—sitting down without saying a word.

Then—

"So, you took the book I borrowed yesterday," the person—Revan—finally spoke.

Diana wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement. His tone was flat.

"That’s right. You’ve already used this book and don’t need it anymore, so you returned it today?" Diana glanced at the book Revan was looking at.

So, he really had finished using it.

But why didn’t he put it back where it belonged? What if someone else took it? Or maybe he just didn’t understand where to place it—after all, he didn’t say anything yesterday, only pointed vaguely.

Diana sighed quietly.

"Hm," Revan murmured in a barely audible response.

Could Diana assume that he still misunderstood her?

Did he still think she was one of his stalkers? His indifferent attitude and curt responses made it seem that way.

But if he still thought she was a stalker, then why did he sit near her?

There were plenty of empty seats in the library.

Believe it or not, Revan actually wanted to make small talk with Diana.

He knew he should have asked for permission before sitting at her table. But he was unsure how to start a conversation with her.

Then, as he sat down and happened to see the disputed book among the other books on the table, he decided to bring it up.

Now, though, he had no idea what else to say.

Another thought crossed his mind—Libraries aren’t for chatting, and all tables are for everyone to use.

And so, with that reasoning, he abandoned his desire to talk.

Let’s give Revan a round of applause.

He was truly a quiet and antisocial person.

It sounded cool, but in reality, it was just ridiculous.

Revan, are you even aware of yourself?

Now, let’s try to understand him.

Revan had approached Diana because he felt uncomfortable—uneasy from being followed.

More precisely, from being stalked by his fangirls.

His attempt to escape them by coming to the library had failed for the second time.

Yesterday, he had managed to get away.

That’s why today, he approached Diana, who was sitting alone, hoping to find some comfort.

Revan felt that Diana wasn’t like his fans.

She acted normally around him.

She didn’t make him feel uneasy.

On the other hand, Diana noticed three girls whispering while glancing in her direction.

She realized they were watching Revan.

Then, one of the girls was pushed by her friends, urging her to approach him.

Before she could, however—

A young man suddenly appeared and sat beside Diana.

His arrival caused everyone to freeze—the approaching girl, Diana, and even Revan.

The reason?

He had shouted loudly—

"Diana!" he called out as he took the seat beside her.

****