Chapter 4

Crow’s POV

I couldn’t get her out of my head.

What she did in that minor class, and later in the cafeteria, sparked a small, unfamiliar interest in me. It made me want to know more about her. But just as quickly as the thought came, I pushed it aside. I had no intention of entertaining it.

The next day, I felt unusually motivated to go to school.

It was supposed to be just another typical day at Sky University. Nothing had really changed; same routines, same environment, except for the heavier workload that came with college and my responsibilities in different organizations. Still, I felt more energized than usual. Maybe it was because I actually got a full eight hours of sleep.

Stress and pressure were nothing new to me. I had long learned to treat them as tools, something useful, something that could sharpen me for the future. With proper management and clear analysis, everything stayed under control.

“Submit this report to me next Monday,” I instructed Berna, one of my most reliable academic officers.

“Yes, Pres,” she replied, nodding as she clutched a folder filled with documents.

“Make sure it’s finalized. I don’t want to see any errors in the liquidation report. Review it twice. You know how Ma’am Nice is.”

“I will, Pres. Don’t worry.”

I didn’t. Berna had never failed me.

“Good. You may go.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” she said politely before leaving.

Berna was diligent, disciplined, and quiet. With her thick-rimmed glasses constantly resting on her nose and books always in hand, she was the definition of a campus nerd. She had no friends, was always alone, but she worked harder than anyone I knew.

I understood her situation. Academic excellence was her only way to stay in this university. Her family struggled financially; her mother had passed away years ago, and her father was unreliable.

She used to be an easy target for bullies.

That stopped when I stepped in.

I made sure no one touched her again.

Since then, no one dared.

She deserved respect. And she earned it.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I made my way to my locker, ignoring the usual stares and whispers that followed me wherever I went.

As expected, my locker was a mess.

Chocolates, stuffed toys, flowers, and stacks of love letters spilled out the moment I opened it. Sticky notes covered the inside: hearts, smiley faces, confessions.

Annoying. Just annoying.

I didn’t bother reading any of them.

With a sigh, I grabbed my basketball jersey and started clearing everything out, tossing the unwanted items into my spare bag.

Behind me, I heard the usual reactions.

“He didn’t even read it…”

“I put my whole heart into that letter…”

“I stayed up all night making it…”

“Sandra, I think I’m gonna die.”

“Don’t give up, sis! He’ll read it later!”

I ignored them.

I focused on fixing my locker. I preferred things to be clean, organized, and under control. Though somehow, it always ended up like this.

As I was sorting through my things, voices nearby caught my attention.

“You’re new here, right?” a familiar, irritating voice said.

“A-ah… yeah. I’m a t-transferee,” She replied.

Her voice.

Why does she always stutter?

“I bet you don’t know anyone yet. If you want, I could keep you company,” he offered.

“No, thanks. I have to go,” she said quickly.

“Wait, at least give me your Line ID—”

“I said I have to go.”

I didn’t realize I had stopped what I was doing.

Before I knew it, I slammed my locker shut.

The loud bang echoed through the hallway.

“Lucas.”

He froze.

“C-Crow?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“I-I’m sorry, C-Crow. I didn’t—”

“I want to talk to you,” I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Now. Follow me.”

“Y-yes…”

People around us immediately sensed something was about to happen.

They always did.

Everyone knew me: the players, the troublemakers, the so-called elites of this university. For some reason, they respected me.

Or feared me.

I didn’t care which.

I led him to the backstage area of the music room. It was dim, the air stale.

As he stepped in, I turned abruptly and grabbed him by the collar of his expensive white polo, slamming him hard against the wall.

“Ahh!” he cried out.

“You heard the girl, didn’t you?”

“Y-yes…”

“I don’t want to see you bothering her again. Do you understand?”

My jaw tightened. Anger surged through me, sharp and sudden.

He nodded frantically.

“Do you hear me?” I snapped, tightening my grip around his collar.

Still nodding.

“Speak.”

I kicked his foot, making him stumble.

“Y-yes, C-Crow!” he coughed.

I stared at him, making sure the message sank in.

When I saw the fear in his eyes, I let go.

Only then did I realize I had lifted him off the ground with one hand.

I shoved him aside. He collapsed, scrambling to his feet.

“Try acting decent for once,” I muttered. “Even if you don’t have this,” I pointed to my temple. “At least behave.”

He nodded repeatedly before limping away.

I flexed my hand, then slammed my fist against the wall.

Pain shot through my knuckles.

I didn’t care.

Why was I this angry?

Why did my mood shift so quickly?

Why did hearing that conversation set me off?

…Why?

I exhaled sharply.

I knew the answer.

No way. This wasn’t about her.

This was about him.

All the things he’d gotten away with this past year, things I hadn’t bothered to deal with until now.

That had to be it.

Yeah.

That was it.