I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 284: The Solitude of the Rooftop

Chapter 284: The Solitude of the Rooftop

Chapter: The Solitude of the Rooftop

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The Chapter begins with the bell ringing loudly, signaling the start of the first class. The previously noisy classroom falls silent as the teacher walks in, her stern gaze sweeping over the students.

She’s a middle-aged woman with sharp features, wearing a neatly pressed navy-blue suit. Her no-nonsense demeanor demands immediate attention, and the students scramble to take their seats.

Adam sits at the very back of the room, his posture relaxed but his eyes quietly observing everything around him. His seat is next to Leo, who can’t stop grinning and casting amused glances in Adam’s direction. Leo’s subtle elbow nudges and knowing smirks are hard to ignore.

"Dude," Leo whispers under his breath, leaning closer to Adam. "You’ve officially become the hottest topic in the school."

Adam sighs, trying to focus on the teacher at the front, who has started writing equations on the digital whiteboard. "Leo, not now," he mutters, his tone calm but firm.

Meanwhile, at the front of the classroom, Ani sits at her desk, her back straight and her head held high.

Despite her composed demeanor, she can feel the weight of the stares directed at her. Whispers ripple through the room as students steal glances at her, their expressions ranging from admiration to jealousy.

Ani tries to ignore the attention, focusing on the lesson instead. But every so often, she sneaks a glance toward the back of the room, where Adam sits.

Their eyes meet briefly, and a small, reassuring smile spreads across Adam’s face. It’s enough to calm Ani’s nerves, even if just for a moment.

The class seems to drag on forever, but eventually, the bell rings, signaling the start of lunch.

The once-orderly room erupts into chaos as students pull out their lunchboxes and start chatting animatedly. Adam stands up from his desk, stretching his arms briefly before grabbing his bag.

As he rises, the classroom energy shifts again. A group of students—mostly boys—gathers near him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

"Adam," one of them starts, his tone sharp. "What’s going on between you and Ani?"

"Yeah," another adds, crossing his arms. "How did you of all people end up with her?"

Adam glances at them briefly, his expression unreadable. He doesn’t feel like answering their questions, nor does he owe them any explanation. Instead of engaging, he steps past them, his gaze fixed on the front of the classroom.

As Adam walks through the rows of desks, his attention briefly shifts to Robin, who sits near the center of the room.

Unlike the other students, Robin isn’t staring at Adam or Ani. Instead, he seems entirely uninterested, his eyes focused on the open notebook in front of him.

This behavior strikes Adam as odd. Normally, Robin would have something to say—some sarcastic comment or cutting remark.

But today, he’s silent, almost detached. Adam frowns slightly, a thought nagging at the back of his mind. Something’s not right.

Pushing aside his concerns about Robin, Adam reaches Ani’s desk. She looks up at him, her face lighting up with relief. The constant stares and whispers had been overwhelming, and Adam’s presence feels like a lifeline.

"Let’s go," Adam says simply, his voice low and steady. Ani nods quickly, already reaching for her lunchbox.

Sitting beside Ani is her best friend, Monika, who watches the exchange with an amused grin. "Oh, so you’re here to rescue your girlfriend, huh?" she teases, her voice loud enough for nearby students to hear. "Can’t handle all the attention she’s getting?"

Adam doesn’t respond, only glancing briefly at Monika before turning his attention back to Ani. His silence speaks volumes, and Monika chuckles to herself, clearly enjoying the moment.

Ani, on the other hand, is grateful for Adam’s timing. She packs up her things quickly and stands, ready to follow him out of the classroom.

As Adam and Ani walk toward the door, the classroom buzzes with renewed whispers. Most of the students continue to watch them, their curiosity unrelenting.

However, a small group of Adam’s friends, seated near the back of the room, exchanges thoughtful glances.

"We should leave them alone," one of them says, his tone serious. "Ani’s already dealing with enough from everyone. The last thing they need is us hovering around."

Another nods in agreement. "Yeah. Let’s give them some space. They’re probably going through a lot right now."

The group’s consensus is clear—they respect Adam and Ani’s situation enough to not add to the pressure. However, the jealousy and resentment among the rest of the class linger, especially from the boys who still idolize Ani.

Adam and Ani step out into the quiet hallway, leaving the chaos of the classroom behind. The sound of their footsteps echoes softly as they walk side by side.

For a moment, neither of them speaks, both grateful for the brief reprieve from the prying eyes and endless questions.

Finally, Ani glances at Adam, her expression soft. "Thank you," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adam looks at her, his brow furrowing slightly. "For what?" he asks.

"For being there," Ani replies, a small smile gracing her lips. "It means a lot."

Adam’s expression softens, and he nods. "Always," he says simply.

The tension and whispers from the classroom still linger in their minds, but together, they face it all with quiet strength.

The Chapter begins with Adam and Ani seated on the school rooftop, a serene and secluded space that offers a panoramic view of the sprawling campus below.

The rooftop, with its concrete floor, a few metal railings, and a scattered collection of old benches, is bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight.

A gentle breeze rustles through the air, carrying with it the faint sounds of students laughing and chatting in the courtyard far below.

Adam often comes here for lunch to avoid the usual hustle of the cafeteria and find a moment of peace.

This time, Ani is with him, sitting cross-legged beside him on one of the benches. Both of them have their lunchboxes open in front of them, their meals neatly arranged inside.

Ani takes a bite of her sandwich, savoring the quiet moment, but Adam’s expression is thoughtful, almost distant.

He’s been unusually quiet since they arrived, his brow slightly furrowed. Sensing his unease, Ani glances at him, concern flickering in her eyes.

Breaking the silence, Adam finally speaks, his tone low but filled with worry. "Did you notice Robin’s reaction in class today?" he asks, looking at Ani with a troubled expression.

Ani blinks in surprise, caught off guard by the question. She tilts her head slightly, trying to recall. "Robin?" she repeats, frowning.

"No, not really. I was too busy dealing with... everything else," she admits with a sheepish smile. "Why? What about him?"

Adam sets his chopsticks down and leans back against the bench, exhaling deeply. "It’s just... he’s been acting strange. He didn’t say anything about us, not a word. He didn’t even look at us."

Ani’s brows knit together in confusion. "That doesn’t sound like him," she murmurs. "Robin usually has something to say about everything. Are you sure?"

Adam nods, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Even when the whole class was buzzing about our relationship, he acted like it didn’t exist. He was completely detached, almost like... his mind was somewhere else."

Adam’s words sink in, and Ani feels a pang of unease. She sets her lunchbox aside and turns to face him fully. "Do you think it’s because we told everyone about us?" she asks hesitantly. "Maybe he’s upset and doesn’t know how to deal with it?"

Adam shakes his head slowly, his expression thoughtful. "No, I don’t think that’s it. I mean, sure, he might be bothered, but not to this extent. Robin’s always been a cheerful person, even when things don’t go his way. This... this feels different."

His words leave Ani in deep thought. She bites her lip, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her skirt. "Do you think something else is going on with him?" she asks softly.

Adam notices the worry etched on Ani’s face and smiles faintly, trying to ease her tension. He places a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and steady.

"Don’t worry," he says gently. "I’ll ask Sona to keep an eye on him. We’ll figure out what’s going on."

As if on cue, Sona, who has been perched quietly on Adam’s shoulder throughout the conversation, flutters into the air.

Her small, shimmering form hovers in front of them, her bright golden wings catching the sunlight. "Did someone call for me?" she asks playfully, though there’s a note of seriousness in her tone.

"Yes," Adam replies, his voice steady. "I need you to follow Robin. Keep a safe distance, and don’t let him sense you."

Sona’s playful demeanor fades slightly, replaced by a look of curiosity. "Why the distance?" she asks, tilting her head. "Is something wrong?"

Adam hesitates for a moment before replying. "I just have a bad feeling," he admits. "Something about the way he’s been acting... it doesn’t sit right with me. Stay far enough that he doesn’t notice you, but close enough to see what he’s up to."

Sona nods, her golden eyes narrowing with determination. "Understood," she says firmly. "I’ll be careful."

With a final glance at Adam and Ani, Sona takes off, her wings creating a faint shimmering trail as she disappears into the distance.

Ani watches her go, her worry still lingering. She turns to Adam, her voice quiet but earnest. "Do you really think it’s something serious?"

Adam sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know," he admits. "But I’d rather be cautious. Robin’s not the type to keep things bottled up. If something’s bothering him, I want to know."

Ani nods, her expression softening. "Thank you, Adam," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "For always looking out for everyone."

Adam smiles at her, his confidence unwavering despite the uncertainty in his heart. "That’s what we do, Ani," he replies simply.

The Chapter ends with Adam and Ani sitting together on the rooftop, their lunch forgotten as they watch the school grounds below. The faint sound of laughter and chatter drifts up to them, a reminder of the world that continues to move around them.

Far in the distance, Sona flies discreetly, her mission just beginning. The camera shifts to Robin, who walks alone through a quiet corridor, his expression unreadable. The air around him seems heavier, his shoulders slightly slumped as if carrying an invisible weight.

The scene fades, leaving readers with a sense of unease and anticipation for what lies ahead.