The Culprit

After Eugine was given an ice pack to use on his shoulder, Nikolas decided to bring him to the hospital himslelf.

Eugine rejected but he insisted, thinking that as a teacher, its his responsibility to explain to Han Eugine's parents what happened to their son.

Mira fidgeted while they were leaving. She remembered how Eugine was the first to reach her. Although he mistook her as the one trying to jump, to be the first to reach her means that he cared enough to hurry to her side.

And when she was desperately trying to hold Hannah, it was him who helped. Without him, Mira knew that she couldn't pull Hannah up on her own. If Eugine wasn't there...

She shook her head to drive away the images in her head. She then realized that none of them have their school bags with them. It was still in their classroom.

"Just wait here. We'll get it." Kang Jun said.

"In that case, wait for me at gate. I'll get my car." Their class adviser said.

Just like that, Eugine and Mira was left alone together. Their eyes met before both of them hastily looked away.

Mira coughed. "Sir Nikolas said he'll wait at the gate. Lets go."

Eugine nodded and started walking with her.

"Thank you."

Eugine looked at her, startled.

Mira thought that Eugine didn't hear what she said. So with an awkward but sincere smile, she repeated; "Thank you."

No matter what her thoughts about Han Eugine right now, it is a fact that she owe him.

The wind blew gently, and the rays of the setting sun shone upon them. Slightly smiling with gratefulness, the girl in front of Han Eugine stood, bathed in the warm color of the setting sun. He felt blinded, but was too afraid to close his eyes.

Something inside him changed, but at that moment he didn't realize what it was. All he knew was that he didn't want to close his eyes. He wanted to take in every detail of that moment.

THE next day, Mira and the others arrived at the school quite early despite the events from the previous day. Eugine arrived at the school with a sling on his shoulder. Thankfully, there's nothing wrong with his shoulder and the doctor just advised him to take it easy and be careful not to move his shoulder too much while its still sore. Aside from prescribing him some painkillers, he was also told that he can take a physical rehab if he wanted to although he would be fine without it, especially because his mother was a doctor.

Mira and Jamie arrived together and when they went in into the main building, the first thing they noticed is the group of students crowding in front of the announcement board.

Sophie saw them and pulled them at the side.

Before Mira and Jamie can greet her Goodmorning, Sophie spoke. "What happened to you guys yesterday? The teachers sent us home early after the incident at the rooftop. We couldn't find you."

Without waiting for their reply, Sophie continued. "Anyway, have you seen the announcement?"

"Calm down Sophie. One at a time, the enemy is weak. We're fine. Second, not yet. We just arrived when you pulled us. Now tell us what's happening." Jamie answered.

Sophie smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry. It's better to show you."

She pulled them towards the Announcement Board.

"Excuse us." Sophie apologized to the students.

When the other students saw Sophie, they immediately parted to give way to her.

Sophie smiled at them gratefully before pulling Mira and Jamie in front of the announcement. No one dared to complain. They were from Class 3-A and senior students, its more than enough reason to give them face.

But more than that, when they saw Sophie smile, they were more than ready to beat up anyone who dared to complain. They were already seeing the school's goddess early in the morning, what more they can ask for?

When Mira saw the announcement pasted on the board, she was stunned.

Jenny and two other students are being called for investigation and disciplinary action.

The reason? For violence and bullying.

But ISOA is and elite school, and the students in it are pretty smart. After the incident from the other day, why was Jenny the first to be called for a disciplinary action? After Hannah almost jumped from the rooftop because of the video, the school should be doing everything they can to find the anonymous uploader of the video. So even though the announcement didn't say it, they could understand the underlying message in it.

Jenny was the suspect.

In the Class 3-A, no one could focus on the lessons. They kept on glancing on Jenny's empty seat.

They also kept on glancing on the clock placed above the blackboard. They were mostly thinking the same thoughts.

Ma'am, can you please hurry and finish your lesson then leave? We're dying to gossip here.

They were wishing that time would run faster. Why is it that the lessons take too long and their free time pass to fast? What kind of sorcery do the teachers use?

When the bell rang signaling the end of the class, the students from class 3-A sat straight. They watched as the teacher put down the marker, compiled the papers in the table, and rummage through her purse for the whiteboard eraser.

She was about to erase the writings on the whiteboard when a student stopped her.

"Ma'am, leave that to us. We'll erase it for you." From the back of the classroom, Justin volunteered after being pinched by Sophie.

Everybody nodded.

Right, we'll erase it for you Ma'am. So why dont you go already? You must have something to do right?

When the teacher saw the students' expressions, she rolled her eyes before taking pity in them. She gathered her things and bid them goodbye.

Class 3-A counted 5 seconds to make sure that the teacher was really gone before they moved, each of them going to their own set of friends. The usually quiet section became noisy in an instant.

There is no need for Mira and her friends to stand. Mira looked around her. Luigi was in front of her, Jamie was beside her. Eugine and Kang Jun sat behind her and Sophie and Justin was sitting on the next two seats behind Jamie, beside Kang Jun's. They only need to scoot their chairs together which is what they did.

"So, do you think Jenny did it?" Jamie asked.

"I dont know. Its hard to believe that Jenny would be so stupid to do something that would jeopardize her standing in ISOA. I mean, we dont really get along but I didn't think she was that stupid and petty." Sophie answered while looking at her nails.

Jamie looked at Mira.

Mira blinked. "What?"

"What do you think? Thats your bestfriend. You know how she is."

"Ex-bestfriend." Mira didn't forget to correct Jamie. "I also don't know. Maybe its true for bullying, but for the video.. I honestly dont know."

Personally, Mira thinks that Jenny woudnt be capable of uploading that video. Because like her, Jenny is also under a scholarship in ISOA. She doesn't think that Jenny would be so stupid to do something that would get traced back to her immediately and land her in trouble.

Despite her thoughts, Mira didn't speak. Why should she defend Jenny? Everybody even knows that they had a fall out. She hardened her heart.

"Anyway, we'll probably hear another news before the day ends." Luigi spoke.

Eugine, who was listening to their conversation just nodded. Kang Jun hummed a response while Justin shrugged before taking out a bubble gum. He offered some to them. They all looked relaxed.

Well, whatever happens to Jenny is not related to them. They were not so goody two shoes that they'd pretend to care about Jenny too much, especially since Jenny wasn't a part of their group anyway. They are only interested in the conclusion, especially for Mira and Kang Jun.

It was lunch time when they heard the next news.

Jenny denied involvement in the uploading of the video.