Yangvik fanfic modern au part 3
Chapter 3 ig, enjoy !
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Kavik let out a heavy breath, letting his frustration escape with it.
He had been waiting in that alley for over an hour.
His phone was almost out of battery, the place was gloomy, his legs were seriously starting to hurt from standing for so long, and there was absolutely nowhere to sit. Not that he would have sat on the ground anyway.
Qiu had told him to meet him there after school, and he still hadn’t shown up.
Kavik checked his phone for the sixth time.
2% battery, still no message.
He looked up toward the entrance of the alley.
Nothing.
He was seriously starting to wonder whether Qiu had simply forgotten about their meeting.
He could have left. Honestly, he was dying to.
But disappearing without warning someone who ran a small network of dealers seemed like an even stupider idea than waiting there. Kavik might be bold, but he wasn’t stupid.
He nervously ran a hand through his hair.
If I get home too late, Mom and Dad are going to start asking questions...
He was already preparing his excuse.
Probably the same one as always.
“I was doing my homework at the library.”
It had become his favorite. It worked almost every time.
And if it didn’t, he would improvise, just like he had a few hours earlier.
At the thought, the corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile despite himself.
That had gone pretty well. The student council president had completely fallen for it.
He could still picture her gray eyes filled with concern as he told her his story. She had genuinely seemed convinced that he was in danger.
Even though, in his opinion, she was probably overreacting a little. No one could honestly worry that much about someone they had only met a few minutes earlier.
But she had believed him. That was what mattered.
His smile widened slightly.
He had really been good back there.
At last, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the alley.
-Oh... You’re already here? I thought you’d still be in class.
Qiu, finally.
And Kavik already had a headache.
He was the kind of person who could be annoying without even trying. The way he talked, the way he walked, the way he laughed...
-Well, well... What’s with that smile? Were you thinking about your girlfriend?
...Or simply because of the things he said.
Qiu stopped in front of him and grinned. Everything about him made Kavik want to leave the second he showed up.
The smile immediately disappeared from Kavik’s face.
His features hardened just enough; enough to make him look confident, but not enough to provoke him.
-No.
Short and to the point. He had no intention of giving him anything more.
Qiu snickered, nearly dropping the half-smoked cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth.
-Not with me, kid.
He pointed a finger at him.
-I know that smile. It’s either the smile of a guy thinking about a pretty girl, or someone who just got out of some serious trouble.
Technically... it was a little of both.
Kavik didn’t let anything show; no smile, no grimace.
Just a perfectly neutral expression.
Without answering, he opened his bag, pulled out an envelope, and held it out to Qiu.
Qiu opened it immediately.
He gave the contents a quick glance before quickly counting the bills by eye.
-Everything looks in order.
He closed the envelope, then gave Kavik a pat on the shoulder.
-Nice work.
Kavik suppressed the urge to pull away.
He already had a hard enough time putting up with Qiu’s presence. Feeling him put a hand on him only made him want to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
If he had to choose between being stuck there with Qiu or reliving what had happened behind the school with Yangchen, he would have chosen Yangchen without hesitation.
If he had to have a bad time, he might as well spend it with someone pleasant to look at.
-I did what you asked.
His voice remained perfectly calm.
-Now give me what you promised.
Qiu ran a hand through his short hair, visibly satisfied, as if he had been waiting for that exact line.
He dug into the pocket of his tracksuit and pulled out a small stack of bills.
-Here, champ.
He held the money out to him.
-Half of what you’d normally be getting.
Kavik took the bills without taking his eyes off Qiu.
Qiu’s smile widened.
-And since you’ve proven yourself, I can also give you the other half of your reward.
Kavik slipped the bills into the pocket of his hoodie while Qiu crushed his cigarette beneath his shoe.
-Who do you want information on?
He tilted his head slightly.
-A friend? An enemy?
His smile grew wider.
-Or a lover?
Kavik clicked his tongue quietly.
-I want you to tell me everything you know about someone named Kaylaan.
He held his gaze.
-The rest is none of your business.
Qiu brought a hand to his chin.
-Kaylaan...
He looked up at the sky and stayed silent for a few seconds.
-That’s funny.... That name rings a bell.
Obviously, you idiot.
When Kaylaan disappeared, the first thing Kavik had wanted to look through was his phone. But it had disappeared along with him.
Then he'd searched his room.
Every drawer, closet, under his bed, inside his backpack…
Nothing.
So he'd turned to his laptop.
He knew the password, Kaylaan used pretty much the same one on all of his devices.
It was the first time Kavik had truly felt like he was stepping into his older brother's private life.
To his disappointment, he had found almost nothing.
A few class notes, pictures from their old life back in Long Stretch, and ordinary conversations with his friends.
For a moment, he'd even thought Kaylaan had deleted anything that could've been incriminating before he left.
Then he'd come across a contact.
"Qiu Barber."
Four lousy messages.
"-A friend from college gave me your number. Can I book an appointment?
-Hair or beard?
-Both.
-Meet me at this address."
It hadn't taken a genius to figure out that the conversation wasn't really about getting a haircut.
Qiu snapped his fingers.
-Ah, right!
He smiled.
-We actually have someone in common at the university where he's studying.
A tiny spark of hope flickered in Kavik's chest, but he did everything he could to keep the same unreadable expression.
-Have you seen him recently?
Qiu shook his head with a shrug.
-No. Not in a long time.
He looked at Kavik curiously and let out a quiet breath through his nose.
-I only saw the guy once or twice... months ago.
Kavik felt his stomach tighten as the spark went out.
His only lead had just fallen apart.
The reward wasn't really worth what he'd just done.
At least he'd made a little money and earned a few free doses. Although, after what had happened that afternoon, he wasn't even sure he wanted them anymore.
Qiu lit another cigarette.
-But you know what, Kavik?
He slowly exhaled the smoke.
-I like you. I think you've got potential.
His smile took on an almost amused edge.
Then he draped an arm over Kavik's shoulders.
The smell of stale tobacco, sweat, and cigarette smoke immediately soaked into his hoodie.
Help...
Yet another thing that made Yangchen's presence so much more pleasant. At least she smelled like shampoo.
-So here's what we're gonna do.
Qiu gave him a light squeeze.
-I'm gonna ask around about your guy. My network isn't huge, but I know a couple of people who might've crossed paths with him.
Kavik felt his heart speed up despite himself before adding,
-But...?
Qiu paused, then burst out laughing.
-Hahaha! That's exactly what I was talking about.
He gave Kavik a light pat on the back before turning serious again.
-You've got potential.
He finally took a step back.
-In exchange...
He slowly held out his hand toward Kavik.
-You'll do me one tiny little favor.
He waited.
-Deal?
Kavik narrowed his eyes slightly.
He subtly straightened his shoulders, trying to look more confident than he actually felt.
-What kind of favor?
Qiu shrugged.
-You'll find out soon enough.
His smile returned.
-My offer is take it or leave it.
Kavik stayed silent.
He didn't like the offer.
He didn't like Qiu.
He didn't like this alley.
He didn't like this school.
He didn't like this city.
At that exact moment, he felt like there wasn't a single thing left that he liked about his life.
Everything would've been so much simpler if nothing had changed.
Kaylaan would still be here.
He'd still be talking to his friends.
His family would still be laughing around the dinner table like they used to.
And he would've never had to shake hands with someone like Qiu.
Yet that outstretched hand was his only lead.
If he turned it down today, he might never find his brother. Or maybe not for weeks, months, maybe not ever.
He took a slow breath.
Then he reached out his own hand.
-Okay.
He held Qiu's gaze.
-Deal.
And he shook Qiu's hand, putting just enough strength into his grip to hide the slight tremble in his fingers.
A quiet laugh escaped Qiu's throat.
Before Kavik had a chance to react, the man suddenly pulled him into a rough one-armed hug and ruffled his hair as if he were congratulating a little kid.
-You're a good kid, Kavik.
That was the last straw.
Kavik immediately pulled himself free from Qiu's grip, using every ounce of self-control not to lift him the way he would during a wrestling match and slam him onto the ground.
Instead, he grabbed his backpack with a sharp motion and turned on his heel.
Behind him, Qiu's unbearable laughter echoed through the alley.
Kavik didn't even bother responding. He just kept walking without looking back.
Once he was far enough away, he nervously brushed at the sleeves of his hoodie, as if that simple gesture could somehow erase the smell of stale cigarettes and sweat Qiu had left on him.
It was useless, the smell seemed to cling to his skin.
Just like the uneasy feeling that had been tightening around his throat ever since he'd agreed to shake Qiu's hand.
He felt like he'd been played.
Maybe he hadn't thought things through before accepting the deal.
But what else could he have done?
Turning it down might've meant giving up the only lead he had left to find Kaylaan. And accepting it meant sinking even deeper into something he already hated.
Neither option had appealed to him.
He had simply chosen the one that seemed the least terrible.
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie as he walked through the nearly deserted streets.
What if Kaylaan had simply run away?
The thought kept coming back.
Maybe he wasn't in danger.
Maybe there was no conspiracy, no mysterious disappearance...
Nothing at all.
Maybe he'd simply decided to leave.
To leave their parents behind.
To leave him behind, too.
Every time that thought crossed his mind, a dull ache tightened around his chest.
No.
He refused to believe it.
Kaylaan wasn't that kind of person.
There had to be an explanation, there had to be.
The message he'd received was proof of that.
When he finally spotted his house at the end of the street, Kavik took a deep breath.
He had to stop thinking about all of this.
His parents were already worried enough. If they started worrying about him too, they would never make it through this.
He quickly ran a hand through his hair.
His wolf tail was much looser than it had been that morning.
Good, it would make his excuse of being an exhausted student after spending hours studying at the library even more believable.
He pushed open the front door.
-I'm home.
The moment he stepped inside, the delicious smell of food wrapped around him.
His heartbeat seemed to slow, and the weight that had been crushing his chest ever since the alley eased just a little.
This house might never truly feel like home, his real home had stayed behind in Long Stretch.
Even so, coming home to his parents every evening always made him feel a little better.
-That smells amazing. What are we having?
He headed into the kitchen after taking off his shoes.
His mother stood with her back to him, tending to the stove.
Careful not to touch anything, he went straight to the sink to wash his hands.
-Stew.
She closed a food container and placed it in the refrigerator.
-I'm setting some aside for the kids tomorrow.
Kavik smiled despite himself, and she turned around.
-So? How was your day?
She tilted her head slightly.
-You're home later than usual. Where were you?
Kavik's smile faltered for the briefest moment.
He carefully dried his hands before walking over to her.
Just like when he was little, he rested a hand on her shoulder and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Then he recited, almost word for word, the excuse he'd been preparing the entire walk home.
-It was good. I was doing my homework at the library... I just lost track of time. Sorry.
His mother gave him a warm smile.
-Were you studying with friends?
The question.
The same one she asked almost every evening.
And the one he almost always answered the same way.
He looked away for a moment.
-No... I was by myself.
Then he quickly added, as if trying to make up for it,
-But I had lunch with some people from my class!
It was a lie, again.
In reality, he'd bought a sandwich before sitting alone on a bench, his phone in one hand and his lunch in the other.
He had actually enjoyed the quiet, but he also knew this version would reassure his mother a lot more.
Ever since they had moved to Bin-Er, the only person he had really spent time with was Kaylaan.
And now that his brother was gone he was alone.
Truly alone.
Despite the five-year age gap between them, they had always been close.
Kaylaan was the one who had introduced him to wrestling. The one who had picked him up after he crashed his bike. The one who had comforted him when his girlfriend at the time broke up with him.
Kaylaan had always been the driving force of their family.
Back in Long Stretch, whenever he came home from high school, he could spend the entire dinner telling everyone every little detail about his day, keeping the whole table entertained.
The house hadn't become empty after he disappeared.
But it felt different, as if something was missing.
His parents knew how deeply Kaylaan's disappearance had affected Kavik.
So almost every evening, the same questions came back. Have you talked to anyone from your class? Did you eat lunch with somebody today? Have you made any friends yet?
And every single time Kavik lied to them.
His mother looked relieved.
A tender smile lit up her face as she gently cupped his cheek.
-I'm glad. I'm happy you're finally starting to make some friends.
The guilt hit him instantly.
Far worse than the one he'd felt a few hours earlier behind the school.
If there was one person he hated lying to… It was her.
Every lie made him feel like he was cracking something between them a little more.
He gave her a small smile, as genuine as he could manage, then quietly left the kitchen before the guilt had a chance to show on his face.
He walked into the living room, where his father was sitting at one end of the couch.
A laptop rested on his knees, his fingers still typing the last few lines of a work email.
As he walked behind the couch, Kavik absentmindedly rested a hand on his father's shoulder to let him know he was there.
Then, following an old habit, he walked around to the other side of the couch, took a few quick steps, vaulted over the backrest, and dropped heavily into the cushions.
His father immediately looked up from his screen.
The look he gave him was disapproving, but Kavik knew that expression by heart. Ever since they were kids, he and Kaylaan had made a habit of sitting on the couch that way.
Every single time, their father would tell them they were going to break it someday.
So far the couch had always proved them wrong.
Kavik gave him a small, satisfied smile, more teasing than defiant.
-You're home late.
Kavik sank a little deeper into the couch and let out a tired sigh.
-I was at the library catching up on homework. Math took longer than I expected.
His father quietly closed his laptop before setting it on the coffee table.
-Have you given any more thought to going back to wrestling?
Kavik let his head fall back against the couch.
-Dad...
-I'm just saying, you're really good.
His voice stayed calm, almost detached.
-You genuinely loved it. I know we've talked about this before... but I think it's a shame for you to quit just like that.
His mother walked into the living room, drying her hands on a dish towel.
-Your father's right, Kavik. We just don't want Kaylaan's disappearance to stop you from…
She didn't get to finish.
-It has nothing to do with Kaylaan.
The words came out much harsher than he'd intended.
-I just don't like that club.
Silence immediately settled over the room.
When Kavik had arrived in Bin-Er the year before, the captain of the wrestling team had invited him to attend a few practices before deciding whether he wanted to officially join the club the following year.
He had gone, often.
As the weeks went by, he'd started recognizing the other members, talking to them before practice, sometimes even walking home with a few of them after school.
For the first time since they had moved, he had felt like he was slowly beginning to find his place.
Then Kaylaan disappeared.
Overnight, nothing else seemed to matter anymore.
Practice became a waste of time.
So did conversations.
He stopped showing up without telling anyone.
He ignored the few messages some of the team members sent him.
And little by little they all stopped trying.
His parents weren't wrong.
Kaylaan's disappearance had turned his entire life upside down.
The only problem was that Kavik refused to let them be right.
Because admitting it would mean admitting that his brother had left such a massive hole in his life that he couldn't move forward without him.
And he couldn't bear that thought.
His father spoke again, his voice gentle.
-Kavik... we're worried about Kaylaan too…
-Oh, really?
The words escaped before he had a chance to stop them.
He straightened up abruptly.
-Because honestly... it doesn't look like it.
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
His parents' faces held neither anger nor disappointment, only an overwhelming sadness.
And that sadness hurt infinitely more than if they'd yelled at him.
They had always been patient with him,they had given him space, time and they had never pushed whenever he refused to talk.
And he had just thrown those words right in their faces.
Kaylaan was his older brother.
But he was also their son, their first child.
How could he have let himself, even for a second, suggest that they weren't suffering too?
His throat tightened, and a painful knot rose into his chest.
He knew that if he tried to speak now, his voice would crack.
Slowly, he lowered his gaze and his shoulders slumped.
He took a deep breath, searching for the words he needed.
"I'm sorry..."
It was such a simple sentence, so why was it so hard to say?
Before he could open his mouth, three knocks echoed through the house.
All three of them instinctively turned toward the front door.
His mother exchanged a puzzled glance with his father.
-It's getting late... are you expecting someone?
His father gently shook his head.
She gave a small shrug before walking toward the door.
Meanwhile, Kavik stayed motionless on the couch.
He was barely paying attention anymore, his temples throbbed.
Absentmindedly, he rubbed his forehead, hoping the headache that had been following him ever since school ended would finally ease up.
Then the front door opened.
-Good evening. I'm sorry to bother you so late. My name is Yangchen.
The blood drained from Kavik's face.
No.
-I go to the same school as Kavik.
His heart skipped a beat.
No. No.
He shot up from the couch so suddenly he nearly knocked into his father.
-Is he here?
Kavik sprinted across the living room, skidding across the hallway in his socks and nearly wiping out on the tile floor.
When he finally reached the entrance… He saw her.
The only place where he'd felt safe had suddenly stopped being safe.
The student council president was standing on the doorstep of his house.
The same girl who had caught him behind the school. The same girl he'd shared a joint with. The same girl he'd lied to while looking her straight in the eyes.
The two rebellious strands of hair that had slipped loose from her hairstyle a few hours earlier had been carefully tucked back into place.
Her smile was still just as gentle. Just as reassuring.
And yet, those gray eyes still observed the world with that strange precision that made it seem as though no detail could ever escape her.
Yangchen slowly turned her head.
Their eyes met.
Her gaze locked onto him immediately, like a predator spotting its prey.
The warm smile she'd been giving his mother shifted almost imperceptibly.
The slightest twitch at the corner of her lips.
Anyone else would've seen it as nothing more than a subtle variation of her usual smile, made even prettier by her delicate features.
But Kavik understood the message instantly.
Found you...
This afternoon, behind the school, he'd still had the chance to run.
He had chosen to stay.
This time, he was trapped. And there wasn't a single way out.
Shit.
- - -
Yangchen remained standing on the doorstep, her eyes still fixed on Kavik.
She couldn't hold back a smile when she saw him.
There he was, completely frozen, his eyes full of confusion and his jaw just about ready to hit the floor.
When his mother turned toward him, he immediately closed his mouth and forced his expression into one of... mild surprise.
Then she turned her attention back to Yangchen.
-Yes, he's here. Do you need something?
Before Yangchen could answer, Kavik stepped up beside his mother, as if he had miraculously regained his composure.
-Mom, she's the student council president at my school.
He never took his eyes off Yangchen.
His gaze was locked on her, as if nothing else in the world existed.
Yangchen met his stare without the slightest difficulty, the faint smile still resting at the corner of her lips.
Standing side by side, she immediately noticed the family resemblance between Kavik and his mother.
They shared the same almond-shaped blue eyes, slightly tilted toward the temples, and the same nose with its softly rounded tip.
His mother's gaze shifted from her son to Yangchen before one eyebrow lifted in curiosity.
-The student council president? Wow... um... are you two friends?
Yangchen was about to answer, but Kavik was quicker.
-No. I only know her from a distance. We've never actually talked before.
He had clearly decided not to give her the slightest opening.
Without taking his eyes off Yangchen, he subtly frowned every time his mother wasn't looking at him.
Was he actually trying to intimidate her?
Yangchen had to bite back a laugh.
The image of Kavik, just a few hours earlier, blushing bright red behind the school, instantly came back to her.
He had plenty of qualities, but being intimidating definitely wasn't one of them. She simply couldn't take him seriously anymore.
-Oh... I see...
The hint of disappointment in his mother's voice pulled Yangchen out of her thoughts.
She finally spoke.
-It's true, we don't really know each other. We've only ever seen each other from a distance.
I'd completely forgotten you even existed until today.
She naturally went along with the lie he had just created.
She briefly glanced at Kavik, and for a second, she expected to see his shoulders relax.
Nothing; he kept staring at her with the same wary look, watching her every move, every single word that might come out of her mouth.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.
A man, a little taller than Kavik, appeared in the doorway.
His father, without a doubt.
Unlike his mother, Yangchen didn't see much of a physical resemblance between him and his son. Maybe only their broad shoulders and the way they both naturally stood up straight.
-What's going on?
His gaze immediately landed on Kavik.
Yangchen watched him try to keep a calm expression. It was convincing.
His eyes, however, told a completely different story.
They were tense, constantly shifting, as if he were running through a dozen different answers all at once.
She immediately put on her warmest smile and held out her hand to his father.
Adults usually appreciated that kind of gesture.
It made you seem mature and trustworthy.
Shoot. I should've done the same with his mom.
-Good evening, sir. I'm sorry to bother you so late. My name is Yangchen.
The man shook her hand gently.
Judging by the size of his fingers and the firmness of his grip, Yangchen had no trouble imagining that he could've crushed her hand without the slightest effort.
Instead, he let go almost delicately.
-Yes, yes, I heard. But is everything alright? Is there a problem?
He immediately turned toward his son.
-Did Kavik do something?
Kavik parted his lips, but no sound came out.
Of course he'd done something, just a few hours earlier, he'd confessed to selling drugs on school grounds.
He slowly closed his mouth again, seemingly unable to decide what the best reaction would be.
Deny it? Impossible.
Admit it? Even worse.
For now, everything depended entirely on Yangchen.
She could expose him.
Right here, right now.
She'd know for certain he wouldn't do it again anytime soon, but she wasn't that kind of person.
-Well... Kavik did me a huge favor earlier today.
She took her phone out of her bag, revealing the small pendant hanging from its case.
-I lost this pendant this afternoon.
She gently took it between her fingers.
-It means a lot to me. My older sister and I have had matching ones ever since we were little.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the pendant.
-I looked for it everywhere. I was honestly devastated when I thought I'd lost it.
She looked back up at his parents.
-And Kavik found it for me.
The two of them exchanged a glance, visibly taking a moment to put all the pieces together.
Then his mother simply asked.
-And you came all the way here this late... just to thank him?
Yangchen played the exact same card she had with Mr. Boma.
The difference this time was that she wasn't improvising anymore.
She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before lowering her eyes slightly.
-Well... yes... I...
She gave the same small, embarrassed smile she had worn just a few hours earlier.
-I just couldn't wait until tomorrow. I really wanted to thank him in person.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the slight twitch in Kavik's jaw. She almost felt like he was about to implode.
It was almost endearing.
Kavik's mother exchanged a discreet glance with her husband, an amused smile was already tugging at the corner of her lips.
Maybe they were getting the wrong idea.
But after what had happened with Mr. Boma, Yangchen could handle it.
At this point, one more misunderstanding wasn't going to make much of a difference.
Kavik's father gently nudged his son aside to clear the doorway.
-That's very thoughtful of you. Please, come in!
Despite his calm expression, Yangchen immediately noticed the disapproving look Kavik shot at his father.
The situation was clearly slipping out of his control.
And, much to her own surprise, she found it incredibly amusing.
She stepped inside the house and took off her shoes, carefully lining them up against the wall.
Next to them, Kavik's shoes looked as though they'd been kicked off in a hurry, one almost lying on top of the other.
His mother warmly rested a hand on Yangchen's shoulder, a broad smile on her face.
-Make yourself at home. Really, don't be shy.
If I actually made myself at home, I'd already be asleep on the couch in under a minute.
Instead, she politely followed Kavik's parents into the living room.
They invited her to sit at the small table, while Kavik lingered behind for a few seconds, still watching her with the same guarded expression.
-That's very kind of you. Thank you so much. But please, don't go to so much trouble for me. I don't want to bother you this late.
Kavik's father headed toward the kitchen.
-Don't worry about it. This is the first time Kavik's ever brought someone from school over. Would you like some coffee? Tea?
-I didn't bring her. She invited herself...
Kavik muttered the words under his breath.
No one seemed to hear him except Yangchen.
She had to bite back a laugh, which immediately seemed to irritate him even more.
-I don't really like coffee, but I'd love some tea. Thank you.
His mother sat down in the chair to Yangchen's left while waiting for her husband to finish preparing the drinks.
Kavik, meanwhile, took the seat directly across from her.
Of course.
He wanted to keep her in his line of sight.
To watch her every move, make sure she didn't say anything that could put him in trouble.
Yangchen gave him a small smile.
A genuine one this time.
Ever since she'd stepped through the front door, she'd been trying to tell him just one thing.
I'm not going to say anything. You can breathe.
But every single time, Kavik answered with the same suspicious look, as though he stubbornly refused to believe she could possibly be on his side.
He raised an eyebrow slightly before continuing,
-I found your pendant on the ground and turned it in to the lost and found. I had no idea it belonged to you. How did you know I was the one who turned it in?
His mother immediately turned to Yangchen.
She didn't see the small, satisfied smile Kavik shot their guest.
Yangchen held his gaze for a few seconds.
Oh... so that's how you want to play?
He had just made his opening move.
A direct attack.
Clean.
Carefully calculated.
Fine, she could play too.
-I ran into someone from the wrestling club who saw you turn it in. He recognized you and told me about it.
Her heart sped up just a little, she truly felt like she was playing a game of chess against Kavik.
Every sentence moved a piece.
Every silence was a chance to study the board.
And one wrong move could hand the other player an opening.
-So... you came all the way here just to thank me?
Another move forward.
Kavik had pushed another pawn, clearly trying to force her into revealing her position.
Her turn.
-Exactly. Like I told your parents, I was too impatient to wait until tomorrow. I really wanted to thank you in person.
She watched Kavik's mother's expression soften at her words.
Kavik, meanwhile, rolled his eyes.
The diversion had worked.
For now.
-And how did you know where I lived?
This time, he advanced a more important piece.
Maybe his knight.
An attack from an angle. Harder to anticipate.
Just then, Kavik's father returned and set a cup of tea in front of Yangchen.
She thanked him before gently wrapping her hands around the cup.
-The same guy from the wrestling club. He told me you'd once mentioned what neighborhood you lived in. After that, I just got lucky, I happened to see you walking home from a distance. Since I couldn't find you at school, I had to improvise.
She lifted the cup and took a small sip.
A small gambit.
She had sacrificed part of her story to make the rest of it more believable.
Now it was Kavik's turn.
All he had to do was play the piece she'd just handed him.
-I thought you were at the library?
Kavik's mother frowned, clearly confused.
The game froze.
Yangchen slowly turned toward Kavik.
He understood immediately.
Without meaning to, his mother had just flipped the board.
His eyes darted from his mother to his father.
Yangchen caught the thin bead of sweat sliding down his temple.
So Kavik had lied to his parents.
And without even trying, she might have just put him in check.
Oh... naughty little liar...
-But... but I was! I don't understand how she could've missed me.
A rushed defense.
Bad strategy.
Too fast.
Too obvious.
Yangchen gently set her cup back down and tilted her head slightly.
-And yet... I'm sure I never saw you.
She met Kavik's eyes and held them.
He was looking for a way out.
Any open square. Any escape at all.
But he looked cornered.
One more careless move and the game would be over.
Yangchen let a few seconds pass.
Then she decided to move one of her own pieces for him.
-Ah... but I never went all the way to the tables in the back.
For the briefest moment, Kavik froze completely.
Then his expression changed. He understood.
Yangchen had just opened an escape route for him.
A huge one.
She had moved her rook to shield her king, covering his lie.
Their eyes met once again.
-Yeah!
The words burst out of him immediately.
-Yeah, that's it! In the back, on the right, behind the exam prep books!
He turned to his parents, rushing to build on the story before they could ask another question.
-They're isolated tables all the way in the back of the library. That's where people go when they don't want to be disturbed.
His parents' expressions gradually relaxed.
The explanation seemed to satisfy them.
Kavik had escaped check this time.
He turned his attention back to Yangchen.
For just a moment, she thought she caught a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.
She answered with a small smile before taking another sip of her tea.
The game wasn't over, but for now she had protected her king.
This time, he could finally breathe.
For a few moments, the conversation flowed naturally. The atmosphere had relaxed.
Kavik's parents chatted easily, asking a few questions about school and her classes. Yangchen answered naturally, almost recovering the sense of calm she'd felt before ringing their doorbell.
-That's a beautiful name, Yangchen. It's from the West, isn't it?
-That's right. My mom was born there and spent a good part of her life there. My dad, though, is from here.
His parents seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.
Kavik, meanwhile, remained silent.
He hadn't asked a single question since she'd arrived. He simply watched every word that left her mouth as if he were waiting for her to make one wrong move.
-Do you still go back there sometimes?
His mother asked.
-To visit my aunts, yes. But I haven't been back in about two years. So I try to call them as often as I can.
Kavik's father smiled nostalgically.
-It's funny... We've only been living here for a few months, and I'm already looking forward to going back North during vacation.
Yangchen slowly looked up.
-Do you still have family there?
-Oh, absolutely. Our parents, our brothers, our sisters... the whole family is still there.
Time seemed to slow.
Yangchen froze, her teacup suspended just a few inches from her lips.
Beside her, she heard Kavik nearly choke on his drink.
She slowly turned toward him.
But... Kavik told me...
The memories from that afternoon came rushing back one after another.
His empty stare. His trembling voice. His supposedly sick grandparents.
The debts. The loneliness. The weight he'd seemed to carry for years.
Then, at last, the pieces began falling into place.
One, then another, then the entire game.
He had lied to her. He had looked her straight in the eyes and lied.
Yangchen felt a laugh rise in her throat. She barely managed to hide it behind her teacup.
How could I have fallen for it?
She was the one who always noticed the smallest details.
The one who spent her time observing people.
And she'd let herself be fooled by a boy she'd known for less than a day.
Today's really wasn't my day.
She gently set her cup back down.
Her eyes drifted back to Kavik.
He was still trying to wear that calm, almost confident expression.
But now that she knew, she could see the cracks.
His shoulders were just a little too stiff, his jaw was clenched,his fingers kept nervously tapping against his cup and he hadn't taken his eyes off her for a single second.
Like a chess player who had just realized he'd left his queen unprotected.
He was thinking.
Fast. Far too fast.
Already searching for his next move, his next lie, his next escape.
And without even realizing it, he had revealed the position of every single one of his pieces.
Yangchen felt something shift deep inside her.
Up until now, she had come here with only one goal :To help Kavik, to protect him.
To stop him from sinking any deeper.
Now it felt as though someone had overturned the chessboard.
She was sitting in the middle of his living room, in front of his parents, at the very heart of the only place where he still believed he was safe.
And if she wanted to she could knock down every piece he'd worked so hard to protect.
Kavik was completely at her mercy.
Yangchen gave him a broad smile.
This time, Kavik flinched ever so slightly. Barely noticeable but she saw it.
Finally.
Ever since she'd stepped into this house, he had done everything he could to stay in control.
Every question, every glance, every answer.
Each move had been carefully calculated.
He'd advanced his pieces cautiously, always looking for a way to regain the advantage.
Except the game had just changed, and he had only now realized it.
Yangchen calmly finished her tea before setting the cup back on the table.
-Thank you very much for the tea. It was delicious.
Her voice was gentle.
Her smile remained as warm as ever.
Nothing about her betrayed the fact that she could no longer taste the tea.
All that remained was a faint bitterness. The taste of defeat.
Not because Kavik had lied to her. But because she'd believed him.
She had believed him.
In just a few minutes, Kavik had led her exactly where he'd wanted her to go...
Without her ever noticing.
Normally, she spotted liars with ease.
The hesitation. The eyes. The stories that didn't quite add up.
It had become second nature, she rarely accused anyone unless she was absolutely certain.
How had she let herself be fooled so easily?
Was she tired? Had she been too empathetic? Or was Kavik simply that good of a liar? Maybe all three.
She almost wanted to laugh.
She had fallen for it so completely that the whole thing felt ridiculous.
Calmly, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Her student council president mask had already slipped back into place. As if nothing had happened at all.
-Kavik?
She hadn't raised her voice, she had simply said his name.
Yet the boy immediately stiffened.
His parents turned toward him as well.
-Could I talk to you for a minute?
Her request was accompanied by nothing more than a warm smile.
To anyone watching, she simply looked like a student who wanted to thank a classmate one last time.
But Yangchen immediately caught the look in Kavik's eyes.
He was searching for an explanation, a clue, anything that might tell him what she was thinking.
I'm not giving you anything.
His mother looked at her son, then back at Yangchen.
-Of course. Go ahead.
His father nodded with a smile.
-Yeah, take your time.
Kavik, however, stayed frozen for a second.
As if he were still hoping to find an excuse to refuse.
Then, when he realized he had none, he discreetly took a breath before standing up.
-...Come on.
His voice was much colder than before.
Yangchen stood as well.
As she walked past him, she noticed he was carefully avoiding her gaze.
He was thinking at full speed, trying to predict her next move.
Keep thinking. You won't figure it out.
She followed him upstairs.
The house felt warm.
The walls were decorated with traditional Northern decorations, a few framed landscapes from back home hung in the hallway, and several plants were arranged along the landing.
Everything about it breathed the quiet warmth of a simple family life.
Yangchen immediately understood why Kavik had panicked so much when he'd seen her at the front door.
This place was his last refuge. And she had walked into it uninvited.
They stopped in front of a bedroom door.
Kavik opened it and stepped inside first. Yangchen followed.
The room couldn't have been more different from the rest of the house.
A bed, a desk, a chair, a wardrobe.
Nothing more and nothing less.
No posters, no books lying around. Not even a plant or a decoration.
Everything had been neatly put away.
Almost too neatly.
It was clean. Very clean.
But incredibly empty.
The kind of bedroom that felt like no one had ever truly decided to live in it.
Her eyes slowly swept across the room before a small smile appeared on her face.
-So... you're either really bad at decorating, or you're a big fan of the hospital-room aesthetic?
Kavik closed the door behind them. The click of the lock echoed through the silence.
The instant they were alone, something changed.
The embarrassment he'd shown in front of his parents almost completely vanished.
He was no longer the panicked boy from the living room.
He was becoming the same boy she'd met behind the school. Colder, sharper.
He folded his arms.
-Alright. Now that we're alone... be honest.
His eyes met hers.
-What exactly do you want from me? Why are you here?
Then came one last question, spoken much more slowly.
-And more importantly... how did you know where I live?
Yangchen continued looking around the room as though she hadn't even heard half of his questions.
Her fingertips lightly brushed across the desk.
There were only a few perfectly aligned pens and a laptop.
She finally turned back toward him.
-You know what actually bothers me?
Kavik didn't answer.
She locked her gray eyes onto his.
-It's not even that you lied to me.
Silence.
-It's that I believed you.
A small laugh escaped her.
This time, she didn't even bother trying to hide it.
-Me.
She gently shook her head.
-Honestly... it's almost insulting.
A smirk appeared on Kavik's face. The first one since they'd come upstairs.
-It's not my fault I'm that good of an actor.
Yangchen watched him for a few seconds.
Then her own smile widened. He was still doing it.
Even now, even after being exposed.
He still refused to give up the game.
And strangely enough, she was actually starting to enjoy playing against him.
Yangchen calmly folded her arms.
-Lying to a girl who's genuinely worried about you... aren't you even a little ashamed?
Kavik simply shrugged.
-I've never been a very sentimental person.
She watched him for a few more seconds, he answered with such ease.
As if none of this had ever affected him. As if their conversation that afternoon had never happened.
She tilted her head slightly.
-What happened to your pretty smile?
He raised an eyebrow.
-Excuse me?
-The one you had behind the school. The one with the "Ladies first"... the little jokes... the big attitude.
An amused smile tugged at her lips.
-I liked that version of Kavik.
He let out a quiet scoff.
-Sorry to disappoint you.
He stepped closer, subtly straightening his shoulders.
He was clearly trying to regain the upper hand.
-But I still think you've got some nerve coming here to lecture me.
Yangchen didn't move. She looked almost offended by the accusation.
-Oh, really?
-You think I didn't notice?
He vaguely gestured toward the floor below.
-The big smiles. The sweet eyes. The compliments. You do the exact same thing.
He let the words hang for a second.
-You charmed my parents in five minutes.
Yangchen didn't answer right away.
Instead, she stepped toward him. Slowly.
Her hands clasped behind her back, the way she often stood whenever she wanted to appear perfectly calm.
Now, barely three feet separated them.
-So?
A faint smile spread across her lips.
-Did it work on you?
Kavik immediately wrinkled his nose.
Touché.
For a brief second, Yangchen saw the exact same expression he'd worn behind the school when she'd caught him blushing.
He almost looked away before forcing himself to recover.
-Alright. I lied.
His voice was colder now. He shrugged.
-Now what?
He pointed a finger at her.
-What are you gonna do? Tell my parents? Report me to the principal?
He looked her straight in the eyes.
-Because if you do, I can report you too.
His voice took on an almost triumphant edge. Yangchen blinked once.
-Oh, really?
-You got high on school grounds. And I can even tell them you've been following me all the way to my house.
A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
-That wouldn't look too good for the student council president, would it?
Silence filled the room for two seconds.
Then Yangchen burst out laughing, a real laugh.
Not the polite one she reserved for adults ;the kind that made her eyes squint ever so slightly.
Kavik stood perfectly still, caught completely off guard by her reaction.
She discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
-Kavik...
She took a moment to catch her breath.
-Are you seriously trying to blackmail me?
The boy remained silent.
Still smiling, Yangchen slowly shook her head.
-You really don't understand the position you're in.
She took one last step forward. Now only a few inches separated them.
Her smile hadn't disappeared, but it wasn't warm anymore.
She never looked away from his eyes.
-I'm the student council president, Kavik.
Her voice remained calm. Almost gentle.
-I have some of the best grades in the entire school. The teachers trust me without question. The principal gives me responsibilities most adults wouldn't even be trusted with.
She gave a slight shrug.
-And generally speaking...people believe me.
She didn't feel any particular pride listing those things.
Quite the opposite.
She hated using her reputation against someone.
But today, she felt she had earned the right to be a little unfair.
Her eyes slowly traveled over him.
-You, on the other hand...
She deliberately let the sentence hang.
Her gaze dropped to his backpack resting beside the desk before returning to his face.
-You're a very good liar.
A faint, amused smile appeared on her lips.
-A really good one.
She tilted her head slightly.
-You're smart. You think fast.
Then, almost despite herself.
-And you're actually pretty good looking, if I may say so.
For the briefest moment, Kavik froze completely.
The tips of his ears turned the faintest shade of pink, and his pupils widened for a split second.
Then he immediately forced his face back into a neutral expression, as though nothing had happened.
Yangchen noticed.
Touché, again.
She continued as if she hadn't seen a thing.
-But then what?
Now they were only inches apart. She slowly lifted her eyes to meet his.
-In your opinion, who do you think they're going to believe?
Kavik swallowed discreetly, but he didn't back away.
Yangchen could feel the confidence he'd been projecting since the beginning began to waver.
Only then did she take a step back.
She didn't need to go any further, the message had gotten across.
-Then go ahead. Go tell the administration that the student council president shared a joint with you.
She shrugged.
-I'm not going to stop you.
She turned away from him and casually began walking around the room again.
Her fingertips brushed along the edge of the bookshelf, then over the back of the chair.
A faint smile escaped her.
-You know...
She looked around the empty bedroom once more.
-I really thought I came here to help you.
She meant it. Just a few minutes earlier, she'd genuinely believed Kavik simply needed someone to reach out a hand.
She stopped, then slowly turned back toward him.
Her smile had disappeared.
Without asking permission, she sat down on the edge of his bed, the mattress sinking slightly beneath her weight.
She crossed one leg over the other and calmly rested her hands on her knee.
-Now, I mostly want to make sure you'll never be able to look me straight in the eye and feed me another lie.
Kavik frowned.
-So what exactly do you want? An apology?
Yangchen slowly shook her head.
-An apology?
A quiet laugh escaped her.
-What good would that do? The damage is already done.
Kavik remained standing in the middle of the room. His arms were crossed, still completely on guard.
Yangchen watched him for a few seconds before speaking again.
-It's ridiculous...
She lowered her eyes to the wooden floor for a moment.
-I usually spot things like this almost immediately.
She looked back up.
-And yet you completely fooled me.
Silence settled between them. Then she smiled.
-Congratulations.
Kavik didn't move. He clearly couldn't decide whether to take it as a compliment or an insult.
Yangchen continued calmly.
-But that's unfortunate for you Kavik, because I hold grudges.
Kavik raised an eyebrow.
-What's that supposed to mean?
She stood up and calmly walked around the bed.
-It means I'm still going to help you.
Kavik watched her move across the room without moving himself, following her only with his eyes.
-It's just that...
She stopped in front of the door, resting one hand on the doorknob.
-I'm not going to ask for your opinion anymore.
She cracked the door open, then looked back at him one last time.
Her smile had returned.
Gentle, almost kind.
Kavik suddenly stiffened, as though he could sense danger approaching.
-Starting today..,I’m going to keep an eye on you.
Before he had time to answer, she pulled the door completely open.
-Wait… Hold on... President!
Yangchen was already outside.
She shut the door behind her, slowing Kavik down.
Too late. Once again, he was one move behind on the chessboard.
She was almost running down the hallway, careful not to slip.
She hurried down the stairs, almost skipping, an amused smile playing on her lips.
Behind her, she could hear Kavik's hurried footsteps as he desperately tried to catch up. She glanced back one last time to make sure he wasn't about to trip.
She reached the living room, where Kavik's parents were clearing away the teacups.
They looked up at Yangchen with puzzled expressions.
Yangchen clasped her hands in front of her and offered them her most polite smile, as though she were about to deliver a formal announcement.
-Mr. and Mrs. Wolverine… I have an important announcement.
Kavik finally rushed into the living room, slightly out of breath. He immediately opened his mouth.
-Wait, I can expla…
-Starting today, Kavik is officially the new treasurer of Bin-Er High School's student council.
Yangchen cut him off as naturally as if she'd been announcing the weather.
Silence.
Kavik's father blinked several times.
His mother looked at her son, then at Yangchen, before looking back at her son.
-I'm sorry?
Yangchen's smile never changed.
-The position has been vacant for a few weeks. I happened to be looking for someone reliable to help manage the clubs' budget.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kavik slowly turn toward her, staring with wide eyes.
-Kavik seems to have every quality I'm looking for. His math grades are excellent, he's quick-thinking, and above all...
She turned toward him.
-...he's an honest person.
She deliberately emphasized the last words while looking him straight in the eyes.
A carefully calculated attack.
Then she continued.
-And since I'm especially busy this year, I've also decided to make him my personal assistant.
The silence that followed was even longer.
Kavik's mother instinctively covered her mouth with one hand.
Kavik searched for words, shooting Yangchen an almost desperate look.
She had to make a genuine effort not to laugh. Instead, she kept a perfectly professional expression.
His mother's face lit up.
-Wait... does that mean Kavik is finally going to get involved at school?
Yangchen nodded gently.
-Yes. And I'm counting on him a lot.
She immediately felt the murderous glare Kavik was giving her. She carefully avoided looking back at him.
-It's an important responsibility. We'll have to work together almost every day. I'll guide him at first until he gets settled in. Don't worry… I won't be letting him out of my sight.
Kavik swallowed at those last words.
His mother smiled warmly.
-That's wonderful!
She rested a hand on her son's shoulder.
-See? I knew you'd eventually find something to get involved in.
Kavik forced a smile that looked much more like a grimace.
-Congratulations. I'm proud of you,
his father added with a small smile.
Yangchen noticed something shift in Kavik's expression.
For a second, he almost looked guilty.
He opened his mouth, as if he were about to stop everything. As if he were about to admit that none of it was true.
Then his eyes met Yangchen's. She gave him a perfectly pleasant smile.
A smile his parents interpreted as kindness.
He read something entirely different.
Go ahead. Just try.
He slowly closed his mouth again.
-...Thank you.
His mother briefly wrapped him in a hug.
-I'm so happy you're finally starting to fit in.
Yangchen turned toward Kavik one last time.
This smile was meant for him alone.
It was still gentle. Still perfectly polite.
But now, he understood exactly what it meant.
From today on, he wasn't going to slip away from her anymore.
Checkmate, Kavik.
