Ch. 63
The soft hum of the clinic was suddenly broken by the sharp click of the door opening. Selene looked up, curious, expecting maybe a nurse or another student stopping by. But she saw a unexpected person.
It was Raze.
It's been so long since I last saw him.
Her eyes immediately took in the details: a fresh bruise forming on his cheek, the collar of his shirt ripped and frayed, and his red hair sticking out in messy spikes as if he'd been in a scuffle. The evidence was obvious he'd just come from a fight.
He paused in the doorway, eyes flicking between her and Adrian. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of surprise then carefully hidden concern.
"Uh... hey," he said, voice low, almost muttering to himself. Then he squared his shoulders, trying to mask it.
"Sorry to intrude on your... private moment. I just need a medical kit."
Selene tilted her head, entirely calm, though she couldn't hide the curiosity in her gaze.
"What happened?" she asked, voice casual.
Adrian's brow furrowed subtly.
As Student Council President, his instincts immediately labeled Raze as a delinquent. The damage, the posture, the look in his eyes... He was someone who didn't follow the rules. At the same time, Adrian's mind raced, they knew each other?
Raze's gaze shifted to Selene, sharp but measured. Instead of answering directly, he asked, "Why are you here at the clinic?"
Selene blinked, taken aback for just a moment.
"I... fainted earlier," she said casually, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
"Nothing serious."
Raze's eyes narrowed slightly, scanning her with the same intensity he had shown Adrian. A smirk flickered at the corner of his lips.
"Hmm... figures. Didn't expect you to be in a place like this."
Adrian, noticing the subtle tension, remained alert. He didn't know the history between them but instinctively, he tensed slightly, protective. Something about this "Raze" told him he wasn't entirely harmless.
Selene, meanwhile, leaned back in bed, unfazed. She gave him a small, amused smile.
"Did you find the medical kit?" Selene asked, trying to sound casual.
Raze didn't answer immediately. He continued rummaging through the supplies, muttering under his breath. Then, without looking up, he added with a grin, "You two go ahead... continue your little conversation. Don't mind me."
Adrian clicked his tongue, eyes briefly on Selene.
"So... where were we?" he asked, completely ignoring Raze. His tone calm but carrying that subtle authority.
Selene froze for a second, caught off guard. She wasn't sure how to respond and the awkwardness prickled along her spine. Instead of answering, she quickly shifted topics.
"By the way," she said casually, gesturing toward Raze, "Adrian, this is Raze. Raze, this is... Adrian."
Raze didn't pause from his search. He smirked slightly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Of course, I know our school president. Who doesn't?"
Adrian simply nodded, expression unreadable. His face remained serious, almost as if he didn't want to acknowledge Raze more than necessary.
Selene tilted her head slightly, studying the two.
Why did I even introduce them to each other? she thought.
I feel like I'm getting weirder by the day.
She chuckled quietly to herself.
Her gaze lingered on Raze.
Based on what she had observed over the past few months his behavior, his attitude he didn't seem like part of the main cast. She had the distinct feeling that he wasn't one of the novel's primary characters.
Is he just a cannon fodder?
Or maybe an extra? she wondered. What's his role in this story, anyway?
She let herself relax slightly.
Well... that's fine. If he's just an extra, I don't need to worry too much about him. At least I can interact without constantly feeling like he's part of some plot twist.
But then she froze.
The memory of her dream hit her like a jolt, sending a pang of unease through her.
Wait... so what does that dream mean?
Is he really just an extra or could he be one of the hidden gems for the female lead? Fuck. I didn't know.
Raze was clearly a troublemaker, but his background was... alarming.
It wasn't unusual for the students at this university to all come from wealthy families, but what made Selene pause was Raze's origin: an illegitimate son.
That's usually how male villains in these novels are described...
Her brow furrowed as her mind tried to reconcile her curiosity with a quiet sense of caution. Selene hesitated for a moment before speaking again, her tone carefully casual.
"Ah... Raze?" she called. "By any chance, did you find a lost phone around campus recently? Or... hear anything about one?"
Raze paused mid-search and glanced at her.
"A phone?" He shook his head.
"Nope. Haven't seen anything like that."
Selene blinked. Then exhale.
So... nothing yet.
Relief washed over her chest.
Does that mean the dream was just a dream? Or... it just hasn't happened yet?
The thought made her head throb. She winced slightly and lifted a hand to her temple, fingers pressing against it as if to keep her thoughts from spiraling any further.
"Ugh..."
Before she could even process it, warmth surrounded her.
Two strong hands steadied her at the same time.
One rested gently on her left shoulder Adrian, seated right beside her. The other came from the opposite side Raze, who had stepped closer without her noticing.
She froze.
Both men were leaning in, subtle concern written across their faces.
And then, perfectly in sync..
"Are you okay?"
The words overlapped. There was a brief pause.
Adrian and Raze slowly turned to look at each other.
The air between them sharpened.
Selene blinked... then burst out laughing. A genuine, unguarded laugh that surprised even herself.
Why are the two of them suddenly this attentive?
And worse why does it look kind of... hot?
She felt her cheeks warm. Was she flattered? A little. Maybe more than a little.
What if Lina were here right now? she wondered suddenly.
Would they act like this around the real Selene too?
She sighed softly, the laughter fading into a small smile.
"I'm fine," she said lightly, waving them off. "Silly."
Both men hesitated for a beat longer before pulling back still watching her closely, as if neither quite believed her. Selene leaned back against the bed, heart oddly light.
Living inside a novel is exhausting... and of course, being part of the main cast makes it ten times worse.
And moments like this... are dangerously distracting.
Perfectly inconvenient for someone trying to survive as Selene.