It has only been a day but Hana felt like it’s been a very long week since she found out about Kai’s condition. She looked at her right and saw him sitting on a bench just beside TOP who was monitoring the Alice Training class. He has been pulled out from all the trainings with the excuse that he needs enough rest. Hana knew the real reason and she couldn’t help but feel hurt deep inside.

“Are you ready?” Sehun’s voice brought her back to reality. She looked at him and he was staring back at her. “Oh?” she asked with a blank expression. Sehun sighed then wiped his sweat with his shirt. “We can take a break if you want to. If you can’t concentrate, you might hurt yourself and I don’t want that to happen because Kai will get angry at me” Sehun said.

Sehun was training with her and at first she was hesitating because they’re not really that close. She wanted Woohyun to be her partner for the time being but TOP already made his decision. Sehun’s not really the type who talks and does things with her but she knew that Kai talked with his friend to help her.

She shook her head and smiled. “I’m fine. Let’s continue” she replied as she took her position. She lowered her stance and put her left arm in front of her. He stared at her for a minute then took his stance. Physical Combat training was really hard because she was against a guy but she knew that she should do her best and that it should not be an excuse because enemies out there will not go easy on her just because she’s a girl.

Sehun attacked first and grabbed her by the arm. He put his foot on the back of her left foot and was about to tackle her down but Hana pulled her foot back quickly and grabbed him also by the arm. She swiftly hooked her leg on his leg and made him fall on his back.

He grunted and looked at her in disbelief and amusement. He sat up and chuckled. “With this level of attack, you don’t need to train with me. You did great” he complimented her, making her smile. For the first time, Sehun said something that made her smile. He stood up and brushed his pants.

“I will attack with my Alice now. Make sure to stop it, okay?”

Hana nodded. She took a deep breath and walked to her position. She looked at Kai and saw that he was looking back at her. Her face flushed when he smiled at her. She really wanted to see that smile for a long time. She really doesn’t want to lose him.

She looked at Sehun who was stretching his arms. He walked towards her. “Don’t go easy on me because I will not go easy on you. Out there, in the real world, is a real battlefield. Think of what you want to do when you face the chairman of the Council. Think of that and block my attack, okay?” he asked, the seriousness of his voice delivered his message very well.

She nodded. “Okay, I got it”

Sehun returned to his position and held his hand on his side, palms up. A little tornado formed and then it got bigger and bigger. Hana swallowed the lump in and readied herself to block.

He threw it to her and she blocked it with her right hand. Another came and she used her left. The third one which was obviously stronger and bigger than the first two took her by surprise and she put both her hands in front of her as if stopping the wind from reaching her with her eyes closed.

She felt a sting on her right cheek then she heard gasps from people around them. “Is he okay?” one of the students asked. She opened her eyes and saw Sehun lying few meters from his marked position. She ran towards him and the others surrounded them. “Are you okay? I’m really sorry” she said before helping him to sit up.

He ruffled his hair and shook his head. He looked dizzy as he blinked quickly and looked around. “I’m okay” he replied. “What were you thinking when you made that very big lump of wind? Were you planning on killing us all?” Kai asked jokingly as he threw a towel on Sehun’s head.

He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t have such plans”. He tried standing up with L and Woohyun’s help but his knees were wobbly and he ended up sitting again. Sehun shook his head and rubbed his palms against his thighs. He his chapped lips and smiled in disbelief. “What’s wrong with me? It feels like all my energy just left me” he stated.

Hana bowed her head. “I’m really sorry”

Sehun shook his head. “No, you don’t need to be sorry. You just did your best” he replied. Kai knew exactly what Sehun was feeling. He also felt like that when Hana pushed her angrily inside the forest when they were playing a prank on her. He suddenly asked himself about what Hana is capable of doing and what kind of Alice does really have that the chairman and the rebels are interested on her. He stared at Hana who was worriedly looking at Sehun.

“Do you think you can stand now?” TOP asked as he looked at Sehun. “Yes sir. I think I can manage to stand now” he replied. TOP looked around. “Class dismiss, make sure that you rest well” he announced and the students started going out.

Sehun stood with L on his side to help him walk. “Are you okay?” Yumi asked her. Hana turned to her and Yumi gave her a bottle of water. She nodded then reached for the water. “Hana, do want to eat with us?” Kyungsoo asked, making her turn to Kyungsoo and the other guys. She looked at Kai first. He nodded as if giving her permission to go.

“You’re not coming with us?” she asked, brows furrowed. “I have something to take care first. I’ll come in a while. You can go with them” he replied.

Hana had an idea about what he’s going to do. She noticed that TOP said something to him a while ago. Maybe it’s about his condition. They were monitoring him 24/7. She nodded and forced a smile. “Okay” she replied. Kai took a step towards her and held her face, looking at her intensely. He wiped the blood from the scratch on her right cheek, making her wince a little from the pain.

“That Sehun, how dare he hurt my Hana” he muttered. It was loud enough for Hana to hear and she blushed. My Hana? She asked herself in disbelief. Did Kai really say that?

“Aigoo~ Get a room the two of you” Woohyun suddenly exclaimed. Hana’s face turned totally red and she lowered her head. Kai glared at Woohyun as if telling him to shut up. “My feet and hands are curling because of cheesiness. You’re totally hurting my feelings. Displaying your affection for us to see makes me more bitter that I don’t have anyone to be chummy with~” Woohyun added.

They all looked at him except for Hana who was still looking on the ground while holding her laughter. Woohyun really knows how to crack the atmosphere. Kyungsoo rolled his eyes and shrugged. “Shut up, will you?” L asked, begging for his friend to close his mouth and just walk away.

Woohyun scoffed and looked at Yumi who was silently standing beside her. “All I got is a girl who’s not that appealing and who does not have that much charm. Oh poor me” he sighed. Sehun was about to hit him on the back when Yumi glared at Woohyun like she was going to kill him.

“I’m sorry for being not that appealing and charming. Talk about a rude jerk” she retorted. Hana turned to look at them when she heard Yumi’s voice. She never heard her friend talk like that in her entire life. Yumi stomped her way to the cafeteria without looking back. “Good job Woohyun, now you don’t have any chances. Just brilliant” L said sarcastically as he patted Woohyun on the back.

“Ya! Yumi! Song Yumi! I was just joking! You have killer charms! And you’re appealing! Ya! Wait for me!” Woohyun exclaimed as he ran to catch up with Yumi.

“Crazy dude” Kyungsoo muttered, shaking his head before looking at Kai and Hana. “We’ll go first then. Hana, just come after you two finish your conversation” he said before the three of them took their leave.

“That Woohyun really doesn’t know how to shut up” Kai sighed. She turned to him and he smiled before caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. She bit her lip and lowered her head. “You’re doing that again. What did I say about biting your lip?” he asked, lifting her face to meet his gaze.

Hana pursed her lips quickly. He chuckled before planting a quick kiss on her forehead. “You should go. I’ll come quickly” he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. She nodded then he pulled his hands. She turned her back on him then started walking away. Kai looked at her until she completely disappeared from his sight.

He suddenly crouched and shut his eyes as he gave up on covering up the pain which he was feeling since a while ago. He tightly grasped his knee and gritted his teeth while suppressing the pain. He looked up and sighed.

“You can do this. Don’t give up, Jongin”

Kyungsoo stared at Hana who was staring blankly at her food. “Hana, is there something wrong?” he asked, making her look at him in an instant. “Oh? Nothing’s wrong” she replied before forcing a smile. That was a lie. Her mind has been preoccupied about Kai’s condition, her uncle’s situation, the chairman and the rebels. She doesn’t even have time to just sit and think of something else. She felt like she’s being suffocated.

She put her chopsticks down and stood. “I need to go somewhere” she said before walking away. Kyungsoo didn’t even have time to stop her and ask her where she’s going. They just looked at her as she walked away.

Hana decided to check on her uncle’s condition. She needed to know if he’s going to wake up soon. She hurriedly walked pass through the garden, making her way to the big building where the faculty and her uncle’s room are.

Not far from her, Jaehyun was looking at her as she walked inside the building. He looked like he was in a very hard situation. His hands were clenched and his face showed that he was worried. He looked on the ground and shut his eyes. Everything will go as what was planned. Be ready, Jaehyun. The message that was said to him a while ago kept on repeating inside his mind.

“” he cursed under his breath before running to catch up with Hana.

“Hana” he called for her. She stopped and turned to him. Her brows furrowed when she saw him. She noticed that she has been seeing Jaehyun in that building. “Why? Why are you here?” she asked, taking a step back when she saw him approaching her. She couldn’t help but doubt if Jaehyun can be trusted. She wanted to believe that he’s just a normal guy who just wants to be a friend of hers but Kai’s words kept on stopping her.

She was now leaning on the wall, cornered. Jaehyun held her by the shoulders. She shivered, fear overtaking her. He was so serious to the point that he’s scary. “J-Jaehyun…” she muttered. “Hana, no matter what happens, tonight, don’t leave your friends. Stay with them. Don’t wander on your own, okay?” he asked. He sounded so desperate, almost begging.

Hana couldn’t understand what he was saying. She just stared at him. He shook his head. “No, it’s better for you to be with teacher TOP or anyone from the faculty or with Kai. Just don’t be alone. Be with someone and-”

“Jaehyun, what are you talking about?” she asked, cutting him off. Jaehyun shut his eyes and took a deep breath. His mind was very messy at the moment. “JUST LISTEN PLEASE!” he yelled, grasping her shoulders tighter and making her tremble in fear and pain. He came to his senses and pulled his hands away from her.

“I’m sorry” he apologized. Hana touched her shoulder and looked at Jaehyun. “Why are you acting like this? You’re scaring me” she mumbled. He shook his head and