As per the term, private space, it's supposed to be a private place, so I'm going to be alone with them for sure. But why am I feeling anxious about it? Haven't I been going alone with them? Right! We were alone when we went to the locker area so why am I being like this?

What Theos said was true. It's not convenient here. Well for them, eating and being here was what it's supposed to mean but in my situation, it was for saying something I do not want anybody else to hear, it was saying something anybody else should not hear and it was a matter that can't be shared to anyone else but us that we should talk about privately. It was also the fact that I can not go anywhere confident about being safe or go on my own without worrying about myself and being bullied or hurt physically because bullies here are like that, stabbing someone not only emotionally but physically as well.

When it comes to talking with them, of course, I should come. But the problem is, the idea of being with them privately is troubling me because it's going to be certain it's a room only they can enter. Of course, I am a woman and they are men that I don't trust yet and I'm not sure whether I can trust them or not but if I'm not going with them privately, then I couldn't ask them all the questions in my head.

Can I trust them? I mean, I am a woman. It's reasonable that I'm worried about being alone around men that I am not sure who are.

Speaking of being alone with them, if they wanted to talk to me about anything, then why didn't they talk to me the moment they got the chance when we were alone in the locker area? I also initiated the topic but they refused to tell anything and acted innocent. But for that, it seems that they have a reason. It seems like they don't trust any place around here in the school rather than their private space that Theos brought up just now. Because they wouldn't insist of bringing up that private space of theirs to imply to talk to me if it was not the case.

That is making me confused. Isn't this their territory?

Right. I get it now. So that just conveyed that people around here are quite dangerous. That even if these students seem to fear them, they can still stab them. Therefore, trusting people here became a lot more dangerous as well. That made sense. This is also the reason why they don't trust the food at the cafeteria. That is how careful they are and about them being very careful makes me wonder why. Why is this school like this? It's like everyone is an enemy.

"You know what? You're right. It's very inconvenient for us for the same reason. For the seven of you following me around! So why don't you guys go ahead and stop this crap? Go to your private space and stop bothering me!" Even to this point, I should still keep playing the act. People around us hearing it might not believe it if I easily fall for the invitation given to me. I have been known to be stone-headed. I should ratify the thought of it to people's heads around us so that they wouldn't think we are bluffing.

"You know that you can only dream about it happening, Jelaine Shil Moara." It was the anime-looking guy.

"Seriously, when are you going to stop being mad with us? We've been doing everything we can to make it up to you. It was just a little misunderstanding that we came about!"

Again, I was surprised. Surprised about who that was because apart from Theos, he is the only guy that I rarely heard from. He is the guy who doesn't like talking that much just like Theos. I feel like the two of them only talk when there is a purpose to do so. They sure have a reason for spilling those words since they are not the type who waste any words. I knew it was because they also want to talk to me when being in private is already the case here. The idea that these two guys who have that type of personality are among these seven men shoved off the fear in me of talking to them privately.

This man is for real a clever-headed one. That was a great switch to the story. I should grab it or else I will lose the chance to talk to them again if the stone-headed woman act goes on.

"Fine. Let's talk... seriously. In private, of course." I said as I look around. "Show me that private space of yours."

"Thank goodness. You're already open to talking now." The guy whose name was Alex exclaimed in relief.

"After putting a burden on our chest for such a long time. I hope you put an end to our broken hearts finally." The person whose name is Dane expressed in exaggeration as if I have their hearts.

"Don't be exaggerated. What I do doesn't kill you." To make it all seem natural, I keep holding on to the character they built for me.

They laughed. I even saw the two serious men among them smirking.

"This is just how cruel Jelaine Shil Moara is," Basileus said.

"I just needed to enjoy seeing you suffer first before I decide to end it. I think it's just right to be fair." I replied.

"It's a blessing that we are at the same school already. We could put so much time and effort to bother you to ask for forgiveness." Basileus stated with a tone playing in the middle of teasing and sarcasm.

I swear, I'm never letting this chance get away. I need to talk to them to find out about everything. After thinking so much about what seems to be forever, I can finally do so. But I have so many questions and I haven't arranged anything yet in my head. I'll ask the most important for now.

I answered it with rolling eyes and continued eating. They did, too, until we are all done with our food.

"We still got time to show you our private space. Let's get going!" It is Basileus who spoke now then he stood on his spot.

Now, this is it. Now is the time.

They started getting up from their seat, so it was a cue for me to do as well. So, I moved and followed them as they set about walking.

We took the elevator and walk again. I just continued following along. Then, they started stepping up the stairs that we approached. I paused and looked around. I realized these stairs are familiar to me, then flashbacks swiftly came rushing into my head back. These are the stairs that took me to the rooftop. This was where I went over to breathe some fresh air.

"Jelaine." I heard one of them call my name.

It promptly got me back to my senses. I looked at them who were already on the landing tread waiting for me to walk up. The flight of stairs has a few steps so I wouldn't be surprised that they got there on top in a short moment of me being in a trance. I went after them as soon as I heard the call.

Now I wonder where is their so-called private place lying in this rooftop area. I believe I didn't see any room lying here the last time I had been here. I also wonder if someone has seen what I've done that day. It would be possible for them to get here when the school was closed for me to enroll since this is their territory. It would be possible someone was watching me back then and right here on this rooftop place where we are heading right now if it is true that they have a private space here.

As we enter, I'm still doubting that they have a private space here but I continued following their steps until we reached an entrance hiding in the walls. I swear I did not see this when I got here because it's completely hidden. It's like a camouflage thing. Like a wall in the wall but there is a little entrance and in the entrance, there is a gate hiding inside. A very modern gate. What I meant by the word modern is that it's highly secure because it depends on modern technology. It has a scan feature. It practically scanned our bodies before it opened by itself.

Damn. This was the very first moment I saw and experience this kind of thing. It was life-changing. —Of course, I was kidding.

We entered the gate. I was looking around, getting myself familiar. We walked through a hallway and at the end of it, there was a door. We entered the door and I quickly realized it was a room the moment the door opened.

So, no turning back just in case I want to back out? Okay. Just so good. Right. Damn good. Damn life. I don't know what else to do honestly if I did not decide to talk to them in private like this. Like as if I have another choice. As if I have a choice not to do this.

This room is very likely a room for men. Entertainments for men are available here. Televisions, video games, and indoor games.

They head to the couches where there is a television and they perched on there. I was following them, so I also did.

"So, now. Would you tell me who you guys are? Because if you still have no plan on telling me the truth about what's happening here then we're all wasting our time."

"What do you mean by telling you the truth?" asked the anime-faced guy.

"Are you kidding me? Tell me why do you all know me? Why do you know my name? Why and what do you care for me?" I asked almost felt like endlessly. I wanted to ask more but it would be truly endless if I ask them everything in my head.

"Jelaine, we all know each other. Are you having some kind of amnesia?" the guy who goes by the name Dane said and asked.

They act so convincingly. If I don't know myself, I would fall for it but yes, it's not like I'll believe that.

"So, we are here for playing some kind of game again, aren't we?"

"No," Basileus answered this time.

"Then, what exactly are we doing here? You're wasting my time."

"We just joked a little. You have to chill. We have enough time to talk before the classes start again. We've already guessed you have guessed what exactly are we doing here so why don't you calm down first and let's take everything gradually?" the one whose name is Alex spoke.

I'm tremendously being impatient about all this and for that reason, jokes like that are not good to hear at this point. It just irritates me.

"Why don't we just get straight to the point why we are here? Because I'm not comfortable being in a room with guys that I don't know!" I did not give them time before I speak again and point my eyes to Basileus. I'm itching to know something so I go directly to the point of why I'm here. "You. Who are you exactly? People call you Basileus, right? So, I assumed you are Basileus. Then, why the girl at the cafeteria called you Jeon?"

"I'm Basileus and I am also Jeon. That was why."

"What? Can you elaborate at least?"

"Basileus is just what people need to call me here. It's us who make the rules here. If they call me by my real name, it's considered irreverent behavior. My real name is Jeon and if they call me that, they would be punished. Just like what happened to the girl at the cafeteria."

I frowned because what he said was confusing. He is Basileus according to him and that is what people need to call him. He also mentioned he is Jeon because that is his real name. He owns both names, so why would it be wrong to call him on a real-name basis?

His real name is Jeon. If that is so, is he the Jeon that I know?

"Why exactly should people call you only by that Basileus name? Is that a nickname? And why would they be punished for calling you by your real name when they've been calling you by your nickname? Is it already a crime to call you by your first name here?"

I was asking questions to know if he is Jeon that I know because if his name includes that Basileus name, then he is a different person. But I'm making sure whatever that Basileus is from. Is it a nickname that he got when I was not around or since birth?

"When I mentioned the real name, I was referring to all the names associated with me in personal aspects. Basileus is not a nickname. It is a code name. An alias. A code of respect. They must not call us by any of our real names or nicknames. That is the rule and we made it that way because we are trying to create space between them. We're trying to do some business and it's part of it or else we will lose and since this is our territory, we have the power around here and we are using that advantage to win."

"Is it true that Jeon is your real name?"

He nodded. But why am I repeating it over and over? I've heard it two times already and it wasn't enough? Am I wanting something else for an answer? But maybe he is not Jeon that I know, right? It's still possible.

I still have that hope inside me but the truth is that I am going to be no one here if no one from them knows me and Jeon could be the only guy from them who could know me. Moreover, my mom would never transfer me here unplanned for no reason.