The Bound Collision

Chapter 46

After dropping Ace at his school, Gemini dropped Fourth in his Uni before heading back.

Fourth stepped onto the bustling university campus, a swirl of students moving in every direction. The morning air was crisp, and he could already feel the weight of the day pressing down on him. With a half-hearted attempt at a smile, he made his way to his first class, the bright sunlight barely lifting the fog of exhaustion lingering from last night's late study session.

In his first lecture, he found a seat near the back, hoping to blend into the background as the professor droned on about historical events. His notebook lay open, but the pages remained largely blank as his mind flickered between the lecture and the assignments waiting for him later. Each time he tried to focus, his thoughts drifted to the overwhelming tasks ahead—still two assignments due this week, and the nagging feeling that he was already behind.

After what felt like an eternity, the class ended, and Fourth rushed out into the corridor, weaving through the throngs of students chatting and laughing. He checked his phone, quickly glancing at the time before heading to the next lecture. His stomach grumbled, reminding him he hadn't eaten breakfast, but he shoved the thought aside, determined to power through.

In his second class, the professor was more engaging, but Fourth still struggled to stay focused. The slides on the projector blurred together as he battled fatigue, forcing himself to jot down notes. He took a sip of his lukewarm coffee, grimacing at the taste, but it was enough to keep him alert. He shifted in his seat, glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes until freedom.

As the bell rang, Fourth felt a rush of relief. He stood, ready to escape, but the next wave of students flooded in, filling the room with a buzz of energy that made him feel even more drained. He made his way to the library, hoping to carve out some time to work on his assignments, but the study rooms were packed.

Finding a quiet corner, he pulled out his laptop and settled in, attempting to tackle his second assignment. Time slipped away as he typed furiously, the words flowing better than expected. However, it wasn't long before he was interrupted by the loud chatter of students nearby, making concentration impossible.

He further proceeded to the next class, he settled into his chair, the room dimming slightly as he focused on the lecture. He scribbled down notes, doing his best to absorb the information while his mind occasionally wandered to the growing pile of assignments waiting for him. He was grateful for the routine but was also aware that each passing moment meant he was one step closer to the inevitable stress of deadlines.

As the professor's voice echoed around the room, Fourth's eyelids grew heavier, his exhaustion settling in. He fought to keep his eyes open, knowing he had to make it through the lecture. The comfort of the chair beneath him became increasingly inviting, but he shook his head, forcing himself to concentrate on the board in front of him. Little did he know, this was only the calm before the storm that awaited him once class ended.

Fourth was halfway through a lecture, his thoughts drifting between class notes and weekend plans when his phone vibrated in his pocket. The screen flashed an unknown number, and though he usually wouldn't answer during a lecture, he couldn't ignore the odd feeling that came with it.

He glanced at the professor, who was absorbed in his notes, then quietly slipped into the hallway to answer.

"Hello?" Fourth's voice was cautious, expecting a spam call or wrong number.

"Hello, Mr. Nattawat Jirochtikul speaking?" a polite voice responded.

"Yes, this is him. Who's calling?" he replied, his curiosity now piqued.