“Shadow…” 

Sky repeated, his voice low. 

“He—uh—looks… different.”

Leo tilted his head, confused.

 “Different?"

Sky swallowed hard, memories flashing through his mind—the growl of the night wind, the cold stare, the sense that the animal wasn’t just an animal.

“Its.... nothing,” 

he finally muttered.

As the movie started playing, Sky barely paid attention.

Leo was laughing beside him, throwing popcorn into his mouth, totally carefree.

But Sky’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Every time he blinked, he saw that golden glare again—haunting, calm, knowing.

 That dog… there’s something wrong with it.

He shivered slightly, glancing at Leo, who was focused on the screen.

------

The next morning.

A cold mist hung low over the trees as Rowan walked the narrow dirt path leading to the old house. The forest was quiet — too quiet. Only the crunch of his boots broke the silence.

When he reached the porch, the scent of herbal tea and old wood greeted him, familiar and grounding. He hesitated before knocking.

The door creaked open before his hand even touched it.

Grandmother stood there, aged but sharp-eyed, her gray hair tied neatly behind her head.

“You never were good at visiting without a reason,” 

she said softly, moving aside to let him in.

Rowan stepped inside, his gaze shifting around the dimly lit living room

“Another one’s gone,” he said, voice low.

Grandmother Lin nodded slowly, settling into her chair. 

“The third target?”

Rowan nodded. 

“He won’t be troubling anyone anymore.”

She studied him quietly, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. 

“And yet, you don’t look satisfied.”

Rowan didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned back against the wall, eyes wandering to the window where sunlight filtered through the curtains.

“There’s… someone,” 

he muttered after a long pause.

Grandmother Lin’s brows rose slightly. 

“Someone?”

"Yeah...." 

Grandmother Lin’s lips tightened.

 “The past is a dangerous thing to remember when you’re walking a road of revenge.”

Rowan’s golden eyes flickered, faintly glowing in the dim light. 

“I know. But I can’t help it.”

The old woman sighed, setting down her cup. 

“Then you must be careful. Attachments will weaken you, Rowan. The world you move in doesn’t forgive softness.”

Rowan’s expression hardened again, the faint trace of conflict in his eyes fading to cold resolve. 

“I’ll finish what I started.”

Grandmother Lin nodded. “Good. Because your final targets… are not far.”

For a moment, Rowan’s eyes sharpened — the predator beneath the man.

But deep down, somewhere he refused to acknowledge, a quiet voice whispered Leo’s name.

___

The forest whispered around him as Rowan stepped out of the house. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, painting shifting shadows over his path.

He walked slowly at first, but his mind was anything but calm.

Grandmother’s words echoed in his head—

The thought should’ve pleased him. It should’ve meant his mission was nearly complete.

But instead… it made his chest tighten.

he reminded himself.

Later that night, back at his apartment, maps and photos covered the table. Red ink circled names and faces. His next target was marked clearly.

Yet every time he tried to focus, Leo’s face appeared instead — his laughter, his voice, that look of innocence that didn’t belong in Rowan’s world anymore.

He leaned back, rubbing his temples, frustration seeping into his tone.

“Why do you keep showing up in my head?”

The room answered only with silence.

Finally, Rowan exhaled sharply, standing up. His golden eyes glowed faintly beneath the dim light.

“Fine,”

 he muttered.

“If I can’t get you out of my head… then I’ll get close enough to understand why.”

______

ONE YEAR LATER....

The warm afternoon sun bathed the school courtyard in gold. Laughter and cheers filled the air as students tossed their caps, hugged their friends, and took endless photos.

Leo stood among them, a bright smile on his face as he accepted bouquets and small gifts from teachers and family friends.

Johan and Liam appeared behind him, each holding a ridiculous amount of gifts and flowers.

“Hey, superstar,”

 Johan grinned, nudging Leo’s shoulder. 

“Don’t forget the commoners now that you’re officially a graduate.”

Leo rolled his eyes.

 “You’re the one who begged me to take graduation photos with you.”

Liam laughed, handing Leo a small gift bag. 

“Here. From me. Don’t lose it.”

Leo looked inside and chuckled softly — it was a keychain shaped like a star.

 “You two are unbelievable.”

“Come on,”

 Johan said, already walking toward the gate.

 “Let’s get some food before we go home. We deserve it.”

---

The three of them ended up at their favorite street stall near the school, the smell of grilled pork filling the air.

Leo chewed thoughtfully, glancing at the two beside him. 

“I can’t believe you guys are following me to the same college again.”

“Of course we are,” 

Johan said with mock pride.

 “We’re your biggest fans. We’ll haunt you wherever you go.”

Leo groaned.

 “Is there any way to get rid of you?”

Liam grinned, sipping his drink.

 “Never.”

They laughed, the easy rhythm between them making everything feel light.

“By the way,”

 Johan said after a while, leaning back on his chair.

 “Isn’t your new place not far from the university?”

Leo nodded.

 “Yeah, I have to talk with my mom about that tonight. We might move a bit closer.”

Liam’s eyes lit up mischievously.

 “I know! How about we become roommates?”

Leo made a face. 

“Eew. No way.”

Johan burst out laughing. 

“Never happening.”

Liam frowned dramatically. 

“Why not? I’m clean! Mostly.”

Leo smirked. 

“That’s exactly what worries me.”

The three boys laughed again, their voices mingling with the noise of the evening crowd.

For Leo, it was another normal day — carefree, warm, and ordinary.

____

The evening breeze carried the faint scent of rain as Leo walked home, his graduation sash still hanging loosely around his shoulders. Streetlights flickered on one by one, painting the quiet road in a warm, amber hue.

When he reached home, the familiar aroma of his mother’s cooking greeted him before he even stepped inside.

“Mom, I’m home!” 

Leo called, slipping off his shoes.

From the kitchen, she appeared, wiping her hands on a towel. Her eyes softened instantly. 

“There’s my graduate.”

Leo smiled sheepishly. 

“You came to the ceremony earlier. You already said that.”

“I know,” 

she said, smiling as she cupped his face.

“But I’m saying it again because I’m proud.”

---

They ate dinner together — stir-fried vegetables, rice, and a bit of Leo’s favorite spicy chicken. It was quiet for a while until Leo finally spoke up.

“Mom,” 

he began carefully, 

“about the university… Johan and Liam said they already got dorm rooms near campus. I was thinking maybe we could move closer too.”

Rowan’s ear flicked.

She set down her chopsticks. 

“Move?"

“Yeah,” 

Leo said quickly.

 “I mean, the commute would be long from here, and classes start early. It just seems easier if I—”

She shook her head gently. 

“No, Leo.”

He blinked. 

“No?”

“I know I don’t want you living alone....,” 

Liu Mei said firmly.

“But I can't move in with you.”

Leo sighed, leaning back in his chair.

 “Mom…”

Her voice softened. 

“But,” 

she added,

 “I’ll help you find an apartment closer to campus. Something small, safe — somewhere you can stay during the week. You’ll still come home often, though.”

Leo’s eyes brightened.

 “okay....”

Liu Mei nodded.

“Promise you'll still come home to visit.”

He grinned.

 “I promise.”

Rowan watched them quietly, 

 “An apartment near the university…”

His lips curved faintly, though not into a smile.

 “That’ll make things easier.”