Leo checked the time on his phone: 2:24 PM.
He had six minutes left.
After wandering around the school like a tourist for the last two hours, he finally figured out how to reach Building B. The welcome assembly for all first-year students was being held in the auditorium there.
As he climbed the wide marble steps, he couldn't help but notice how polished the place looked. Everything smelled like new books and money.
He pulled the door open—
And almost collided with someone again.
This time, neither of them fell, but it was close.
Leo stumbled back a step and raised his hands awkwardly.
"Sorry! I didn't see—"
The girl in front of him didn't say anything.
She just stared at him.
No—not stared.
More like… glared, very subtly.
Her silver hair was neatly tied into a low ponytail. She wore the school uniform perfectly, her posture straight like she had a ruler taped to her back. But her eyes, a cold gray, didn't blink once as she sized him up.
Leo gave an awkward smile. "I'm new. Transferred in this morning."
Silence.
Then she stepped aside without a word and walked in, her shoes clicking softly on the auditorium floor.
"…Okay," Leo mumbled to himself. "Not creepy at all."
---
Inside, students were slowly settling into rows of foldable seats. On the stage, a few teachers stood chatting quietly while a projector screen flashed:
"Welcome, Qingchen High School Class of A-7"
Leo found an empty seat near the back and dropped into it with a sigh.
The seat to his right was empty.
So was the one to his left.
He looked around. Students were talking in low voices, some laughing with friends, others scrolling through their phones. No one looked particularly dangerous—yet.
Suddenly, a figure sat down beside him.
He turned—
It was her again.
The silver-haired girl.
She sat down like a robot, hands folded, eyes forward.
Leo cleared his throat. "Uh… hey again."
No response.
He glanced at her badge.
> Rin Hoshino – Class A-7
"Cool name," he tried again.
"…Thanks," she said quietly, still not looking at him.
Progress?
"I'm Leo. Leo Shen."
"…I know," she said.
That made him blink. "Wait, how—?"
"You're the only transfer student this term. The teachers mentioned it."
"Oh."
A long pause.
Rin didn't move. Didn't glance at him. She sat perfectly still, like someone taking a very serious exam.
> Maybe she's just shy… or allergic to conversation.
---
The lights dimmed. The principal—a tall man in a tan suit with surprisingly casual sneakers—walked onto the stage.
His voice boomed through the mic. "Welcome to Qingchen High! I'll keep this short. You've all been chosen for Class A-7 because you're considered the best of the best. Or, in some cases"—he looked directly at Leo—"because we're testing your luck."
Everyone laughed.
Leo sank into his chair.
> I was spotted?!
The speech continued. Rules, expectations, goals, encouragement. The usual. Somewhere in there was a mention of "disciplinary points" and "student council regulations," but Leo tuned it out.
His mind was still on the girl next to him.
Why did she feel so… intense?
And why, even now, did it seem like she was sneakily glancing at him through her side vision?
---
After the assembly, students were encouraged to walk around and introduce themselves to classmates.
Leo stood up, unsure whether to stay or leave.
Rin remained seated.
Then, just as he turned to go, she said:
"…Your uniform is crooked."
He looked down. Tie was off by half an inch.
"Wow. Good eyes."
Rin looked like she wanted to say something else… but then stood and walked away instead, disappearing into the crowd.
---
Leo watched her go, scratching his head.
> First conversation with a classmate: awkward silence, laser eyes, and fashion judgment.
> I think I'm doing great.
He hadn't even made it through Day One, and already this school felt like a maze of strange encounters.
But somewhere deep down, he couldn't deny it—
He was curious about her.