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[ Best part ] - [ Daniel Caesar, Her ]

"私たちは下水にいますが、一部の人々は星を見ています。" The English teacher's voice resonated through the classroom as he stood behind the podium, his sharp, bespectacled eyes scanning the room. "Can anyone volunteer to translate this quote by Oscar Wilde? Vienna, perhaps?"

With a soft voice, Vienna replied, "We are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."

"Perfectly said," the English teacher affirmed, his tone carrying a note of approval. "We are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." He repeated the translation with emphasis, adjusting his spectacles. "Now, let's move on to the next question."

Four days had passed since the stabbing incident, and life had resumed its usual rhythm. Hana made no move to seek revenge against Vienna.

The rainy season began to wane, the weather grew increasingly warm. Ni-ki, ever thoughtful, had bought a small electric fan for Vienna. She placed it beneath her desk, where it whirred softly, providing a soothing breeze and a welcome relief from the rising heat.

The English teacher was deep into the worksheet's questions when a familiar figure appeared in the classroom doorway. Vienna's heart skipped a beat upon recognizing the form teacher's slender silhouette.

The teacher's voice cut through the murmurs of the classroom: "Chiyo, could you step outside for a moment?"

With a nod, Chiyo exited the room.

Vienna turned her focus back to the English teacher. Soon after, Chiyo reentered the classroom, a flicker of pleasure barely hidden beneath her otherwise neutral expression.

After class, Sakura tapped Chiyo on the shoulder. "Chiyopipi."

"Yes?" Chiyo turned, curiosity evident in her eyes.

"Why did the form teacher call for you? Did something good happen?"

Vienna tore open a packet of Pocky biscuits.

"May I have one?" Chiyo asked, reaching out for a Pocky stick. Sakura also grabbed a stick and, as she chewed, commented, "Vienna, you seem to have a lot of snacks lately."

Several classmates began to crowd around Vienna's table, each reaching for a Pocky stick. Before long, the packet was empty.

"Hana's missing," Chiyo announced, a smirk playing at her lips as she munched on her biscuit.

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would the form teacher look for you if Hana is missing?"

Chiyo rolled her eyes, a dismissive smile on her face. "It's just a formality. They're asking me about her whereabouts as a symbolic gesture. Everyone knows I was a target of Hana and her friends' bullying. Back then, they told me not to make a fuss, to brush it off as harmless pranks. Now that I'm the first one they're questioning, it's clear they've changed their stance on the whole incident." Chiyo let out a cold, short laugh before continuing,

Vienna looked up, a note of caution in her voice. "Don't be too certain. She might have just taken a short trip and could come back in a few days."

Chiyo pouted, her tone dripping with malice. "I hope she never comes back. Ever."

Sakura joined in with a wry smile. "Looks like our form teacher is going to end up with a head full of gray hair soon."

Vienna noticed Hari, Hana's friend, standing just behind Chiyo and nudged her subtly. Chiyo turned, her face momentarily contorted with an awkward expression upon seeing Hari. Quickly regaining composure, Chiyo stuck out her tongue in a half-hearted attempt to lighten the mood. The conversation abruptly came to a halt.

As evening descended, Vienna made her way to the school's entrance, her gaze scanning the usual spot where Ni-Ki stood across the street. However, to her surprise, Ni-Ki wasn't focused on her.

Instead, his eyes were locked on Hari , a peculiar, cold smile playing on his lips. Only when Hari  climbed into her parents' car did Ni-Ki turn his attention back to Vienna.

Confused, Vienna pondered over his strange behavior, eventually dismissing it as a trick of her imagination.

As she spotted Ni-Ki, he began to stride toward her. She kept walking, her steps measured and deliberate.

Since the recent incident, Vienna felt a persistent unease, often glancing back at Ni-Ki to find solace in his presence.

Just as she turned her head to check on him, Jungwon's voice cut through the evening air. "Vienna!"

Vienna's eyes darted toward Ni-Ki, only to find him staring intently at her. He slid his hands into his pockets and took a measured step aside, but just then, Jungwon dashed past him, colliding with Ni-Ki's shoulder. The impact made Ni-Ki stagger slightly, thrown off balance by the sudden force.

"Oh, sorry!" Jungwon turned back, apologizing brightly to Ni-ki before continuing to run towards Vienna.

Vienna glanced quietly at Jungwon before turning back and continuing to walk ahead.

Sensing the strained atmosphere, Jungwon hurriedly explained himself, "I'm heading to my aunt's place for dinner again."

"Oh."

"Miyawaki-san, I heard that Hana's missing."

"Is that so?"

"Maybe she fought with her parents and ran away from home." Jungwon mulled it over before continuing, "I suppose it's good that she left. That way, she can no longer affect you."

Upon hearing this, Vienna's sensitive nature caused her to raise her head, cutting him off, "I have no connection with Hana. The way you said it made it sound like I'd be extremely happy if she disappeared. She didn't affect me.

"That's true."

His apology hung awkwardly between them as they continued walking side by side. Just then, Jungwon unintentionally cast a backwards glance. His smile faltering slightly, he lowered his head and warned Vienna under his breath, "Vienna, I've seen this person before. He's followed you before. Don't turn back!"

But Vienna had already turned back. The very next moment, Jungwon grabbed Vienna's hand and dragged her forward into a run. "Run! We have to ditch him!"

"Eh?" Vienna exclaimed, her voice tinged with confusion and fear as she tried to keep pace.

The streets blurred around them as they sprinted, the rush of adrenaline pushing them forward. Vienna's mind raced, trying to piece together why someone would be following her.

Jungwon's face was set in a serious expression as he glanced back, his urgency evident. "I don't know what his intentions are, but we need to get somewhere safe."

Vienna struggled against Jungwon's grip, but he was firmly resolute. He pulled her through the crowded streets, navigating them with swift, purposeful strides. Every so often, he would glance back, ensuring they weren't being followed.

After what felt like an eternity, Jungwon finally slowed to a stop, scanning their surroundings to confirm that they had lost their pursuer. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes were sharp, vigilant.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern as he looked at Vienna, who was catching her breath.

Vienna wrenched her hand free from Jungwon's grasp, bending over to catch her breath.

"Why did you start running?" Vienna's frustration was palpable, a rare display of her inner turmoil.

Jungwon, taken aback by her reaction, struggled to understand her sudden outburst. He had only acted out of concern, and her anger left him momentarily disoriented. Sensing her distress, he softened his tone, striving to calm her, "I was worried someone was following us. I didn't want to take any chances."

"Who?" Vienna's voice was shaky, her breath coming in short, uneven bursts. Her gaze was fixed on her classmate, her face flushed with exertion.

Jungwon glanced around, his concern giving way to relief. "It seems he didn't follow us after all."

Vienna wiped the sweat from her brow, still panting heavily. "There are so many people around. It's likely someone was just walking in the same direction."

"You're right," Jungwon said, his voice carrying a note of regret. "But it's better to be cautious. I'm sorry if I overreacted."

Vienna turned away slightly, her expression softening as she looked away from him. "It's alright. I understand you were just trying to protect me."

Vienna said her goodbyes to Jungwon at the intersection and began to wait for Ni-ki. The bubbling resentment and confusion she felt toward Jungwon slowly dissipated as she spotted Ni-ki approaching in the distance.

Yet, as Ni-ki walked by, he didn't pause. He merely threw a fleeting glance her way before continuing on his path. Without hesitation, Vienna quickened her pace to match his stride, maintaining a gap of two or three steps between them.

The rhythmic sound of their footsteps created a quiet symphony as they walked side by side, each wrapped in their own thoughts.

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jungwon is so me whenvee I try to help I mess it up