Chapter 24 - 5.2 : School Festival and Unseen Wounds
Today, Hazandeen felt like a night market.
Colorful balloons, class flags fluttering in the breeze, open tents, and giant speakers blasting high-energy music that only made Al want to fall asleep faster.
The moment he stepped through the gate, Al’s head started throbbing.
Hot, crowded, and... yeah, way too many people.
"AL!! Go change your uniform!" Rina shouted from afar, waving while wearing a school sports jacket.
Al let out a long sigh.
"...This is exactly why I hate joining events like this."
He walked toward the locker room at the back of the school. A quiet place, peaceful, and (usually) free from disturbances.
Usually.
But not today.
As he opened the locker door—Jogo was already there.
Tall posture, broad shoulders, crumpled sports uniform that couldn’t hide his muscular build. A senior in Hazandeen’s Martial Arts Club—the kind of guy who believed everything could be solved with brute force and loud cheers from his squad.