My Dear Lunar

10 - UNBELIVEABLE ❄

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A week had passed, and still, there was no progress in uncovering information about Lunar. The gang, who had initially been confident they could easily find out more about the mysterious boy, grew increasingly frustrated. Moon and Star, in particular, had exhausted every avenue they knew—talking to administrative staff, checking student files, and even trying to contact connections within the faculty—but nothing turned up. The files remained locked, and it seemed as though Lunar's identity was shrouded in an unexplainable secrecy.

"This doesn't make sense," Moon muttered one afternoon as the group gathered in the club room. His frustration was palpable. "We've never had this much trouble getting basic info on a student before." Star, sitting across from him, nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed. "Yeah, it's like he doesn't exist on paper. I've checked and double-checked the system. Even his last name isn't listed."

Sky, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, sighed. "Why would someone's information be so restricted? It's not like he's a celebrity or something. It's weird, man." Meanwhile, Blue, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up. "Maybe there's something bigger going on. Some reason his file is locked away like this. We're missing something here."

The mystery around Lunar only grew deeper, and the gang found themselves consumed by it. However, despite their growing obsession with the matter, Lunar and Jewel remained blissfully unaware of the gang's efforts. They were too focused on surviving their daily lives as students—though "surviving" seemed to be the key word these days.

Ever since the incident in the canteen, Lunar and Jewel had become targets of mocking whispers and gossip. It seemed like everywhere they went, students were quick to throw them judgmental glances or snide remarks. "Look, it's them," someone would whisper whenever they passed by in the hallway. "They got saved by those guys? Why would they even bother?" Lunar, though usually quiet and reserved, couldn't help but feel the weight of the stares and the biting comments. Every glance in his direction felt heavier, each whisper louder. He tried to keep his head down and focus on his studies, but it was impossible to ignore the ridicule.

Jewel, on the other hand, was more outwardly composed but just as affected. He would put on a brave face for Lunar's sake, often offering a reassuring smile or a distraction when things got tough. But even he couldn't completely shake off the negativity that seemed to follow them like a shadow. "Don't let it get to you," Jewel would say whenever Lunar looked too upset. "They're just jealous we've caught the attention of people they can only talk about." But the words didn't always help. No matter how much they tried to carry on with their studies, the constant mocking and isolation weighed them down. It was hard enough being new students, but this—this was something else entirely.

One evening, as they left the campus library after another long day, Lunar turned to Jewel with a tired expression. "Do you ever think about leaving?" Jewel glanced at him, surprised. "Leaving? Like dropping out?" Lunar shook his head. "No, I mean just... leaving all of this behind. The stares, the comments... it's like they never stop." Jewel thought for a moment before putting a hand on Lunar's shoulder. "We've gotten through worse, haven't we? This... it'll blow over eventually. We just have to keep going." Lunar gave a small nod, though doubt lingered in his eyes. Deep down, he wasn't sure how much longer he could take it.

Lunar's mental state was deteriorating day by day. The relentless mockery from classmates, the strange attention from the gang, and the constant pressure were wearing him down. He had barely been able to sleep, and every attempt to focus in class was interrupted by his mind wandering back to the strange events of the past week. Jewel had noticed Lunar's worsening state, but despite his efforts to comfort him, Lunar seemed increasingly distant, retreating into a shell of anxiety.

One afternoon, as they sat in the faculty canteen, Lunar's hands trembled while he picked at his Thai curry, his appetite long gone. Jewel, sitting beside him, could only offer a supportive presence, unsure of what words could alleviate Lunar's distress. The usual din of student chatter filled the air, punctuated by the occasional snide remark or disparaging glance directed at them. While they had grown accustomed to these whispers, it did little to ease the tension.

The atmosphere in the canteen shifted abruptly. It began as a subtle drop in noise, but soon, heads began to turn toward the entrance. The room fell into a heavy silence as Wai made his entrance, his presence as foreboding as a gathering storm. He moved with a predatory grace, his sharp eyes scanning the room with an intensity that made even the rowdiest students fall silent.

Lunar's body tensed. He was all too familiar with Wai's reputation—a fierce enforcer who was feared across campus. The last time they had encountered Wai was still fresh in his mind, a violent flashback that had left him shaken. Lunar's heart raced as Wai approached their table. Jewel's breath hitched, and he nudged Lunar, his voice trembling with panic. "Wai's coming over here," he whispered, his eyes wide with alarm. Lunar's stomach tightened into a knot. Why was Wai here now? He braced himself for the worst.

Wai stopped in front of their table, and the silence around them grew even more pronounced. The students nearby quickly averted their eyes, either too intimidated or too curious to intervene. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Wai's piercing gaze locked onto Lunar, his expression inscrutable. "You Lunar?" he asked, his voice low but carrying a weight that made Lunar's heart skip a beat. Lunar nodded stiffly, his throat dry, unable to form words. His mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

Wai studied him for a moment longer, then his expression softened—just slightly. "I've heard some things," Wai said, his tone even. "Keep your head up. Don't let these idiots drag you down." Lunar blinked, taken aback by Wai's unexpected words of support. He had braced himself for confrontation, but instead, Wai was offering... encouragement?

Unbeknownst to Lunar, Wai's demeanor was more than just a show of toughness. Beneath his fierce exterior, Wai harbored feelings for Lunar—an attraction that had developed over time. It was a source of internal conflict for Wai, who was known for his intimidating presence and unyielding nature. His feelings for Lunar had initially been a curiosity, but over time, they had deepened into something more complex.

Wai's appearance in the canteen and his words of encouragement were not purely coincidental. He had been watching Lunar from afar, his protective instincts and hidden affections spurring him to intervene. His softer side, seldom seen by others, was revealed in his rare display of kindness. Despite his outward bravado and fierce reputation, Wai was deeply troubled by the sight of Lunar's suffering.

Before Lunar could respond, Wai turned and walked away, leaving a stunned silence in his wake. The students around them remained frozen, still grappling with the unusual scene they had just witnessed. Jewel leaned closer to Lunar, his voice a hushed whisper. "Did Wai... just help you?" Lunar nodded slowly, still trying to process what had just happened. His heart was still pounding, but amid the fear and confusion, there was a flicker of relief—and an unspoken understanding of the complexity behind Wai's actions. The unexpected gesture from Wai, though puzzling, offered a small glimmer of hope in the midst of the turmoil.

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