"Teren, sit down." Teacher Jerad pointed at the seat beside his desk, "I have something important to tell you."

While Teren sits down, Hanon was looking across the whole room and silently watched. Unfortunately, he was too far away to hear what they will talk about.

"It's about your Monthly Exam. While recording all of your scores... well, it's easier to show you." Teacher Jerad opened the record book in front of him and searched for Teren's name before showing him.

"Here are your scores from all of your activities including homework."

Teren looked and found that there are no problems.

"All of your scores are consistently in the range of the passing percentage. Although you always sleep in class, since you're keeping up with the activities, I didn't mind it that much. School is just beginning so I thought I should warn you, Senior High School is stricter than when you're in junior, you get that?"

Teren nodded.

"Okay, so that's that and there's no problem with that. If you keep up with the passing scores, albeit barely, you'll graduate without any problem. However, this is dangerous since just one failing big activity or exam will easily bring your average down to the failing grade. you understand?"

"Yes"

"If only you participate actively in class, your character score may help you but that's your choice. So this is where my concern comes in, surely yours too. Look at your test paper on my subject, science. Didn't you read the instructions that erasure is wrong?"

Teren looked and saw that some of his answers are erased and were changed.

"But... I don't remember erasing it."

"Are you saying that your classmate did it?"

Teren scratched his head and said with uncertainty.

"I'm not sure, I'm weak at remembering things."

"If you think that your classmate did this to you, I can look into the case and if we found out your test scores have been sabotaged, then we can fix your test scores."

"No, that would be fine."

Teacher Jerad didn't expect Teren to choose a blind eye to it.

"You sure?"

"I'll just have to carry my average by doing good at the first Quarterly exams, right?"

"Hmm... okay, if you're not sure maybe you forgot to read the instructions. Just be careful next time."

"Thank you, Sir Jerad."

"Okay, you can go now."

But before Teren stood up, he asked.

"Can I know who checked my test paper?"

"... I guess it's fine telling you. You're not the type of student who looks for trouble and it's not like it's confidential anyway. The checker is Dan."

"Thank you, I just want to know so that the next time this happens, I know who to look first."

"Hm, good thinking."

Teren nodded one last time before standing up. But before he exits the faculty room, he was called by another teacher again and another.

The two of them talked about the same thing Teacher Jerad talked about. However, different names came out other than the name 'Dan'

The other two more are Josh and Eline.

Teren made sure to remember those names well because he forgot who they are.

...

"What do I want? I want to fix what you've done." Iesa coldly replied to Eline's words.

"Haha... when did you care about this?"

Eline tried to act tough but she felt overwhelming pressure from Iesa's stare.

"Just turn yourselves over and you three will be off with a warning from the teachers."

"T-three...?" Josh broke out in cold sweat.

However, both Mike and Catherine found how Iesa phrased her words disturbing. But they couldn't pinpoint what it was.

'Though I don't know what Teren will do to you.'

If only they could hear Iesa's thoughts then they would realize and agree.

"I think Iesa is right, Dan. Before things get big, you should just apologize to Teren." Mike said.

But this met some retaliation from Eline.

"Mike, we all know you have hots for Iesa so don't think you can just side on her with us here!"

"E-eh..?" Mike didn't expect Eline to just say that. First of all, he already gave up on Iesa in fear of Teren but of course, he couldn't say that. Second of all, he's only siding with Iesa only because he agreed with what she said.

"No, Eline, Iesa is right."

"What the fuck, Catherine? You're actually supporting Iesa? Seriously, what is happening here!?"

Eline released her hold on Catherine's arm with a sour expression.

"No! This is enough! I'm going to turn myself up to the teachers!" Dan intercepted and walked over to Iesa.

"I... me too..." Josh followed. Seeing this, Eline's eyes widened.

"Josh, you son of a bitch, this is all your idea!"

"What? Is this true, Josh?" Mike looked at Josh and just noticed how the latter was acting strangely.

"Damnit! Don't talk like you're forced. We all agreed to this!"

Josh finally said it.

Catherine saw Mira's reaction and removed her arm.

"Wow, you acted as if it has nothing to do with you." she sharply. Both Mira and Eline looked down with guilty expressions.

"S-sorry, Catherine, but you and Mike are always Teren this, Teren that so..." Eline's fierceness disappeared.

"So what?" Catherine crossed her arms.

"You two are changing you know. You're getting more and more paranoid and it's because of one guy." Mira said which the others agreed.

"Hmm, so you tried to sabotage Teren's test papers, thinking that he won't do anything about it?"

Iesa finally spoke again.

Mira glared at Iesa and replied with a tone that was anything but mild, different from how she spoke with Catherine.

"Yeah, what can he do? If we show that this dork is just a dork in the end, then Catherine and Mike will finally stop worrying about nothing. If that gangster Nick will do something about it then we can just say..."

Mira stopped her words when her eyes spotted someone behind Iesa.

"Excuse me."

Dan, who was behind Iesa was pushed to the side by a tall guy. Everyone looked at who this person is and felt frightened.

Iesa glanced to her side and saw-

"Nick? Which means..."

Her eyes are more drawn to the person behind Nick.

"T-teren....?!"