CHAPTER 4: Strings of friendship?

...— • Chapter four • —...

...Strings of friendship?...

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...ELIJIAH'S POV...

For a moment, I just stared at her, my mind struggling to catch up. The way she looked at me, her eyes filled with concern and something else I couldn't quite place, made my heart race even faster. "Elijiah," I finally managed to say, taking her hand again and shaking it, feeling a strange mix of warmth and electricity at the contact. "My name is Elijiah."

Yoonah smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Nice to meet you Elijiah, I didn't mean to intrude. I followed the music here, it was beautiful."

I felt my cheeks flush even more. "Thank you.. I just came here to escape...  Everything." I glanced around the room, feeling a sudden wave of vulnerability wash over me. "This place is where I escape from my problems hahahaha."

"I understand," Yoonah said softly, her gaze sympathetic. "Everyone has a place like that..."

We stood there in silence for a few moments, the air thick with unspoken words. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something extraordinary about this girl, something that made her different from anyone I'd ever met.  Finally, Yoonah broke the silence. "So I presume that you are a student here too?"

I nodded. "Yeah, sort of... I'm trying to look for my path. But my father's expectation is really- something." Yoonah's expression softened even more. As she smiled, shit is this really a ghost or an angel?

 "I know what felt," she said quietly. "Living at people's expectations is really exhausting."  Her words struck a chord with me, and I felt an unexpected sense of kinship with her. "What about you? Are you new here? I've never seen you before." She nodded. "Well- I just enrolled today! But I got lost." She laughed lightly, and I could not help but smile. Her words struck a chord with me, and I felt an unexpected sense of kinship with her. 

"Well, you are not too far off," I said, feeling a sudden urge to help her. "I can show you the way, If you would like."

"I'd appreciate that," Yoonah replied, her smile widening. "Thank you, Elijiah." As we walked through the hallways, I couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was more than just a chance meeting. There was something about Yoonah that drew me in, something that made me feel like I was on the brink of discovering something important.

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...YOONAH'S POV...

Walking beside Elijah, I could not help but feel a sense of relief. Despite the initial shock and confusion, there was something comforting about her presence. She seemed genuine, and her music had touched something deep within me.

"So~ why did you pick this school?" Elijah asked, breaking the silence. 'hmmm... Why did I even pick this school... Father wanted this...' I looked at her and smiled "I guess this school has more opportunities, that's why I gave it a try"

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...ELIJIAH'S POV...

I raised an eyebrow at her response, sensing there was more to her story. "Opportunities, huh?" I said, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "I hope you find what you have been looking for."

Yoonah laughed softly, her gaze flitting to the floor. "Hopefully.." There was a wistfulness in her tone that made me curious, but I decided not to press. Everyone had their reasons for being here, and I had no right to pry.

As we turned a corner, the principal's office came into view. I gestured towards it. "Here we are! The principal's office." Yoonah stopped and looked at the door, then turned back to me with a small smile. "Thanks again Elijiah. I really appreciate your help."

I shrugged, trying to act casual even though her smile made my heart skip a beat. "Anytime. Good luck with your first day of school."

"Thank you," she said again, her voice soft. As she reached for the door, she hesitated and looked back at me. "By the way, your music is really calming. You should share it with more people!"

Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I couldn't respond. Finally, I managed a small smile. "Maybe one day." 'Little did she know I'm already in a band... Cute' I smiled at her as she nodded and opened the door, disappearing inside. I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, trying to make sense of the strange connection I felt with her. She was different—there was no denying that. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like something new and unexpected was about to unfold.

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...YOONAH'S POV...

I closed the door behind me, taking a deep breath to steady myself. Elijah’s presence lingered in my mind, and I could not shake the feeling that meeting her wasn’t a coincidence. She had a warmth to her, a kind of authenticity that was rare in my world.

"Miss Kazumi, I presume? " A calm, authoritative voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see the principal, a tall man with graying hair and a kind expression, standing by his desk.

"Yes," I said, bowing slightly in respect. "I'm Yoonah... Kazumi. I'm here to finalize my enrollment."

He gestured for me to sit, and I took a seat across from him. As he reviewed my documents, I found my thoughts drifting back to Elijiah. Her music, her voice, her smile there was something magnetic about her. "Everything in order," the principal set snapping me back to the present. "Welcome to Sovereign University, Miss Kazumi. I hope you find your time here awarding."

"Thank you sir." I replied managing a polite smile. As I left the office a glance down the hallway half expecting to see Elijiah if she was still standing there. She wasn't but the thought of her brought a small smile to my face.

^^^'She smells nice'^^^

...ELIJIAH'S POV...

After helping Yoonah, I found myself wandering aimlessly through the campus halls, my mind replaying the encounter over and over. There was something about her that I couldn’t place a quiet strength masked by her beauty and politeness. Her presence lingered with me like the melody of a song I could not stop humming.

Back in the music room, I picked up my guitar, my fingers instinctively finding familiar chords. But the notes did not come as easily this time. I strummed a few discordant melodies, frustration creeping in. What is it about her that’s so distracting? I sighed, setting the guitar down and leaning back in my chair. My eyes wandered to the window, where the sunlight filtered through the dusty panes. Yoonah Kazumi...wait have I heard that name before?

Yoonah Kazumi.

Yoonah 

kazumi?

The name danced around in my head like the last note of a song that refuses to fade. It sounded familiar, but not in the usual “I’ve-seen-you-on-TikTok” way. No, this was something else. Like déjà vu with a dash of mystery.Still, it wasn't something I could put my finger on. And trust me, I tried. I even snuck a peek at the student directory app but… nothing. Not a single profile. Not even a default school ID photo. Just a blank space.

Weird.

But honestly? I kind of liked that. She wasn’t trying to be seen. She didn’t seem like the type to crave attention. It made me want to know her more.Just as I was about to sink back into thought (aka: obsess over a girl I met like twenty minutes ago), the door to the music room burst open.

“Ayyy Elijah!”

Ugh. Speak of the chaos gremlins. It was Micah, carrying one cup of overpriced campus coffee and a soda drink and dramatically kicking the door open like we were in an action movie. Right behind him was Reese, munching on chips like it was a full-course meal.

“You ditched us at the café,” Reese said, squinting at me.

“We thought you got abducted by, like, an alien with wings or something.”

“Or ran off to start your solo career,” Micah added, handing me my soda. And I gladly take, “Which would be betrayal, by the way.” I rolled my eyes, taking the coffee.

“I just… needed a moment.”

“Oooh.” Reese flopped onto the beanbag. “A mysterious moment alone? Or a moment with someone mysterious?”

I didn’t answer right away, which was enough of a tell.

Micah’s eyes widened. “No freaking way. Wait—wait. Who was it?”

I shrugged. “Just someone who got lost. I helped her find the principal’s office.” “Lost?” Reese tilted their heads. “Or fatefully drawn to the sound of your heartbreaking guitar solos?”

“She did say she liked my music,” I muttered. Micah gasped like I just confessed to a secret romance. “AND SHE HAS TASTE.”

“Okay, chill,” I laughed, trying not to blush. “It’s not that deep. Her name is Yoonah.” Reese raised an eyebrow. “Yoonah?” Micah tilted his head. “Cool name.”

“Yeah…” I stared at the ceiling for a second.

“There’s something about her. I don’t know what it is yet. But it’s like... she’s hiding something. Not in a bad way. More like... she’s a chapter from a book I haven’t read yet.”

They both went quiet for a bit. Then “Okay, that was way too poetic,” Reese said, throwing a chip at me. Micah nodded, sipping dramatically.

“We get it. You’re in your feelings. Can we rehearse now, or do we need to stage a romantic intervention?” I rolled my eyes, already reaching for my guitar.

“Shut up and tune your bass.” But even as we started to jam, my mind wasn’t fully there. My fingers moved on autopilot, and every chord I played felt like it was echoing something I couldn’t name. Yoonah Kazumi.

...'I didn’t know who she really was. But something told me… I’d be seeing her again.'...

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