[Nova Mei Quinoa]
It’s my fourth day visiting this bastard—Lumiel Mazibel. He’s been confined to a private room here at San Juanita Hospital.
Four days since Jow beat him senseless on the rooftop of San Juanita University.
Things have gone downhill for both Jow and Clay.
All because of this piece of work—Lumiel Mazibel.
I sank into the only chair in the room.
Silence blanketed the place. There weren’t even any windows—no sunlight, just the dim, stale hum of a ceiling fan spinning above.
“Lean May didn’t see this coming, you know?” I muttered, glaring at Lumiel’s unconscious form. “You just had to meddle.”
A nurse I bumped into earlier told me this fool had actually regained consciousness yesterday.
“I’ve been visiting you every damn day to say something.” My voice rose as my resentment flared. I shot him a sharp look, my fists clenching. If I could crack his skull open and break both his arms, I would.
I leaned my head back against the wall, trying to slow my breath.
“Lumiel Mazibel… I was thrilled when you punched Jow.” I laughed bitterly, unexpectedly. “Do you know how much I missed seeing him alive like that again?”
Then my smile faded.
“But when I saw what he did to you… those cold, indifferent eyes... If Clay hadn’t stopped him, you’d be dead right now.”
My hands trembled as I stared down at them.
“I acted like an idiot again.” I glanced over—and saw his eyes.
He was awake, staring right at me.
> So, you’re finally conscious, you worthless bastard.<
“You’re not just an idiot,” I snapped. “You’re practically asking to die.” I narrowed my eyes. “How are you feeling?”
He gave a weak smile and touched his temple. “My body’s… traumatized.”
His words caught me off guard.
“No one walks away unscathed after provoking *that* monster,” he continued, voice hollow. “Honestly… I should thank you. I’ve been trying to provoke Jow to take me seriously. But after seeing what he did to me—I felt relief. Like I dodged a bullet. No one can match that monster. The only one who could… is dead.”
My hands went cold. Then they started shaking.
“It’s all his fault!” he snapped suddenly, blaming Jow without hesitation.
I shook my head.
“You don’t even know the full truth about Cruzecrin’s death.”
His brows furrowed. His eyes widened.
“He let him die. What other truth could there be?!” he shouted, his voice cracking as he tried to challenge what he thought he knew.
“You’re wrong. Whoever told you that story was lying.”
I smiled at him—a slow, knowing grin.
His jaw dropped slightly. His eyes narrowed. “Are you playing with me?”
“What if I said yes?”
He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “I swear, once I’m discharged, I’ll beat the crap out of you.”
“Try it.” I leaned forward, voice steady. “It won’t end well for you. I can take you in a one-on-one.”
I stood. “But that’s not why I’m here. There’s a reason I’ve been visiting a bastard like you. And now that you’re awake, this’ll be my last.”
“I never wanted you visiting anyway. We're not even close.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be so stingy.” I gave a cold chuckle. “Your gang nearly wiped out mine. Your subordinate broke my arm back then. If Jow hadn’t shown up, we might have ended up in a morgue.”
He didn’t react.
I laughed again, short and sharp.
“Damn. I’m going insane.”
I took a breath. Tried to settle myself.
“Jow didn’t let Cruzecrin die. There were only twenty of those criminals… You really think a group that small could take Cruzecrin down?”
“What are you implying?”
“Cruzecrin had a terminal heart condition,” I said flatly. My tone left no room for doubt.
His head jerked up. “What did you just say?”
> That look—confusion, disbelief. It’s satisfying. If I were still the violent storm I used to be, this room would be drenched in blood by now.<
“He had a heart condition. November 1, three years ago—on his way to what would’ve been his last gang meeting, Cruzecrin passed through a quiet street. He came across a woman being sexually assaulted—twenty men surrounding her. Cruzecrin stepped in. Took down five of them. Then his heart gave out. Just like that. He collapsed and died on the spot.”
I clenched my fists.
“And those bastards… they didn’t stop. They defiled his corpse. Left bruises, broke his bones.”
I stared into Lumiel’s stunned face.
“I’m the only one who knew he was sick. Jow found out by accident—he overheard me asking Cruzecrin about it on a call that day.”
After that, Jow erased me from his life. Chose to forget I existed.
He blamed himself for not being there. His bike had a flat tire. He was supposed to pick Cruzecrin up. He thought it was his fault—took all that guilt on himself. He disbanded the Cruel Sun Gang. Burned his motorcycle. Buried it.”
I stopped. Lumiel was staring at the floor, hands trembling.
> You piece of shit...<
“I survived the mess you caused. The university’s not punishing either of you. But I’ll warn you—stay away from Jow. Don’t talk to him. Don’t provoke him. He’s not the same anymore. If you annoy him again… you’ll die.”
“Our classmates are avoiding him now. Because they finally figured out who Jow really was back in elementary. I’m just lucky no one’s uncovered his past as a gang leader in junior high.”
“I’ll… keep that in mind.”
> You better. One more punch and you’re gone for good.<
I stood up.
“One more thing.”
“What now?” he muttered without looking at me.
“Give up on Clayrin Aisfine Ezz. Jow loves her. And she’s the only one who can fix what’s broken in him. Don’t get in their way. Jow never did anything to deserve your hatred.”
I tilted my head. “You know what Clay said to your unconscious body when we brought you here?”
> “My brother had a great friend. That friend became mine too. He brought joy to my every day. Annoying him became my happiness. When you called him a walking danger, it hurt me deeply. Lumiel Mazibel, I hate people who meddle in others’ lives. I hate you. Stay away from me. Don’t hurt Jow. Don’t take him away from me.”<
“She said that?” he whispered, barely audible. His gaze still fixed on the floor.
I scratched my head. “You and Ruffa lost your love war.”
I turned and walked to the door.
Opened it. Slammed it shut behind me.
I exhaled deeply, chest tight.
I glanced at my watch—a gift from Lean May.
Twenty minutes to six.
> Jow stopped going to the supernatural club room. It’s been four days. I still go—to keep Clay company. But she’s not the same. She forces her smiles. Tries to laugh. But every moment she falls back into silence. That girl’s trapped in love with a storm. How troublesome…<
To be continued.