His werewolf aura accidentally came out when Jackson called for the student to do what he had just ordered.

To humans, the werewolf aura would give off nothing but fear, so it did not surprise him to find the student’s body shuddering with fear.

While releasing his grip, which was strong enough to cause a red mark on the student’s wrist, he turned to face Alicante.

He found Alicante was also as frightened, as the student was currently collecting Alicante’s things kicked by them, stretching out his hand while suppressing his werewolf aura.

"Alicante. Can you stand up by yourself, or do you need some help?"

The question did not seem to have created a sense of security for the gloomy man, as Alicante immediately pushed away his outstretched hand.

Without saying anything, the man stood up with difficulty, refusing his help while casting a suspicious gaze at him. Perhaps the man was suspecting the sudden change in his attitude.

He could not blame the man if Alicante felt that way, though.

The student gave all the things to him, and then they ran as fast as they could, leaving the two of them in the corridor hall.

His demeanor just now managed to attract the attention of all the students in the school. He did not care. Alicante was the only one he cared about, and he pretended that helping Alicante was the normal thing he always did.

For him, Alicante was all he thought about. All he cared about was Alicante’s condition. He had sworn to himself that he would protect Alicante if he ever got a second chance to go back in time.

And of course, when that second chance came his way, he would not waste the gift the gods had given him.

"What?" Alicante asked him curtly as soon as he found him still standing by the man, who seemed disturbed by his presence.

"This time, what do you want to do with me? Are you planning to lock me in the bathroom and throw mop water as you guys did to me yesterday?"

Alicante’s question hit him like a thousand pieces of rubble. His fists clenched tightly, cursing the foolishness he had done to Alicante in the past. Alicante did not deserve it.

Not at all. In the first place, Alicante did not deserve such cruel treatment.

His brain worked quickly to think of the right way to make Alicante no longer feel threatened by his existence.

He wanted to make him believe him. Until his brain came up with the only way he could think of to make Alicante give him a second chance.

Jackson grabbed Alicante’s hand, which was not carrying a book, and kissed the back of his hand. His eyes widened when he noticed the pale blush on Alicante’s face.

The feeling of warmth mixed with pleasure came over him.

"Forgive all the foolish things I’ve done to you over the years, Alicante Watson." Jackson locked his gaze on Alicante.

He could see the shock on Alicante’s face as if he couldn’t believe what he was saying, but he didn’t care.

"Anything," Jackson continued, smiling gently at Alicante. "You can do anything to me as my way of repaying you for all my sins. Even if you want to make me your slave for life, I will not protest at all."

"W––what are you––"

"Because all this time, all the stupid things I’ve done to you were my way of expressing my love for you."

Jackson swallowed, gathering his courage before he continued. "Well, I know that my confession just now might mean nothing to you. But I don’t want to lose you a second time."

A feeling of sadness returned to his heart as memories of Alicante’s death replayed in his mind.

He forced himself to remain calm and smiled at Alicante. "So I--"

Alicante slapped Jackson’s hand away before he could continue, glaring at him angrily, removing all the cute expressions from that face.

"What kind of joke are you playing now, Jackson?" Alicante snapped in exasperation. "Is this part of your plan?"

"I didn’t plan anything--"

"Do you want to play with my feelings?" Alicante interrupted. "Because you know I’m gay, so you think making me feel like you will make you feel victorious? Then you’ll dump me after you’ve accomplished your goal?"

"That’s not what I mean--"

"Do you think I’ll be happy just because you just helped me? In your dream!"

Without giving him a chance to explain what he meant, Alicante closed his locker door, walking away with a furious expression that the man didn’t hide from him.

It was as if Alicante wanted to challenge him openly. Alicante did not seem at all afraid of the consequences of daring to reply to his words.

Although he could see clearly that Alicante’s hands were trembling in fear as he walked away from him earlier, Alicante was desperately trying to hide it to make him look strong in front of him.

Unexpectedly, he found himself mesmerized by the eyes that were full of loneliness but full of a very high fighting spirit to survive.

The Alicante he met today was nothing like the Alicante he remembered in the past. It differed from Alicante Watson, who died before his eyes. In the past, the man’s eyes had lost the light of life and the will to live before drowning themselves on school graduation day…

In the pouring rain. His screams, as he called Alicante’s name, echoed along with the sound of raindrops. His hand failed to reach the man’s hand.

It was the regret of a lifetime. He never wanted to see that expression again...

He laughed softly, shaking the painful memory from his mind before his laughter became loud. Alicante had disappeared from his sight, but he kept his gaze locked there.

Jackson slipped his hands into his jeans pockets, ignoring the students’ stares, terrified, and avoiding him without saying anything.

He smiled briefly, looking back at Alicante’s figure, before following the man into the classroom.

***