SECOND LIFE ASSASIN!

Episode 3

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in launch time The cafeteria buzzed with the usual cacophony of students chatting, laughing, and scrambling for snacks. Leo stood in line, holding a tray while unconsciously scanning the room. His eyes landed on Liana again—she sat alone at a corner table, head propped on one hand as she stared blankly ahead. Her sandwich lay untouched on the plate before her.

A tightness gripped Leo's chest. He remembered this moment vividly from his original timeline. This was the day before everything started to fall apart for her—the beginning of her downward spiral. It wasn't just teenage angst something deeper was weighing on her mind. But back then, Leo hadn't cared enough to notice or intervene. Now was different. Seeing her like this stirred emotions he thought long buried... guilt, regret, and an overwhelming urge to fix what he couldn't save before.

He grabbed a random drink and snack from the counter without really looking, paid quickly, and started walking towards her table. Each step felt heavier than the last, his nerves frayed with uncertainty. What if she brushed him off? What if he came across as creepy or desperate? Still, he pressed on. If there was even a sliver of hope to change her fate—and his own—he had to try. Leo refused to go back to that shitty life.

"Liana," Leo said softly, stopping beside her table. His voice was hesitant, uncertain, yet laced with a newfound confidence.

Liana looked up, startled. For a moment, her wide eyes locked onto Leo's, and he could see a faint flicker of surprise and curiosity. She blinked, breaking eye contact, and frowned slightly.

"Uh... hi??" she replied, her voice cautious, almost wary. "What do you need, Leo?"

Leo hesitated, gripping the edge of his tray tighter. He pulled out the chair opposite Liana and sat down without waiting for permission. "You look... not okay," he stated bluntly, setting his tray aside. "You're sitting here alone, staring at your food like it insulted you. Are you alright?"

Liana raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by his forwardness. "Why do you care?" she asked flatly, her tone laced with skepticism. "Since when does Leo care about other people?"

Her words stung, but Leo forced himself to remain calm. She wasn't wrong—at least, not entirely. In his past life, he had been indifferent, selfish, and disconnected. But that wasn't who he wanted to be anymore.

"Fair point," he conceded, leaning back in his chair. "But let's just say I'm trying to... turn over a new leaf, okay? So, what's wrong, Liana?"

For a moment, Liana just stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her shoulders slumped, and she sighed. "It's nothing. Just… tired, I guess."

Leo tilted his head, studying her closely. Her face was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line. There were dark circles under her eyes, barely concealed by makeup. Whatever "tired" meant to her, it wasn't just physical exhaustion.

"Yeah, I believe you're just tired," Leo deadpanned, "Like I'm secretly your future husband... But seriously, what's up? Just tell me, I won't judge."

That elicited a tiny, fleeting smile. "Okay, fine. Maybe there are a few things on my mind. But it's not something you can help with anyway, Leo."

"Try me," Leo challenged, leaning forward slightly. His gaze softened, becoming less confrontational and more sincere. "Look, I know we're not exactly close, but... I've seen your work. You're talented. And you don't deserve to be sitting here looking like you lost a major bet."

This time, Liana's smile lingered a bit longer. "You've seen my work?"

Leo nodded. "Yeah. That mural outside the auditorium? Pretty sure that was yours. It's good. Really good."

A faint blush crept up her cheeks, and she looked away. "Thanks. Most people don't even notice it."

"Well, they have poor taste and are idiots," Leo said firmly, making Liana look back at him, surprised. "Anyway, enough about art. Tell me what's bothering you. Or at least tell me why you hate that sandwich so much."

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's not the sandwich, Leo. It's... more complicated."

Leo leaned back again, giving her space. "Complicated is my specialty. Go on, lay it on me."

At first, Liana hesitated, picking at the crust of her sandwich. But as Leo waited patiently, neither judging nor pressuring, she began to talk. Vague at first—comments about feeling trapped, overwhelmed by expectations, unsure about her future. Gradually, however, she opened up more.

"My parents..." she started hesitantly, glancing around as if afraid someone might overhear. "They're in trouble. Big trouble. They owe money to... these people. Dangerous people. And they keep pressuring us to pay, but we can't. We just don't have it anymore."

Leo's heart sank. He knew exactly who "these people" were. In his original timeline, he'd worked for them—or rather, alongside them—as an enforcer. They were unforgiving; they didn't negotiate. If a debt wasn't paid, the consequences were swift and brutal.

"I see," he said quietly, his jaw tightening. "How much do they owe?"

Liana hesitated, then whispered, "A lot. More than we could ever have. Every time they call, I feel like I'm suffocating. Like there's no way out."

Leo clenched his fists under the table, anger simmering inside him—not at her, but at the system that had destroyed so many lives, including hers and, ultimately, his own. He couldn't let history repeat itself. Not this time.

"Don't worry," he said firmly, meeting her gaze. "I'll help you."

"Are you serious?" Liana asked, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Why would you even bother helping me? We're not really friends."

""BECAUSE I LIKE YOU!!!" Leo suddenly blurted out, cutting her off. The words tumbled out, and his face instantly flushed, but he pressed on boldly. "I've always liked you from afar, but I was too scared to admit it. And now, seeing you like this... I can't just sit back and do nothing."

Liana's jaw dropped. "Wait, WHAT?!"

Leo felt a surge of self-loathing at how cliché the words sounded. But, desperate times called for desperate measures, right? Besides, it wasn't entirely untrue—he had liked her, albeit silently, back in their school days.

"I know this sounds crazy," he said quickly, waving his hands defensively. "But I'm serious. I want to help you because... I care about you. A lot."

Liana stared at him, her eyes wide, face flushed. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, she just gaped at him, her expression a mixture of shock, confusion, and perhaps, a tiny hint of being flattered.

"A-Are you serious right now??" she finally managed, her voice shaky. "Three years?? And you never said anything???"

Leo sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, uh... I guess I suck at the whole 'talking to girls' thing. But hey, better late than never, right?"

"No... No," Liana shook her head, still trying to process his confession. "This is insane. You hate talking to people, you're antisocial, you're... aghhh, you barely even acknowledged my existence. And now you're telling me you've had a crush on me this whole time?"

Leo chuckled nervously. "Pretty much. I know it's weird, but that doesn't mean I didn't want to... I was just scared of rejection... The point is, let me help you."