Recap:
Ace and Jace are overjoyed to receive news of Aiden's return, their excitement lighting up the atmosphere. However, Flare's skeptical reaction leads to a deeper revelation—Aiden's so-called "holiday" was, in fact, an escape after attempting to terminate his contract with the agency. Despite their lingering concerns, the group shifts to lighter topics, celebrating Aiden's unexpected return and their shared camaraderie.
The group travels back to Korea, where they are joined by Amber and Flare, who reveal their own plans to continue their studies there. Upon arriving at their agency villa, the group's reunion with Aiden is heartfelt yet peppered with underlying tension about his mysterious departure. Aiden's playful demeanor masks deeper emotions, leaving the others with unanswered questions.
Meanwhile, the focus briefly shifts to Aurora, who receives updates from her associate Adrien. She learns of Amber and Flare's admission into the same college as Ace and Jace, a decision facilitated by Ace. Aurora remains enigmatic and chooses not to intervene, instead keeping an eye on developments. When Adrien confirms Aiden's return, his hesitation draws Aurora's suspicion, though she brushes it aside for the moment.
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The next day, the university campus was alive with its usual vibrant energy. The chatter of students, the rustle of notebooks, and the hum of daily activities created a backdrop of bustling normalcy. But this morning, there was an extra charge in the air, an almost electric sense of anticipation.
Ace, Jace, and Aiden stepped onto campus together, their presence instantly commanding attention. As expected, a wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. Fans quickly surrounded them, their adoration palpable. Aiden, in particular, became the center of attention—his every move closely observed, his every word cherished. The agency's rumor that he was merely on holiday had worked wonders, and his return now felt like the triumphant comeback of a cherished star.
However, the spotlight didn't stop at the trio. Amber and Flare, standing confidently alongside them, sparked a different kind of commotion. Their striking beauty and poised demeanor drew curious glances and whispered speculations. Who were these two girls? How were they connected to the idols? The questions hung in the air, fueling the intrigue.
As the five of them walked across campus, they couldn't help but draw attention. The trio of idols, accompanied by Amber and Flare, created an unusual but striking picture. Students glanced their way, some whispering in curiosity, others openly staring. The air was filled with quiet excitement and speculation, but the group moved on, treating it all like just another ordinary day. For Ace, Jace, and Aiden, this was routine; for Amber and Flare, it marked the beginning of something entirely new.
But as they strolled through the buzzing hallways, their spotlight was abruptly stolen. A group of boys entered, their voices carrying loud and clear above the noise. They were animatedly discussing someone who had already captivated the campus.
"Did you see her? She's absolutely stunning," one boy exclaimed.
"Who's she?" another asked eagerly. "She's new, right? No one knows much about her yet, but man, she's something else."
Their chatter quickly became the talk of the hallway. Whispers about a mysterious new girl spread like wildfire, her beauty and identity suddenly the hottest topic on campus. The intrigue was enough to redirect nearly every gaze, pulling attention away from the group of five.
Amber and Flare, however, remained unfazed. They exchanged subtle, knowing glances, their calm expressions standing in contrast to the buzzing speculation around them. They already knew who she was—and though they didn't say a word, their composed demeanor hinted at a shared secret.
Just as the whispers reached their peak, the sharp clang of the bell echoed through the hallways, signaling the start of classes. Students quickly broke off their conversations, gathering their belongings and hurrying toward their respective classrooms. The once-bustling corridors quieted as everyone settled into their routines.
The group parted ways as they reached their classrooms, the curious gazes of their peers lingering as they moved. Ace and Amber stepped into the same room, their presence together sparking a new wave of murmurs. Their easy camaraderie naturally drew attention, with a few students exchanging glances and whispering quietly.
Meanwhile, Flare, Jace, and Aiden entered another classroom, their arrival commanding its own fair share of focus. The trio's dynamic—an idol, a bandmate, and a strikingly poised newcomer—was enough to keep heads turning, even as the lecture prepared to begin.
The professor entered the classroom, greeted warmly by the students. Just as he began organizing his notes, the door creaked open, breaking the hum of anticipation. A female figure stepped in, her presence commanding immediate attention. Heads turned as if drawn by an invisible force, the room's focus shifting entirely to her. Conversations froze mid-sentence. Her gaze swept across the room with a quiet confidence, finally landing on the trio. Their eyes widened in unison, a mixture of surprise and intrigue flickering across their faces.
The professor looked up from his notes, addressing the newcomer. "Miss, would you introduce yourself to the class?"
"I am—" she began, but her words were drowned out by an enthusiastic chorus.
"AURORA!" the students shouted in unison, their excitement filling the room.
The professor raised an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Well, Miss Aurora, it seems you've already made quite a name for yourself on your very first day at university."
Aurora chuckled softly. "I guess so."
"Please, take a seat," the professor gestured to the room. As Aurora moved to find a place, he turned back to the students. "Now, who would like to give her a tour of the campus later?" Hands shot up eagerly across the room, a sea of volunteers.
But at the back, Jace, Aiden, and Flare seemed lost in their own world, barely registering the commotion.
"Aiden?" the professor called sharply, pulling him out of his trance.
Aiden blinked, startled. "Yes, sir?"
"You'll give her the tour after classes," the professor instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Okay, sir," Aiden replied, still half-dazed, as his eyes flicked to Aurora, now seated and seemingly unaware of the stir she had caused.
As the professor began the lecture, the classroom settled into an attentive silence. Pens scribbled, eyes stayed fixed on the board—well, most of them. The trio, however, were anything but focused. Jace, Aiden, and Flare exchanged quick glances, their attention repeatedly drifting toward Aurora. They seemed entranced, each trying to make sense of the unexpected pull she had over them.
Aurora, on the other hand, appeared entirely unfazed, jotting down notes with calm assurance. Her composure only deepened the mystery, leaving the trio caught in a spiral of curiosity.
Before they knew it, the class had ended. The sharp ring of the bell shattered their daze, pulling them abruptly back to reality. Students began packing up, chatter filling the room, but the trio remained still for a moment, blinking as though waking from a shared dream.
After class, Aurora approached one of the girls who had been sitting nearby, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Hey," she began, her tone polite yet tinged with intrigue. "How did everyone know my name?"
The girl smiled, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "Oh, that boy sitting over there," she said, nodding toward a lively group, "he's the dean's son—Ethan. He told us about you." Her voice carried a hint of admiration, as though Ethan's word carried weight.
Aurora's eyes followed her gesture, landing on the boy in question. Ethan was animated, his laughter ringing out as he effortlessly commanded the group's attention. With an easy charisma and a natural confidence, he seemed like someone used to being in the spotlight. His sharp wit and quick comebacks drew bursts of laughter from his friends, but there was a glint of warmth in his expressions—a hint that, beneath the charm, he carried an approachable and genuine side.
"Oh, okay," Aurora replied, her gaze lingering on Ethan for a moment. He hadn't noticed her looking, too engrossed in his conversation. With a small smile, she turned back to the girl, tucking the information away for later.
Aurora bid a polite goodbye to the girl and turned to leave when Flare stepped into her path, blocking her way. Her expression remained as cold and distant as before, betraying none of the warmth or politeness she'd shown earlier. Without a word, Aurora pushed past her, her indifference sharp enough to cut the air, and was ready to walk away.
But before she could leave, Aiden called out, his voice firm yet calm. "Hey, wait. Sir told me to show you around the campus."
Aurora stopped, her shoulders rising slightly with an exasperated sigh. Turning just enough to glance at him, she muttered, "Fine. Let's go," and with that, she started walking ahead, her pace brisk and determined.
Aiden hesitated for a moment before following her, catching up to match her stride. Behind them, Jace and Flare stood watching, their expressions unreadable at first. Yet as Aurora disappeared through the doorway, a flicker of guilt clouded Flare's eyes, the weight of her actions—or perhaps her hesitation—settling heavily on her shoulders.
As Jace and Flare stood there, seemingly lost in thought, Amber and Ace approached, their footsteps light but purposeful.
"Hey guys, why are you just standing here? And where's Aiden?" Ace asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Flare, still distracted, answered absentmindedly, "Giving Aurora a tour."
"Aurora?" Ace repeated, his eyebrows raising slightly in surprise.
Amber chimed in before he could say more, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I told you, Ace. She would come here. We both figured it out the moment we heard people talking in the corridor today."
Ace let out a resigned sigh, crossing his arms. "Fine, fine. That's good enough. Now you can talk to her whenever you want. But for now," he added with a hint of impatience, "let's head to the canteen. I'm starving."
Flare snapped out of her thoughts, and Jace gave a small nod. With that, the group turned and made their way toward the canteen, their conversation flowing as effortlessly as their steps.
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Aiden had brought Aurora to the indoor basketball court as part of the campus tour. The moment Aurora saw the court, a spark lit up in her eyes, excitement bubbling to the surface. The large, empty space echoed with the sound of their footsteps as they stepped inside, the polished floor gleaming under the bright overhead lights.
"Come on, let's play!" Aurora exclaimed, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the court before he could protest.
They started with light passes, but it soon turned into an intense game. Their laughter rang out, bouncing off the walls as they chased the ball, taunted each other with playful remarks, and took turns scoring. Minutes turned into an hour, and by now both were drenched in sweat. Aiden's phone buzzed persistently on the bench nearby, but he didn't notice—he was too caught up in the fun they were having.
After what felt like ages, Aurora dribbled the ball while walking towards her bag, her breath coming in quick bursts. "Oh, it's getting late," she said, brushing loose strands of hair from her face.
"Yeah, it is," Aiden agreed, following her and reaching for his phone. With a towel in one hand, he wiped the sweat from his face. Glancing at the screen, his eyes went wide. "Twenty missed calls from Ace… I'm dead," he said, panic creeping into his voice.
Aurora handed him a water bottle, her tone calm and steady. "Hey, relax. It's not the end of the world."
"By the way," she began with a sly smile, "how does it feel to play wearing a mask?"
Aiden rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Shut up, and close your eyes," he said, his tone lightly teasing. "I need to drink water."
Aurora raised an eyebrow but didn't argue, sensing the seriousness behind his request. "Fine," she said, closing her eyes reluctantly, her curiosity piqued but willing to respect his boundary.
With her eyes shut, Aiden quickly removed his mask, taking a few hurried sips of water before pulling it back into place. "Okay, you can open them now," he said, his voice calm once again.
Aurora opened her eyes as Aiden spoke again. "Wait here—I need to call Ace back before he comes after me." He stepped away, tapping on his phone as he paced a few steps farther.
Aurora's eyes followed him, her gaze lingering. Her focus was drawn to his face—or rather, the part of it she could see. Only his eyes were visible, the rest hidden beneath the mask. A flicker of recognition tugged at the edges of her mind, unshakable yet elusive.
"I don't know why," Aurora thought, her brow furrowing slightly, "but those eyes… they seem so familiar. It feels like I've seen them before, as though they're tied to a moment I can almost reach."
Preview of Next Chapter:
As the day wound down, the group returned to their dorms. Aiden barely had time to settle before Ace and Jace came by, their playful teasing filling the room as they brought up Aurora. Despite their remarks, Jace reminded them that the professor had assigned Aiden to guide her.
Meanwhile, in her own dorm, Aurora's thoughts lingered on the day, particularly on Aiden. Unable to shake her curiosity, she messaged Adrien, asking him to find out more about Aiden. Her lingering sense of familiarity with him refused to fade, leaving her intrigued.