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Aerum walked into her campus, her mind at ease and humming a soft tune. Today felt different. Usually bursting with energy, she now found herself in a serene state, a soft smile gracing her lips as she greeted her classmates. Her smile was reciprocated, spreading a sense of warmth.
As she strolled, her steps halted in front of Miri's campus. Miri was nowhere to be seen, which was unusual. A small crowd had gathered outside the staffroom, sparking Aerum's curiosity. She pulled out her phone to call Miri, but before she could unlock it, someone jumped on her back.
Aerum let out a startled scream, her voice echoing across the quiet campus. She flailed her arms in surprise, her phone slipping from her grasp and tumbling to the ground. Her heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to keep her balance.
The sudden weight on her back made her stumble forward, and she gasped, trying to regain her footing.
"What the-" Aerum's voice trembled with fear and confusion. She twisted her head to see who had jumped on her, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. Just as she was about to lose her balance completely, the familiar sound of laughter reached her ears. "MIRI? GOD, YOU SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME!" Aerum gasped, recognizing the mischievous giggle of her friend.
Miri's laughter was uncontrollable as she clung to Aerum's back, finally letting go and dropping to the ground. "You're so funny, Aerum!" she managed to say between fits of giggles, tears of laughter streaming down her face.
Aerum placed a hand over her racing heart, trying to calm herself. "Yeah, very funny," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She bent down to pick up her phone, checking it for any damage.
"You almost gave me a heart attack. "Miri wiped her eyes, still chuckling. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. You should've seen your face!" Aerum rolled her eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
"Next time, maybe just say hi like a normal person?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Miri grinned, linking her arm through Aerum's. As they continued walking, Aerum couldn't help but glance back at the staffroom, the earlier crowd still lingering in her mind. "What's going on over there so early in the morning?
"Oh, that," Miri said, her expression turning serious. "One of the student's parents came to file a complaint about our professor, Mr han. They're saying he's the reason for her disappearance. They've got text messages and other evidence to support their claim, and they're even going to court."
Aerum gasped, her eyes widening. "What did he do?" Miri glanced around nervously before pulling Aerum closer and lowering her voice. "There are rumors that he abducted her, assaulted her, and... murdered her." Aerum's eyes grew even larger, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Oh my god!"
"Slow down, girl," Miri cautioned, placing a calming hand on Aerum's arm.
"Have the police found any evidence?" Aerum asked, her voice hushed but urgent. Miri shrugged, intertwining her arm with Aerum's and gesturing for them to walk.
"I don't know. They're still looking for her." As they walked, the weight of Miri's words settled heavily on Aerum's shoulders. The campus, usually a place of learning and laughter, now felt shadowed by a sinister presence. She glanced at Miri, whose usual lighthearted demeanor had been replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Do you really think he did it?" Aerum asked quietly, her eyes searching Miri's face for any hint of doubt or certainty. Miri sighed. "I don't know, Aerum. He always seemed nice, but you never really know someone, do you?" Aerum nodded, her mind racing. The professor in question had always been kind and approachable, never giving any indication of such dark tendencies. But the rumors, coupled with the student's complaint, painted a chilling picture.
They passed by a group of students who were also whispering about the incident. Snippets of their conversation reached Aerum's ears, each fragment adding to the growing sense of unease.
"He was the last one to see her..." "...had a weird vibe..." "...never liked him..." Aerum tried to block out their words, focusing instead on the path ahead. They made their way to the cafeteria, hoping to find some distraction in the bustling environment. They settled into their seats with their drinks.
"Do you remember the time when he helped us with our project?" Aerum asked, trying to recall a positive memory of the professor. Miri nodded. "Yeah, he was really patient with us. But now... I don't know what to think." Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their friend, Hana, who plopped down next to them with a frown.
"Have you heard the latest?" she asked, her eyes wide with a mix of excitement and fear. Aerum and Miri exchanged glances. "About the professor?" Aerum asked. Hana nodded. "Yeah. I heard from a reliable source that they've found some of her belongings in his office." Aerum felt a chill run down her spine. "Her belongings? Are you serious?"Hana nodded, leaning in closer. "Yeah, and get this-there's a video circulating of him arguing with her in a dark room something like the basement, she was lying on the floor." Miri's eyes widened.
"A video? Where did you see it?"
"It's all over social media. Someone must have leaked it. It's really grainy, but you can tell it's them," Hana said, pulling out her phone to show them.
Aerum and Miri watched the shaky footage. The figures were blurry, but the voices were unmistakable. The argument was heated, the professor's tone aggressive and her soft sobbing. The video ended abruptly, leaving them with more questions than answers. "This is bad," Aerum said, her voice trembling. "Really bad."
They were talking when Aerum's eyes landed on Renjun, who had just entered the cafeteria, He wore a black leather jacket over a simple white T-shirt, paired with dark jeans that fit snugly, highlighting his athletic build. His hands, one of which was casually tucked into his jeans pocket, had a slight tension in them as if he was constantly ready for something. His eyes were, dark and intense, scanning the room with a piercing gaze, adding to the cold and distant expression on his face. Hana followed Aerum's gaze and leaned in.
"And guess what," Hana said quietly.
"People think he leaked the video." "Renjun?" Aerum asked, surprised. "You mean Renjun leaked the private CCTV footage?" Hana nodded. "Yeah." "Why would he do that?" Aerum asked, puzzled. "Do you know about Renjun's cousin's murder?" Hana asked. Miri nodded, but Aerum shook her head.
"She was the top archery athlete at our university national-level she was supposed to be selected for the national-level archery competition, but they gave the spot to the principal's son. When she complained, they..."
Hana's voice trailed off. Aerum and Miri swallowed hard.
"...assaulted and murdered her. The university authorities covered it up."
"My God," Aerum whispered, suddenly feeling bad for Renjun and his family.
"That's why we think he leaked all the evidence," Hana explained. "To get revenge for his cousin." Aerum's mind raced as she looked over at Renjun. This new information added layers to his stoic demeanor. "That's awful. No wonder he looks so serious all the time." __________________
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