The next day, Astralis Academy — 8:07 AM
"Dammit! I'm going to be late!"
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, followed by a loud bang! as the classroom door was abruptly swung open, causing a brief silence to fall over the entire room.
The students all turned to look toward the door, where a panting, sweaty figure stood — Takahashi Isamu.
He scanned the classroom and, noticing the teacher hadn't arrived yet, let out a sigh of relief before quickly heading to the seat next to Hoshizawa Norika and plopping down.
"Haah— that was close! The teacher isn't here yet!" Isamu chuckled, wiping the sweat off his forehead, his voice full of relief.
Norika glanced at him with a helpless expression. "Honestly, you almost got yourself late on the first day of school… didn't you also cut it close for yesterday's opening ceremony?"
At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, and the teacher quickly entered the classroom, flustered as she placed her textbooks and lesson plans on the desk. With an awkward smile, she said, "Ahaha… good morning, everyone!"
She was a very young-looking female teacher, her short hair slightly messy, round glasses perched on her nose, and a look of mild panic in her expression. Her shirt was untucked, and one sleeve was rolled up, giving off the impression that she had just rushed in.
"How is it that even Shinohara-sensei is like this…" Norika muttered helplessly, holding her forehead, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.
This slightly flustered young woman was Shinohara Yurika, the homeroom teacher for Norika and the others this year.
"Uh, I hope you'll all be kind to each other this semester," Shinohara-sensei said with a slightly nervous smile, bowing slightly. Her voice carried a trace of exhaustion and resignation.
She pushed her round glasses up the bridge of her nose, flipped through the list in her hand, and then continued, "This semester, our class will be welcoming a transfer student. I hope you all get along well with her." With that, she waved her hand toward the door, signaling the new student to come in.
As soon as she finished speaking, the entire classroom buzzed with excitement. Students began whispering to each other, eagerly discussing this mysterious transfer student.
The transfer student slowly walked into the classroom, her ashen-gold hair shimmering under the light. Her uniform clung to her figure, and the short skirt accentuated the curve of her shapely hips. The subtle yet captivating outline of her beauty made it impossible for anyone not to glance at her. As she entered, the once noisy classroom immediately fell silent, as if an invisible aura filled the air, commanding attention. Her beauty and regal presence could not be ignored.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Angelisya Astra Seraphina. I look forward to getting along with all of you," she said, gracefully bowing to the entire class.
"Her name is so long… but she's really beautiful! She must be… an angel!" Isamu couldn't help but exclaim, his voice full of awe.
"She... isn't she the silver-haired fox girl from last night...?" Norika's eyes widened in disbelief as she muttered to herself, shock and astonishment evident in her tone.
(It has to be her. She's the one who saved me yesterday.)
"Now, please sit next to Hoshizawa-san, and Takahashi-san, move to the single seat at the back," Shinohara-sensei instructed, gesturing toward the direction.
"Huh!? Why me? Why not have Norika sit in the back? Then I could sit next to Angelisya!" Isamu protested, his voice tinged with displeasure.
"Huh?" Norika turned to glare at him.
"Ahem... First of all, Takahashi-san, please mind your manners," Shinohara-sensei said, shooting him an impatient glare. "More importantly, I want Hoshizawa, our class monitor, to sit next to her so she can look after her more."
"Class Monitor, could I trouble you for a moment?" Angelisya smiled gently as she turned her gaze toward Norika.
"Uh, y-yes... of course!" Norika hesitated for a moment but quickly responded.
"Well then, Seraphina-san, please sit there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the class monitor," Shinohara-sensei said, her tone warm and friendly.
"Understood, teacher," Angelisya replied with a soft smile and a nod.
Angelisya then walked over to sit next to Norika and gently spoke, "Hoshizawa, I look forward to working with you."
Norika, feeling somewhat stiff, responded, "Uh, Seraphina-san, I look forward to working with you as well."
(Her aura is so regal… When I meet her gaze, my heart can't help but race...)
"Angelisya... Ah, no, Seraphina-san—" Norika managed to squeeze out a few words with some difficulty.
"Hoshizawa, you can just call me Angelisya," Angelisya said, tilting her head and smiling, her tone soft and natural.
Norika took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "A-Angelisya-san, may I ask... did we meet last night...?"
"!" Angelisya's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across her face. "You saw me last night...?"
"Uh, it's nothing, I must have mistaken you," Norika quickly smiled and murmured.
(I'm still not sure if it's really her, but the monster incident from yesterday must stay a secret. I can't bring up what happened last night...)
The teacher began explaining the course content, and Norika focused on the lesson, but her mind couldn't shake off the events from yesterday.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. A crowd of students gathered around, bombarding the new student with various questions, to which Angelisya responded with calm composure. Norika, however, struggled to squeeze out of the crowd. She walked toward the side of the corridor, leaning against the railing, her gaze drifting to the distant sports field. She let out a soft sigh, "Ah..."
At that moment, a cup of coffee was handed to her. "Would you like some? Your favourite coffee~" A cheerful female voice echoed.
"Oh... hey, Yumi, thanks." Norika took the coffee, offering a faint smile and a grateful nod.
Standing beside her was Sasaki Yumi, a girl with brown, shoulder-length hair, and one of Norika's close friends.
"What's wrong? Not happy sitting next to the princess?" Yumi asked, tilting her head playfully.
"Princess...?" Norika blinked in confusion.
"Yeah, that's the nickname everyone gave her just now."
"Well, it makes sense. Her appearance and mannerisms are so dignified and graceful, like a princess from a movie," Norika murmured softly, her gaze drifting back to Angelisya in the classroom.
"Too perfect, right?"
"Ah...? What?" Norika snapped out of her thoughts, looking at Yumi in confusion.
"I'm talking about her," Yumi said, gently sipping her coffee, her tone calm but carrying a subtle, knowing undertone. "She's too perfect. Often, behind that perfect exterior, there's nothing but darkness."
With that, she set down her paper cup, turned, and walked away, leaving behind a cryptic remark.
"…?" Norika furrowed her brows, watching Yumi's retreating figure, a sense of unease rising in her chest.
(What's going on with Yumi? And what's wrong with me...?)
She looked down at the coffee in her hand, her fingers tightening slightly around the cup, feeling it shift slightly in her grip.
(I thought I had forgotten... but the events of last night keep bringing that nightmare back to mind...)
A light breeze swept through the corridor, bringing a cool touch to the air. Norika instinctively shuddered and shrugged her shoulders. The bell rang again, and she tossed the empty coffee cup into the nearby trash bin, taking a deep breath before turning to head back into the classroom.
Same day, Astralis Academy Rooftop — 12:35 PM
"Wow—it's been so long since I've had lunch here, I really missed it!" Isamu excitedly pushed open the rooftop door, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the familiar sky.
"It was just a holiday…" Norika sighed, following behind with a tone of mild sarcasm.
"Yay—!" Yumi leapt up energetically, raising her hands high. "Our secret base!"
Isamu, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped, causing the two behind him to bump into each other.
"Ah, Isamu, what are you doing?!" Norika rubbed her chest, glaring at him.
Isamu turned around, his face full of excitement, and pointed to a distant corner.
"It's the princess!!"
Angelisya was leaning against the railing, gazing at the sky with a serene and relaxed expression.
"How did she end up here...?" Yumi muttered with a hint of annoyance, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Forget about her. Let's eat somewhere else!" Yumi said, clearly not wanting to deal with the mysterious "princess."
"No way, I want to go greet the princess~!" Isamu said excitedly as he started walking toward Angelisya.
"You…! Hmph, Norika-chan~ then let's go eat somewhere else," Yumi said with a dismissive pout.
"Uh, maybe that's not such a good idea, it's better to just go say hello," Norika smiled, furrowing her brows, and then followed Isamu toward Angelisya.
"Hmph! I'm not bothering with you two, I'll eat by myself!" Yumi grumbled, turning and walking off to a different corner.
Norika and Isamu reached Angelisya's side. Just as Norika was about to gently tap her on the shoulder—
"Yo! Angelisya!" Isamu suddenly shouted with excitement.
Angelisya blinked in surprise, turning her head. Her crystal-blue eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.
"Hey!!! You idiot!" Norika was startled, quickly raising her hand to cover Isamu's mouth. "You scared her!"
"Oh, it's Hoshizawa…-san and Takahashi-san. May your afternoon be gentle to both of you," Angelisya nodded slightly, her tone elegant and composed.
(As expected... too much formality makes it hard to approach her...)
"Ah... I mean, sorry, good afternoon, Angelisya," Norika nervously wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, responding cautiously.
"Wow! I'm so happy, Angelisya actually remembered my name!" Isamu was so excited he nearly jumped up, his eyes sparkling.
"You idiot, don't call her by her first name!" Norika frowned, glaring at him fiercely.
"I did, didn't I? Isn't Angelisya her last name? You call her that too..." Isamu tilted his head innocently.
"I'm an exception! Ex-ception!" Norika clenched her teeth in frustration, "She personally said I could call her that!"
"So there's a special privilege for that...?" Isamu smirked, about to retort, but was interrupted by Norika swiftly slapping his head with her hand.
"Thud!" Isamu immediately dropped to his knees, a bump forming on his head.
"I'm so sorry... Angelisya-san," Norika quickly changed her expression, offering a polite smile and apologizing respectfully.
"Sorry, sorry, Princess Seraphina..." Isamu, with a swelling on his head and tears in his eyes, lowered his head miserably in apology.
"Heh, it's fine. A title is merely a symbol of etiquette; I don't mind," Angelisya laughed softly, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. "I always remember names once I've heard them."
"By the way, how did you end up on the rooftop?" Norika asked.
"Because..." Angelisya seemed a little embarrassed, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Because I didn't know I was supposed to bring lunch... so..."
"If you don't mind, you can have some of mine," Norika generously offered her lunchbox.
Angelisya gazed quietly at Norika, then smiled faintly, nodding elegantly.
"Then, as you wish. Thank you, Hoshizawa-san."
(Uh... I had planned to offer her some, but I didn't expect her to accept so readily...)
Norika was momentarily stunned, then let out a breath of relief.
Angelisya opened the lunchbox, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, as though the food inside had caught her attention.
"Wow, this golden part, and these little white grains... what is it? It smells so good!" She widened her eyes in curiosity, her tone filled with surprise.
Norika blinked, taken aback. "Uh... that's curry pork cutlet rice... haven't you had it before?"
"Of—of course I have! Hahaha..." Angelisya forced a smile, quickly picking up her chopsticks, trying to hide her unfamiliarity.
(She's lying, right...? That reaction totally says she's never had it before!)
Norika looked at Angelisya suspiciously but chose to remain silent and not call her out.
"Haha, it's probably because your cooking presentation is too bad, Norika!" Isamu laughed mischievously.
Without hesitation, Norika elbowed him in the stomach. "Shut up."
Isamu immediately bent over, clutching his stomach, his pained expression making Norika feel a sense of satisfaction.
"Hoshizawa-san, you're amazing! You actually cook yourself? Doesn't your family have a personal chef?" Angelisya asked in surprise.
Norika paused for a moment before responding, "Uh… a personal chef? Not really. It's just me and my little sister at home, so I have to cook."
Suddenly, Norika's phone emitted a series of beeping sounds—beep, beep-beep.
(That... the monster alarm! And this Reiki...?)
Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly realized what it meant. She also noticed that Angelisya was staring intently at the distance. Without thinking, Norika took out her phone to check, and found that the location of the monster matched the direction Angelisya was looking at.
"Angelisya-san, what are you… looking at?" Norika couldn't help but ask, her voice tinged with confusion.
"I... I wasn't looking at anything, just enjoying the view," Angelisya replied after a slight pause, quickly regaining her composure and shaking her head with a smile.
(This is really strange... But that Reiki... There's no time, I need to go quickly!)
Suppressing her doubts, Norika made a quick decision to leave. "Sorry, Angelisya-san, I have to leave. You two enjoy your meal. See you!" With that, she turned and quickly walked away.
"Hehe, Princess, it's just the two of us now~ We'll keep eating!" Isamu said with a carefree smile, continuing to dig into his meal.
"Uh… okay…" Angelisya responded, her voice thoughtful, but her gaze remained fixed on the distance, as if lost in deep contemplation.