"Is my apology accepted now, Klein?" Betty asked softly, a small, hopeful smile curling her lips.
Klein smirked faintly, though his eyes still carried the shadow of defeat. "You don't expect me to say no, do you?"
Betty giggled, pressing her forehead against his. For the first time in days, Klein allowed himself to breathe, to forget.
But the fragile peace shattered with a violent BANG. The door slammed open.
A tall figure stormed inside, his presence filling the room like a thunderclap. Behind him, several students craned their necks to peer in, their curiosity quickly shifting to shock as they caught sight of Klein and Betty on the bed.
Gasps erupted. Whispers rippled. No one turned away.
The tall boy's eyes blazed with fury as they fixed on Klein. "Bastard!" Michael roared, charging forward.
Betty's smile died instantly. "Michael—wait!" she cried, but her words were nothing before his rage.
Michael seized Klein by the arm and yanked him upright, not even giving him the dignity to reach for his clothes. Klein's bare skin caught the cold air as Michael's fist smashed across his jaw, the sound echoing against the walls.
"Michael, stop!" Betty begged, her voice trembling. But one venomous glare from him froze her in place.
Klein tried to shield himself, his hands darting instinctively to cover his body, but Michael's punches came relentless, stripping him of more than just his strength—they stripped him of his pride.
The crowd outside the door murmured in a mix of shock and fascination.
"What's going on? Why is he beating him like that?" one girl whispered, disturbed.
"Are you blind?" a boy shot back, sneering. "That's Michael's girlfriend—she's been cheating with Klein. Look at them."
"But… to hit him like this, in front of everyone? At least let him put on clothes," the girl protested.
The boy's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you're defending them."
"I'm not—but he's still a human being," she said stubbornly. "A man shouldn't be shamed this way."
The boy scoffed and turned away in disgust, leaving her words to hang unanswered.
Meanwhile, Michael showed no sign of stopping. Each strike was heavier than the last, his fury fueled by betrayal and humiliation. Betty's eyes brimmed with tears, but she didn't dare move. Her hands shook, clutching the sheets, her voice locked behind fear.
Klein crouched low, cornered against the wall, arms crossed over himself, the blanket of shame more suffocating than anything else.
And then—
"Enough!"
Alex burst through the doorway, Raphael close at his heels. His sharp gaze swept the scene, landing on Klein huddled half-naked against the wall.
Without hesitation, Alex grabbed a blanket from the bed and rushed to cover Klein, shielding him from the dozens of prying eyes. His hands moved quickly, almost protectively, tucking it around Klein's trembling frame.
Michael stiffened, glaring at him. "Who the hell are you?"
Alex didn't answer. His focus remained on Klein, making sure the boy could hide his shame.
"I'm talking to you!" Michael roared, raising his hand to strike Alex.
Raphael moved like lightning, seizing Michael's wrist. His grip was firm, his eyes cold, but Michael shoved him aside with brute strength.
"Who is this ugly thing?" Michael spat, before turning back to Alex. He swung again—but this time, Alex's hand shot up, catching Michael's fist in midair.
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.
Michael blinked. "Oh?" His lips curled, both mocking and intrigued.
"Stop," Alex said calmly, tightening his grip.
Michael's nostrils flared. "What's your relationship with this shameless idiot?" He jerked his head toward Klein.
Alex glanced briefly at Klein before replying, "None."
"Then why stand in my way?!" Michael barked. "Why stop me from teaching him a lesson? Or do you approve of what he did?"
Alex's eyes narrowed. His voice was steady, but it cut through the murmurs like steel. "I don't care what he did. But I care about this—" He pointed subtly to the watching crowd. "You're stripping him of his dignity in front of everyone. Look at their faces. Look at him. Do you understand what you're doing? It's like stabbing him a thousand times and forcing him to bleed before an audience."
The words landed heavily. Even the students outside shifted uneasily, some lowering their gazes.
Michael clenched his fists tighter. His pride screamed louder than reason. "Get out of my way. I'm not done with him."
Alex's jaw tightened. He stood firm.
"If you don't move," Michael growled, "I'll forget that you're my junior and beat you down too."
Alex's lips curved into the faintest smirk. "My father told me something once. A man who humiliates another man in public isn't a man at all—he's a woman." His voice rose deliberately. "So, Michael… which one are you?"
Laughter exploded among the onlookers. The sound filled the hall like a whipcrack.
Michael's face burned crimson, his fury threatening to swallow him whole. "You—!" He drew back his fist to strike, but before he could unleash it—
"That's enough!"
The command struck like thunder. Derek, one of the instructors, strode into the room, his expression carved from stone. His mere presence silenced the laughter, freezing the crowd in place.
"Everyone, back to your rooms!" Derek barked. His gaze swept across the chaos, sharp as a blade.
Then, his finger snapped forward, pointing like an executioner. "You. You. And you. My office. Now."
His eyes lingered briefly on Betty, whose head dropped instantly in shame.
Without another word, Derek turned and strode away, his authority unquestionable.
The crowd dispersed reluctantly, whispers trailing in the air. Klein, clutching the blanket around his shoulders, avoided every eye that dared look at him. Michael's chest heaved with barely contained rage. And Betty… Betty followed silently, her face pale, her heart torn between fear and guilt.
-------
Inside the dimly lit office, three boys stood with their heads lowered. The silence was heavy, broken only by the impatient tapping of Derek's fingers against his desk. His eyes swept over them with disappointment sharp enough to cut.
"What," he finally thundered, "was the meaning of that?" His voice reverberated off the walls, heavy with anger.
Klein flinched at the sound, but Derek's glare locked onto him like a spear. "Klein! Answer me!"
Klein kept his head bowed. His jaw twitched, his pride warring with his shame. "It… it was my fault. I apologize."
Derek leaned forward, unimpressed. But then Klein added, his voice low but edged with mocking defiance: "I know I was wrong… but I couldn't resist her. She offered herself to me freely. Who would refuse such a meal?"
The words dripped with insolence.
Michael's blood boiled. "Bastard!" he roared, lunging at Klein with his fists ready—
But Derek's hand shot up like lightning, freezing him in his tracks. "You do not attack anyone in my presence," he snapped.
Michael clicked his tongue and turned his face away in frustration.
"And you," Derek's gaze cut back to Klein. "Do you not understand boundaries? There is no rule against… amusement, but you crossed a line the moment you touched another man's partner. You've ignited chaos. Do you think that's acceptable?"
Klein raised his eyes briefly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "She gave herself to me. How is that my fault?"
Derek chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Careful how you speak to me, boy. Do not forget what I am capable of."
Klein's eyes dropped instantly.
"As I was saying," Derek continued, "you will be punished. Not for the act itself, but for the trouble you've caused. A warning must be set for the others."
The room fell quiet. Then, a voice rose — calm, clear, but carrying weight.
"What for?"
All eyes shifted to Alex. He stood a little apart, but his words carried conviction.
Derek arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Alex stepped forward. "Why should Klein be punished for something he didn't do? The one who deserves punishment is the one who started the fight — not the one who was humiliated in front of everyone."
Derek's amusement flickered. "And what exactly do you mean by that, boy?"
"You said it yourself — there's no rule against having fun. So why punish him? You should punish Michael, not Klein."
A silence followed. Then Derek asked, almost casually, "Tell me, Alex… If you were in Michael's place, what would you do? Would you fight, or would you let it go?"
Alex hesitated. His lips parted, but no words came.
Derek smiled knowingly. "You see, you're still too young to understand. But let me give you advice: when you have someone you call your own, protect them. Don't let anyone else lay a hand on them. Or you will know humiliation."
Alex said nothing, his fists tightening at his sides.
"With that settled," Derek concluded, "Klein will still be punished—"
"No!" Alex's voice cut through like a blade.
The room froze. Even Klein lifted his head in shock.
"If you must punish someone," Alex pressed, "then punish both of them. Or punish all three of us."
Derek studied him quietly. "Why are you so determined to help him?"
Alex's silence was his only answer.
Derek sighed, rubbing his temple. "If you are so desperate… there is one way."
Alex straightened. "What is it?"
"You must pass a test. If you succeed, I'll consider letting Klein off."
Alex blinked, surprised. He'd expected detention, or chores — not this. "A test?"
"Yes." Derek's lips curled faintly. "Do you accept?"
"Isn't it just a test?" Alex smirked. "Fine. I'll do it."
Derek chuckled under his breath. Staring at the boy's confidence, he couldn't decide whether it was admirable… or foolish.
"Follow me," he said, rising from his seat.