Chapter 4 - The First Day
1228 Words
Morning sunlight poured through the large windows of the Business Management building as first-year students searched for their classrooms.
Laughter echoed through the hallways.
Some were already making friends.
Others looked just as nervous as Nina.
She stood outside Room BM-101, taking a slow breath.
“A fresh start.”
She whispered the words to herself.
Just one step at a time.
⸻
“Excuse me!”
A cheerful voice called from behind.
Nina turned around.
Chloe was waving enthusiastically while balancing two cups of iced coffee.
“I bought one for you!”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
Chloe handed her the drink with a grin.
“I figured making your first friend in college deserves a celebration.”
Nina laughed.
“…Thank you.”
The two entered the classroom together.
The room buzzed with conversation.
Students claimed seats beside their friends.
Nina instinctively chose one near the window, hoping not to attract attention.
Chloe sat beside her.
“So…” Chloe whispered.
“What kind of guys do you like?”
Nina nearly choked on her coffee.
“W-What?”
“I’m just curious!”
“I don’t know.”
“You’ve never dated?”
Nina shook her head.
“I was…busy.”
Busy surviving.
Busy trying not to lose herself.
She left the rest unsaid.
⸻
A few minutes later…
The classroom suddenly grew quieter.
Someone had entered.
The girls near the door immediately began whispering.
“He’s so handsome.”
“Is he a freshman?”
“No way.”
“He looks older.”
“He must be a transferee.”
Roy walked in without sparing anyone a glance.
His expression remained calm.
Unreadable.
He looked around once…
Then walked straight toward the empty seat…
Beside Nina.
He pulled out the chair.
Sat down.
And opened his notebook.
Just like that.
Nina stared.
Out of every seat…
There were still plenty available.
She leaned slightly toward him.
“…Excuse me.”
He looked at her.
“Yes?”
“…There are other empty seats.”
“I know.”
“So…”
“I prefer this one.”
“…”
That was all he said before returning to his notebook.
Nina blinked.
What kind of answer is that?
Chloe looked between them with sparkling eyes.
Something is definitely going on.
⸻
A few rows behind them…
Mark dramatically slapped his forehead.
“I knew it.”
His seatmate looked confused.
“What?”
“Our friend. He’s hopeless.”
⸻
The professor entered, instantly quieting the room.
“Good morning, everyone. I’m Professor Hernandez. I’ll be your adviser this semester.”
He began calling names for attendance.
One by one…
Students answered.
Then…
“Nina Santos.”
The classroom became silent for a split second.
Nina slowly raised her hand.
“Present.”
The professor smiled kindly.
“Welcome.”
She nodded.
No one reacted.
No whispers.
No judgment.
She quietly let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Maybe…
Maybe this really could be a new beginning.
⸻
After class…
Students flooded into the hallway.
Chloe dragged Nina toward the campus tour organized by the student council.
Roy followed several steps behind.
Not close enough to interrupt.
Not far enough to lose sight of her.
Mark caught up beside him.
“…You know. This is starting to look creepy.”
Roy glanced at him.
“I know.”
“So…stop.”
“No.”
“…You’re admitting it?”
“I am.”
Mark sighed.
“At least pretend you’re normal.”
⸻
As they walked through the central courtyard…
A basketball suddenly bounced out from a nearby game.
Straight toward Nina.
She never saw it.
“Watch out!”
Before she could react—
A hand caught the ball inches from her face.
Roy.
Without even looking at the players, he tossed the ball back with perfect accuracy.
It landed directly in the hands of the stunned player across the court.
The entire basketball court fell silent.
“…Nice throw,” someone muttered.
Roy simply nodded once and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Nina stared at him.
“…Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a problem.”
“Still…Thank you.”
He gave a small nod.
“You’re welcome.”
That was it.
No smile.
No attempt to continue the conversation.
He simply resumed walking beside her.
He’s…hard to understand.
⸻
Later that afternoon…
The part-time job applicants received emails.
Congratulations.
You have been accepted.
Nina’s eyes widened.
“I got it!”
She smiled for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
“I actually got the job!”
Her excitement made Chloe hug her immediately.
“Congratulations!”
A few meters away…
Roy checked his own phone.
Congratulations.
You have been accepted.
Mark looked over his shoulder.
“…Don’t tell me.”
Roy slipped his phone back into his pocket.
“I start tomorrow.”
Mark stared at him in disbelief.
“You own shares in three companies. You fly training aircraft. Your allowance is probably bigger than my family’s yearly income. …And you’re working part-time?”
“Yes.”
“…For minimum wage?”
“Yes.”
Mark covered his face.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Roy looked toward Nina, who was happily telling Chloe about wanting to save enough money to move out someday.
His expression remained calm.
But his thoughts were clear.
“If she’s going to work there…Then I’ll be there too.”
⸻
That evening…
At the dining table…
Alice scrolled through her phone while eating dinner.
Her father smiled at Nina.
“How was your first day?”
“It was nice. I made a friend.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“What about classes?”
“They were good. And…”
She hesitated.
“I got a part-time job.”
Her father frowned slightly.
“You don’t have to work.”
“I know. But I want to. I want to earn my own money.”
Clara smiled gently.
“That’s a responsible decision.”
Alice suddenly looked up.
“Where?”
“The convenience store near Westbridge.”
Alice smirked.
“…Interesting.”
No one noticed the message she had just sent.
Unknown Contact
-She’s enrolled. Business Management. And she just got a job at Lawson Mart.
The reply came almost instantly.
-Understood.
Alice locked her phone.
A satisfied smile appeared on her face.
“Let’s see how long your ‘new beginning’ lasts.”
⸻
Meanwhile…
Outside the Santos residence…
A black SUV remained parked beneath a large acacia tree across the street.
Inside, Roy sat in the driver’s seat.
His eyes never left the house.
His phone buzzed.
Mark:
-Please tell me you’re not outside her house.
Roy glanced at the message.
Then typed a single reply.
-I am.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Then…
-You’re insane.
Roy didn’t respond.
Instead, he looked toward the second-floor window where Nina’s bedroom light had just turned on.
Only after he saw the curtains close did he finally start the engine.
As the SUV drove away, Roy spoke quietly to himself.
“I was late once. I won’t be late again.”
The words carried a weight that hinted at a past no one knew—a promise made long before Nina ever noticed his existence.
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