The situation was so confusing. I had just been cornered by two guys—Theo and Tetsu—both looking dead serious, acting like detectives interrogating a criminal.
"Spill it, Nao," said Tetsu as he slammed his hand against the wall next to me. "What are you hiding?" His glare was intense.
Since when did Tetsu become this weird after awakening?
"That's right, Nao. Just be honest," Theo added while cracking his knuckles and staring me down.
And… since when were we even close?
In this kind of confusing situation, there's always one solid answer that works for any question: "I don't know," said with a completely straight face.
They exchanged glances, then leaned their faces close to mine, staring like they could detect lies from my expression. "What's your relationship with Elysia?" Tetsu asked seriously, narrowing his eyes.
Relationship?
I froze, thinking for a second. To be honest, I was kind of using Elysia for my own benefit, but there's no way I'm saying that out loud.
BAM!!
Tetsu slammed the wall again and I flinched. Damn! What's with them acting like this?
"We're just friends," I answered.
"Friends?" They looked at me like I was full of crap.
"It's the truth," I said, trying to convince them.
Their intense stares were getting on my nerves, but I held it in.
"For real?" they both asked at the same time.
"For real." I nodded seriously.
And then suddenly… Tetsu hugged me, catching me totally off guard. "Phew! I thought my friend had found true love," he said dramatically, even tearing up.
Love? Me? What the hell is he talking about?
"No way anyone would fall for me," I said, trying to push Tetsu away from his random hug.
"That's true, huhuhu…" Tetsu whimpered while wiping away the tears still clinging to the corner of his eyes.
"You're not like Theo who gets love letters every day." He backed off at last.
Love letters? I looked at Theo. Can't lie—he is handsome, smart, basically perfect.
"Do you have someone you like, Theo?" I asked, curious. Out of all the girls chasing him, there's gotta be someone.
Theo shook his head. So he doesn't have anyone… or maybe he's hiding it?
"NAO!!" Elysia suddenly yelled my name, catching me off guard. She walked toward us all elegantly, with Selene chasing behind.
She stopped right in front of us and said, "You'll be my partner tomorrow," loud enough for everyone around to hear. All the students nearby froze, stunned by her sudden declaration.
Wait… what? Why me?
"Yes or no?" she pressed, her tone sharp.
"Wait, what kind of partner?" I asked, confused.
"Dance partner," she replied flatly, eyes still cold, silencing the whole area.
"I can't dance," I said, trying to get out of it.
She stepped an inch closer and yanked my tie, her face now just inches from mine. "Yes or no?" Her voice was deeper now.
"No." I stuck to my guns.
"In that case…" she pulled out a student card from her pocket.
Crap! She's threatening me now?
I had planned not to spend any money and leech off her until the right time came. Looks like I'll have to redo my master plan.
I sighed. "Fine."
It's just dancing, right? I just have to survive one night. But the second I said yes, the whole crowd exploded with noise.
What the hell? Did I say something wrong?
"See you tonight." She walked off without another word.
People were still freaking out. I didn't get what the big deal was.
Tetsu looked totally shook and leaned over to whisper, "Do you even know tomorrow is the noble's dance event? It's the day all nobles come and dance with their chosen partners."
I went still.
"So… what does that mean?" I asked hesitantly.
"It means Elysia's claiming you as her partner… and you'll be meeting her parents."
I collapsed to the ground. This is a disaster.
"Whoa, Nao! You're one step ahead of us now!" Theo laughed at my reaction.
Selene chimed in too. "I asked Elysia earlier. She said you're someone special to her."
The crowd freaked out again after hearing that juicy piece of info.
Damn it! I just need to survive until the War of Class ends.
I let out a long sigh. Whatever happens, happens. I'm done trying to make sense of this crazy world.
---
Later that night, I knocked on Elysia's door.
Knock knock!
She opened it and gave me her usual blank stare.
She let me in, and I stepped into her room. Once I was inside, she shut the door. Now it was just the two of us.
"So, why did you call me?" I sat down on a chair.
"Tomorrow's a big day. You need to wear a black coat. Do you have one?" she asked.
"Nope. I've never even been to a party before," I replied.
"In that case…" she pulled out a coat from her closet. "This was my brother's. Wear it tomorrow. Got it?"
"Got it." I sighed heavily.
I still don't get this girl, and I'm too tired to figure her out.
"You're not gonna ask why I picked you?" she asked.
"If you don't wanna tell me, then you don't have to," I shrugged.
We sat in silence for a moment, then she finally spoke up. "I'm doing this to find the ideal man for my father."
"If that's the case, why not just pick one of the five geniuses?" I suggested.
She paused, then said, "Because they're different from you."
Different? Those guys have it all—status, power, names, and bright futures.
She added, "You're hard to control. That's why I need your stubbornness."
"That's it?" I asked.
"Yes, and…" she paused again, "…there's another reason."
I understood what she wanted—but if something goes wrong, who's going to take responsibility for me?
"Well then…" I grabbed the black coat she was still holding. "Good night." I turned to leave.
She stopped me.
I looked back. Her face was downcast.
"Can you stay with me tonight?" she asked softly.
I sighed. "Fine." I closed the door again.
She was still holding onto my coat, not letting go.
I stood there, frozen, while she hesitated to say something.
"Elysia… just say what you need to say," I told her.
"If I tell you my story… will you listen?"
"I will."
"It all started like this…"