CHAPTER THREE
Circles overlap | 원이 겹칩니다.

⚘( ၴႅၴ

Daniel perked up slightly. 

"New? Who?"

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from outside the cafeteria window. A group of burly men, their faces twisted in menacing scowls, surrounded a frail figure huddled on the ground. Daniel's heart lurched. It was Duke.

But before Daniel could react, a shock of vibrant pink hair flashed past the window. A new student, the one who'd transferred a few days ago, barreled into the group like a human missile. With surprising agility, she rained down blows on the surprised gangsters, sending them sprawling like dominoes.

Daniel stared, jaw slack. The girl, taller than Duke, moved with a fierce grace. 

Her punches and kicks were brutal, yet precise. In a matter of minutes, the gangsters were whimpering on the ground, begging for mercy.

Finally, you dusted your hands off and turned to Duke, who was slowly pulling himself up. A small smile lit up your face. "You alright, pipsqueak?"

Duke grinned back, a little sheepishly. "Yeah, thanks to you, uh... what was your name again?"

"Y/n," she replied, wincing slightly. "And next time, try not to get yourself into trouble, okay?"

Duke smiled, seemingly out of it. "Yes ma'am..."

You suppress a smile. Then, your gaze flickered towards the window, directly at Daniel. Their eyes met for a brief moment. Daniel felt a jolt of something he couldn't quite define. Concern? Admiration? Maybe a little bit of both.

He glanced at Zack, who was mirroring his bewildered expression. "Looks like we can scratch Duke off the 'needing-protection' list," Zack muttered.

Daniel nodded, still fixated on the girl outside. Maybe, just maybe, this new transfer student was exactly what their little group needed.

Flowing tresses of her black hair was in her mouth, she blew it away and comes down her eyes dark shade of night as she glanced at Daniel. His heart skipped a beat from the interaction. Neither does the owner of giver knew of the consequences of this very moment.

Daniel was still busy trying to catch his breath.

Back to the girl, she tilted her head, eyes narrowed. Chocked up some spit and shoot it at the beaten up student on her feet.

They were the product of misleaded childhood and influences that came from garbage. It's in her philosophy to teach them a lesson before sprouts grew to something more wildly.

She took a lollipop from her pocket and threw the trash at the same non-biodegradable trash and walked away from the scene.

Daniel peaked again and only saw her figure walking away from the scene. Albeit he was just as nervous as the one beside him even at the front he was supposed to be braver but he still has that bullied person inside him that wants to get out from the circumstances.

It looked him that she was another transferee.

"Another transferee!" Zack exclaimed with a Gengar pokemon looking ass face but with a frown instead of a grin. Mira and his other delinquent friends' payed attention to how he acted, maybe he would go face the person now because of what happened to another transferee he knew.

"Come on, Zack, as if you have gotten into more fights already."

"But Mira..."

"I heard she was a girl."

Zack's face deadpanned.

Mira's face glared.

Zack leaned into his chair and relaxed as if he didn't assume just before. "So unfortunate."

"You saying that girls are unfortunate now?" Zoe pouted with her hands crossed beneath her breast.

The guys drooled over her with blushed all over their faces.

"You're such a stud, you goofball."

"I don't know, I just think it's a little odd to be having so many transferees at the same time. I mean, look at what Daniel did—"

"Stop talking about Daniel like that, he's not causing too much trouble."

It seems like everyone seem to disagree in that statement and all their clouded thoughts pairs to one thought. To be fair, Daniel did cause quite a ruckus, and they admit, it was for the stupidest reasons, like what Zack and him did for example. And of course the dumbasses of friends didn't pertain with the thought of possible taking that to account.

"On behalf of Daniel, I think it was pretty fair that there are horrible students here." Mira said taking a sip of her strawberry milk drink. The other students sweat dropped at that. "Okay, I'm just going to go to the bathroom. Watch over my food for me Zack."

"Alright." Zack said albeit too determined.

"I'm going to find my Danny." Zoe said a bit too confidently, raising her chin and left off the same time as Zoe.

When Mira walked to the bathroom, a figure stood over her. And lo and behold it was three men who are dressed in delinquent outfits; they were slightly bruised and battered but looked well put at least. Some girls were beside them and all hands crossed and mean looking.

"Mira, am I right? Zack's little play thing I'm sure."

She backed away and her eyes were everywhere. This happened very rarely. She even wondered why this time out of all the time. I was right; J high has some really terrible students

She wanted to fight, back them off, sucks to be not Zack she would've like help. She turned to run but four more guys covered her tracks.

Crap.

"Do it already! Ugh, this is getting boring." Said the girl with auburn hair and caked up face in the corner. Even in this second Mira still had the second to remember the face of a girl like her, keeping it in mind for next time.

"Alright, this isn't personal girl. Unfortunate for you, you just hung out with the wrong people like Zack. Such a pretty face too..." the man grumbled. Even for such a highschooler, he seem to have that gruff voice that you would think an old man would have.

Y/n round in the corner and witness this whole bullying scenario fold out. 

She would have honestly thought it was cool if it wasn't for the fact that they were stinking no brainers that would gang up on an innocent stranger. 

Pretty useless and idiotic if you would ask her.

but then again, she would just lose energy if she would think more about it, they don't have a single braincell in their brain to give a fuck about their stupidity, why should she.

(Although, she was indeed stupid as well)

They grabbed Mira by the arm and laughed. Your brows raised.

"Hey!" Mira struggled under their grip, her own loosened, making the strap of her bag to fall down her shoulders. The girl's high pitched laugh from the background resonated from the back when she closed her eyes. She couldn't beliee this was happening. And she had been in this school for so long.

Maybe it was Zack who was the one protecting her. Perhaps his influence was the source of her former advantages. 

Maybe it wasn't really was the time to be thankful of all her friend's presence with her. But are you kidding me? Why now? Why is this happening to me?

"I'm sorry babe." One of the men's words dripped with apprehension.

Mira wanted to puke.

"Are you guys lost? This isn't really a public park."

The men including the girls and Mira turned to the voice, and saw the girl standing there with a guitar singed behind her back she had this laid back expression in her face, her mouth, though, pursed, and shoulders tenser. 

Wasn't this girl scared?

On cue to Mira's question, some of the men in front of her backed off and almost their backs bumping into her. She gave a small "mph!" when she almost tripped from when she was pushed. Mira glanced at the girls that were at the door frame of the bathroom and saw that they were whispering to each other, not moments later they went ahead and sneaked out of here without a word.

But they were met face to face by the pale face of the girl that just arrived, and they gave a sounded shriek at her speed. 

'How did you--?" They held onto each other.

 Mira scoffed and glanced back to the female that just came into the scene.

"You! What are you doing here?" 

Despite the savage tone, their body movements spoke of fear.

"Your such a bitch for interrupti–" One of the men clasped their friend's mouth before they could say anything. 

The girl with the guitar snapped her head towards the three bitches, her face contorting in anger. Then, just as quickly, the fury morphed into a sly, calculating smirk.

"Well would you look at this, a whore and her husbands. Yuck. How many pigs do you expect on keeping." She laughed.

"You little–"

-

You threw a punch.

A casual conversation flowed as people strolled down the hall. The mood took a sharp turn when a group of men emerged from the restroom. Their appearance was jarring - rough and hardened exteriors marred by fresh bruises and blood. A pile of crumpled figures lay outside the bathroom, seemingly unconscious.

Bursting from the throng, the girl clutched Mira's hand and bolted.

"Was that the transfer student?"

"Yeah that looks like her."

"What happened to them? Did she...?"

"No fucking way."

"She looks so Emo."

The urgency propelled them through the school doors and onto the grass. Inside seemed safe, but an invisible force had tugged them outside. Mira, panting, finally found her voice.

"Who are you?" she heaved, her hands on her knees. Her eyes widened and instinctively looked around, before face palming with a groan. She left her tote bag at the bathroom.

"Y/n," you replied, a hint of amusement in your voice. "Nice to meet you, Anna of Arendelle."

She did not look tired at all, if not, looked like she wanted to sleep. Looking like she was far more interested in what to eat for dinner than what just transpired.

Mira blinked once. Twice. Her brows scrunching up and looked a bit disturbed. "Y-You're strong..." 

You snorted. "Thanks, Sherlock." 

You plopped down on the grass, leaving Mira standing there, bewildered. You just stared at the sky, seemingly content to wait. 

Mira, meanwhile, felt like a wreck.

Suddenly, You reached into your pocket, pulling out a lollipop. You unwrapped it and popped it in your mouth.

"Why... why did you save me?" Mira stammered.

"Seriously?" Your voice was laced with disbelief. Turning your head to meet her in the eye. "You looked like those thugs were about to turn you into a purse. Besides, if I didn't want to get involved, I wouldn't have, duh, kind of the whole ordeal." You grabbed the wrapper and playfully tossed it at Mira's face.

Mira swatted it away, her face crinkling in annoyance.

You burst into laughter. "Whoa, chill princess! Pardon me. Listen, you look like you could use a walk back to your class. Still shaken, right?"

"No, thanks," Mira muttered, pride warring with exhaustion.

"First time getting bullied?" You raised an eyebrow, your words got a tad bit softer as well. .

"No," Mira sighed, kind of annoyed that you're in your own way, took pity her. "It's just... everyone at J High gets their fair share of misery."

"That's messed up," You said, a frown briefly replacing your playful smile. "Can't say I ever let anyone get away with it."

Mira's interest piqued. "Really? You stopped them?"

"Took care of them before anyone knew what hit them." Your eyes glinted with something dangerous. There filled ego in your tone.

The words caught in Mira's throat. She desperately wanted to ask you what she was doing at J High, why you'd intervened, but fear kept her tongue tied. This stranger, you, had just saved her, acting with reckless selflessness. Gratitude warred with apprehension.

"I can't thank you enough." Mira bowed despite the awkwardness of it all.

You, with an easy smile, reached out to take her hand. Mira made a startled noise and instinctively pulled away, breaking their connection. "What are you doing?" she questioned, a touch of suspicion coloring her voice.

"Getting you to class, duh," You replied with a playful wink. "Besides, it's the least you can do after I saved you, right?"

Mira felt a pulse throb in her temple. Maybe she contemplated putting her back to the previous fight she had with those thugs rather than her attitude. 

Despite her annoyance, they walked together down the halls. The air, thankfully, was free of the stale tension that had filled the hallway moments ago. Mira stole a glance at you. You were surprisingly beautiful, with an edgy black and red aesthetic that was both striking and intimidating. Unusually slender for someone so strong, You moved with a quiet confidence. Mira could already imagine the whispers and stares you would attract in class.

Of course, You couldn't escape the dread of being the center of attention too. The fight would be all anyone could talk about. 

Sighing, you finally broke the silence.

"What strand are you in?" You asked, hoping to change the subject.

" Fashion and Clothing Design," Mira replied casually. "You?"

" Vocal and Dance department," You answered. "It shows, I guess."

Mira smirked. "Yeah, I figured. So, why J High? Not exactly known for its artistic merit."

You hesitated. "I'm in search of something important." she mumbled, mirroring Y/n's earlier vagueness.

"Uh-huh. Sure."

A thoughtful look crossed Your face. "Uhm... I'm sorry about my personality. I don't... I don't really socialize with much people my age, in actuality."

Mira glanced at her in surprised but the muscle on her face stayed the same. "No problem, its forgiven."

"So are you going to treat me some food later after school or what?"

Are you kidding me?

Mira's vein in her head appeared again.

You laughed out loud, but not too much that neighbor classes would hear. "Oh no, don't worry I'm kidding."

Mira sighed.

Its what Mira have been dreading, for them to reach their classroom. You opened the door and all eyes were on the two of you. The sound of chalk stopped the and the professor adjusted his square glasses, his eyes cannot be seen through the frame. 

"Ms. Kim, why late? And who is this with you?"

"I apologize sir. And she's the transfer student sir, I..."

"She helped me to get to my class sir." You butted in.

"Weird, then why are you not in your class then?"

"She was trying to show me around sir. She was kind enough to do--"

"Nghh okay, okay," The professor waved it off and got back to face the board and the book he has on his hand, seemingly not having the time to care what she was about to say. "Just go back to whatever class you have, dear. And Ms. Kim go back to your seat."

"Yes sir." Mira bowed and gave one last glance to you, bowing to you too with formality before going back to her seat.

While Mira does so, you took notice of the handsome boy on the side of the window. His skin was smooth and delicate with his eyes the perfect size and defined sharpness in the corners of his round eyes, he was sticking like a sore thumb with his features so different and special.

When he noticed you were staring at him, he flinched and covered his face with a cup of his hand. When he looked back to you, you were staring intently, but then shrugged and walk away, making him confused. 

That's the girl who he just saw beating up those students just outside of school!

-

You walked out of the classroom and walked out of the halls. You always skipped class and only came into the classroom only if the classes were to your taste. That's what you did when you're still at high school.

Right now because it's your first day, you'll try to get a taste of what J high is all about in the music industry.

You walked into the classroom and insert experience inside the music classroom.

"Who's that?"

"That's the transferee."

"Sh! she'll hear you."

"Hello?"

Despite tilting your head in a way meant to convey seriousness, Mary couldn't quite mask the unexpected cheerfulness that crept into her expression. you, however, offered no comment.

"Hello!" Mary waved and is fully in front of you. "You must be the new transfer, nice to meet you, my name's Mary."

"Sup, my name's Y/n. Say, do you have any speakers here or something?"

Mary tilted her head to loom at her case and realized that she could play the guitar. "Oh! You're a music type of person. Usually people here sing but come here, I'll lead you to it."

"Thanks, actually nice hair and style, I kin your look."

"That's the first one to ever compliment me, thanks so much." Mary winked. "In exchange can you answer a few of my questions?"

"Throw." She shrugged.

"Were you...?" Mira left her mouth wide open, then putting her mouth on a thin line, putting down a finger that were raised before for emphasis. "Never mind, I wanted to ask you if you could possibly play in one of the bands this upcoming festival. See, I'm the president of this class... and I want people to have a good time. It looks like you play, and no offense I don't know if you're good enough—"

Hou raised a brow.

"—But hey, we all just want a fun time. Are you up with that?"

You thought for a while, attaching the chord to the speaker while kneeling your back away from Mary. "Sure, why not."

"Great. That's awesome." Mary let out a breath.

"Mary! Get back here, I can't believe you left me at rehearsal—!"

The audience watched, transfixed, as you unleashed a torrent of wild guitar. The music, raw and powerful, pulsed through the air, captivating their senses. Your intricate string work was a mesmerizing dance, making it impossible to tear their eyes away.

Even Vin, no guitar virtuoso himself, couldn't help but be awestruck by the pristine clarity of your riffs. Your playing was pure joy, a melody that transcended technical expertise.

Mary's eyes widened in astonishment as the performance concluded. Applause erupted, and she joined in, swept up in the wave of appreciation. But before she could even approach the performer, a throng of people descended upon you. Questions buzzed in the air, compliments showered like confetti, and a collective swoon seemed to ripple through the crowd.

Mary struggled to get out of the crowd and so is Vin Jin.

But you held out a fist, and left everyone. like a row of dominoes, silent.

"Love your energy guys, but you're hurting other people here. Stop it." Your tone got dangerously low. You didn't care about the fame anyways, but you hated how pressed Mary became when everybody suddenly cared about you music.

Everyone back off and let space on each people, starting to become afraid of you.

From the corner of her eyes, you caught the stare of a certain small duke. You winked at him and he blushed profusely.

You went closer to Mary, having a lot of people's eyes on you two "Do you have a studio where nobody can intervene?"

"I—"

"I know somewhere." Vin Jin came front with his hand in his pockets. He sported a jocky jacket with some glasses that he wore inside the room..? "Its where mine and Mary's at. Wanna join?"

Your attention were all on him and you grabbed Mary's hand as Vin Jin led you two to their place.

"The name's Vin Jin by the way. You?"

"Y/n, nice to meet you."

Vin nodded his head, turning his head to her with a smirk. "So you're the new transferee everybody has been talking about."

You scratched her head with a chuckle. "Am I really that famous?"

"You sure are, babe."

Mary slapped him behind his head.

"Stop it, idiot."

I can't help it if other people decided to be stupid and mess with me."

"That's a bit arrogant don't you think?" Mary raised a brow with a smirk.

"Hey, its true." Vin Jn shrugged his shoulders.

"What he said." You grinned.

Mary sweat dropped.

Did I accidentally adopt another idiot.

Your day unfolded with the three of them together. You grabbed lunch and practiced You skills. You noticed Vin Jin's rapping wasn't exceptional; you've encountered better. You offered pointers, but his behavior veered more towards flirting than taking your advice, which made you uppercut him. Mary, 'sensing' her frustration, seconded the sentiment, but Vin just doesn't seem to give a fuck, unfortunately. However, You just sighed, seemingly resigned to enduring the unwanted advances.

Mary was actually very talented in her own game. She even told you that she knew how to fight. Both of you sparred at the studio, even they could be suck idiots. And she was actually really good for someone who's not interested in fighting.

"I'm a lot stronger."

"No one asked, Vin." Mary deadpanned.

No surprise there. Vin Jin was clearly smitten by your fighting skills. His jaw hung slack, and his eyes shone with a newfound admiration. You, curious about his ever-present glasses, asked why he wore them all the time. His response – to look cool – left you with a raised eyebrow. Mary, sensing the awkwardness, intervened with a knowing glance, "Leave it."

When it was the end of the school day, you went home and found a motherfucking motorbike at the front of her apartment.

Like what the fuck.

"Wha... huh!?"

You saw a sticky note at the ribbon that was elegantly put on the front of the motorbike and it read:

Just a little gift. Already missing you, call me immediately after.

love C.

You smiled and folded the paper and pocketed it. "What am i going to do with you now?"

-

Zack, Mira, and Daniel walked at where Mira had dropped her tote bag. Zack trailed behind Mira and Daniel, his jaw clenched tight. The incident still burned, a constant reminder of his failure to protect her. After all, that was his primary function right now, and he'd been rendered helpless. The frustration gnawed at him, fueled further by the lack of any opportunity to retaliate.

"Mira, what happened between you two?" Daniel asked. 

"Did she do something to you? I swear I'll break that bitch even if she's a girl—" Zack met his fist with his palm. 

A hollow smirk flickered across Mira's face, a fleeting attempt to mask the turmoil within. But it quickly faded as her gaze dropped to the floor. The events replayed in her mind, a relentless torment. Shame gnawed at her. How could she not have known how to protect herself? The feeling of helplessness washed over her again, a bitter aftertaste to the ordeal.

"No... No. It's fine. she wasn't mean to me or hurt me, she was just... nonchalant."

"Really? Are you sure."

"Yes, I'm sure." She nodded.

Zack grappled with the news. This was the same girl who'd exploded with violence on first day – a memory he instantly replayed in his head with a silent, ironic chuckle: "Tell yourself that, Zack." But the idea that she hadn't hurt Mira, clashed with the fiery image he'd built of her. Something didn't add up.

Zoe, flanked by one of her less-than-genuine companions, suddenly appeared before them. Intent on gathering some gossip.

Zoe positioned herself beside Daniel, clutching his arm. "Hey, mind telling me what happened between you and that goth freak?"

One of her friend popped in. "Yeah, she was all terribly violent, what happened?"

"Hey," Zack spat. "Get out of our face."

At least Zack wasn't at all discriminatory.

The girls left but not without giving Daniel a flirty look.

"Did she say anything to you?" Daniel asked.

"Why are you so interested Daniel?" Zack spat. 

"I'm interested as well as everybody." He scratches his head sheepishly.

"I just don't know." She remembered how she didn't even stress about the situation. She lived as if no burden was on her shoulders. For some reason Mira envied that. "She was a weird type of fellow. She's on the Music and vocal strand."

Daniel remembered about Duke and how he was saved by her.

"I'm going to beat her to a pulp." Zack mumbled.

"What's wrong with your sense of aggression?" Mira says suspiciously and with a deadpan.

"I'm going to get going guys, lets just see tomorrow what happens." Daniel waved.

"Don't guys us, we're not friends..." Zack muttered under his breath.

"Ugh, I wish at least there's one day without anything happening." 

Mira sighed. Zack waited outside of the girl's bathroom, not embarrassed anymore like he would be the first time she would do this with Mira. (They're childhood friends and he has this labrador behavior, guard dog, rather, and he would follow her to the bathroom and stopping just beside the door and wait like a body guard.) 

Relief washed over Mira as she spotted her tote bag, standing inexplicably upright and pristine amidst the general disarray. A nagging memory surfaced – hadn't the bag been damp from the wet bathroom floor? Brushing aside the doubt, she unzipped the compartment. A single piece of paper lay on top, surprisingly unruffled despite the earlier chaos. Curiosity piqued, she unfolded it. Inscribed on the paper, in clear lettering, was the phrase "My number," followed by a sequence of digits. Her heart hammered in her chest.

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A / n — Just comment for any grammatical mistakes, thank you for reading !