YUNA

08

Yuna's POV

I was deep in sleep when the rustling of chip packets against the book's cover, on which I was asleep, woke me up. Fighting the heaviness of my eyelids, I squinted at the blurry figure bending over my belongings.

That jolted me awake.

"Hey!" I tried to shout, but the reminder of my muteness silenced me. 

I swiftly kicked out with my left foot, catching the intruder's attention. They glanced back briefly, hastily grabbing several chip packets and water bottles before bolting, dropping some items in their haste.

I lunged, attempting to grab their feet, but they were just out of reach. 

Frustrated, I mouthed silent curses like "Hey!" and "Get back here!" as I sat back on my knees, pushing stray hair from my face with a huff. 

This guy's got a death wish, I see.

Spotting my diary nearby, I grabbed it and gave chase. There was no way I'd let this thief get away unscathed. 

Despite my mute state, my body moved on its own, urging me forward with phantom shouts and gestures. "Thief! Thief! Get back here you a-shole!" 

We raced through the library, leaping over books like characters in a running game. 

Suddenly, they darted into a narrow gap between shelves, and I followed suit. We zigzagged, ducking under obstacles and using bookmarks as makeshift footholds to propel ourselves forward.

At one point, sunlight vanished as they disappeared from sight. Panic surged as I scanned frantically, only to spot them on the ground floor.

"How did they get down so fast?!" I wondered, pushing myself harder as I neared the end of the shelf.

Thinking quickly, I clenched my diary in my teeth, snatching up a few envelopes to use as impromptu gliders. I landed roughly but regained my balance, clutching my diary tightly as I resumed the pursuit. 

The thief seemed startled by my persistence, picking up their pace.

"Just give up already!" I silently pleaded, frustration mounting as my own speed faltered.

"No!" I mouthed fiercely. I couldn't afford to lose them now.

Glancing at my diary, a plan formed. With a smirk, I gripped it tightly in my right hand, closing one eye to aim carefully. Then, with all my strength, I hurled it forward, blocking their path.

Luck was on my side as the diary struck them squarely on the head. They stumbled and fell, chips and bottles scattering.

"Yes!" I mentally cheered, closing in on them swiftly.

That's what you get for stealing my chips, thief!

I walked slowly closer to them, my breath ragged and my leg muscles burning from the chase.

"But you didn't have to make me run like that!" I thought, finally reaching out to grab the person by the shoulder and turning them over.

I gasped when I saw it was a boy. Of course it would be—a girl wouldn't stoop to such a pathetic act. No offense to the boys out there!

I settled on my knees and observed him closely.

Judging from his attire, he wore the standard uniform of boys at my school: a white collared shirt with a crimson tie, layered with a crimson sleeveless sweater over the top and peach-colored pants.

I'm not one to gawk, but can we talk about how strikingly handsome this boy looked? He had a youthful appearance with sharply defined facial features.