Chapter 2

Fiona didn't follow me this time.

I walked into the bookstore and picked out a few workbooks suitable for my level, along with a composition guide.

When I went to pay, I realized the money in my pocket was gone.

Puzzled, I retraced my steps through the store but couldn't find it. I wasn't sure if it had been stolen or if I had dropped it somewhere.

I sighed, planning to come back and buy the books tomorrow. As I turned to leave, I bumped into someone.

"Whoa!" the person exclaimed, dropping their comic book but managing to protect the bowl of barbecue in their hands.

"I'm sorry."

"It's you again?"

The familiar voice and intonation caught me off guard.

I looked closely and realized it was Sophie.

My best friend from university – how did I run into her now?

"What a coincidence, classmate. My friend and I took you to the infirmary when you fainted this morning. Are you feeling better?"

"Oh... yeah, I'm fine. Thank you..."

I was caught off guard, never realizing we had such an encounter in my previous life.

Sophie picked up her comic book and, noticing my hesitation, took the books from my hand and paid for them along with hers.

"I saw you wandering around the store earlier, like you were looking for something. What's up, did you lose your money?"

I nodded quickly, impressed by her observation skills. No wonder she would become a criminal investigator in the future.

I told her I'd pay her back tomorrow, but Sophie waved it off.

"Just treat me to a meal tomorrow, and we'll call it even."

As we walked out onto the back street, the night had grown quiet with only a few students passing by.

Noticing a group of delinquents smoking together not far ahead, I turned to Sophie and offered to walk her home.

I went to the garage and retrieved a black motorcycle.

After dropping her off at her building, the roar of the motorcycle finally died down.

She was worried about disturbing the neighbors and asked me to keep it down when leaving.

I smirked, "Can't keep it down, I'm afraid. My baby's just that powerful."

"..."

That came out sounding weird.

When I got home, I ran into Fiona at the entrance of our apartment complex.

Strange, didn't I tell her to go back first? How come she's even slower than me?

Fiona and I went up together, an inexplicable pressure building in the silence.

As the elevator doors closed, she suddenly spoke:

"Is that girl the reason you're trying so hard?"

"...No, we just happened to meet."

"What a coincidence."

Her tone was flat, as if she didn't care much, so I didn't bother explaining further.

Back home, Fiona would usually finish her homework and then take a shower.

While she was in the bathroom, I snuck into her room and found the love letter.

She always hid things in the same place – under a stack of books. Easy to find.

I opened the letter, pondering who this "Lucas" could be.

Maybe it was someone from her class?

Given how cold she always is, I doubt she'd ever catch up to anyone else.

Well, why don't I give her a hand?

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