Was this really just a joke?

Zoe boarded the bus ahead of Sam.

With the woman gone, Sam could finally breathe a little easier.

Her invitation seemed alluring, as it always did. Any invitation from her naturally carried a certain temptation.

But Sam didn't think this was necessarily a good thing; it was just a means to immerse oneself in endless desire.

The world was on the brink of corrupting his mind, which remained undying, and here he was, struggling and floundering amidst temptations strewn everywhere, making his arduous way forward.

Yet before the bus to school arrived, something slightly different from his usual life occurred.

It all started with a man carrying a briefcase who made a phone call next to him. The abrupt sound made Sam turn his head.

And from this angle, he saw an unexpected scene.

A figure in a black pleated skirt, stunningly beautiful, appeared in his view.

It felt unfamiliar.