As the days went by, Kairus and Avyanna grew closer, their connection deepening through shared moments of study and quiet companionship. The library became their sanctuary, a place where they spent hours poring over books, exchanging notes, and occasionally stealing glances at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking.
The warm scent of aged paper and ink filled the air as they sat side by side, the soft glow of the desk lamps casting a golden hue over their focused expressions. Sometimes, when Avyanna struggled with a passage, Kairus would lean in just a little too close, his voice low as he explained, his breath warm against her cheek. She would hold her breath for a second before looking up, their eyes meeting in a brief yet intense moment before she hurriedly looked away, her heart pounding.
Even outside the library, their routine intertwined effortlessly. Avyanna often stayed late at the café, where the hum of quiet conversations and the occasional clink of coffee cups provided a comforting backdrop to her studies. Kairus had started accompanying her there too, at first as an excuse to continue studying but eventually simply because he enjoyed being around her.
One evening, as the clock neared midnight, the café had emptied out except for a few lingering patrons. Avyanna let out a deep sigh, stretching her arms above her head, and Kairus chuckled softly.
“Tired already?” he teased, closing his book for a moment to look at her.
She shot him a playful glare. “Says the guy who nearly fell asleep on his notes yesterday.”
He smirked, tilting his head slightly. “That was different. You were boring me with that history lecture.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The light from the café's hanging lamps softened her features, making her look almost ethereal in the quiet glow. Kairus found himself staring a little too long before snapping back to his notes, clearing his throat.
“The recitation is tomorrow,” Avyanna said after a pause, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the wooden table. “I guess we should stay up all night to study?”
Kairus exhaled dramatically. “All night? You trying to kill me?”
She laughed, the sound light and melodic, and Kairus felt an odd sense of warmth settle in his chest. He didn’t mind losing sleep—not if it meant spending more time like this, with her.
"Fine," he said, pretending to be reluctant. "But only if you promise to buy me coffee when I start dozing off."
Avyanna smirked. “Deal.”
“I’ll serve you coffee then,” Kairus said with a slight grin, standing up as if to make good on his words. That was when Avyanna suddenly remembered—this wasn’t just any café. It was his café.
She gasped, narrowing her eyes at him. “Wait a minute… You’re serious? Does this mean I can have it for free?”
Kairus crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly as if considering it, before shaking his head firmly. “Nope.”
Avyanna pouted. “Oh, come on! Just one cup?”
“No way,” Kairus scoffed. “Do you have any idea how much you’re already getting for free? The water, the air conditioning, the Wi-Fi…” He counted each one off on his fingers, his expression exasperated yet amused.
Avyanna leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. Oh… The business-minded spirit of this person. Unbelievable.
She tapped a finger against her chin, pretending to be deep in thought before flashing him a teasing smile. “Alright then… How about a discount? Hmm? 75% off?”
Kairus let out a mock gasp, pointing an accusatory finger at her. “You! No! No discount!”
Avyanna burst into laughter, the sound light and infectious. Kairus tried to hold his serious expression but failed, his own lips twitching into a smile.
As she waited for her coffee to be served, her phone suddenly vibrated against the table, the screen lighting up with an incoming call. It was Huan-Yue. She quickly picked up, pressing the phone to her ear.
“Hello?”
“Are you at the apartment?” Huan-Yue’s voice came through, slightly muffled.
Avyanna leaned back in her chair, glancing at Kairus, who was behind the counter, preparing the coffee with an effortless ease. “I’m at the coffee shop, stu—”
“Eh? Study? With whoooo?” Huan-Yue’s teasing tone was immediate.
Avyanna hesitated for a fraction of a second, her gaze flickering back to Kairus, who, despite seeming focused on the coffee machine, had the faintest smirk on his lips—he had definitely heard that.
“Uhm… Just, you know…” Avyanna cleared her throat. “A classmate.”
Huan-Yue gasped dramatically on the other end. “Ohhh, a classmate, huh? And which classmate exactly? Someone I know?”
Avyanna rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. “Mind your own business.”
“Oh my god, it is someone I know! Wait, wait, let me guess—”
Before Huan-Yue could start her guessing game, Avyanna quickly cut her off. “I’ll call you later, okay? Studying, remember?”
Huan-Yue groaned. “Fineee, but this conversation isn’t over!”
Avyanna chuckled as she hung up, shaking her head.
“Who was that?” Kairus asked, placing the steaming cup of coffee in front of her.
“Just my friend,” she said, wrapping her hands around the warmth of the cup.
Kairus raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess—they were asking about me?”
Avyanna nearly choked on her first sip. “W-What? No! Why would you assume that?”
Kairus shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Because you look guilty.”
Avyanna scowled playfully, stirring her coffee a little too aggressively. “You’re unbelievable.”
Kairus only chuckled, taking his seat across from her once more.
“Here’s your coffee, now pay,” he said mischievously, making sure to say it loud enough for the whole café—what little was left of it—to hear.
Avyanna shot him a glare just as Huan-Yue’s voice erupted from the phone.
“Avyanna, who’s that?!”
She groaned, realizing her friend had heard everything. “You know what—” She started to respond, but her words faltered when she saw Kairus’ hand stretched out in front of her, palm up, fingers curling in a slow beckoning motion. His expression was unreadable, but his message was crystal clear: Pay, human. Pay.
Avyanna gaped at him. “Are you serious?”
Kairus wiggled his fingers impatiently. “Business is business.”
She huffed, reaching into her pocket to pull out some cash, grumbling under her breath as she handed it over. “Unbelievable.”
“Thank you for your patronage,” Kairus said smoothly, slipping the money into his pocket with a victorious smirk.
From the phone, Huan-Yue’s laughter rang out. “Ohhh, I knew it! You’re with him, aren’t you?”
Avyanna nearly slammed her forehead against the table. “Goodnight, Huan-Yue.” She ended the call before her friend could continue her interrogation.
Meanwhile, Kairus leaned back in his chair, sipping his own coffee with an amused glint in his eyes. “So, are you finally admitting that I’m your favorite classmate?”
Avyanna shot him a look. “Keep dreaming.”
She glanced outside, her gaze lingering on the silent street beyond the café window. The world was asleep—only the occasional flicker of a streetlamp and the distant hum of passing cars disturbed the stillness of the night. There was something strangely comforting about it, as if time had slowed just for them.
Inside, the air was warm with the rich aroma of coffee, the quiet hum of the espresso machine, and the soft scratching of pens against paper. Kairus sat across from her, flipping through his notes with his usual nonchalant ease, though every now and then, she caught him stealing glances at her.
Avyanna sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “This is nice.”
Kairus looked up. “What is?”
She gestured vaguely to the café, the quiet, the warmth surrounding them. “This. Studying, late nights, coffee… the peace.”
Kairus smirked. “Are you saying you enjoy my company?”
Avyanna scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Don’t push it.”
He chuckled, shaking his head before turning back to his notes. But for a moment, a fleeting second, his expression softened—as if he, too, was aware of the quiet magic in the air, in the shared space between them.
And so, beneath the dim café lights and the hush of the sleeping world outside, they continued—studying, teasing, and sharing unspoken moments, wrapped in a warmth neither of them dared to define just yet.
“I’ll walk you to your apartment,” Kairus said casually, standing up and adjusting his jacket.Avyanna looked at him, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.“You… walk with me?” she repeated, unsure if she heard him right.He nodded without hesitation. “It’s getting late. I just want you to be safe, that’s all.”There was a beat of silence before Avyanna gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable. “Alright.”She gathered her things—her bag, the leftover bandages, and the wipes—and tucked them away neatly. As they exited the café together, she noticed the lights still glowing warmly inside. The place remained open, a few customers chatting in the far corner, and another employee had just taken over the shift behind the counter.The night air wrapped around them the moment they stepped outside. It was calm, with a faint breeze brushing past, carrying the scent of damp pavement and blooming flowers from somewhere nearby.As they walked side by side, Avyanna found herself unusually at
"Hide, Avyanna!" her father shouted, his voice filled with fear and urgency. Avyanna could clearly hear the loud gunshots outside their room. Her hands trembled as she slowly peeked through a small hole in the wall. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw men dressed in black tuxedos engaged in an intense battle against enemies dressed just like them."Dad! What’s happening? Why is this happening? Why are there gunshots outside?" Avyanna asked in rapid succession, barely able to breathe from fear. Tonight was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life—her quinceañera. But instead of joy and music, the air was filled with screams, gunfire, and blood."I can’t explain it anymore, please just go to the secret base! Hide, do not come out!" her father urged in panic. Suddenly, they heard loud banging on the door, making their hearts pound faster. Avyanna looked at her father, fear written all over his face. Her mother, on the other hand, sat pale and weak in a chair, looking draine
Years passed quickly for Avyanna, and before she knew it, she was stepping into her first year of college. Though she had been through countless hardships over the past five years, this was an entirely different kind of challenge. The weight of expectations pressed down on her shoulders as she walked through the towering gates of the most prestigious university in the city.She had chosen to pursue a pre-law degree—a decision she had been hesitant about from the start. The idea of sitting in lecture halls, surrounded by students who had lived normal, sheltered lives, felt almost foreign to her. She was used to the shadows, to the underworld where survival was the only priority. Here, things were different. Here, she wasn’t Avyanna, the hidden heiress of a fallen empire. She was just another student.At first, she had no intention of ever setting foot in a college. What was the point? Her life had already been carved into something far from ordinary. But the boss had been insistent.No
It was a dull day for Avyanna. She was sitting in a coffee shop across from the university with Huan-Yue and Monica, sipping coffee and chatting about random things. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, blending with the soft laughter of other customers and the rhythmic hum of the espresso machine.While her two friends were engrossed in conversation, Avyanna suddenly paused. Her gaze drifted towards the counter, where a young man wearing a coffee shop apron caught her attention. There was something about his presence—sharp eyes, an upright posture, and a sense of ease in the way he moved.Monica noticed Avyanna zoning out and smirked. “Hey, Avyanna, don’t be too obvious,” she whispered teasingly, snapping Avyanna back to reality. Quickly, she turned her gaze down to her coffee cup, taking a sip to play it cool.Huan-Yue grinned. “Hmm… You’re up to something, aren’t you?” she asked before taking a sip of her drink.Avyanna shrugged. “Uhmm, Huan-Yue… This is a Chines
“Good morning, students,” the professor greeted as he stepped in front of the class. His voice was calm yet authoritative, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.The new semester had just begun, and it was already January—a time for fresh starts. A new year, a new beginning, new classmates, and new challenges. But for Avyanna, it was just another phase in life, a cycle that repeated itself every few months. Things would change, whether she liked it or not, and she had long accepted that.“Good morning, sir,” the students chorused in response, their voices blending into a collective greeting.The professor took a moment to introduce himself, stating his name and background. However, he didn’t ask the students to introduce themselves one by one. Instead, he immediately transitioned into discussing the course syllabus and outlining his expectations for the semester.Avyanna sat quietly at the back of the classroom, listening but not particularly excited. A new semester meant new subje
“Kairus!”A loud voice echoed through his apartment, sharp and demanding. He heard it loud and clear. Letting out a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, already feeling exhausted before even turning around.He had just finished studying with Avyanna—or rather, they had barely covered two cases before she abruptly stood up and bid him goodbye, claiming there was an urgent emergency. He didn't ask for details, nor did she offer any. Just like that, she was gone, leaving the rest of the readings unfinished.And now, instead of getting a moment of peace, he was greeted by the sight of his mother standing in the middle of his living room, her arms crossed, eyes burning with irritation.“You visited without notice—” he started, but his words were cut off.“I’m your mother! And you call this an ill-mannered thing?” she snapped, her expression growing even more frustrated.Kairus let out another sigh, already knowing that this conversation wasn’t going to end anytime soon. His mother’s persi
While studying with Kairus in the warm, inviting ambiance of the coffee shop, the quiet atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the sharp ringing of Avyanna’s phone. The sound cut through their focused silence, making her jolt slightly. Without hesitation, she reached for her phone and answered it swiftly."Avyanna, come here immediately," Rin’s urgent voice came through the other end of the line, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of urgency.She let out a quiet sigh, already sensing that something serious was happening. Adjusting her grip on the phone, she responded in a calm but firm voice. "What is it?"“Naoki requested you to be here. Same address. It’s an emergency,” Rin added, his voice tense, making Avyanna immediately straighten up in concern.Her eyes flickered toward her study partner, Kairus, who remained completely absorbed in his book, seemingly unaware of the call. The dim glow of the coffee shop lights cast soft shadows on his face, accentuating his sharp, stoic fea
“Kairus,” she said, her voice neutral as she watched him take the seat across from her.He sat down without a word, his expression unreadable. “I’ll eat with you, and I’ll go to class with you too…” he stated, placing his food on the table with a soft clatter.Avyanna remained silent as they ate, the quiet atmosphere settling between them like an unspoken agreement. Kairus, too, refrained from speaking, focusing on his meal. The only sounds were the occasional clink of utensils against their plates.Once she had finished, Avyanna stood up, pushing her chair back with a faint scrape. She was about to walk away when, out of nowhere, her foot caught on something. Before she could even process what was happening, she lost her balance, stumbling forward.Everything happened in a split second. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she braced for impact—but instead of hitting the ground, she felt a strong grip catch her.Kairus had acted on reflex, his arms instinctively reaching out to steady he
“I’ll walk you to your apartment,” Kairus said casually, standing up and adjusting his jacket.Avyanna looked at him, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.“You… walk with me?” she repeated, unsure if she heard him right.He nodded without hesitation. “It’s getting late. I just want you to be safe, that’s all.”There was a beat of silence before Avyanna gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable. “Alright.”She gathered her things—her bag, the leftover bandages, and the wipes—and tucked them away neatly. As they exited the café together, she noticed the lights still glowing warmly inside. The place remained open, a few customers chatting in the far corner, and another employee had just taken over the shift behind the counter.The night air wrapped around them the moment they stepped outside. It was calm, with a faint breeze brushing past, carrying the scent of damp pavement and blooming flowers from somewhere nearby.As they walked side by side, Avyanna found herself unusually at
As the days went by, Kairus and Avyanna grew closer, their connection deepening through shared moments of study and quiet companionship. The library became their sanctuary, a place where they spent hours poring over books, exchanging notes, and occasionally stealing glances at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking.The warm scent of aged paper and ink filled the air as they sat side by side, the soft glow of the desk lamps casting a golden hue over their focused expressions. Sometimes, when Avyanna struggled with a passage, Kairus would lean in just a little too close, his voice low as he explained, his breath warm against her cheek. She would hold her breath for a second before looking up, their eyes meeting in a brief yet intense moment before she hurriedly looked away, her heart pounding.Even outside the library, their routine intertwined effortlessly. Avyanna often stayed late at the café, where the hum of quiet conversations and the occasional clink of coffee cup
“Kairus,” she said, her voice neutral as she watched him take the seat across from her.He sat down without a word, his expression unreadable. “I’ll eat with you, and I’ll go to class with you too…” he stated, placing his food on the table with a soft clatter.Avyanna remained silent as they ate, the quiet atmosphere settling between them like an unspoken agreement. Kairus, too, refrained from speaking, focusing on his meal. The only sounds were the occasional clink of utensils against their plates.Once she had finished, Avyanna stood up, pushing her chair back with a faint scrape. She was about to walk away when, out of nowhere, her foot caught on something. Before she could even process what was happening, she lost her balance, stumbling forward.Everything happened in a split second. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she braced for impact—but instead of hitting the ground, she felt a strong grip catch her.Kairus had acted on reflex, his arms instinctively reaching out to steady he
While studying with Kairus in the warm, inviting ambiance of the coffee shop, the quiet atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the sharp ringing of Avyanna’s phone. The sound cut through their focused silence, making her jolt slightly. Without hesitation, she reached for her phone and answered it swiftly."Avyanna, come here immediately," Rin’s urgent voice came through the other end of the line, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of urgency.She let out a quiet sigh, already sensing that something serious was happening. Adjusting her grip on the phone, she responded in a calm but firm voice. "What is it?"“Naoki requested you to be here. Same address. It’s an emergency,” Rin added, his voice tense, making Avyanna immediately straighten up in concern.Her eyes flickered toward her study partner, Kairus, who remained completely absorbed in his book, seemingly unaware of the call. The dim glow of the coffee shop lights cast soft shadows on his face, accentuating his sharp, stoic fea
“Kairus!”A loud voice echoed through his apartment, sharp and demanding. He heard it loud and clear. Letting out a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, already feeling exhausted before even turning around.He had just finished studying with Avyanna—or rather, they had barely covered two cases before she abruptly stood up and bid him goodbye, claiming there was an urgent emergency. He didn't ask for details, nor did she offer any. Just like that, she was gone, leaving the rest of the readings unfinished.And now, instead of getting a moment of peace, he was greeted by the sight of his mother standing in the middle of his living room, her arms crossed, eyes burning with irritation.“You visited without notice—” he started, but his words were cut off.“I’m your mother! And you call this an ill-mannered thing?” she snapped, her expression growing even more frustrated.Kairus let out another sigh, already knowing that this conversation wasn’t going to end anytime soon. His mother’s persi
“Good morning, students,” the professor greeted as he stepped in front of the class. His voice was calm yet authoritative, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.The new semester had just begun, and it was already January—a time for fresh starts. A new year, a new beginning, new classmates, and new challenges. But for Avyanna, it was just another phase in life, a cycle that repeated itself every few months. Things would change, whether she liked it or not, and she had long accepted that.“Good morning, sir,” the students chorused in response, their voices blending into a collective greeting.The professor took a moment to introduce himself, stating his name and background. However, he didn’t ask the students to introduce themselves one by one. Instead, he immediately transitioned into discussing the course syllabus and outlining his expectations for the semester.Avyanna sat quietly at the back of the classroom, listening but not particularly excited. A new semester meant new subje
It was a dull day for Avyanna. She was sitting in a coffee shop across from the university with Huan-Yue and Monica, sipping coffee and chatting about random things. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, blending with the soft laughter of other customers and the rhythmic hum of the espresso machine.While her two friends were engrossed in conversation, Avyanna suddenly paused. Her gaze drifted towards the counter, where a young man wearing a coffee shop apron caught her attention. There was something about his presence—sharp eyes, an upright posture, and a sense of ease in the way he moved.Monica noticed Avyanna zoning out and smirked. “Hey, Avyanna, don’t be too obvious,” she whispered teasingly, snapping Avyanna back to reality. Quickly, she turned her gaze down to her coffee cup, taking a sip to play it cool.Huan-Yue grinned. “Hmm… You’re up to something, aren’t you?” she asked before taking a sip of her drink.Avyanna shrugged. “Uhmm, Huan-Yue… This is a Chines
Years passed quickly for Avyanna, and before she knew it, she was stepping into her first year of college. Though she had been through countless hardships over the past five years, this was an entirely different kind of challenge. The weight of expectations pressed down on her shoulders as she walked through the towering gates of the most prestigious university in the city.She had chosen to pursue a pre-law degree—a decision she had been hesitant about from the start. The idea of sitting in lecture halls, surrounded by students who had lived normal, sheltered lives, felt almost foreign to her. She was used to the shadows, to the underworld where survival was the only priority. Here, things were different. Here, she wasn’t Avyanna, the hidden heiress of a fallen empire. She was just another student.At first, she had no intention of ever setting foot in a college. What was the point? Her life had already been carved into something far from ordinary. But the boss had been insistent.No
"Hide, Avyanna!" her father shouted, his voice filled with fear and urgency. Avyanna could clearly hear the loud gunshots outside their room. Her hands trembled as she slowly peeked through a small hole in the wall. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw men dressed in black tuxedos engaged in an intense battle against enemies dressed just like them."Dad! What’s happening? Why is this happening? Why are there gunshots outside?" Avyanna asked in rapid succession, barely able to breathe from fear. Tonight was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life—her quinceañera. But instead of joy and music, the air was filled with screams, gunfire, and blood."I can’t explain it anymore, please just go to the secret base! Hide, do not come out!" her father urged in panic. Suddenly, they heard loud banging on the door, making their hearts pound faster. Avyanna looked at her father, fear written all over his face. Her mother, on the other hand, sat pale and weak in a chair, looking draine