章節 25: Chapter 25 (edited)
After Bruce Wayne's interview concluded, it was finally Jennifer's turn, followed by Dani. Kara, however, had already lost interest in Bruce. Whether he would eventually become Batman or not, one thing was clear: he certainly wasn't the Caped Crusader right now. With that thought, her curiosity faded entirely.
Bruce, on the other hand, seemed to have paid special attention to Kara. As he passed her on his way out, their eyes briefly met. His gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary, leaving a subtle but noticeable impression.
Jennifer noticed this immediately and looked ready to accuse Kara of stealing her moment in the spotlight. "What's with that look, Kara? Are you trying to steal my limelight?" Jennifer's playful indignation bordered on dramatic.
Kara rolled her eyes, suppressing a sigh. "Relax, Jen. Your turn's up next. If you don't get in there now, the interviewers might think you're unprepared, and that'll definitely affect your score."
Grudgingly, Jennifer gave up her teasing and hurried toward the interview room, casting one last wistful glance in the direction Bruce had disappeared.
Watching her go, Dani shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I can't blame her. That whole brooding, sad, and slightly mysterious vibe is kind of hard to resist. I mean, he's like a walking romantic tragedy."
Kara, seated nearby, glanced briefly at Dani before turning her attention back to the guidebook in her hands. Unlike Dani or Jennifer, she wasn't interested in chasing enigmatic figures. Her focus was on the university itself—specifically, its clubs and extracurricular opportunities.
The Metropolitan University guidebook detailed every club available, from sports like taekwondo, karate, and judo, to interest groups like photography, chess, and even tea ceremony enthusiasts. One entry, however, caught her eye: a Chinese Kung Fu club. The description intrigued her, but the idea of a white man leading it made her skeptical about its authenticity.
Dani leaned over, catching sight of what Kara was reading. "Seriously? Kung Fu? Didn't peg you as the martial artist type."
Kara chuckled lightly. "Just thought it might be a good way to stay in shape."
Dani raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Stay in shape? Helping out on the farm isn't enough of a workout for you?"
Kara smirked but didn't reply. The truth was, she wasn't just looking to exercise. Fighting clubs would be an ideal way to hone her skills—something she knew might come in handy in the future.
When Jennifer emerged from her interview, it was finally Dani's turn. But before Dani could head inside, Jennifer was already peppering Kara with questions about Bruce. "Where did he go? Did you see which way he went?"
Dani, shaking her head, sighed dramatically. "You're unbelievable. I was the one hyping you up before your interview, and now you're too busy swooning over some guy to even thank me."
Ignoring the banter, Kara simply shook her head and gestured to indicate that Bruce had left some time ago. Jennifer looked crestfallen. "He just has this... sadness in his eyes," she mused. "It's so... captivating. Like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders."
Kara exhaled, trying to bring her friend back to reality. "Jen, focus. Let's just get through today, okay? Who knows? If he's applying here, you might bump into him again."
Jennifer perked up at the thought, her mood instantly shifting. "You're right! We could end up as classmates."
Kara rolled her eyes at Jennifer's optimism but didn't bother arguing. Metropolitan University was massive. The odds of running into Bruce again were slim—or so she thought.
When Dani finished her interview, the three girls took the train back home together. Notifications about their results would arrive in about a week, though Kara was already certain they would all pass.
Their parents were thrilled at the prospect of their children attending one of the most prestigious universities in the region. To celebrate, the families gathered at Kara's farm for a barbecue.
Jennifer's father, a small-business owner, and Dani's parents, who ran a dental practice, mingled comfortably with Kara's adoptive family. Though none of them were wealthy, they shared a close-knit bond, strengthened by their children's friendship.
Jennifer and Dani took every opportunity to tease Clark, asking him how he'd cope without his sister around. Kara reassured him with a smile, promising to visit as often as possible. Clark nodded solemnly, seemingly unfazed by their teasing.
The remainder of the summer passed in a blur of preparations, chores, and stolen moments with her family. By the end of August, the new semester began. Kara, Jennifer, and Dani arrived at the university a day early to settle into their dorms. To their delight, they were assigned to a shared three-person room, allowing them to support each other in the unfamiliar environment.
On the first day of classes, Jennifer couldn't stop scanning the campus, clearly hoping to spot Bruce. Kara teased her gently, "Who knows? Maybe you'll run into him in class."
Ironically, it wasn't Jennifer who bumped into Bruce—it was Kara.
As she entered her psychology lecture and took a seat, she turned to see Bruce sitting beside her, offering a polite smile. Kara blinked in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words.
Of course, it made sense. If Bruce Wayne intended to master detective work, tactics, and problem analysis, psychology would be a critical foundation. But knowing that didn't make the coincidence any less startling.
Kara returned his smile with a polite nod, wondering if their paths would continue to cross. But when she later visited several fighting clubs to explore her options, she was startled to find Bruce there as well—every single time.
By the third encounter, Kara couldn't help but think to herself, This is way too much of a coincidence.
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