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The afternoon sun filtered lazily through the tall classroom windows, casting golden streaks across the desks. The final bell had already rung, yet a small group of students remained seated in the back row — their usual corner.
Mitsura sat by the window, chin resting on her palm, her expression calm as always. Beside her, Ren leaned back casually in his chair, one arm hooked over the backrest, his sharp eyes lazily scanning the group.
Across from them sat Lia, Sophia, Kevin, Haru, and Mike — their small but inseparable circle.
Kevin suddenly clapped his hands together, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Guys, I wanna do something fun this Sunday. It's so boring on Sundays," he groaned dramatically, letting his head fall back.
Lia immediately nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it is. I literally sleep the whole day."
Sophia hummed thoughtfully while Haru scrolled through his phone. Ren remained quiet, but the slight twitch of his lips suggested he was at least mildly interested.
That's when Mike slowly leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"I have an idea."
Everyone's attention snapped toward him.
Mitsura straightened slightly.
Kevin's eyes lit up. "What?"
A slow grin spread across Mike's face.
"How about we visit the abandoned mansion outside the city?"
The air shifted.
The playful mood evaporated instantly.
Mitsura's eyes widened, her fingers tightening around the edge of her desk. "Are you crazy???" she blurted out before she could stop herself. "I think everyone else definitely heard the story."
Lia swallowed.
Sophia exchanged a nervous glance with Haru.
Even Kevin's excitement faltered for a second.
Of course they had heard the story.
The mansion that stood isolated beyond the city limits. The one surrounded by overgrown trees and rusted gates. The one people claimed was cursed. Some said a family disappeared there overnight. Others whispered about lights turning on inside the house even though no one had lived there for years.
Everyone slowly nodded.
Mike rolled his eyes.
"That's just lies," he scoffed. "People spread those stories to keep the mansion from others so rich investors can buy it for cheap."
Ren finally spoke, his voice calm but low. "Or maybe people spread those stories because something actually happened there."
His tone was unreadable.
Mitsura glanced at him, her heartbeat subtly quickening.
"But still," she insisted, her voice softer now but firm, "it's not a good idea to go there."
There was something about that place that didn't sit right with her.
And she couldn't explain why.
Mike leaned back with a shrug. "Come on, Mitsura. Don't tell me you're scared."
The word lingered in the air like a challenge.
Ren's eyes shifted to Mitsura, watching her reaction carefully.
And just like that, the decision that could change everything was hanging between them.
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Await for the next part 😌🔥