Juno woke up from a nightmare that he also dreamed years ago. It was a blurry dream consisting of a woman and a boy. It seemed like the boy was struggling. Waking up from that nightmare, he gazed upon the mirror, he saw a version of himself smiling. He thought that it was only hallucination. He received a call from an anonymous number but the caller did not talk. When he ended the call and decided to go to the bathroom, he, again, saw a version of himself smiling on the reflective glass but this time, it was pointing its index fingers towards Juno.

--- Start of Chapter 8 ---

Strokes of rain aggressively met with the shuttered windows. It's morning yet the dimness of sky caused the students to turn the lights on. The anger of heavens almost made our Monday class get cancelled. 

" Today, because of international competitions, 3 of our professors are taking a short leave. We will merge with the other classes for a while so start packing up your stuff. Get going everyone, " 

Mr. Klaus, wiping his eyeglasses with a piece of cloth, commanded the students to move out of the classroom. 

In his 50s, I could already tell from this distance that his face bears wrinkles. The passage of time seems to be the one that will lead him to death.

Growing old alone… is that possible?

" Wait, we're going to merge with other classes?"

The girls began to shriek. A typical student moment. Light-hearted people who get excited to see their college-crushes in other classrooms. 

Love? Crushes? I'd rather die alone.

Packing up my things, I noticed someone from the back. It was Clarisse, trembling and sweating. Her round shaped eyes appeared to look bigger as she was staring at the ground like a person in shock. It's not my first time to see her in that state. However, this time, it's different and kinda extreme.

" Clarisse? You look so pale. Are you sick?" 

Mira, Clarisse's best friend started to ask questions but Clarisse remained silent. 

I didn't plan to observe them for a long time so I decided to start walking to the other classroom just like what Mr. Klaus commanded. 

I could hear some students who are against the merging of classes... Whining to stay in the classroom and wanting the other class to be the one who will adjust.

Come'on, it's just for one day, what's all with the commotions? Humans.

When I arrived at the designated classroom, most of the chairs were already filled with students. Variety of groups were making unpleasant noises. 

I looked for a vacant seat and saw one from the back. The lights started flickering like a butterfly's wings but nobody cared as they were busy chatting with their friends.

Sitting on the vacant seat, I felt a gaze from my seatmate. His eyes widened like he was seeing a ghost.

Ignoring Riko's reaction, I could still feel him shaking. Is he angry? For what?

I was so close that I could smell his sweet perfume. His scent awakened me from the gloomy atmosphere caused by the somber sky.

Ah. I almost forgot that I actually vomited on his clothes last Saturday. It was his fault for blocking the way. 

Still, Riko stares at me as if he was inspecting me. I met his eyes but he avoided my gaze. 

Glancing on his neck, it looked soft and cleansed. Below his Adam's apple, I could see a small birthmark. 

I travelled my sight on his jaw and something caught my attention. It was a mark… a reddish one. Suddenly, an urge to choke his neck with my hands came upon my thoughts. It's too attractive. 

I wonder what noise would he make if I strangled him to death?

Riko was quiet but I knew deep inside that he wanted to scream. We remained silent together on this area but after a few seconds, he handed me a piece of paper.

[ Seriously? ]

That's the only word written. I got confused. Why is he approaching me? I crumpled the paper and threw it at his face. 

The students around us stopped talking. Riko was in shock but still, I couldn't ignore the mark on his neck.

Did I do something wrong? 

He was biting his lips and clenching his fist. I can feel his anger… but why?

" Riko… right?" 

I murmured to start a conversation but he responded with a death glare. Fuzzy discussion of the crowd began to dominate the class. Most of them were talking while waiting for Mr. Klaus. 

Riko is predictable like Professor Shin. When I saw how they made eye contact, I was assured that there was something going between them. 

The red mark on his neck… did it come from the Professor?

" Hey, have you heard about the rumors?" 

I started a simple conversation to remove the tension. Moving closely, Riko flinched like a fool. 

" What rumors?" I could tell that he began to get nervous because of his unstable breathing. It was silent but I knew he was struggling.

I moved closer and whispered to his ears… touched the part of his neck where I saw the red mark.

" Well it turns out, it's about you…" 

I paused as he drifted me away.

" I heard that you're a homo," 

The thunder and crowd were noisy like a busy road. However, Riko and I were like in a capsule where no one would hear us. 

He stood up vigorously. A lot of students got his attention. People began to murmur things like:

" Hey, are they fighting?"

" When did they even get so close?"

" I thought Juno was a loner,"

" I heard they were both chosen for the upcoming musical competition,"

" I don't know, I never saw them interacted with each other,"

" Hey, let's call professor Klaus,"

The next thing I knew, a fist greeted my cheeks.