-The New Past-

A girl with long, beautiful hair, the color would show the best winter feeling from her smooth, twinkling hair from far away. She walked through the massive lawn in many directions, and she didn't know the right direction to go where she wanted to go.

"Excuse me," her sweet, soft voice came out from her tiny mouth, which had a full bottom lip. A person turned to see the owner's voice.

But no words came out from him except his eyes.

"Hi...excuse me," The winter hair girl called again.

"Oh, hi!!" Finally, he answered.

"Do you know where is the Art design building?" she asked,

"Ah! Yes, go that way, the AD building is behind the Library," he said,

"Thank you," she said,

"You—'re wel—come," He said slowly, watching her walk away.

"Who's that?" Another girl joined in and asked that guy, who was still in his delusion.

"I don't know, I've never seen her before." He said,

"Maybe she's a freshman; classes start tomorrow…" She was explaining.

"It's normal for new students to come and survey around the uni—this bastard." The girl was still explaining to a guy who ignored everything she had said. "Ya!!!" she slapped his head so hard while screaming at him.

"What!!?" His mind was back.

The girl sighed. "Whatever, but what did she ask?"

"AD building." He gave a short answer.

"Ahh, so she's an Art student…I bet you wanna be her SS*" (*Senior Supporter) He said nothing. "She's gone! Stop yearning!!" she slapped on his head again.

Art & Design Building

The Art Design building is an Art and Design Faculty building for Art students, including Fashion, Graphic Design, Industrial, Painting and Sculpture, Studio Art, and Photography. The A&D building is the most prominent in the University because it has many rooms and halls, such as galleries, showrooms (students' arts), and classrooms. Almost every class in the A&D faculty needs a vast space to work in. 

Killa Lysander applied to the top and best University on the New Zea continent, which means it's also the most expensive University next to her old continent. The New Zea continent, most likely an Island (Zea Island), was separated from the old one, and it isn't that huge enough to say 'Continent' anymore, so people changed to Zea Island. Still, it's big enough to carry and hold the modest population in the area.

The University has offered Killa a special full scholarship to study for a bachelor's degree in Art and design. She didn't have to pay for intuition according to her artwork, portfolios, and top scores. Under these conditions, she needed to earn and keep good grades and continue to be a good student until she graduated. 

Killa came to the University to give the paper before the second orientation. The first orientation was an introduction to the University, but the second orientation was about the freshman activities set up by seniors.

'This place…is so cool,' Killa thought while walking ahead to the main office.

Killa noticed the architect's design, and it looked crazy, weird in shape, and very different from other faculty buildings. But it attracted people's eyes. So that's why there are so many people in this place; they come to visit and admire the arts and the building itself.

She entered the room, hopeful of getting what she wanted in here,

"May I help you?" The office employee asked Killa after she saw her push the door in.

"I'm here to send the 2nd orientation paper, ma'am." She said,

"Oh yes, put it in here, " the office employee said. Killa put the paper on top of the pack of files. "Student, on that day, you can come here 1-15 minutes before the meeting starts."

"Okay," she said,

"The 2nd orientation is not that formal. We do the meeting because we want the seniors and the freshmen to get to know each other. So you can meet your new friends before it starts."

"Okay," she said,

"You ticked—a half day?" The office employee asked after she looked at the paper that Killa had put down.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You are busy in the evening?"

"You can say that."

"That's a shame. There will be a special activity between seniors and freshmen, and after that, maybe…I mean, maybe there might be a little party for you guys." the office employee said; she tried to persuade her, "Do you have an important appointment or something?"

"I," Killa stuttered, still plotting to her new life.

"This might be a good start to getting to know others and making new friends.,."

"I see," 

"And did you get your class schedule?" The office employee asked,

"I'm here to get one too."

"You can check your class schedule on the university app."

"I would like to get the paper one, please," she said,

The office employee was a bit surprised. "Oh, yes, sure, wait a moment," she cleared the desktop. Your name, K–il–la–Ly–San—der." She was typing while saying Killa's full name out loud. "Oh, you're a special case?"

"Hm?" Killa made a noise in her throat as her tilted her head,

"You got a special full scholarship, don't you?"

"Yes,"

"That's a rare case...here, the paper." She gave the schedule paper to Killa.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Stop saying ma'am haha. I graduated last year. Actually, I am your senior."

"Oh, I'm sorry,"

"No need to." She smiled at Killa.

"Then, thank you so much."

"If you have anything, you can come to me with any problems.."

"Thank you," she said, leaving the office.

It's been one month since Killa moved here, and she's starting to get used to this place. Killa stayed at her new apartment, which wasn't far from the university, So she could walk back and forth easily. Since she had been here, she tried quite a lot of things that she hadn't done before, but it was standard stuff for other people. Killa tried to cook for herself several times, but she found out that buying from the convenience store was easier. She had to do her laundry, fold her clothes, clean her room, separate the trash, and put the trash outside. And Killa used her feet to be her vehicle. She tried riding the bus sightseeing around the island. If the place she wanted to go wasn't far from where she lived, she definitely walked alone. She loved to wander around and embrace the light, cute buildings, people walking left and right, and enjoying the outside environment.

One thing she would like to try is finding a part-time job. She figured out that teenagers and university students are most likely to have part-time jobs in their free time.

"Meow-Meow,"

'So...fucking cute,' Killa thought. "Why are you out here all alone?"

Killa asked a black cat, walking and clinging with her legs in front of a cute white café. 'I wanna take him home with me…Can I? There's no collar,' She asked herself.

"Meow,"

"You want to come back with me, right?" Killa asked the cat again, ignoring other people walking past her. "Hmm..." Killa was thinking while patting the cat. 'The landlord might kill me if I take him home...' Killa thought. "Are you hungry?" she asked the cat again. Then, she decided to buy some cat food and give it to the black cat before walking to her apartment alone. 

Art & Design building

Killa registered for her required courses in the morning, and her elective classes were in the afternoon. Her schedule usually started at 9 am until 4 pm. She left her place earlier to see a black cat from yesterday, but the cat was gone, so she acted like a creepy young woman peeking to find the cat. When Killa realized she wasted time looking for it, her class started in 5 minutes. 

'I'm on time...' Killa thought after she rushed herself here. She was looking for an empty seat while everyone was sitting and looking at her; some just minded their own business. 

"Killa!?"

Killa was shocked and halted because of the woman's voice that shouted her name. 'Who…Is that?' Killa thought and turned her face to find, and her eyes opened bigger after she saw someone stand up and look right at her

"Killa!" She called her name with a big smile and waved at Killa, 

"Maki?" She was so shocked. She approached Maki, and Maki hugged her immediately. No matter how long they had not seen each other, Maki's actions towards Killa remained the same. Killa smiled so happily to see her old friend, who was the only friend she was close to and could open her heart to her. People looked at them, hugging each other, and glanced at Killa.

"Sit next to me," Maki said to Killa, and she sat beside her. "You're looking great."

"You too." Killa smiled brightly,

"I miss your smile," Maki said,

"Hehe," Killa chuckled. Killa remembered how Maki loved to compliment her so easily.

'She seems more relaxed than before...it's been years, though...' Maki thought. "You're in A&D major?" Maki asked.

"Yes, you too?"Killa asked,

"Yes!!!"

Killa and Maki studied together in almost every class. They had lunch together, chatting and keeping in touch. They discovered they lived in the same apartment but on a different floor. They were both in the same major, Art & Design, and had the same required courses. Except for the elective course in the afternoon, Killa chose the practical courses, mostly the work made by hand and the real art form. But Maki chose the business and media stuff for the elective courses. Since they knew each other before, they had no trouble restarting; they just clicked from the start, even if they hadn't talked to each other after Killa left school. So, at the second orientation, Killa and Maki felt more relieved about attending University without knowing anyone.

Killa's Apartment 

"You should stay until the night," Maki suggested.

"I have to find some new equipment for sculpture class."

"You can find the next day. The 2nd orientation is on the weekend. It's perfect for us having fun together."

"It's orientation. Is it supposed to be fun?"Killa asked,

"Seniors doing it, it's supposed to be fun, isn't it?" Maki said,

"Anyway, I think it might be too late after that. I have to find a place to sculpt, too."

"Then, I'll go with you to buy the equipment...tomorrow?" Maki offered,

"Hmm?" Killa made a sound.

"Tomorrow after class? And for the place, I'll help you as well," Maki kept offering. Killa stayed silent, thinking. "Please. Come on, Killa. It will be fun. I know you also want to go. It's a chance to meet new people and see beautiful, handsome seniors," Maki said with dreaming eyes and a smirking smile.

"Is that the reason? Give me more then,"

"How about...free food? Free drinks?" Maki paused, "They might take us to the grill restaurant...pork belly,"

'Pork belly?' Killa thought.

"Beef, beers," Maki said while Killa was drinking a can of beer.

'Beef and Beers? With friends?' Killa though.

"I know you want it…." Maki got closer and wrapped her arms around Killa's right arm. "You might probably be the new star of A&D major."

"Star?" Killa was wondered,

"Just go with me. I would love to have you there together with me. You always say you want to try new things. And I really want to have fun with you. I miss you."

"Should we go together?" Killas surrendered,

"Yes!!!" Maki scream loudly,

"Don't forget you have to help me tomorrow."

"Of course!!! It's a date!"

"A date?"

"I'll wear something pretty for you, don't worry," Maki teased her,

"Hahahaha, I'll do too...for you." she teased back,

"Stopp!!" Maki got blushed after Killa teased her. "You're pretty in everything you wear, just a white T-shirt and football shorts. You still look great and cute." Maki drank a can of beer.

"You are exaggerating."

"No, it's true! And it's nice seeing you again, and you seem more like yourself than before, back then in school." Maki said. Killa listened, "You are more open to me...or maybe you're open to yourself?" Maki said and smiled a little, "Even your fierce looks are still too intimidating...but you are more approachable now."

"I feel like we are still friends," Killa said,

"I was upset back then when you left, but you didn't tell me the truth or keep in touch. I have always wondered how you have been. Do you still miss me or remember me?" Maki said truthfully,

"I'm sorry, Maki. You are the first and only friend that I would like to have for the rest of my life," Killa said to her, her eyes dazzling with emotion.

'Is that a proposal?' Maki thought, her eyes open wide, and her cheek got red. "Hic-hic," And suddenly she cried,

"Oh," Killa was so shocked. Why are you crying?" she asked. "Am I upsetting you?" Killa put her hands on Maki's cheeks, worrying.

"No, I'm just glad…that we met again," Maki said,

"Me too."

"Hic-hic," Then Maki hugged her tightly while sobbing.

"Can we be friends?" Killa asked while hugging her.

"Of course, dummies!! You are so fucking clever, but sometimes you are dumber than I 

thought."

"Hahaha, I agreed," Killa laughed.