Kaiser blinked, his weary eyes narrowing slightly in surprise.

'That’s… unexpected.'

As someone who had always lingered at the bottom rung of society, with little to no achievements to his name and a preference for the quiet solace of a small social circle, Kaiser had never imagined someone like Hazie would recognize him. Not only that, but she had called him by name, without hesitation, and as if they were already familiar with one another.

In a normal situation, anyone meeting Kaiser for the first time would have to ask his name. His lack of presence ensured he was nearly invisible, the kind of guy people only remembered when absolutely necessary. Unlike the popular guys whose names spread like disease, Kaiser had lived in a comfortable anonymity. He had never envied their spotlight before. But now, they have every reason to envy him.

For the first time in his life, Kaiser experienced what it was like to have someone—and not just anyone, but the most popular girl from his school year—know his name without need for an introduction, like a star himself. What were the odds of such a moment?

That said…

'How does she know me?'

In the past, he might have been too surprised or flattered to think critically about it. But after meeting Cia—an unassuming yet brilliant girl who had completely rewritten his expectations—he had learned not to underestimate people. Cia, despite her blindness, was a high achiever, and her ability to outthink others constantly kept him on his toes to the point he felt wary of what he says. Let alone, Hazie. She was above Cia in multiple measurable ways: academics, athletics, wealth, and physical capabilities. In fact, Hazie's genetics are from elites of humanity, gifting her an excellent mind and body.

Kaiser didn’t need long to come to a conclusion. People like Hazie were at the top of society for a reason. They didn’t just achieve greatness by accident. They were raised by the elites, children of families who earned millions—if not billions. Needless to say, those kinds of people weren’t like the average folks struggling to break free from the flow of the world. He easily concluded that Hazie probably knew every single name from her graduating batch, from Class F to Class A. Even the dirt at the bottom, like him, had been remembered.

As this realization dawned on him, Hazie smiled softly, her expression warm and reassuring. The flickering firelight casts an ethereal glow over her delicate features, momentarily distracting him.

She spoke, her voice gentle yet confident.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re Kaiser, right? From Class F? Rank ten in your class. So don’t be surprised if I remember. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Kai. You don’t mind if I call you that, do you?”

Kaiser hesitated for a moment, then mumbled weakly,

“Um… no.”

His voice was hoarse and tired, a reflection of his current state.

Her smile widened slightly, lighting up her face in a way that could probably melt glaciers. “Great. I’m Haziel, but everyone calls me Hazie. My best friends call me Haze. Haziel, Hazie, Haze—just pick whichever one you like.”

Kaiser simply looked at her, his expression unreadable.

'Do popular girls normally have this many nicknames?'

Shrugging off the thought, he redirected his focus to her appearance. Not to admire her beauty, but to study her more closely. Now that he was paying attention, Hazie didn’t look as perfect as she first seemed. Her silky pink hair was slightly disheveled, her cheeks hinted at mild food deprivation, and there were faint bags under her eyes—though her natural charm and charisma overshadowed these imperfections. Her warm smile, soothing voice, and welcoming demeanor radiated an energy that could put anyone at ease.

But Kaiser wasn’t fooled.

If he didn’t know any better, he might have thought this version of Hazie was the real deal. But something about her felt off, as though the girl before him was wearing a mask. And while he couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was amiss, the unease creeping into his thoughts was hard to ignore. The Hazie he remembered from school had been slightly different—distant, perhaps. More untouchable. But who was he to judge?

Especially when she was going out of her way to save his waning life, which he had endless of.

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Kai let out a silent sigh, acknowledging the absurdity of the situation.

'All this because I was stupid enough to sleep on freezing stones.'

Overwhelming weariness had clouded his judgement back then, coupled with the fact that being accustomed to death had changed his mindset.

Hazie, noticing his silence, didn’t seem offended. Instead, she spoke again, her tone as calm and reassuring as before. “I’ll step out for a bit to get you some bedding. Wait here, okay? Don’t worry—I won’t leave you.”

Before he could respond, she shrugged off her expensive blue coat, made of fine white cotton and reinforced with soft leather dyed royal blue. She draped it over him carefully, her movements gentle and deliberate, as if silently promising she would be back.

Then, with one last glance at him, she stepped outside into the cold, leaving Kaiser alone with his thoughts.

Kaiser’s mind was blank for several seconds as he lay there, processing the scene that had just unfolded. Then, a faint and absurd thought surfaced in his mind.

'Am I in heaven?'

No. Far from it. He was still dying of hypothermia, his body cold and numb, his muscles weak, and his blood moving sluggishly through his veins. Sleepiness weighed heavily on his mind, as though inviting him to surrender, but he remained at peace despite the creeping chill overtaking him. Compared to the agonizing deaths he had endured in the past, this felt strangely serene knowing death will never claim him.

Comically, death was the least of his worries right now.

The kiss had been missed, and he had squandered the surreal experience of being stripped by Hazie herself—both opportunities slipping through his fingers like grains of sand. Yet, as disappointing as that might have seemed, this moment wasn’t so bad, either. In fact, it was something far better.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, someone was genuinely caring for him. And that someone was Hazie of all people!

A small, bittersweet smile tugged at his lips.

Kaiser’s memories of being cared for were fleeting and distant, tied only to faint recollections of his parents. They had passed away when he was no older than four or five. He couldn’t be sure of the details—time and childhood immaturity had blurred them into indistinct fragments. After their deaths, he had been shuffled off to a run-down orphanage, where no one had adopted him. He remained there until the orphanage itself shut down.

What followed were hard days spent surviving on the streets through shady means. It was only later, thanks to a government pension program for orphaned children, that he was admitted to an academic institution, before earning himself a scholarship to a university. The financial support was minimal, barely enough to feed him, but it freed him from the crushing need to work all day and allowed him to pursue an education, however difficult the path. Which he later lost hope on due to misdirection.

Through all those years of hardship, Kaiser had no one. No one cared for him when he was sick in his bed, weak, or at his lowest. He had always been forced to claw his way out of the darkness on his own. Perhaps that was why he eventually felt such a strong compulsion to care for Ariella and Cia. Their circumstances had been far different from his, yet he had seen their need, their pain, and knew what it was like to be helpless and alone. He was glad he had done what he could for them. He had no regrets about giving them the care he himself had been deprived of.

And now...

Now it felt like the heavens—or maybe the oceanic skies above this godforsaken place—had finally smiled down on him.

It was his turn to be cared for.

The warmth of Hazie’s words might have been born from pity for a dying man, but Kaiser didn’t care. He had learned to savor fleeting moments of kindness when they came, no matter the reason.

'Let me enjoy this.'

The faint sound of footsteps broke the quiet. Hazie had returned, dragging the tattered remains of the tent’s fabric and a few discarded uniforms. She moved with purpose, her steps light but deliberate as she laid out the torn fabric beside him.

“Alright, it's done!” She said softly, more to herself than to him. With surprising strength and a gentleness that made Kaiser’s heart stir, she lifted his unresisting body and set him down on the makeshift bedding. The barrier between him and the cold rocky ground immediately dulled the biting chill, and he almost sighed with relief.

Shameless as ever, he let Hazie handle all the effort without so much as a token protest.

His truly savoring the moment.

“Comfortable?” she asked, her voice laced with quiet humor as she leaned over him.

Kaiser gave her a tired smile, playing up his weakness. “Much better.”

Rolling her eyes but not unkindly, Hazie turned to the fire, using the discarded uniforms to fuel the dying flames. The fabric caught quickly, and the warmth radiated stronger.

As the firelight danced before them, Hazie glanced back at him. “So,” she looks at him casually, brushing her hands free of stain, “what were you even doing out there? Alone, lying on the cold stones like an idiot?”

Kaiser shrugged as much as his lethargic body would allow. “I needed a nap.”

“A *nap*?” Hazie’s eyebrows shot up, frustration clear in her voice. “Out in the freezing cold? Were you trying to die?”

“Not on purpose,” he replied, his tone light despite the situation. “I just... underestimated the temperature. Happens to the best of us.”

He really can't tell her the temperature meant nothing but discomfort to him, for death was beneath him.

Hazie crossed her arms, leaning back against the fabric wall of the tent. “You’re lucky I found you when I did. Hypothermia isn’t exactly something you can shrug off, you know.”

Kaiser chuckled weakly, though it came out more like a hoarse breath. “Well, I’ll try to be more careful next time.”

“*Next time?*” she echoed, gently shaking her head in exasperation. “You’re unbelievable."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the crackling fire. For once, Kaiser didn’t feel entirely alone in the world. Hazie’s presence—her care, even if it stemmed from pity—was a rare balm to his battered spirit.

Staring at the fire with a distant gaze, Hazie glanced over at him again, her expression softening, knowing he learned his lesson. Her lips curving up.

Staring into the fire, its flickering glow casting fleeting shadows on her face, Hazie glanced at him again. Knowing he learned his lesson, her expression softened, a subtle curve tugging at her lips.

"That’s... rare," she murmured, "Of all the people I’ve met since being thrown into these Undersea mountains, you’re by far the calmest. Are you... not afraid?"

Kaiser lingered for a few moments, thinking if he was acting too unnatural, too indifferent. Finally, he let out a low sigh, his gaze shifting blankly to the ceiling of the makeshift tent.

"...Not really," he said simply.

Her brows furrowed slightly, curiosity flickering in her pink diamond-like eyes. "Why?"

"I don’t know," he admitted, his voice quiet, almost detached. "And I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just say, my life’s never been particularly bright to the point I'll be desperate for it."

Hazie’s lips parted, but no words came out at first. Then, her mouth quivered slightly, as though she was unsure whether to press further or let it be.

"Sorry," she said softly, her gaze dropping back to the fire. "I didn’t mean to pry. I guess I just... got too excited." Her voice wavered, a hint of vulnerability seeping through. "It’s been a while since I’ve had someone to talk to. I’ve just been... troubled. Alone."

The fire cracked softly, filling the silence that followed. Kaiser said nothing, his thoughts tangled between the unsettling tension in her words and the unease they stirred within him. Frowning, his gaze wandered across the sinister tears in the tent walls, the discarded uniforms feeding the flames, before slowly settling on her figure.

Despite her calm demeanor, her shoulders seemed to carry a hidden weight. The gleam of her armor, now dulled by scratches and faint bloodstains, told its own story of battles fought and endured. His weary eyes studied her quietly.

Finally, breaking the silence, he asked, his voice low, "Where are the others?"