XI. A TISSUE AND A MESSAGE

I spotted Canim walking toward the parking lot and instinctively followed him. My heartbeat quickened as I watched him unlock his car and start the engine. Before he could drive away, I stepped in front of his car, forcing him to slam the brakes.

The screech of the tires echoed through the lot. Canim shot me a look of disbelief before stepping out of the car, irritation evident in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice sharp. "Have you gone mad?"

I met his gaze without hesitation. "I have decided not to be weak. I do not want to die a coward. So, what now?"

For a moment, he seemed surprised by my words. Then, a smirk slowly spread across his lips. "Get in the car."

Grandpa, I am just getting started.

Without hesitation, I opened the door and got inside. The drive was quiet, the city lights blending into streaks of yellow and red as we moved further away from familiar streets. I had no idea where we were going. I was never good with directions, and this place was completely unfamiliar to me.

After some time, Canim parked outside an old warehouse. It looked abandoned, but the well-maintained security cameras suggested otherwise. He got out, walked to the trunk, and pulled out a set of clothes before tossing them at me.

"Wear this," he said.

I frowned, examining the clothing. "Where am I supposed to change?"

"Figure it out."

Rolling my eyes, I searched for a place to change. Once I had put on the clothes—black tactical pants and a fitted training shirt—I returned to him, only to find that he was now wearing the exact same outfit.

"First," he said, cracking his knuckles, "I am going to teach you self-defense."

I arched an eyebrow. "That sounds interesting."

He scoffed. "Not at all."

I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"

"I know someone who hates learning this," he muttered.

"Who?"

He did not answer, and I got the feeling it was not up for discussion. Whoever that person was, they must have had people protecting them. Good for them.

The training session was grueling. Canim was relentless, pushing me harder than I expected. By the end of it, I was drenched in sweat, my muscles aching from exhaustion. I quickly changed back into my regular clothes before returning to where he was waiting.

"Thanks," I said, catching my breath.

He nodded. "I will give you a ride home."

I considered declining, but I had no idea how to get back on my own. With a small nod, I accepted his offer.

When we arrived at my house, he dropped me off without another word, saying he had somewhere to be. I was just about to open my door when I suddenly felt a force slam into my shoulder.

I winced. "Who was—"

"Do you intend to add more wounds to your collection, Alex?" I groaned, rubbing my shoulder.

Alex crossed his arms, his expression suspicious. "Are you dating someone?"

"What? No!" I shot back, horrified.

"Then who was that guy who just dropped you off?"

I sighed. "Just a random person."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "Do you call someone who drives you home a random person?"

I shrugged, too tired to argue. Without another word, I walked inside, leaving him standing outside in frustration.

The next morning, I was woken by the sun's rays hitting my face. Groggily, I sat up and realized that in my exhaustion the night before, I had forgotten to close the window.

I got ready for the day, then headed outside to wait for a cab. I checked my wristwatch impatiently, hoping I would not be late.

That was when a large motorcycle screeched to a stop right in front of me.

I tensed immediately. The driver was wearing all black—black leather jacket, black gloves, even a black helmet that concealed their face entirely.

Every instinct in my body screamed danger.

I clutched my bag tightly, preparing to throw it at the stranger. But before I could, the person reached for me, grabbing my wrist.

I panicked. Without thinking, I lifted my leg and kicked them as hard as I could.

The rider let out a pained grunt and doubled over, releasing my wrist.

I quickly stepped back, ready to run—until the stranger slowly removed their helmet, revealing a familiar face twisted in agony.

"Kaesu," Anthony wheezed, his voice strained. "What the heck?! Why did you kick my balls?"

I froze.

Oh.

Oh no.

My face burned with embarrassment. "I—I was just defending myself! How was I supposed to know it was you? You looked suspicious! For all I knew, you were some kind of kidnapper!"

His eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! How does stopping in front of you while wearing black make me a kidnapper?"

"Well, you scared me! Who just pulls up in all black, grabs someone's wrist, and expects it to be normal? Only you, Antonio!"

He groaned. "For the last time, it is Anthony. And I was wearing black because it is my favorite color. I stopped because I was going to offer you a ride so you would not be late!"

"Well, how was I supposed to know that?" I huffed. "You could have been up to no good!"

"This is ridiculous," he muttered, shaking his head. He tossed a helmet at me. "Wear this."

I barely caught it before it could hit my feet.

"You are probably not barren, right?" I teased. "Besides, my kick was weak. Maybe it has not broken yet."

"Just hop on the bike," he grumbled.

I hesitated. "Will it be safe?"

"It is safer than being kicked in the—"

"Fine," I cut him off, rolling my eyes. "But next time, maybe do not dress like a suspicious character in a crime movie!"

He sighed but said nothing. Once I put on the helmet, I climbed onto the bike.

"Hold tight," he warned.

"You do not have to tell me," I scoffed. "I can manage."

He shrugged. "Up to you."

The moment he accelerated, I immediately regretted my words.

The bike sped forward, the sudden force nearly knocking me off. Panic surged through me, and I instinctively wrapped my arms tightly around Anthony's waist.

"Scared of big bikes?" he called out over the wind.

"No," I shouted back. "Scared of high speed!"

A few seconds later, I felt the bike slow down considerably. I slowly opened my eyes, realizing that he had adjusted the speed for me.

I could not stop the small smile that formed on my lips.

When we neared the university, I asked him to drop me off a little distance from the gate. I did not want people getting the wrong idea—especially now that Anthony had become quite popular among the girls.

As expected, Alex and Lara were waiting for me. The moment they spotted me, they clung to my arms.

"Kaesu, where have you been?" Alex demanded.

Lara narrowed her eyes. "What is with that big smile?"

"Something good happened this morning?" Alex asked.

I smirked. "Not really. I just bumped into a beast this morning."

We parted ways shortly after. As I walked toward the restroom, I suddenly bumped into a random guy.

His tissue fell to the floor. I picked it up, about to hand it back, when my eyes caught something written on it.

"At the back of the building tonight. It is something important."

I gasped.

By the time I looked up, the guy was already gone.

My heart pounded.

I had been distracted these past few days—losing track of what really mattered.

It was time to get back on it.