And so, after some time, the trio reaches their school, entering the gates as they enter the hallways. Although there weren't many students there, nor any teachers nearby.
Wyne: "No one's around…"
Wyne says anxiously, glancing around nervously…
Trizha: "Hoping this is the cause of the great school suspension!"
Trizha says cheerfully and confidently, recklessly deciding that this is definitely a cause of a school suspension.
Margaret: "Hmmm…"
Margaret observantly looks around, before realizing the situation;
Margaret: "...Classes have already started."
It was silent, the hallways were, but both Trizha and Wyne's expressions of realization were so loud they began to rush forth to find their respective classroom, realizing that the silent hallways means that classes have already started and that students are already in their classroom, as stated by Margaret herself.
Meanwhile, Margaret just sighs and walks forward to her classroom, knowing that rushing is already pointless when you're late, accepting reality.
A few minutes later, Wyne and Trizha were the first to enter the classroom, while Margaret went last. The teacher at the front, Marcela, greets them with an irritated smile and a stress mark on her left forehead, staring at the trio, as well as the entire classmates stare at them in either disappointment or… whatever you call something like disgust.
T. Marcela: "I thought I have already informed you three that no one enters my classroom if they came late."
Marcela then faces the rest of the classmates who are now sitting in their seats.
T. Marcela: "Are we clear?"
All of the students say "Yes, ma'am" in Unison, as Marcela signals the three to sit down on their tables, allowing them to enter the classroom just for today.
But suddenly, before the three can even go to their seats, the young man from before, enters the classroom and walks past the trio as if they don't exist. The Trio looked at the young man in surprise, especially Trizha, as T.Marcelas's irritated expression was instantly replaced with a warm smile as she held both of her hands in front of her, beginning to speak.
T. Marcela: "Ah yes, I forgot to inform you that new students are allowed to enter my classroom despite being late."
Hearing that, some of the students groaned, thinking "That's unfair."
T. Marcela: "And speaking of new students…"
Marcela then pulls the young man to the front, introducing him to his classmates as Trizha and the other two sit down next to each other in the back row.
T. Marcela: "Good morning everyone, I would like to introduce to you… our new student, and your new Classmate."
The young man then slowly raises a hand and waves to his classmates.
Nomoro: "Hello everyone. I am… Nomoro Ketatsuki. I'm a… f-foreiner from overseas."
Nomoro says in a somewhat deep tone as he stutters, looking down to the ground instead of towards his classmates. His expression is aloof, he doesn't look nervous or anxious, just seemingly… emotionless.
On other hand, the students murmured some words, judging Nomoro's stature and introduction
"He looks tall… maybe 180 cm?"
"Isn't he nervous? I'd be tweaking if I was him!"
"Look at those muscles in his forearms, is he muscular?"
"Hold on… Isn't that him?!"
"Oh, it's the guy!"
All those murmurs, yet, Trizha is incomparable. As she stared at Nomoro with an uninterested look in her face, resting her chin above her palm with his elbow placed at the table of her seat. But when she heard words from her classmates that sounded as if Nomoro is another popular guy, she became interested as she looked at Nomoro again.
Trizha, in her mind: "This guy… is well known…?"
Trizha thinks as he takes her time staring at Nomoro, but she suddenly gets a gut feeling that there is something about this man, distracting her from the world around her.
.
"That Nomoro guy? Yeah, I know him."
Wyne says to Trizha, as they eat in the cafeteria along with Margaret quietly eating to herself, focused on new disturbing thoughts. The cafeteria is filled with a lot of students from different grades and classrooms, and the aroma of food coming from the counter is noticeable and recognizable by many.
Trizha then looks at Wyne in surprise with a raised eyebrow, still a bit confused.
Trizha: "Wait, really?! Were you classmates before?"
Wyne: "Eh. Not really. Actually, I don't know him personally."
Wyne then thrusts her fork to a part of a chicken, picking it up before eating it as she continues to speak to Trizha, explaining things about Nomoro, while Margaret just listens to them.
Wyne: "But he's actually well-known in a lot of schools here in Malaysia."
Trizha: "Oh, so he's just like me then."
Wyne: "Nah, he's not an Influencer. He's popular in… the wrong way."
Wyne hesitates, seemingly not wanting to continue to say Nomoro's tragic profile. However, Trizha is too curious to accept it.
Trizha: "Popular In the wrong way? What does that even mean…"
Suddenly, Margaret starts to cover up for Wyne, understanding her hesitation to continue.
Margaret: "Apparently, Nomoro has always been expelled in a lot of schools, always causing major problems that don't affect the school but affect the students themselves."
Trizha looks at Margaret in both surprise and intrigue, even more curious about learning about Nomoro, whilst Wyne just sighed in relief, silently thanking Margaret for taking her place.
Margaret: "Some of those are beating up a lot of bullies in his way, he even smacked a teacher down in one punch. Some even have rumors of him killing someone."
Margaret then sighs, knowing she isn't supposed to be explaining more details.
Margaret: "They call him a demon in disguise. And because of that title, they compared him to an old school shooting incident that happened here in Malaysia 9 years ago…"
Trizha: "Wait, a school shooting incident?"
Wyne then manages to pick up enough public speaking energy to take back Her place from Margaret, nodding to her as she speaks to Trizha.
Wyne: "Well, 9 years ago in Japan, a school shooting happened and apparently, everyone in there, including the shooters, were all killed by a demon. There was no active CCTV at the time, so they didn't manage to capture a tape proving that case. So yeah, it's just a myth in general."
Trizha: "Along with the kids in there…? That's… sad and tragic."
Margaret: "Hm, I wonder if Nomoro once broke the arm of a bully. That would be satisfying…"
Trizha: "Girl, that's just disturbing. Stop it."
Wyne: "I mean, he does have huge arms and stuff. Who knows, he might be able to break a tree in half."
Trizha: "That's besides the point, idiot."
Wyne: "Okay, Blondie."
Margaret: "Guys, did you know that-"
Trizha: "NO!"
Wyne: "Girl, she definitely just want to tell us a-"
Trizha: "Disturbing fact. That's what it is."
Wyne: "Maybe something different…?"
Trizha: "You know who our Margaret is, right?"
As the three banter with each other, being the loudest in the cafeteria.
But on the other hand, Nomoro enters the cafeteria, yet he is greeted with disgusted gazes by other students that pass by, some even distancing themselves from him, not bothering to even introduce themselves to him as a new student. A lonely atmosphere affects him all around, all to himself, and nothing else, as The Symbol of Loneliness.
And once the trio takes notice of Nomoro entering, Wyne and Margaret too looked away and continued eating, acting as if they never mentioned Nomoro just moments ago. But Trizha, just stared at him, before getting a great, yet risky idea that will… surely get her popular in not just the Malacca City, but other cities around Malaysia, as she begins to slowly form a mischievous grin.
.
.
.
.
.
"Collab with me!"
Trizha says in a shout, her hand extended forward with open palm, looking directly at Nomoro, who is looking back to her with an aloof, yet uninterested expression. The two of them are standing next to a staircase of the school, with some students walking past nearby, taking a few glances.
Nomoro: "I refuse."
Nomoro says in a calm, somewhat deep tone, not interested with whatever Trizha is planning to do with him.
Trizha: "Ehhh?!"
Trizha says in shock, as Nomoro just simply walked past her and went downstairs, ignoring her. However, Trizha doesn't give up that easily, as she follows Nomoro in desperation.
Trizha: "Why not?"
Nomoro: "Because I'm not an Influencer like you."
Trizha then suddenly jumps in front of Nomoro, trying to block his way, looking up to him with a fake smile.
Trizha: "i-ill give you a shoutout on instagram! Surely, people will start liking you more!"
Nomoro: "Not a chance."
A duo of students then break Trizha's blocking by walking past them, as Nomoro takes this chance to continue walking. Trizha gasps for a little, before trying to catch up to him downstairs.
Trizha: "H-hold on! What is it that you need? I'll buy you some good food…! Oh wait, do you want my merchandise?! I'll give you a 60% discount!"
Nomoro: "No."
Trizha: "How about 80? Sounds good? It's a good deal, this is a lifetime opportunity!"
Nomoro: "Still no…"
Trizha: "Wait, are you reconsidering?! You're definitely reconsidering!'
Nomoro: "Not a chance. Don't want it."
Trizha: "Oohh come onnnn!!"
Trizha groans in annoyance and frustration, before noticing that Nomoro's pace is getting faster, as she tries to catch up by slightly running downstairs.
Soon enough, they reach the first floor and Trizha finally takes the chance to block Nomoro in his way one last time, panting as she gasps for air, raising both arms to make a wider block. Nomoro just looks down to Trizha, raising an eyebrow and seemingly a little concerned.
Nomoro: "Are you… done-"
Trizha then instantly raises a finger to Nomoro, cutting him off from speaking any further.
Trizha: "Don't… no, I haven't given up yet…"
Trizha then stood straight, looking determined to Nomoro, preparing as she inhales deeply, before finally answering;
Trizha: "I'll give you a kiss as a reward!"
Nomoro: "Yeah, screw that."
Trizha: "Ugghhh!!"
Nomoro then walks past Trizha, who is groaning loudly in frustration, her blood boiling in anger and soon will eventually crash out, showing a little of her true colors.
Trizha: "Just why can't you cooperate with me?! Why, is it you're too lazy? Or maybe it's because you're just running from your responsibilities like what I heard from you earlier!"
Hearing that, Nomoro stopped in his tracks, his eyes widened a little as he listened to every single word Trizha says about him.
However, instead of turning around and facing Trizha to depend on his status, he kept his back turned and spoke softly.
Nomoro: "... it's because I'm tired. Tired of being used."
Trizha's eyes widened a little in surprise, not expecting Nomoro to say those words, nor vent.
Nomoro: "Either way, even if I decline or accept your requests, it's not like we'll be speaking to each other again once we're finished in the end."
Nomoro says, a little saddened, but swats it off before continuing forward, leaving Trizha behind. Trizha stared at him for a moment, before getting to her senses and running after Nomoro.
Trizha: "W-wait!"
Suddenly, she was blocked by a group of girls, all excited to meet her.
Student 1: "See?! I told you Trizha is in our school!"
Student 2: "No way…! Can I have an autograph?"
Student 3: "Me too!"
Student 4: "Me three!!"
As Trizha gets surrounded by a bunch of her fans, she just puts on a smile and signs their autographs, as she takes a few glances onto Nomoro, who is walking away.
After her fans left with a goodbye or thank you, Trizha stood there, waving back at them with a smile. But that smile is soon replaced in frustration, clenching her fists so hard it started to shake.
Trizha, in her mind: "So you're not gonna cooperate? Fine. I'll do it myself."
Trizha thought, making a sinister plan in her mind as she prepared. She didn't even mind about his feelings, as her main focus is simply towards popularity.