Snow Falls on the Silent Lonely Mountain

Our homeroom teacher made the announcement the next day: we were getting new seats.

By tradition, I would have moved heaven and earth to sit next to Johnny.

This time, however, when the teacher called my name, I pointed straight to the very back row, to the corner seat by the window.

“I’d like to sit there.”

The whole class turned to stare, their faces a mix of surprise and confusion.

That desk belonged to Jeremy, the school’s most notorious delinquent—a legend across campus.

He sported a shock of defiant silver hair, slept or gamed through every class, and rumor swore he’d never lost a fight.

Even the homeroom teacher hesitated, frowning. “Leah, with your grades, sitting there could affect your studies.”

“It’s fine,” I said with a smile. “I think it’ll be quiet back there.”

In the end, the teacher agreed.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire class, I gathered my books and walked to that far corner.

Johnny remained in his original seat. He looked up at me, his clear eyes wide with shock and confusion, silently asking why.

I ignored him and took the empty seat beside Jeremy.

Jeremy was slumped over the desk, asleep. The thud of my books woke him; he lifted his head impatiently, revealing sharp, defined features and the irritable menace of someone rudely roused.

“New girl?” he grumbled, his voice rough.

“Yeah,” I nodded, pulling a peppermint from my bag and offering it to him. “Nice to meet you.”

Jeremy raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that.

He stared at the candy for a few seconds before finally taking it, unwrapping it, and popping it into his mouth.

“Got some nerve,” he mumbled, the words slightly garbled, before dropping his head back onto the desk.

Life as Jeremy’s deskmate was calmer than I’d imagined.

He slept most of the time. When awake, he’d game with headphones on. We kept to our own lanes.

As for me, I threw myself fully into living for myself.

No more chasing Johnny. No more making him breakfast, copying his notes, or picking fights with his bullies.

I started paying attention in class. Between lessons, I’d chat with Jeremy or join the other girls in dissecting the latest celebrity gossip.

My world no longer revolved around Johnny.

The feeling was so liberating, it almost brought me to tears.

And Johnny… he seemed to be struggling with the change.

He started appearing in my line of sight more often—"casually" passing my desk, "coincidentally" choosing the same electives.

Once, during lunch, he hovered with his tray before finally sitting across from me.

“Leah,” he said softly, “have you… been angry with me lately?”

I was sharing a bag of chips with Jeremy. “No,” I replied without looking up. “You’re overthinking it.”

“Then why—”

“There is no why,” I cut him off, stuffing the last chip into my mouth. Then I met his gaze. “Johnny, I just figured it out. Everyone needs their own life. I can’t keep bothering you forever, right?”

He froze, lips parted slightly, speechless.

In those eyes, always tinged with melancholy and gentleness, I saw a flicker of panic I’d never seen before—and couldn’t decipher.

**[Male Supporting Character Emotional Fluctuation Abnormal. System Detects Task Deviation Increased to 30%.]**

The System’s warning chimed again.

I shrugged, unconcerned, and tugged Jeremy’s sleeve. “I’m full. Let’s go shoot some hoops.”

Jeremy glanced at me, then at Johnny’s pale face, a teasing smile curling his mouth. “Sure, let’s go.”

As we passed Johnny, I didn’t even look his way.

I could feel his eyes on us from behind. That gaze clung like a shadow, burning with an intensity—and an unease—I’d never felt from him before.

But so what?

A nuisance had finally gained some self-awareness and decided to stop being a bother.

He should be happy about that.