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nPresent Time, Nolen School C

nEven after thinking about the matter over the weekend, Misae still felt rather complicated. Her heart was torn in between two decisions, and she couldn't make up her mind at all.

nIn one side, she wanted to stay with Mike as he made her felt comfort. The time she spent with him all these times made her extremely happy. He was very kind and made her laughed a lot.

nOn the other side, knowing Mike's other identity made her troubled. The fear she had to the clans made her recalled her past, the experience that she had long buried in the depths of her heart. The thought of Mike got involved in those matters made her felt afraid.

nShe couldn't make the decision for herself.

n

"Misae, it's morning. Will you go to school?

" Clara's voice reached Misae's room.

nThe girl was still lying on her bed, looking at the white ceiling above her. Her hands were holding a small doll tightly, seemingly unwilling to part with it.

n'Time passes so swiftly,' Misae thought to herself.

n

"Misae?

"

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"I'm coming, Mom.

"

nSlowly, Misae moved her feet to the edge of the bed. She was still feeling conflicted with herself and confining herself for the past two days didn't work. All she got was her feeling turned to the worst and extremely conflicted.

nLooking at her distressed daughter, Clara sighed to herself. She couldn't bear to see Misae like this, but she was not in the place to comfort the girl too. Moving to the girl in an unhurried pace, she pulled the girl to her embrace.

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"Don't be afraid. You're going to be fine.

"

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"Mom,

" Misae murmured.

nClara caressed the girl's hair slowly, making sure that Misae felt comfortable.

"Don't force yourself if you're not ready, Misae. Mom will not force you too.

"

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"I know, Mom.

"

nHis parents have always stayed by her side and protected her. She didn't want to make them worry much more than what they already had.

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"I'll be fine, Mom.

"

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"If anything happens, just call me,

" Clara reminded Misae.

"I don't want you to stay silent and endure everything by yourself.

"

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"Okay, Mom,

" Misae smiled.

nShe finished her meal and quickly headed to school. However, her mind was still filled with the thoughts of what had happened not long ago. In the end, she couldn't focus on the lesson at all.

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"Misae, what is wrong with you? You look like a zombie,

" Alice waved her hand in front of Misae's face in worry. What happened to her friend today? It was unlike Misae to zone out in class. She hoped that it was nothing bad.

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"I'm fine,

" Misae forced a smile out.

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"The exams are over. You don't have to force yourself to study so much,

" Kanae remarked as she peered towards her friend with worry.

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"You're one to talk with your work,

" Alice grunted.

nKanae laughed.

"I don't work that much anymore. Besides, it's the weekend.

"

nHearing the two of them bantered as usual, Misae's mood lightened. It seemed she enjoyed staying with her friends more than what she thought before. Having them stayed near her made her felt comfort.

n

"Do you want to ask Tommy to fulfill his promise now? I'm sure I can make him become your trainer today,

" Alice offered. Maybe a bit of practice would make Misae cheered up.

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"No, thank you.

"

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"You're really going to practice running?

" Laura was surprised. She thought that it was only a joke.

nAlice shrugged.

"Why not? It's pretty fun.

"

nLaura's face scrunched badly. She didn't like sport, not at all. Even though it was a promise they made with Tommy, she didn't want to stand under the glaring sun just to run.

n

"You don't have to force yourself,

" Kanae patted her sister's head.

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"I know.

"

nAlice giggled. She turned her head to Misae.

"Hey, you're spacing out again, Misae.

"

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"Ah, sorry,

" Misae snapped back to reality again. Her mind was filled with the thought of the clan again, making her unable to focus on anything that happened around her.

n

"It's fine, try to pay more attention.

"

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"Okay…

"

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"There'll be a meeting for the Student Council later. Can you attend, Misae?

" Laura recalled their schedule for that day.

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"I think so.

"

nDING DONG!

nThe bell rang.

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"Let's get out of the class.

"

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"I'm already hungry.

"

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"Sis, you're always hungry,

" Laura shook her head.

nThe four of them were walking on the corridor when they saw Kevin and the others standing not far from them. They were looking towards the board, and the others immediately greeted each other happily.

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"Good morning!

" Kanae waved her hand to the three of them.

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"You seem to be very happy today, Kanae. Is there any special occasion?

" Neo remarked when he saw Kanae seemed rather energetic.

nKanae laughed.

"Not really.

"

nShe has just finished the preparation for the mission today, so she tried to liven up her own mood as best as she could. The mission would be rather dangerous based on what she heard from Jason, so she didn't want to be too nervous and failed.

nMike's eyes landed on Misae. The two of them stared at each other without any intention to greet each other. From the fear that he detected in her eyes, he knew that she still couldn't get over the fact that he came from the clan.

nForcing a smile out, he made it appeared as naturally as possible.

"Boss, it's nearing the time for our class.

"

nSeeing the unnatural state of Mike, Kevin felt rather displeased, yet his cold face showed nothing. He simply nodded his head as he could guess what Mike experienced right now. He was feeling troubled to stay near Misae because the girl couldn't accept Mike belonged to a clan.

nEach of their relationships started to fall apart like broken down glass.

nSeeing their weird atmosphere, Laura knew that something must be wrong. She noticed that Misae was shaking. Her eyes grew larger. Why should she feel afraid of her own boyfriend?

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"Misae, are you alright?

" Laura asked hurriedly.

nKanae noticed Misae's expression and understood things immediately. The only thing that could possibly frighten Misae was the people from the clan. As Misae became afraid of Mike, there was only one possibility: she found out that he came from the clan.

nAs she thought about this, her heart sank. It has been over three years since the incident happened, yet this girl still hadn't recovered? How long did she need to fully recover herself?

nBut she couldn't really say that to Misae.. Her involvement in that matter was kept as a secret from Misae because Clara didn't want to let her daughter knew.

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