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(Present time)
(Because in case you guys didn't notice, the previous chapters were all flashbacks.)
"Uh, the next three years, you must all..." The words of the principal echoed throughout the auditorium as he welcomed all the new students that were seated in the front rows. Excitement and nervous anticipation coursed through their veins as they hung onto every word, eager to absorb every detail of their upcoming three years at the school. On the other hand, the upperclassmen and a few nonchalant first-years paid little attention, their focus wandering elsewhere.
Amidst the sea of attentive faces, Ruby sat nervously, determined not to miss a single piece of important information. However, her concentration was constantly disrupted by the cacophony of noise beside her.
She shifted her gaze towards her seatmate and saw Aikara seemingly uninterested in the principal's words, engrossed in engaging with everyone around him. He introduced himself with enthusiasm, discussing his hobbies and inquiring about others in the process. Ruby observed how effortlessly he managed to converse with at least ten people simultaneously, a mix of first and second-year students.
The cacophony of chatter surrounding Aikara made it challenging for Ruby to concentrate. Although she felt an urge to ask him to lower his voice, nervousness held her back. All the students he was talking to exuded an air of popularity and attractiveness, the kind of social circle she had never been part of in both her current and past life.
Her mind raced, drawing from her knowledge of popular students depicted in dramas and mangas, conjuring images of potential bullying if she were to assert herself and request a moment of silence. The thought alone deterred her from speaking up, leaving her feeling trapped in her seat, resenting the school's decision to arrange seating by alphabetical order.
Ruby's frustration mounted as she realized that her chances of listening to the principal's speech were dwindling. She longed to hear the important information being shared, but the chaotic symphony of conversations drowned out the clarity of the principal's words. If only the seating arrangement were different, she thought, she could escape this predicament and truly engage in the assembly.
With a resigned sigh, Ruby finally accepted that she couldn't concentrate on the principal's speech amidst the hubbub of Aikara's social whirlwind. Feeling somewhat defeated, she decided to turn her attention to her other seatmate, hoping for a less intimidating conversation. The thought of joining Aikara's circle of popularity felt too overwhelming at the moment, so she sought solace in a quieter interaction instead. Perhaps in time, she would muster the courage to navigate the world of the "popular kids," but for now, she settled for a more comfortable and less overwhelming connection.
"Hey." Ruby turned to her other seatmate, Aqua, her brother who often kept to himself, unlike his outgoing sibling, Aikara.
Aqua's face remained inscrutable as he turned to Ruby. "What, can't you see I'm listening now?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance.
Ruby let out a smug chuckle, her tone carrying a bright and confident flair as she playfully raised an eyebrow. "Don't lie to me, Aqua nii," she teased, her expressive hands gesturing animatedly in the air. A mischievous grin danced on her lips. "I know you can't hear the principal at all because of Aka nii," she added, referring to Aikara.
With a self-assured posture, she crossed her arms, her face radiating pride for having seemingly figured Aqua out.
Anticipating him to admit she was right, Ruby was ready to forgive his little lie, as she was known for her forgiving nature. What she didn't expect, however, was Aqua turning his gaze back to the front, seemingly disinterested in her revelation.
"You're right, I can't hear him at all," Aqua replied bluntly, his tone betraying a sense of indifference. "I only said that because I don't want to talk to you. You can't seem to take a hint; I expected more from an old woman like you," he remarked, his words laced with an unexpected sharpness.
Ruby playfully pouted at his words, her expressive face lighting up as she grabbed his arms and rocked him back and forth in a teasing manner. "Oh, come on! You're so mean!" she whispered, her voice a mix of melodramatic protest and playful reproach. "Your cute, adorable sister is willing to talk to you, and you brush them off? Have some common sense."
Aqua turned his gaze toward his sister, a touch of indifference lingering in his eyes. He couldn't help but crack a faint smile at her persistence. He knew Ruby well enough to realize that she wouldn't give up easily, and he found her tenacity amusing, even if he preferred solitude at times.
With an almost imperceptible sigh, he finally relented, deciding that engaging in a conversation with Ruby was perhaps a better choice than facing her continuous antics. "Fine, I'll talk to you," he conceded, his voice casual yet tinged with an underlying fondness for his spirited sibling.
Ruby's eyes sparkled like effervescent sparklers on a warm summer night as she leaned in towards Aqua, her excitement palpable. "That's great," she whispered back, her fingers drumming playfully on the edge of her seat, brimming with eager anticipation.
Her mischievous gaze shifted toward Aikara, her fellow seatmate, and a playful grin danced across her lips. "So, Aqua nii," she began with a twinkle in her eye, her tone conspiratorial, "Can you see the people Aikara's talking to? They seriously give me butterflies!" She fidgeted with a bundle of nervous energy, her words tumbling out with infectious enthusiasm. "They all look so popular, and I feel like they'll totally bully me if I interrupt them."
She batted her eyelashes innocently, hoping Aqua would join her in sharing this lighthearted moment of amusement. Instead, he looked at her with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
"What's with your stereotypes about popular kids? Aikara's a popular kid, and you don't see him bullying people," Aqua retorted matter-of-factly, as if his sister's assumptions were completely unfounded.
"What are you talking about, Aqua nii?" Ruby laughed, her eyes wide with amusement as she found the notion preposterous. She playfully nudged Aqua with a bright smile. "There's no way Aikara could be a popular kid."
Aqua raised an eyebrow, calmly challenging her perspective. "Are you sure about that? Didn't he receive ten love letters from different people in a single day? And don't you remember how he always had a crowd of friends around his chair during break time? Let's not forget the fact that he has a fan club." Aqua's tone remained detached, as if he were merely stating observable facts.
Ruby listened, realizing that Aqua's points held undeniable truth. She found herself a bit shocked at the realization, as memories of her middle school friends asking for Aikara's number flooded her mind, painting a vivid picture of his undeniable popularity. In fact, it made her wonder why she never noticed it until now.
Lost in her thoughts, Ruby turned her attention back to Aikara, her once playful demeanor giving way to a contemplative silence. Throughout the entire entrance ceremony, she remained quiet in her seat, her mind preoccupied with this newfound discovery about other brother. Aqua, on the other hand, returned to his usual state of indifference, seemingly unaffected by the revelation.
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(Third POV)
The entrance ceremony had drawn to a close, and as the bustling crowd of students made their way to their respective classes, Kana spotted the Hoshino siblings and hurried over to extend her warm welcome, a small smile present in her lips ""Congratulations on entering high school, Aqua and Aikara," she greeted them warmly, intentionally omitting Ruby from her well-wishes. The gesture did not escape Ruby's notice, and her eyes narrowed slightly in response, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features.
Kana spoke with a hint of confidence and familiarity, eager to share her knowledge about their new school. "Yoto High School offers a flexible class schedule, but in many other aspects, it's quite similar to a regular high school. You'll need to keep up with your studies and maintain good attendance to avoid getting held back a year. The academic classes are mostly standard," she explained, emphasizing her points with a raised finger.
Transitioning to a more animated tone, she pointed out various students around them. "However, there's one significant difference that sets this school apart," Kana proclaimed, drawing attention to the intriguing array of individuals surrounding them. "See that guy over there? He's a talented actor, and those two are part of the biggest idol group in the industry," she continued, pointing out several more students who were well-known in their respective fields.
With a touch of pride and excitement, Kana turned her gaze back to the triplets, her eyes gleaming with admiration. She crossed her arms, ready to unveil an intriguing truth. "Every single person here is an entertainer," she revealed, her voice carrying a mixture of reverence and pride. "Welcome to the number one high school for entertainers, a place where the brightest stars of the country's entertainment industry gather."
Kana allowed her words to linger in the air, giving the significance of the revelation time to sink in. Then, her enthusiasm peaked, and she spread her arms wide, as if embracing the entire world of showbiz before them. "Aqua, Ruby, Aikara, welcome to the dazzling world of show business!" she exclaimed, her smile radiant and infectious, inviting the siblings into a realm where their dreams could soar amidst a constellation of talent and ambition.
Ruby, who was still bitter about being ignored a while ago, couldn't resist the opportunity for a mischievous revenge. With an impish twinkle in her eyes and a mischievous grin playing on her lips, she couldn't help but call out, "Loli-senpai~," relishing the chance to annoy Kana.
Kana glanced at Ruby with a slightly annoyed expression, clearly not appreciating the use of that nickname. Undeterred, Ruby continued, her tone playful yet pointed, "You know, I've been thinking about what you said earlier – how everyone here is an entertainer. But, don't you think we shouldn't forget about the general department? They deserve their spotlight too!"
Before Kana could respond, Ruby decided to push the teasing further, raising her index finger dramatically, "And let's talk about Aqua-nii, shall we? Welcoming him to the world of showbiz? Pfft! Sure, he's been in a drama, but let's not forget he's just a general department student after all."
Ruby let out a theatrical sigh, shaking her head for added effect, "Oh, Loli-senpai, I must say, I'm quite disappointed. I expected more from you, the great entertainer!" She emphasized the last phrase with exaggerated hand gestures.
Aikara giggled at Ruby's words, finding the situation amusing, even Aqua had a slight smile form on his lips. Kana's eyes narrowed, clearly not sharing the same amusement. "I'll really bully you, you know!?" she exclaimed, her voice sharp and forceful as she stepped closer to Ruby, her fist clenched in front of her face, radiating a sense of assertiveness and confidence.
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(Ruby POV)
As I continued striding down the hallway toward my class, my eyes couldn't help but dart around to catch glimpses of my fellow students nearby. My heart was pounding, and though I tried my best to hide it, I could feel the nervous energy bubbling inside me. This school was unlike anything I had experienced before with celebrities, and the fact that I never attended high school in my previous life only added to my anxiety.
"I'm so nervous," I murmured softly, hoping that expressing my feelings aloud might alleviate some of the tension that I was holding in. Loli-senpai, who was walking beside me, glanced at me with concern for a brief moment before quickly turning away, shaking her head dismissively.
"Seriously, drama queen much?" she said dismissively, her confident tone catching my attention as she brushed off my concerns with a nonchalant wave of her hand. "It's just another ordinary school, nothing to get worked up about. Just act like you belong here," she added with a hint of sharpness in her voice.
As we continued to walk, she didn't bother saying anything more, her steps firm and purposeful. There was a subtle air of determination around her, a sense that she was used to taking charge of situations.
"Hahaha." I can't help but let out an awkward chuckle, my cheeks flushing slightly as I scratch my cheek. Based on her choice of words, her tone, and her actions, it looks like she still held a grudge at me teasing her.
Still, even though it seems like she's giving me a hard time, this warm, fuzzy feeling of comfort washes over me as I listen to her. 'Cause, you know, despite her sharp tongue, I can tell she's trying to comfort me with them.
I can't help but feel a tug at the corner of my lips as this small, involuntary bounce sneaks into my step while I walk.
Maybe....just maybe...Loli-senpai isn't as bad as I thought.
Feeling a surge of energy, I gently tap my cheeks with my palms, trying to hype myself up silently. Loli-senpai's right; high school or not, it's still just a school. No need to be overly anxious.
I take a deep breath, trying to muster some of my usual extroverted energy, though it's a bit challenging in my current nervous state. Nevertheless, I push forward, making an effort to be outgoing and communicative as I interact with my surroundings.