Meanwhile, inside Daffodil Academy, Leo was hardly paying attention in class.

Even though the teacher continued explaining the lesson at the front, his thoughts remained elsewhere entirely.

Ever since Theo unexpectedly showed up near the restricted area with those older boys, something about the situation had continued bothering him.

Those boys clearly didn’t look like students.

And the way Theo acted around them felt strange too.

"Leo?"

Mia’s voice suddenly pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Are your parents coming to the annual function?" she asked curiously.

But Leo didn’t respond immediately.

His eyes remained fixed on his notebook while his thoughts drifted away once again.

Mia and John immediately exchanged worried looks.

It wasn’t until John lightly shook Leo’s shoulder that he finally snapped back to reality.

"Huh?"

Leo blinked several times before looking at them in confusion.

Both of his friends stared at him suspiciously.

"I’ve been noticing you all morning," Mia admitted honestly. "You’ve been distracted since class started."

John quickly nodded.

"Even during math class," he added. "Teacher Maria called your name twice before you answered."

That alone was unusual.

Leo normally loved answering math questions. Half the time, he solved problems before the teacher even finished asking them.

But today?

He looked completely absent-minded.

"Is everything alright?" John asked carefully before lowering his voice. "Is Nate bothering you again?"

Even though Nate had been acting strangely polite recently, neither John nor Mia fully trusted him yet.

After all, he had caused Leo enough trouble before.

Both of them quietly waited for Leo’s answer.

But instead of replying seriously—

Leo suddenly burst into laughter.

Both Mia and John jumped slightly in surprise.

John slowly leaned toward Mia and whispered dramatically, 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Something is definitely wrong with him. He never laughs randomly like this."

Mia nodded immediately while staring at Leo suspiciously.

Meanwhile, Leo finally calmed down and shook his head helplessly.

"You’re both worrying for no reason," he said.

"Then why are you acting weird?" Mia asked immediately.

Leo quickly searched for an excuse.

"I was just thinking about the annual function skit," he answered casually. "I know I’ll remember my lines, but I’m still nervous."

John narrowed his eyes.

"You?"

"Yes."

"The Leo Emerson I know doesn’t get nervous."

Leo ignored him completely and continued speaking.

"My mother is going to watch the performance too."

The moment those words left his mouth, both Mia and John froze.

Then slowly, they turned toward each other in shock.

"...Your mother?" John repeated carefully.

Mia’s eyes widened slightly.

Now they were absolutely sure something was strange.

Leo instantly noticed their expressions.

"What?" he asked defensively.

John blinked.

"Leo... since when do you have a mother?" he asked out of pure curiosity.

Mia immediately elbowed him.

"John!"

She shot him a warning glare, making him quickly purse his lips.

Meanwhile, Mia turned back toward Leo more carefully.

"Leo... what are you talking about?" she asked gently.

Leo smiled slightly.

He knew his friends were confused.

Everyone at school believed he only had Xander as his father. Nobody really knew anything about his mother.

Even Leo himself had never openly talked about it before.

"You heard me right," he said quietly. "My mother is coming to the annual function."

His face unconsciously brightened at the thought of Ivy.

"She even said she’d cheer for me."

Mia instantly became curious.

"Now I want to meet her too," she admitted honestly.

John immediately nodded.

"I’m sure she’s really pretty too."

Leo looked oddly proud hearing that.

After chatting with them for a little longer, Leo finally excused himself to head toward the restroom.

But halfway down the hallway, his steps slowed.

Not far away, he noticed Theo standing together with Nate and a few others.

Instantly, yesterday’s memory resurfaced in his mind.

The older boys.

The threats.

The mention of money.

Leo quietly frowned.

’Should I tell a teacher?’ he wondered internally.

Technically, it wasn’t his business.

But hearing those boys threaten Theo yesterday had genuinely bothered him.

’What if they come back today?’

After thinking for a moment, Leo decided he should at least observe things properly first before involving adults.

With that thought, he quietly continued walking away.

Meanwhile, further down the hallway, Nate and Theo had already started heading back toward class together.

Suddenly, Theo spoke.

"So... what did you decide about visiting the gaming studio?"

Nate paused slightly.

Honestly, he had been thinking about it ever since Theo first mentioned it.

A famous gaming studio opening nearby sounded exciting.

But sneaking out after school?

That part was difficult.

"My driver waits outside every day," Nate admitted quietly. "I don’t think I’ll be able to come."

His expression dimmed slightly.

As much as Nate complained about rules, he knew better than anyone how strict his father could be.

If he got caught disobeying him, the punishment would definitely be severe.

Theo’s expression immediately changed.

"But I thought you wanted to try the new game," he said quickly. "The owner even added a special discount today."

Nate looked slightly tempted again.

Meanwhile, Theo secretly clenched his fists.

’I need to get him out of school somehow,’ he thought anxiously. ’Or those guys are seriously going to beat me up.’

Unlike Nate, Theo didn’t come from a wealthy family.

His father owned a small grocery store while his mother stayed home taking care of the house. The only reason Theo even got into Daffodil Academy was because one of his father’s old friends helped him secure admission.

And after joining school, becoming friends with Nate had been surprisingly easy.

Theo carefully looked at Nate again before speaking in a softer tone.

"You know..." he began casually, "everyone’s going."

Nate frowned slightly.

"So?"

Theo shrugged.

"Nothing. I just thought it would finally be something fun outside school."

Then he added deliberately,

"But if you’re scared your father will find out, forget it."

Nate immediately stopped walking.

"What?"

Theo looked away innocently.

"I’m just saying... maybe you don’t want to risk getting in trouble."

The words worked instantly.

Nate’s expression stiffened.

Because more than anything...

He hated being treated like a child who needed constant supervision.

Theo secretly noticed the change in his face and continued carefully.

"Honestly, I thought you’d be the first one brave enough to come."

Nate frowned deeper.

"And if I do come?"

Theo immediately smiled.

"Then we’ll leave before the drivers even notice."

Nate hesitated.

Theo quickly added the final push.

"And besides... it’s not like your father has to know everything you do."

That sentence alone was enough.

After a long silence, Nate finally sighed.

"...Fine."

Theo’s eyes instantly brightened.

"But only for a little while," Nate warned.

Theo quickly nodded. "Of course."

But inwardly, relief flooded through him completely.

Because now...at least those older boys wouldn’t come after him alone anymore.