milk tea

00:10

Three years later.

Inseol, who was now referred to as Serene, had gotten out of her room. Her life was better after ditching that hell hole. At least, mentally and physically she was better. Her hair was now properly dyed, this time in silver. The unique green eyes she inherited from her father were now covered by gray contact lenses. Her skin that was full of stitches and bruises was now more salubrious than ever.

Money-wise, she wasn't the most stable person when it came to that. Some days, she would have enough to feed herself for weeks, other days she would barely eat a grain of rice. It depended on how many clients had visited the place she worked at.

She was a personal shopper. She had reciprocities with stores and brands in order to satisfy her customers' needs. Notwithstanding it being a high-paying job, the fact that she needs to conceal her identity is what makes it challenging for her to garner shoppers.

"Maybe today I'll be able to have a customer," Serene pondered out loud. Her hair that was getting longer than mid-length was starting to annoy her. Her thoughts were disordered but still intact. The unpremeditated decision to chop her hair came back and forth as she prepared breakfast. "I'll cut it later tonight."

It was a homely breakfast that she gobbled in a split second. Her day was starting to blossom and she had gotten ready for the day. A black beret and a black and white outfit were her picks for the day. She relished appearing classy, but also not too eye-catching.

On her way out, a call had distracted her. It was an anonymous number that rang. Without diffidence, she answered it.

"Hello? Serene speaking," her imperturbable voice spoke. "Personal shopper Serene speaking."

"What type of goods do you buy for people?" a young man inquired on the other line. His voice was somewhat abstruse and serious. It would be the kind that would bring chills.

"Basically everything," she returned.

"Well, do you buy guns for people?"

"I can manage," there was no wavering or shift in her voice. "What do you need?"

"You seem pretty beguiling, Serene," he chuckled unpretentiously. "AP-74A1C. Also, keep this a secret, or else your head will wind up separated from your body. Thanks."

Great. I'm fucked.

🧋

"Attendance is going to start soon, Shotaro," Yuta, his roommate, prompted the younger boy. "You don't have all day to stay quiet and overthink."

The boy got out of his bunk and faced the mirror. His eyes seemed lifeless on the outside. His hair was a deep raven black while he had his white contact lenses in. His ripped jeans and oversized shirt added to his appearance made him appear aloof.