Things didn't go the way it seemed.
Kaito eventually left for the bathroom, thankfully without removing his trousers, and that gave her a moment of relief. Taros helped her into bed carefully, making sure she was comfortable. He didn't say much after that. He just sat beside her, waiting. Angela could barely keep her eyes open. Before she drifted off, she felt him still there—watching over her like someone who actually cared. And when she finally fell asleep, he slipped out quietly.
For the first time in her life, she felt like someone really cared.
No one had ever done that for her. Not even Grace. Even when Angela was sick and burning with fever, Grace never stayed by her side. She'd go out, leave her alone, tell her to figure it out herself. No hugs, no comfort. Just silence.
But today? Someone stayed. Someone helped her. Kaito had saved her from Renn and Hiro, and Taros… Taros treated her like she mattered. Like they had known each other for longer than just a day. He made her believe that maybe this Academy wasn't such a terrible place after all. That maybe, just maybe, there was room here for someone like her.
But deep inside, she couldn't let herself get too comfortable.
Life had taught her one harsh lesson—nothing good ever lasted. People changed. One minute they were kind, the next they could turn cold. She had learned not to expect too much from anyone, not even the ones who smiled the most.
That night, she had the worst nightmare.
Renn wasn't alone in her dream this time. There were four of him. Four monsters with his face, each shaped differently, each ready to tear her apart. She ran faster than she ever had in her life, screaming, crying, but no matter where she turned, one of them was there. In the end, she still got caught. Her screams echoed into the darkness.
A loud bell tore through the room and pulled her from the nightmare. She shot up in bed, gasping for air. Sweat clung to her skin. Her eyes searched the room, hoping to find Taros there. But he was gone.
So was Kaito.
She sat there confused, trying to figure out what time it was, when the door creaked open.
A tall guy she'd never seen before walked in. He froze when he saw her. His hazel eyes locked on her like he hadn't expected anyone else in the room. They just stared at each other for a few seconds, unsure of what to say.
Then Kaito walked in behind him.
He looked freshly worked out, wearing a fitted white shirt that hugged his body and black track pants. A small white towel rested on his shoulders, and he had airpods in his ears, one still playing something faintly. He didn't even look tired.
Angela blinked. Did he even sleep at all?
Last night, she fell asleep before him. This morning, he was already dressed and moving like the day had been going on for hours. Was he always like this?
And who was the new guy?
"Alpha, is that your new roommate?" Alex asked, looking surprised.
"Yes, Alex. Come here, Angel," Kaito said firmly, motioning to her like he expected her to obey without question.
Angela groaned inwardly. Her back still ached, not just from the wounds but from the tight wrap around her chest. Grace had warned her not to sleep in it, but what choice did she have? Living in the same room as Kaito was already hard enough. Every second felt like walking on a thin line.
Still, she forced herself out of bed and walked toward them.
"This is Alex, my beta," Kaito introduced, standing tall with a sense of pride that made him look more like a king than a student. "He'll be in charge of your studies. He's your teacher now. And make sure everything he teaches sinks into your brain, because I refuse to have a dummy as a roommate."
Angela stared at him, mouth slightly open.
Alex gave her a polite smile, but there was something smug about it. "Also, it wouldn't look good for the reputation of our house," he added.
She blinked a few times, trying to stay calm. Why did she keep running into boys who spoke like they ruled the world? Kaito, Hiro, Renn—and now this Alex guy? If he was going to be her teacher, then peace was clearly not part of her destiny.
"I don't need a teacher," Angela muttered, folding her arms. "I can handle my studies on my own."
She knew that wasn't completely true. A tutor would help. But not someone like Alex. She could already feel the weight of his judgment every time he looked at her. He'd probably mock her, point out every mistake, act like she was a charity case he was forced to deal with.
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "Angel… you know how this is going to end, right?" He sighed and rubbed his forehead like she was already exhausting him. "This isn't a debate. You've created enough problems already. I saw your grades from your last school."
Angela froze. Her heart dropped. He what?
How did he even get access to that? Principal Jane must have shared them as part of her transfer process—but why would Kaito, of all people, be looking at them?
She could feel the panic creeping in. Her mind raced with questions. Did he know how badly she struggled? Did he already judge her as weak, as someone not good enough?
Her throat tightened, but she kept her face straight. If they were going to break her, she wouldn't let it happen so easily.
"You failed a lot of subjects. I saw the report myself, and I know you need a tutor," Kaito said, his voice calm but firm.
"No, I won't be needing a tutor," Angela pushed back, even though deep down she knew she was dragging the argument longer than it needed to be.
"Yes, you will," he replied without missing a beat.
"Why should I even listen to you?" she snapped, folding her arms tightly across her chest.
"Because I'm the one who picked you."
Those words hit her like ice water. For a second, she just stared at him, confused. "What?"
"If I didn't step in, you wouldn't have gotten into this school at all," Kaito added.
Angela's lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart started racing. So it wasn't luck. It wasn't fate. It was him. All of it had been arranged… by Kaito.
Suddenly, everything made sense. Stales' confused stares, the quick admission, the strange looks when people found out she was Kaito's roommate. It wasn't a coincidence. He made it happen.
She had actually let herself believe that, for once, life had smiled at her. That maybe she got in because she deserved it. That maybe she finally had a win.
But no. She wasn't special. She wasn't chosen by the universe. She was handpicked by Kaito like a project to fix, like someone to control.
"You'll begin lessons with Alex this afternoon," Kaito said, as if her world hadn't just cracked open. "It's for your own good. One day, you'll understand that."
Angela swallowed hard and nodded slowly. "Yes, sir," she muttered. There was no use fighting anymore. Kaito was ten steps ahead, and she was just trying to catch up.
"It's time for morning road work," he added, grabbing the first aid kit from the table before heading for the door. "Be ready. Join us downstairs."
Angela watched him walk out, a mix of anger and sadness burning in her chest. The door shut behind him, but she didn't move.
Alex lingered a little longer. He turned and looked at her, his voice softer this time. "Don't be late for the road work. Alpha Renn is punishing latecomers."
It wasn't a threat. It didn't even sound cold.
He left quietly, and once again, she was alone.
And the weight of everything came crashing down.
Angela wished she had never made it into this Academy. If Kaito hadn't interfered, she wouldn't be here, and honestly, maybe that would've been better. Ever since she stepped foot into this place, peace had become a stranger. Every day felt like a new test she didn't ask for.
But sitting around feeling sorry for herself wouldn't change anything.
With a quiet sigh, she reached for the black and white tracksuit the uniform master gave her. She peeled off the tight wrap around her chest and let out a breath she didn't even realize she'd been holding. Her skin was red and tender, the pressure had left angry marks. Still, it felt good to breathe properly. The tracksuit was loose enough to hide everything, so she wouldn't be needing the wrap this morning.
She paused in front of the mirror, staring at her chest. One side looked swollen, and not just from the wrapping. Great. Her period was coming. Just what she needed to top off this disaster of a week.
Her shoulders slumped. The pain, the constant stress, the fear of being discovered—it was all starting to wear her down.
Still, she got dressed. Even if every step felt heavier than the last, she made herself move. She didn't want to face anyone, especially not Renn, but she had no choice. They'd all be out there waiting, and if she was late…
Her heart dropped.
"Shit," she whispered to herself, remembering Alex's warning.