The cafeteria was as loud and crowded as ever, students gathered in their usual groups, chatting and ughing over their meals. Evelina, Daniel, and Jiho stepped inside together, drawing immediate attention.

  It wasn’t just because Daniel and Evelina were stunning—though they were—but also because they had an air about them that made it impossible to ignore them. They weren’t arrogant or fshy, yet their presence dominated the room without effort.

  As they grabbed their trays and moved through the line, Evelina practically radiated happiness. The warm, inviting smile on her face could have made angels weep. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was luminous.

  "Evelina’s smile is seriously blinding."

  "Daniel and Evelina… are they the most powerful duo in our school?"

  "They’re both so good-looking and actually nice. Where’s the fairness in that?"

  Meanwhile, Jiho—walking slightly behind them—felt like a discarded side character in a drama.

  'No, worse. A background prop'.

  He sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Evelina, catching the sound, turned to him with a gentle expression. "Jiho, are you okay?"

  Jiho nearly choked on air.

  Her eyes were warm with concern, her smile so effortlessly kind it sent his heart into overdrive.

  "I— I— I’m fine," he stammered.

  Why did he sound like an idiot? Why was his face hot?

  Evelina nodded, still smiling, before turning back to her food. Jiho, still trying to calm his racing pulse, quickly turned to Daniel. "Just lead the way, man," he muttered, trying to focus on anything else.

  ==================================

  As they walked through the cafeteria, looking for a pce to sit, a commotion caught their attention near the back of the room.

  A heavyset student was on the floor, scrambling to pick up his tray, which had been overturned. He flinched as a group of students loomed over him, one of them kicking him while the others barked orders at him like he was some kind of servant.

  "Move faster, Duke."

  "Pathetic. Maybe if you lost some weight, you wouldn’t be so slow."

  "Hey, since you're already on the floor, wipe my shoes, will you?"

  Jiho’s hands curled into fists. His voice was tight when he said, "That’s Duke. He’s from the Vocal Department."

  He hesitated before adding, almost bitterly, "I was just like him before I started eating with you." His expression darkened further. Under his breath, he muttered, "Bastards."

  Daniel gnced at Jiho before speaking. "Hey, Jiho."

  Jiho looked up.

  "Do you know him?"

  Jiho hesitated, then nodded.

  Daniel smiled slightly. "Invite him over."

  Jiho blinked, startled. Then, Daniel realized something—he hadn’t asked Evelina for her opinion. He turned toward her, about to check, when she simply nodded and smiled as if she already knew what he was thinking.

  Daniel chuckled, shaking his head.

  Jiho didn’t hesitate anymore. He stepped forward and called out, "Duke."

  The bullied student flinched, looking up in surprise. His expression turned wary. "…Yeah?"

  "Come eat with us."

  Duke looked even more shocked. His gaze darted from Jiho to Daniel to Evelina, as if trying to figure out whether this was some kind of eborate joke.

  "You’re serious?"

  "Yeah," Jiho said impatiently.

  Duke hesitated for only a second longer before grabbing his tray and quickly following them.

  ==================================

  When they sat down, Evelina found herself between Daniel and Duke, while Jiho sat to Daniel’s right.

  The atmosphere was initially a little awkward, but Daniel, ever the natural leader, made it easier by starting casual conversation.

  Jiho and Duke, both still unused to being part of something like this, responded slowly at first but soon joined in. Evelina, meanwhile, was mostly focused on her food but occasionally chimed in.

  The other students, however, were not subtle.

  "Why are they eating with the weirdos?"

  "Is this some kind of charity work?"

  "Or are they just that cool?"

  "Honestly, they’re making them look less like losers just by sitting there—"

  Despite the whispers, Evelina and Daniel acted as if they didn’t hear them.

  Duke, however, was tense, his grip tight around his chopsticks. Jiho, though more used to the attention by now, scowled slightly but didn’t say anything.

  Then, just as things were settling down—

  A metal cup flew through the air.

  It cttered onto the table, rolling onto Evelina’s tray.

  The whole cafeteria went silent.

  Duke flinched.

  The culprit?

  Vin Jin, standing a few feet away with his hands in his pockets and a scowling expression. "Hey, Duke," he drawled zily. "Get me some water."

  The surrounding students immediately murmured in irritation.

  "What the hell is his problem?"

  "Did he just throw something at Evelina’s table? Is he insane?"

  "He's got guts messing with her of all people—"

  Then, there was Evelina herself.

  She slowly lifted her gaze to Vin Jin, her expression unreadable.

  And then—she smiled.

  A simple, soft smile.

  But the room tensed.

  Because that smile?

  That smile was not normal.

  Jiho and Daniel both immediately recognized it. It was the kind of smile that came before something dangerous. The kind that didn’t quite reach the eyes.

  Vin Jin, however, remained oblivious. He smirked, thinking she was just being polite. "What?" he said. "You gonna get it for me too, princess?"

  Evelina tilted her head slightly. "Oh?" Her voice was light. Amused, even. "You want me to get your water?"

  The surrounding students inhaled sharply.

  Vin Jin, feeling bold, leaned against a nearby chair. "Yeah. Since you’re already sitting there, why don’t you be a good girl and bring it over?"

  Silence.

  Jiho and Daniel exchanged gnces.

  Duke looked like he wanted to melt into the floor.

  Evelina, still smiling, picked up the metal cup. She turned it over, inspecting it as if she were considering something.

  Then, with the same serene expression, she tapped her fingers lightly against the rim.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  The sound was barely audible over the tension in the air.

  Then, she spoke.

  "You want water?"

  Vin Jin blinked. "Uh, yeah?"

  Evelina’s smile widened.

  "Alright."

  And then—

  She moved.

  =================================

  I stood up, and immediately, the students around me reacted.

  “Evelina, no need! We’ll get the water ourselves!”

  I could hear the nervousness in their voices, the underlying tension. They weren’t just trying to be polite—they were genuinely afraid of what might happen if I got involved. But I simply smiled, shook my head, and reassured them, “I’ve got it under control.”

  Calmly, I walked to the water dispenser, taking my time as I filled a cup. The air in the cafeteria felt heavier with every step I took back. The chatter had died down; all eyes were on me, waiting, anticipating.

  Vin Jin was still seated comfortably, exuding arrogance as always, his hands shoved zily into his pockets. His smirk widened as I approached, as if he thought I was about to hand him the cup like some obedient servant.

  As I got closer, his fingers twitched, reaching out—

  Spsh.

  The water tipped.

  There was a collective gasp as it spshed onto his chest, soaking his hoodie in an instant.

  Silence followed.

  The tension thickened, the air buzzing with shock. No one had ever dared to pull something like this on Vin Jin.

  I blinked innocently. “My, my. Where are my manners?” My voice was light, almost pyful, as if I had merely tripped and made an unfortunate mistake. But I wasn’t fooling him.

  His smirk disappeared, repced by a dark scowl. His hand twitched again, this time not to reach for the cup, but likely to retaliate.

  I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice to a whisper only he could hear.

  “If you don’t want anyone to know about your eyes,” I murmured, my tone gentle but sharp, “stay quiet.”

  The effect was immediate.

  I felt his entire body tense. He sucked in a sharp breath, his fingers clenched into fists, and for the first time, his confidence wavered. His shoulders stiffened, and there was a faint tremor in his frame.

  I tilted my head slightly, watching as realization dawned in his eyes.

  'Oh, he understood perfectly'.

  I gave his shoulder a light pat, as if comforting a dear friend, before turning away without another word.

  The murmurs erupted the second I sat down.

  “Did she just—”

  “She looks so hot when she’s mad.”

  “She shut Vin Jin up with just a few words!”

  “What did she even say?”

  I ignored the hushed whispers, focusing instead on Duke. He was staring at me, still processing everything, uncertainty flickering in his expression.

  I met his gaze and smiled.

  “If Vin Jin comes after you again, look for me,” I said, my tone as calm as ever. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Duke’s eyes widened slightly before he nodded, his tension easing just a bit.

  Satisfied, I grabbed a tissue, wiped my hands with practiced ease, and picked up my chopsticks, seamlessly resuming my meal.

  Like nothing had happened at all.

  DaoistDumpling