I wanted to apologize

Neo was startled to see Erick standing at one of the classroom entrances. He braced himself to run toward another exit.

"Wait," Erick said, making Neo freeze mid-sprint. The man didn’t seem like he intended to chase him. "I want to apologize."

Neo reconsidered fleeing and decided to give the man a chance to explain himself.

"Why are you running? I don’t want to hurt you," Erick asked, confused.

Neo gave him a doubtful look.

"That’s not how I remember it."

Erick sighed, guilt evident on his face.

"Look, it wasn’t my intention. Can you forgive me?"

The boy hesitated.

"I don’t know."

Seeing that words alone wouldn’t convince him, Erick decided to ask if there was something Neo wanted.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

Neo’s stomach growled loudly from hunger, making the situation awkward.

"How about you buy me lunch?" he said with a laugh.

Erick smiled.

"Just that? Sure, I know a good place."

They walked toward the east side of the city. Along the way, they passed a supermarket where someone was collecting cardboard boxes and carrying them off.

They crossed a bridge over the city’s river. At every corner, there was a barbecue restaurant, each with bright, enticing signs. The smell of grilled meat made Neo even hungrier.

Erick stopped at a small diner selling artisanal burgers. The neon sign above the entrance flickered intermittently, casting shades of red and blue on the doorway.

The atmosphere inside was cozy, with dim lighting that made the space feel warm and inviting. Polished wooden tables paired with red leather booths lined the room. In one corner, a jukebox gleamed, playing classic rock. The walls were decorated with vintage posters of old cars, motorcycles, and band concerts.

Erick handed Neo a menu.

"Pick whatever you want."

Neo scanned the menu. There were so many options that he felt a little overwhelmed.

"I think I’ll leave it to you," he said, sitting down at one of the tables.

Erick ordered two large burgers with crispy fries and icy sodas.

Neo, ravenous, grabbed the ketchup bottle on the table, smothered his fries, and started eating without stopping.

Erick watched the boy, noticing he seemed distant, almost upset.

"I’m really sorry, Neo. I didn’t mean to make you pass out. I feel like I failed as a counselor."

Neo, distracted by his food, paused to reply.

"It’s okay. I forgive you. You seem cool—plus, you agreed to buy me food."

"Let’s start over," Erick said with a smile. "I’m Erick. If there’s anything you’re worried about, you can ask me."

"Anything?" Neo thought for a moment. "What about the Lancasters?"

"Do you know Leo Lancaster?"

"What about your brother?" Erick asked, then immediately regretted it. "No! Wait! Forget I said that."

"I have a brother?"

Erick braced himself for the worst.

But nothing happened. Neo continued eating his burger.

"I’m not going to pass out just from that."

"Thank goodness," Erick sighed in relief. "But why are you asking about your brother?"

"He contacted me."

Feeling more at ease, Erick began eating his now-cooling food.

"And what did you say?"

Neo didn’t want to admit he’d broken into the school, so he kept it vague.

"Well, we didn’t talk. He left me a note."

Erick shrugged and sipped his soda.

"Your family is complicated. If he wants to talk to you, listen to what he has to say—but be prepared for anything."

They finished their meal and said goodbye. Erick wasn’t as bad as Neo had initially thought.

As the afternoon waned, Neo hurried on. He considered returning to the school, but given how risky it was, he decided to head back to the tree garden instead.

He couldn’t sleep without bathing first. Remembering the river he’d passed earlier, he retraced his steps.

The water was crystal clear. He left his backpack on the riverbank and took a big dive, clothes and all.

Passersby gave him strange looks, but he didn’t care as long as he solved his problem.

He dried off under the last rays of the setting sun.

When night fell, he went to the market, gathered as many cardboard boxes as he could, and carried them back to the tree garden.

He opened his backpack and checked his class schedule. Following Karine’s advice, he packed only the books he’d need for the next day. The rest he stored in one of the boxes near the tree.

"At least this way, they’ll be safe."

Neo made a cardboard bed using the leftover boxes to create some comfort. He placed additional boxes near the trees to shelter the cats.

He missed the soft, warm infirmary bed, but he couldn’t ask for much in his current situation.

The alarm rang, and Neo woke up surrounded by cats, all staring at him. Without wasting time, he headed to school.

In the classroom, he looked at Saya’s seat.

Once again, she wasn’t there.

"Could something have happened?"

The bell rang, and a girl with golden hair entered the classroom alongside the next teacher.

It was Saya.

She greeted her classmates and explained she’d been sick. Neo listened from afar.

During the break, Neo noticed several flower pots knocked over. For some reason, it bothered him, so he decided to set them upright.

In the courtyard, Saya was sitting on a bench, eating alone.

"Are you feeling better?" Neo asked as he approached.

She smiled.

"Yes. I couldn’t keep my promise to see you yesterday."

"I’m just glad to see you today."

The courtyard was bustling with sports club members inviting students to join. Some even interrupted their conversation.

Neo wasn’t interested in the clubs, but he was curious about Saya’s activities.

"Are you in a club?"

"Yes, I’m in the art club."

"Art?" Neo asked, recalling the infirmary.

"Yes, I like painting."

"I thought you liked singing."

"I..." Saya looked distant, searching within herself, then finally answered. "I like it too."

"Then why...?"

"I’ll never sing again," Saya said coldly. She stood up and left, leaving Neo sitting there, confused by her response.

On his way out of school, Neo heard noises coming from the sports courts. Filled with anticipation, he decided to take a look.

As he walked, he observed various clubs. The soccer players were the loudest, while the runners seemed the most determined.

Passing by some boys playing baseball, one of them called out.

"Hey, kid!"

His eyes were fixed on Neo. Thinking the boy might be talking to someone else, Neo looked around, but there was no one else.

The boy confirmed he was calling Neo with a few hand gestures.

"Want take a swing?"