Déjà vu

The next day...

The first rays of dawn filtered through the cracks in Shroud's curtains, gently illuminating the room. As the gentle warmth of the morning ray fell on Shroud's sleeping face he rose from his slumber and began preparing for the day that lay ahead.

With a yawn and a stretch, Shroud swung his legs out of bed and stood up, feeling the cool floor beneath his feet. The room was bathed in the tranquil stillness of the early morning, creating a serene atmosphere that enveloped him. He silently made his way to the bathroom, eager to freshen up and prepare himself for the day that awaited him.

Stepping into the bathroom, the dim light revealed a mirror that reflected his sleepy visage. Shroud's youthful features stared back at him, the remnants of sleep still lingering in his eyes. He turned on the tap, splashing water onto his face, refreshing himself with each droplet.

As he gazed into the mirror, he noticed the telltale signs of adolescence etched across his skin. Acne and pimples had become familiar companions on his journey through puberty. The occasional blemish served as a reminder of his body's ongoing transformation. Though it was a common occurrence for many, it still presented its own set of challenges.

Shroud reached for his skincare products, carefully selecting the ones best suited to combat the pesky intruders on his face. With gentle strokes, he applied cleansers and toners, taking care to treat his skin with the utmost care and attention.

Maintaining a fresh and well-groomed appearance had become a daily routine for Shroud. Unlike those naturally blessed with good looks, he understood the importance of presenting himself in the best possible light. Given his circumstances, Shroud knew that putting effort into his appearance was crucial for making a positive impression.

"Possessing good looks and being handsome is indeed a blessing in its own right," Shroud muttered, acknowledging the advantages that come with physical attractiveness. He couldn't help but lament as he reflected on his below-average looks, knowing that he had to put in extra effort just to appear average in looks.

"Hmm, it's time to get some exercise," Shroud declared, preparing his body by stretching and mobilizing his joints. He made his way outside to the spacious backyard of his apartment, appreciating the ample area available for his light exercise routine.

He commenced his workout by completing three sets of 20 push-ups, engaging his upper body strength. This was followed by three sets of 20 squats, targeting his lower body muscles. Moving on, he dedicated himself to 40 sit-ups to strengthen his core and included a few sets of jumping jacks for added cardiovascular benefits.

As he pushed through each exercise, he could feel his muscles being challenged and gradually fatiguing. After 40 minutes of consistent effort, he found himself exhausted, having given his all during the workout session.

Even though his physical body had grown tired from the intense workout, Shroud's mind remained alert and refreshed. Recognizing that his body was exhausted, he chose to meditate for 30 minutes. As he entered a state of deep meditation, his mind found serenity and tranquillity.

Each session brought a profound sense of liberation, freeing him from the stresses and distractions of everyday life. Immersed in the meditative practice, Shroud embraced the moments of stillness and inner peace that meditation brought him.

Even in the depths of the abyss, Shroud found solace in meditation. It became his refuge, a powerful remedy to distract himself from the overwhelming chaos surrounding him. Whenever he felt hopeless and frightened, he turned to meditation as a source of inner strength and serenity.

It became his anchor, allowing him to maintain his sanity amidst the torturous existence he endured in that hellish place. Meditation provided him with a sense of stability and peace, helping him navigate through the darkest moments and find moments of respite in an otherwise chaotic existence.

After completing his meditation session, Shroud returned indoors and proceeded to take a refreshing bath, cleansing both his body and mind. Feeling rejuvenated, he then went to the Kitchen to prepare his breakfast.

However, being out of practice in the kitchen for millennials, he encountered a small mishap and came close to burning his breakfast but managed to salvage it just in time, albeit with a slight charring.

Having finished his breakfast, Shroud glanced at the time and realized that it was nearly time for him to leave for school. He promptly tidied up the table, ensuring everything was in order. Afterwards, he proceeded to put on his school uniform, making sure he was neatly dressed.

Before leaving, he double-checked to ensure that the doors of his apartment were securely locked, ensuring the safety of his belongings. With everything in order, Shroud set off for school.

In the school...

Upon reaching the school gates, Shroud presented his ID card to the guard, who allowed him to enter the premises. As he made his way through the bustling hallways, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances and hushed whispers from some of the students.

The aftermath of the previous day's incident continued to linger in the air, with whispers and lingering gazes following Shroud as he made his way to his classroom. The curiosity and speculation from his classmates were palpable, their eyes fixed upon him. However, Shroud remained unfazed by the gazes, maintaining his composure as he entered the classroom.

Shroud understood that maintaining a low profile would contribute to the eventual fading of the buzz surrounding him, Shroud chose to remain silent and avoid unnecessary interactions with Luna. As the bell rang, signalling the start of the class, the students returned to their seats, and the teacher entered the room after a brief interval.

The teacher first briefly scanned the room and paused for a moment before delivering a piece of unexpected news, "Raphael, one of our students, has been expelled for assaulting a traffic police officer yesterday." The revelation left the classroom in stunned silence, followed by a flurry of whispers and exchanged glances among the students.

The news of Raphael's expulsion and his assault on a traffic officer came as a surprise to many students who had assumed he was absent due to illness. The shocking nature of the incident reverberated throughout the classroom, with a sense of disbelief palpable among the students.

Amidst the reactions of shock and confusion, Shroud concealed his true feelings. Despite having foreseen or anticipated this turn of events, he made a conscious effort to portray the same level of surprise as his fellow students.

From the outside, he appeared just as shocked as everyone else, effectively masking his internal knowledge and maintaining a façade of genuine astonishment. However, on the inside, Shroud's internal thoughts whispered, "Finally, that annoying little pleb is gone."

After the initial shock subsided, the teacher resumed the lesson and the class continued as usual. Time passed swiftly, and before they knew it, it was already noon, signalling the approaching lunch break.

*Ting *Ting *Ting

In the cafeteria...

Just like the previous day, Shroud found himself sitting alone at a table, enjoying his snacks and tea. However, a thought crept into his mind, 'She wouldn't sit next to me today, right? I mean, she must have made at least one friend by now. Yeah, there's no way she'll stick with me again―'

To Shroud's surprise, as if defying his expectations, Luna entered the cafeteria with grace. Ignoring the numerous empty tables, she walked straight towards Shroud's table, placing her tray beside him and pulling her chair closer. Despite his earlier assumptions, Luna had chosen to sit next to him once again.

"What is this déjà vu?" Shroud thought as he felt a headache coming. However, at that moment, Luna spoke, "No, senior. You see, I entered the cafeteria a bit earlier today. But if you want to, you can take this as déjà vu."

Shroud was taken aback by Luna's immediate response, especially since he hadn't said anything. For a moment, he entertained the thought that Luna could read his thoughts, but that seemed highly unlikely as he couldn't sense any psychic energy from her.

In the end, Shroud simply told her, "You know, sometimes your assumptions and guesses make me feel like you're psychic. Am I that easy to read?". In response, Luna said, "Not really. To be honest, senior, you're not like others who are as transparent as papers. Since we sat together yesterday and the same thing is happening today, I thought you might be experiencing a sense of déjà vu."

"*Sigh", Shroud sighed, while Luna wore a victorious smile on her face. "Looks like I hit the mark, didn't I?" she asked, to which Shroud nodded. "Yeah, seems like checkmate to me," Shroud said, to which Luna responded with a pleased smile.

The whole time they were talking, they made sure to whisper so that others couldn't pry into their conversation. They even went as far as pretending to eat or drink whenever they whispered to each other, giving the appearance that they were simply enjoying their lunch. By doing this, they successfully kept their conversation hidden from others.

After some time, the bell rang, signalling the end of the lunch break. For the remainder of the day, everything proceeded as normal, and fortunately, no one questioned Shroud about his relationship with Luna. The students probably couldn't find anything significant happening between them apart from simply eating together.

The clever act of pretending to eat or drink while covering their mouths whenever they whispered to each other had worked like a charm. As a result, many people remained oblivious to Shroud and Luna having secret conversations with each other. And so, the day came to an end, and like the other students, Shroud went home after school was over.

To be continued...

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.

I was busy earlier this week, but now I can write daily chapters. I had almost finished Chapter 10 yesterday but scrapped the idea and made changes. This chapter was supposed to come out after Chapter 10, but I fell asleep and forgot to post it. I hope you enjoy the chapters. Occasionally, I may write two chapters in one day.