06
━═════━The atmosphere in the cafeteria shifted. The arrival of these girls sparked curiosity and intrigue among the students.
Y/n couldn't help but feel nervous as she realized that TWICE's attention is solely focused on her.
Lisa leaned closer to Y/n, her voice barely above a whisper. "Huh, be careful, Y/n. The wolves are eyeing you~" she teased.
Y/n blushed, for some reason.
"Did you do something to warrant their attention?" Jennie chimed in, her tone filled with amusement and caution. "They look like they were getting ready to devour you."
Rosé and Jisoo chuckled at your reaction to being teased. "Stop teasing the poor girl, Y/n looks like she's about to search for a hole to hide in." —— Jisoo.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the room as TWICE stood up. Y/n watched with bated breath as the group began to walk...
Wait, why are they heading towards her table?
Lisa tensed slightly, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Here they come."
Jennie smirked seemingly unaffected as her eyes shone with interest. "Let's see what they want."
TWICE approached and stopped in front of Y/n's table. The girl on the lead regarded Y/n with a penetrating gaze. Her expression unreadable.
"Y/n L/n," the girl finally spoke, her voice loud enough that it silenced the surrounding chatter. "I'm Park Jihyo, we've heard about you."
Y/n swallowed nervously, feeling Jihyo's scrutiny. "You have?"
Jihyo nodded slowly. "Your last name carries weight around here. Your mother... She's not unfamiliar to us."
Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé exchanged glances. They're not surprised by TWICE's knowledge of Y/n's background.
"What do you mean?" Y/n asked cautiously, her curiosity piqued despite feeling uneasy.
Jihyo smiled mysteriously. "Your mother, Naree L/n, was once a student here. She left quite an impression on the Academy."
Y/n's eyes widened in realization. "My mother... she never told me much about her time here." Well, her grandma told her hers but her mother kept her mouth shut, not willing to share her days at the Academy.
Jihyo's gaze softened slightly. "She was a remarkable student. The Headmistress still speaks highly of her."
Lisa leaned forward, unable to contain her curiosity. "Are you...?"
Jihyo's smile widened knowingly. "Perhaps." Then she looked back at Y/n.
"We're interested in seeing what kind of storm you'll bring to the Academia, Y/n."
With those words, TWICE turned and walked away, leaving Y/n and her friends in stunned silence.
Y/n stared at the cafeteria doors that slammed shut as soon as the last member of TWICE stepped out.
━═════━
After successfully finishing her meal, Y/n found herself standing outside her dorm room door.
Lisa had insisted she needed rest, her stern gaze leaving no room for argument.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Lisa remarked, her voice a mix of concern and amusement.
"Better get some shut-eye before the real fun starts tomorrow."
Y/n managed a weak smile.
Lisa's expression softened a little. "Are you thinking about what Jihyo said a while ago?"
Y/n sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "I feel like I'm in the middle of some cryptic puzzle. Why does everyone here know who my mother is?"
Lisa's lips curved into a wry grin. "Trust me, you'll figure it out soon enough."
Y/n chuckled nervously, running a hand through her hair. "Great, just what I need—— more mysteries."
Lisa clapped her on the shoulder reassuringly.
"Look, just take it one step at a time. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm just a dorm room away."
"Thanks, Lisa," Y/n said sincerely.
Lisa waved it off casually. "No need for thanks. Me and the girls will be right behind you."
With a final nod, Lisa turned on her heels and headed down the hallway, her steps echoing faintly.
Y/n watched her disappear around the corner before eñtering her room and closing the door behind her.
She suddenly had the urge to call here mother and ask her some questions but she refrained herself.
A few minutes later, she finally crawled into bed, exhaustion creeped on her whole being.
She doesn't know what to expect tomorrow.
But for now, she needed to rest her body and mind.
Y/n closed her eyes with a heavy sigh then surrendered to sleep, ready (not really) to face whatever tomorrow would bring.
━═════━
❦