Chapter 3: Unseen Currents

Note: For fun Character Images, Search on YouTube: Zombie Player and the Regressed Heroine: A Reality Awaits Septmber2024

Chapter 3: Unseen Currents

The university campus buzzed with activity as students streamed in and out of the buildings, chatting and laughing as they wrapped up their classes for the day. Aeon walked through the corridors, his mind clouded by thoughts of the strange occurrences that had been happening lately. He wasn't one to dwell on the past, but something about today's encounters gnawed at him.

As he reached the entrance to the library, Aeon noticed a familiar face in the distance—Layla. She stood alone, her eyes focused on him with an intensity that felt almost unsettling. Aeon hesitated for a moment, feeling a wave of unease wash over him. Layla's gaze was piercing, as if she was searching for something within him that he wasn't sure he wanted to reveal.

Before he could make up his mind whether to approach her or ignore her, he felt a sudden prickle on the back of his neck, as if someone were watching him. He turned slightly and caught sight of Aria out of the corner of his eye. She was sitting on a nearby bench, half-hidden behind a textbook, her gaze darting between him and Layla.

Aria was a first-year student, younger and more innocent than most of the people Aeon usually interacted with. She had always admired him from a distance, never daring to express her feelings openly. But today, something in her expression was different—something more intense, almost desperate. Aeon's mind buzzed with questions he didn't have time to answer.

As he walked toward a nearby table, he couldn't help but glance back. Layla was still watching him, her gaze unwavering, and Aria was pretending to study, though her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. Aeon shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts as he entered the library.

Inside, the atmosphere was hushed, with only the soft rustling of pages and the occasional whisper breaking the silence. Aeon found an empty table near the back and sat down, hoping to get some work done. But as he opened his notebook, his thoughts kept drifting back to the strange tension in the air.

Suddenly, a shadow fell across his table. Aeon looked up to see Nadia standing there, her arms crossed and a teasing smile on her lips. Nadia was a second-year student, confident and self-assured, with a sharp wit that often left others flustered. She had been spending more time around Aeon lately, and while he wasn't sure why, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed her company.

"Mind if I join you?" Nadia asked, not waiting for an answer as she pulled out a chair and sat down.

Aeon raised an eyebrow. "Do I have a choice?"

Nadia chuckled. "Not really. You looked like you could use some company, though. You've been lost in thought all day."

Aeon shrugged, trying to brush off her observation. "Just thinking about the project."

"Sure," Nadia said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And I'm sure Layla staring daggers at you had nothing to do with it."

Aeon's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could respond, Nadia leaned forward, her expression shifting to something more serious. "You know, you've got a lot of people watching you, Aeon. And not just Layla."

Aeon glanced around the library, noticing for the first time the subtle glances and whispers of other students. Some of them were familiar faces from his classes—boys and girls who had always been friendly but never more than that. Now, however, their gazes seemed more lingering, more intense. Aeon shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Relax," Nadia said with a grin, picking up on his unease. "They're just curious. You've got that mysterious vibe going on."

"I'm not trying to be mysterious," Aeon muttered.

"That's what makes it work," Nadia teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Before Aeon could respond, the library door opened, and Luna, one of the design tutors, walked in. Luna was a striking figure, her presence commanding attention. She had known Aeon since childhood, and their relationship had always been close. Lately, however, Luna's behaviour had shifted slightly between them, and he wasn't sure how to handle it.

Luna smiled as she reached their table, her gaze lingering on Aeon for a moment longer than necessary. "Aeon," she greeted, her voice smooth and warm. "I was hoping to catch you here. Do you have a minute?"

Nadia arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Looks like someone's popular today."

Aeon shot her a warning glance, but Nadia just winked and leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying the situation.

Aeon forced a smile, trying to keep his composure. "What's up, Luna?"

Luna's smile widened slightly, a hint of something more in her eyes. "I wanted to talk to you about something important. Can you stay after class tomorrow?"

Aeon's heart skipped a beat. Luna had always been professional with him, but there was something different in her tone now—something that made him both anxious and curious. "Sure," he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind. "What's it about?"

Luna glanced at Nadia, then back at Aeon, her smile turning enigmatic. "We'll discuss it tomorrow. It's... personal."

Nadia's playful expression faltered, replaced by a sharp, assessing look. "Personal, huh? Sounds interesting."

Luna's eyes flickered with amusement as she nodded. "Very." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving a trail of curious whispers in her wake.

Aeon exhaled, trying to push aside the unease that had settled in his chest. He could feel Nadia's gaze on him, but he didn't look up. Instead, he stared at his notes, the words swimming on the page.

"Personal, huh?" Nadia echoed, her tone half-teasing, half-serious. "You've got quite the fan club, Aeon."

Aeon finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "It's not like that."

Nadia smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, it's not. But you might want to be careful. Luna doesn't strike me as the type to back down easily."

Before Aeon could respond, a student approached their table—a male student, his expression a mix of nervousness and determination. He glanced at Nadia, then back at Aeon, as if trying to gauge the situation.

"Uh, Aeon?" the student stammered, his eyes flicking nervously between Aeon and Nadia. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Aeon sighed inwardly, wondering what this was about now. "Sure," he said, standing up and following the student a few steps away from the table.

The student hesitated, glancing back at Nadia as if worried she might overhear. "I... I wanted to ask you something," he began, his voice low. "About Layla."

Aeon's brow furrowed. "What about her?"

The student swallowed hard, clearly uncomfortable. "I noticed... I mean, a lot of us have noticed... that both of you look at each other most of the time. And, well... I was wondering if... if you're interested in her?"

Aeon blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Why do you ask?"

The student's face flushed. "It's just... some of the guys... they like her too. And, well, we were just curious."

Aeon felt a mix of annoyance and disbelief. Was this really happening? "Look," he said, keeping his voice steady. "What I do or don't do with Layla is none of anyone's business. If you have feelings for her, you should talk to her yourself."

The student nodded quickly, clearly flustered. "Right, of course. Sorry to bother you."

As the student scurried away, Aeon returned to the table, feeling more drained than before. Nadia watched him with a raised eyebrow. "What was that about?"

"Nothing important," Aeon muttered, sitting back down.

"Doesn't seem like nothing," Nadia remarked, her tone probing. "You've really stirred things up, haven't you?"

Aeon didn't respond, his thoughts churning. The day had taken a strange turn, and he couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated. As he glanced around the room, he noticed the varying expressions on the faces of those around him—some curious, some envious, others downright hostile. The tension was palpable, and Aeon realized that his relationships with these people were more complicated than he had initially thought.

But amidst all the glances and whispers, one stood out. Aria was still there, sitting at her table with her textbook open, though her eyes were fixed on him. There was a mixture of emotions in her gaze—admiration, longing, and something else that Aeon couldn't quite identify. It made his chest tighten with a strange combination of guilt and protectiveness.

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As the library began to empty out, Aeon gathered his things, eager to escape the stifling atmosphere. But as he stood up, he caught sight of Aria once more, her expression unreadable as she watched him from across the room. There was a sadness in her eyes, a longing that made Aeon's chest tighten with guilt. He knew she had feelings for him—had known for a while—but he had never been able to bring himself to address them. he doesn't want a girlfriend relationship that can end anytime but a loyal relationship between a husband and wife however currently he doesn't have a stable source of income to support a family. therefore to avoid potential future struggle. At the moment, he needed to be firm, to prevent himself from falling in love with anyone. even if that woman... really loves him dearly. So I ...

Nadia noticed his hesitation and followed his gaze, her expression softening slightly. "Aria's a good girl, Aeon. Don't string her along if you're not interested."

Aeon nodded, though he wasn't sure what to say. His relationships with the people around him were growing more tangled by the day, and he wasn't sure how to navigate the complex emotions involved.

As they left the library, Aeon's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The day had started off like any other, but now he was caught in a web of jealousy, suspicion, and unspoken feelings. He could feel the weight of the various gazes on him—the admiration, the envy, the longing—and it was suffocating.

As they walked through the corridors, Aeon noticed the way other students looked at him and Nadia, the whispers that followed them as they passed. Some of the girls glanced at Nadia with jealousy, their eyes narrowing as they caught sight of her walking beside him. Others looked at Aeon with a mix of admiration and envy, as if trying to figure out what made him so special.

Aeon's jaw tightened. He wasn't interested in being the center of attention, but it seemed that no matter what he did, he couldn't escape it.

"Hey, you okay?" Nadia asked, her tone softer now, her earlier teasing replaced with genuine concern.

Aeon nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure he was. "Just... a lot on my mind."

Nadia smiled, a hint of warmth in her eyes. "Well, if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."

Aeon offered her a small smile in return. "Thanks, Nadia."

As they parted ways, Aeon couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. He had always been able to keep his emotions in check, but lately, things were slipping out of his control. The people