TCOSF | CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

Noah’s prediction that the other side would act differently this time wasn’t wrong.

“Again today, huh.”

Noah clicked his tongue and pulled out a shard of metal wedged cleverly between the pages of his book.

Thankfully, he wasn’t hurt.

Though really, with red ink smeared all over, it was hard to believe he hadn’t noticed sooner.

He frowned at the scrawled word “Stop it” on the cover.

Should he be grateful the culprit was at least being honest about their petty tricks?

Ever since that letter, he’d dealt with little bits of harassment—broken pens, notebook pages scribbled in red.

But because there was always red ink or paint left nearby, he’d avoided serious trouble.

“Still, this is getting dangerous.”

Unlike the childish pranks before, this time they’d used something sharp.

As Noah tossed the shard into the trash, a nearby boy peeked over and frowned.

“What now, Noah? Still happening?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Seriously. They said you and Emily are together now, so who’s being so immature?”

The boy glanced at Noah’s hand and widened his eyes at the red stains.

“Noah! You’re bleeding?”

“Huh? No, it’s—”

“I mean, I get it’s hard for Emily’s ex, but this is going too far!”

Noah didn’t even get the chance to correct him.

The boy’s outrage spread faster than Noah could speak.

“Don’t get so worked up, Mihai. I’m fine, really.”

“How can you say that when you’re hurt?”

“No, I’m saying it’s not blood, it’s—”

But before he could finish, another voice cut in.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone messed with Noah’s book again! This time he got hurt!”

“What? Seriously?”

The commotion drew in more students.

“What happened?”

“They say Noah’s injured because of those threats!”

“Ugh, they’re taking it too far. Noah, are you okay?”

He tried to explain, but the story had already taken on a life of its own.

Fine. Whatever.

Noah sighed quietly and forced a weak smile.

These days, everyone seemed concerned for him.

Maybe his careful image management had paid off—most of the second-years were on his side now.

Especially his classmates, who scolded the bullies and offered help.

It had started as self-preservation, yet seeing their worried faces made his chest feel oddly warm.

He cleared his throat to shake off the embarrassment.

But if he’d known Emily would come running the moment she heard the rumor, Noah would’ve spent less time blushing and more time correcting the misunderstanding.

“Noah!”

Noah stiffened as Emily came running toward him, pale-faced.

“Emily? What’s wrong?”

Had those bullies done something worse?

He looked her over, ready for bad news, but instead she pulled an elixir from her pocket and poured it over his hand.

Startled by the cold sensation, Noah yanked his hand back.

“What are you doing!”

“What do you mean, what! You’re hurt! Everyone said your hand was torn up!”

Noah blinked in disbelief.

“Torn up…? Me?”

“Yes! They said the bullies did it—wait, didn’t they?”

Emily squinted at his perfectly fine hand.

“Why would you pour it without checking! Do you know how expensive that is?”

“Compared to your life, it’s nothing. The elixir’s wasted, but I’m glad you’re okay.”

She smiled, relieved, while Noah grimaced.

What’s there to smile about? Look at all that spilled elixir. Damn it.

He was about to scold her when a desperate shout rang out.

“Watch out!”

Noah looked up just in time to shove Emily aside.

A loud crash followed as a flowerpot shattered where she’d been standing.

“Wh—what…?”

Emily stared blankly at the broken pot, unable to process it.

After confirming she was safe, Noah’s expression turned cold.

“Stay here.”

“Huh?”

Ignoring her confusion, Noah sprinted upstairs.

He’d seen the hand that dropped the pot.

Maybe he’d been a second too slow, but he was sure.

Reaching the eighth floor, which was nearly empty during class hours, he spotted a boy staring down in shock.

Noah slammed him against the wall.

“What the hell!”

“No, what the hell is wrong with you?”

Noah’s green eyes blazed with anger.

Until now, the threats had been small—annoying, but not serious.

But this had crossed a line.

The boy struggled, on the verge of tears.

“Let me go! I didn’t do anything!”

“If that’s true, why were you standing by the window?”

Noah sneered.

The red ink on the boy’s sleeve didn’t help his case.

“Maybe clean off that disgusting ink next time.”

The boy went pale.

“Got nothing to say, huh? You’re the one behind the threats?”

“No! I was—”

Before Noah could drag him further, a trembling voice stopped him.

“He’s telling the truth, Noah. Let him go.”

Emily had followed him, her legs still shaking.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because…”

She looked the boy in the eye.

“He’s the one who shouted ‘watch out.’ Right, Eren?”

At her words, the boy lowered his head.

It was Eren Casher, Emily’s ex-boyfriend with the soft brown hair.

•

“So you’re saying you were just helping?”

“For the last time—yes.”

Noah eyed the red ink on Eren’s sleeve with irritation.

“And those warning notes were to protect us?”

“…Yeah.”

Eren’s curt tone grated on him.

Noah ran a hand through his blond hair and sighed.

“Still, you did join the group harassing her.”

“That was because Emily—!”

Eren stopped short when he met Emily’s eyes.

A small cut marked her cheek from the broken pot.

“The ‘Down with Emily’ group, right.”

Noah snorted.

So that’s who was behind the threats.

A bunch of Emily’s exes and jealous girls she’d outshined.

Their mission was literally in the name: Down with Emily.

How creative.

“Getting dumped isn’t a crime. Pathetic.”

Eren laughed bitterly.

“Of course you’d say that. You’ve never felt betrayed by her.”

“What?”

“Forget it. I’m done with that group anyway. You’re right—it’s pathetic. I just wanted you to know I wasn’t part of this mess.”

He brushed off his uniform and turned to leave, but Emily spoke quietly.

“Eren… why did you help me? You joined them because you hated me.”

Eren paused, then sighed.

“Yeah, I did. At first. But I never wanted you hurt. I just… wanted you to feel how I felt. You always looked so fine, like none of it mattered.”

He glanced at Noah.

“You really mean it this time, right? Then that’s enough.”

Emily bit her lip, struggling for words, before whispering, “I’m sorry, Eren.”

Eren blinked, then smiled faintly.

“Yeah. Me too, Emily. …And you too, Noah.”

With a lighter expression, he walked away.

After a few steps, he turned back.

“Oh, right. Be careful, both of you. The leader of that ‘Down with Emily’ group is furious. They might try something worse.”

“Who’s the leader?” Emily asked.

Eren scratched his head awkwardly.

“Gael Forenten. Your first boyfriend.”