I walked through the empty corridor, my footsteps echoing softly against the cold marble floor. It had been days since I last saw Saichi—and honestly, I wasn't worried. Maybe he'd finally given up.
"Cl." He turned when I called his name, his sharp gaze cutting through the air like a blade. "I'm sorry I couldn't be with you yesterday," I said quietly.
"I understand," he replied, his voice cold but steady. "You were busy—with your new one." Before I could answer, he started walking away. The late afternoon light caught on his hair, turning it the color of dying embers. I followed.
"I get it—you're jealous. But remember, what we have isn't real. It's all just an act." He stopped abruptly, and when he turned to face me, there was something dangerous in his eyes.
"Are you joking?" His lips curled into a bitter smile. "You think I, Cl Millan—the man all women beg to have—would feel jealous over an ordinary girl like you?" He laughed, low and mocking. "Still dreaming, are you?" I rolled my eyes. Beautiful, arrogant fool. I was about to leave when I froze.
Saichi stood at the end of the hall, watching me. When our eyes met, he smiled—a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He saw me. I moved quickly, hiding behind Cl like a child hiding from a nightmare.
"Get me out of here," I whispered urgently. "It's time for you to play the part of my boyfriend." Footsteps approached, steady and deliberate.
"Luna, I was looking for you—"
"I'm busy, Saichi," I cut him off sharply. "My boyfriend and I have things to do." He frowned, confusion flashing across his face, but I didn't let him speak. I grabbed Cl's wrist and pulled him away, ignoring the heat that surged where our skin met.
When we were far enough, I exhaled, tension draining from my body. Cl chuckled softly, a dangerous, amused sound.
"I thought you didn't want to pretend anymore," he said. "But it seems like you need me now." I released his wrist and turned away. I almost forgot—he's one of the suspects who might kill me. If only the novel had told me who the murderer was.
"I'm only doing this to survive," I muttered under my breath.
"What?"
"Nothing. Don't worry—I'll only use you for now." I gave him a faint smile and walked off, leaving him laughing quietly behind me.
...
The classroom felt colder that day. I sat at my desk, staring at the empty seat beside me. Kio was absent. Why did he look so hurt when he found out I had a boyfriend? If only he knew it was all pretend. I rested my head on my desk. Would Cl "break up" with me soon? Would that be the moment he kills me?
A soft touch brushed through my hair, sending a chill down my spine.
"Your hair shines beautifully," a voice murmured. I shot up and came face-to-face with Saichi.
"What are you doing here? This isn't your seat," I said sharply.
"Ouch," he said, feigning offense. "You sound like you don't want me here." I don't. Because one wrong word, and I'd end up like Luna in the book—dead. "Hey," he said softly, leaning closer, eyes narrowing. "Why are you avoiding me?" His question made my heart skip, but I forced a cold smile.
"Nothing. I just thought you didn't like too much attention. Especially from girls." He froze.
"How did you know that?"
"That's not importa—"
"Are you stalking me?" he interrupted, leaning in until I could see the reflection of my fear in his eyes. "Are you one of those girls who is obsessed with me?"
"I'm not—"
"But even my secrets… you know them," he whispered, smirking. I rolled my eyes. Because I've read them, idiot. Because you're not real. But I couldn't say that out loud—not without being branded insane.
I sighed and muttered, "This is pointless." Then I turned to Sol, who was watching us, her eyes dim. "Your girlfriend's waiting for you." Before he could reply, I laid my head back down, shutting him—and the danger he carried—out of my world.
...
"You really don't want me to walk you home?" Cl asked, his voice softer than usual. "I can take care of myself," I said. "I'm not a child, and I know where I live." I started walking, but I could hear his footsteps behind me—steady, persistent.
"You kno—"
"I don't know," I cut him off. He sighed.
"You're still the same—stubborn as ever. I kinda miss the old you."
"You miss the old me because she was easier for you to play with, right?" I snapped. He laughed quietly.
"Maybe… but seriously, what happened to you? You've changed."
"What do you mean?" I asked, refusing to look at him.
"You're different. People don't just change overnight. It takes pain… or time."
"So what, are you saying I'm possessed?"
"Maybe," he said with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Seriously, Cl? You're too old to believe in ghosts." He chuckled, but I turned to face him seriously, and he stopped walking. "People don't change unless they've been hurt," I said quietly.
"Luna…" he murmured, his voice low, almost regretful.
"What?"
"I'm sorry if I hurt you. It's my fault," he said softly.
"Flirt." He laughed again, that same infuriating, charming sound.
"Can you please stop following me?" I said, exasperated.
"Oh~ didn't notice I was? Fine. See you next time, my love~" I grimaced, and he laughed harder before finally walking away.
I shook my head and kept walking—until a sudden chorus of screams cut through the air. Girls. All of them clustered around one person—Saichi. Of course. The golden idol. The boy who turned his obsession into fame. The one who wrote songs drenched in longing for Sol. Sweet. Tragic. Dangerous. I sighed. Maybe if I helped him… maybe then he wouldn't kill me. Before I could second-guess myself, I ran toward him. The crowd gasped when I shouted—
"Move!" They parted instinctively as I reached Saichi, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him away.
"Hey! Where are you taking him?!"
"Saichi! My love!"
"Kidnapper!"
Their voices faded behind us as we turned the corner, away from the flashing lights and suffocating adoration. When I finally stopped, I was breathing hard.
"Why did you bring me here?" he asked, his voice quiet but edged with amusement. I looked up at him, my pulse steadying.
"I just saved you." He tilted his head.
"Pardon?"
"But nothing's free in this world anymore," I said coldly. "So here's the price—I want you to pretend I don't exist." He stared at me, stunned.
"W-what?" I turned to leave, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my way. A slow, wicked smile spread across his face.
"I don't think I can do that," he murmured. I froze as the air around us grew heavier, darker—like the moment before a storm.
"What did you just say?" I whispered. He laughed softly, the sound dripping with danger.
"I said," he leaned closer, eyes glinting like a predator's, "I don't want to."