It was already 10:00 p.m. Normally, I would be asleep by now, but for some reason, I wasn't feeling sleepy at all. Was it because of everything that happened today? If that were the case, I should be fast asleep from exhaustion. But even though I had already laid down in bed and closed my eyes, I just couldn't fall asleep. So, I decided to step out of the dorm and take a walk toward the garden near the dormitory, hoping a short stroll might make me drowsy.
Everything was quiet in that soft, late-night kind of way—streetlights glowing, trees gently swaying, and the path ahead stretching out without demanding anything from me. My footsteps sounded louder than usual, but there was something steady and comforting about them. I didn't come out here with a plan. I just couldn't lie in bed staring at the ceiling anymore, waiting for sleep that never seemed to come. So here I was, letting the cool night air brush against my face, hoping it would wear me down—in a good way.
I tried not to think too hard as I walked, but my mind wandered anyway—little thoughts, half-memories, things I meant to forget but didn't. Still, the quiet helped. There's something about this hour that makes the world feel softer, like it's okay not to have everything figured out. I kept telling myself I'd go home after one more lap… then another… because walking out here was easier than forcing myself to sleep. I wasn't looking for anything. I was just moving, breathing, letting the night do what it does best—slow everything down, just enough.
Eventually, I sat down on a bench near a small rose garden. I started thinking, summarizing everything that had happened over the past two days. As I reflected on my fragmented memories, I suddenly realized something: I hadn't contacted my little sister. I decided to call her.
After a few moments of waiting, I heard her voice on the phone.
"Hello."
"Hey, how are you?"
"I'm fine. How about you? I heard there's been an incident at your school. Are you and your friends safe?" she asked quickly.
"Hold on, slow down. I'm getting confused."
"Oh right, sorry. The news about your school is all over the place. We're really worried here."
"Um, yeah. Could you tell me exactly what kind of news has made it over there?"
"Things like the murder of a student council member, embezzlement in the public class, disappearances of special class students, staff, and teachers, discrimination toward public class students… and more."
"That's… a lot. I didn't expect it to be that much."
"Yeah, it's really all over the place. Don't you guys see the news over there?"
"Information access is pretty limited, and we're pretty much conditioned not to trust outside media, so most of the time those stories are treated like rumors."
"Huh… okay. Anyway, Mom and Dad were really worried because you haven't contacted us in two weeks. We tried calling and messaging you."
"Sorry, a lot's been going on, so I guess I only just now had the chance."
"Alright, so… how are things over there?"
"Pretty good, all things considered. Despite everything, school activities are still going as usual. The school has beefed up security both inside and outside the grounds. So, please tell Mom and Dad they don't need to worry."
"That's a relief. Oh, and how's Betania?"
"Huh? Betania?"
"Yeah. Is she doing okay?"
"Um… I guess so."
"Hmmm."
"What?"
"That 'I guess so'... what kind of answer is that?" she said, disappointed.
"What was I supposed to say? Seriously, she's fine," I replied, sounding a bit panicked.
"Usually when I ask about her, you get all excited like, 'Did you know Betania did this, Betania said that,' until I get sick of it. But this time, you sounded so casual."
"Oh… okay."
"Don't tell me you two are fighting?"
"Seems like it."
"What?! What happened?"
"She found out I lied to her, and I think it really hurt her."
"What did you lie about?"
"Sorry, I can't tell you. But I had to do it to keep her safe. I plan to tell her the truth when the time is right."
"Hmm…"
"Actually, one reason I called—besides checking in—was to ask for advice about this."
"Oh? So you want to stay with her without telling her the truth about the lie?"
"Yeah. Should I just apologize again and hope we make up, or…?"
"If you ask me, I think you should stay quiet."
"You mean… ignore the issue?"
"Yeah. If you're not willing to tell her the truth, then it's better to just keep your distance. Relationships are built on trust. If you're hiding something, it means you don't trust her. And I'm sure Betania wouldn't want a relationship like that."
"Hmm, yeah… but I still feel uncomfortable about this whole thing."
"That's the consequence of your choice. You'll have to accept it."
"You're right. If I'd just told her the truth, maybe this wouldn't have happened."
"Yup."
"Thanks. I almost did something really selfish and stupid."
"Well, I don't know what you're hiding, so I guess my advice is the safest one."
"By the way, why'd you ask about her first? Honestly, I was surprised."
"I told you, you always seem so happy when we talk about her. I thought it would lift your mood. You've sounded a little down. But I guess I picked the wrong topic—didn't realize something was going on between you two. Hehe."
"Well… thanks again. And sorry. But I'm fine—really. Things have been rough lately, but I'm managing."
"Alright, if you say so."
"Oh, earlier you mentioned rumors about missing students, staff, and teachers from the special class. Can you tell me more?"
"Um… sorry, I don't remember the details, but the gist is that they were showing up like normal, then suddenly declared to have withdrawn or something. And after that, no one ever saw them again—even outside of school."
"Hmm… Could you do me a favor and collect the names of everyone rumored to have gone missing? Name, profession, and status would be enough."
"Huh? Why? That sounds like a hassle."
"Please? Once you've got them, you can ask me for anything—within my budget, of course."
"Seriously? Alright, then."
"Okay, I think that's all for now. I'm getting cold. I should head back to the dorm."
"Wait, where are you right now?"
"I'm outside. In the garden near the dorm."
"Ohhh, then you'd better head back. It's nearly midnight. I heard rumors there's a ghost haunting that garden, you know. kukukuku"
"…I'm really curious where you heard that. The media out there is wild, huh?"
"It's just what comes with being at a famous school. Just accept it."
"No comment. Anyway, I'm hanging up now. Thanks again."
"Take care."
"Yeah."
I ended the call.
It was 10:30 now, and I was still sitting out there on a slightly chilly bench, letting the night breathe quietly around me. I had just talked to my sister—not a serious talk, but the kind that somehow makes you feel lighter afterward. Hearing her voice was grounding. Familiar. Calming. A quiet reminder that even if things aren't perfect, they'll be okay.
Now I just sat there, watching the tree branches sway gently under the streetlights, trying to let that same calmness settle inside me. I wasn't in a rush to head back to the dorm. I was hoping this quiet stillness, this warm echo of a good conversation, might finally help lull me to sleep.
Then I noticed someone standing not far from where I was—a figure I thought I recognized. A girl with short, dark green hair.
"I think that's Suci. What's she doing here?" I murmured curiously.
Little did I know that this meeting would soon lead to far more troublesome events in the future.