"I've got a problem…" That's what a certain girl, who had recently risen to nobility, thought as she lazily scribbled notes in her notebook.
For the past few weeks, Maxine had been forced to deal with nobles. At best, they were a bunch of self-important jerks. Exhausting, sure, but manageable if it meant sticking to her mission. However… what really unsettled her was something else.
"She's staring again… creepy."
That girl. Nen. The same one she'd rejected some time ago. The same one she'd gone out of her way to hurt with icy cruelty, just to push her away. And she thought it had worked… at least for five quiet days. But suddenly, after the weekend, she felt those feline eyes drilling into the back of her neck again.
At first, she thought it was just her imagination. Or maybe Nen hated her and was plotting revenge. But no. Every time she turned to check, Nen would look away like nothing happened. Except for her little pink tail that betrayed her, always pointing in Maxine's direction even though she didn't seem to notice it.
That only made Maxine more nervous. Honestly, the interest that girl showed in her felt unsettling.
To make things worse, Nen had started "talking" to her again. Maxine ignored her every time. The only thing she could admit was that Nen wasn't as pushy as before. Now, whenever Maxine gave her the cold shoulder or refused to answer, Nen would back off. But the next day, she'd always return.
Maxine couldn't guess what went through her head. She was strange, no doubt. Not just because of the stares, but because of all the random, absurd things she did.
When Maxine first came to the academy, she'd heard rumors. That Nen loved playing pranks on nobles. And not just any nobles—on powerful families… even the prince himself! Maxine assumed it was just nonsense. Nobody could be that stupid. Until she saw it with her own eyes.
That day, walking down the hall, she came across the scene: the pink-haired girl suddenly hugged Lady Wiebke. Not a normal hug, but one so sudden that the noble of "cursed blood" had her face buried in Nen's chest. And then, without warning, Nen bolted off yelling something about "hating the system?" Whatever that meant. Was she… an anarchist?
Maxine barely contained herself, but a smile slipped out when she saw Wiebke's face burning bright red as she screamed insults in rage. A fleeting moment of weakness… followed by a harsh reminder to herself. She couldn't lower her guard. She reinforced her decision: she had to avoid Nen at all costs.
She wanted nothing to do with someone so reckless, someone bold enough to anger nobles without blinking.
She could endure mistreatment. Solitude wasn't hard to bear either. Truly, it wasn't. Maxine had always been strong. She had to be. Weakness was never an option. Only strength.
A little emptiness? A few humiliations? None of that mattered if she stayed focused on her goal. That was all she needed: finish her mission, endure her time at the academy, and then return to her family.
So why, of all people, did she have the rotten luck of catching Nen's attention?
Maxine sighed, tired, frowning as her fingers tapped distractedly on the desk. That was her real problem: she had no idea how to shake Nen off.
Her mind ran through options. She could beat her up, maybe humiliate her in public… but something deep down told her none of that would work. After all, she'd already struck her hard that afternoon in the garden that looked more like a forest. Nen had backed off, but now she was back again. Something told Maxine that girl would keep showing up, stubborn like a stray cat that refuses to leave the doorstep it was kicked from.
So Maxine decided on the simplest approach. She'd speak to her directly. Make it clear, once again, that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with her.
Before leaving, Maxine felt a vibration in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out a small pink tablet. One quick glance, and just like every other time since she'd arrived, she let out a heavy sigh.
With that, she went off to find her.
The bell had rung a while ago, signaling the start of break and lunch. Students scattered through the halls, filling the academy with a noisy buzz. But Nen had already darted off somewhere unknown.
Maxine walked alone, steady but slow, eyeing the walls around her. Adorned with intricate clockwork gears embedded into the stone, the corridors made it feel like the building breathed in its own time, detached from its occupants. Every metallic tick of the hands seemed to follow her.
Suddenly, she heard commotion. It came from a side corridor, one that ended in a dead end.
"Take it back!"
That voice—unmistakable.
It was her.
Maxine peeked around the corner cautiously. There stood the pink-haired girl, arguing with two nobles. One of them she recognized: the arrogant blonde who had tried to bother her on the first day of classes.
What were they arguing about?
"Excuse me?" the blonde asked, raising her brows in disdain.
"I said take it back," Nen shot back firmly, her pupils gleaming like blades. "You don't know anything about her."
The noble smirked mockingly, a hand resting against her painted lips.
"Please. It's obvious she must have slept with some rich man. How else could a mere commoner get into our academy? Unless… now that I think about it, you're this mad because you did the same thing, filthy Nen?"
The girl clenched her fists, her fangs barely showing as she tried to contain her rage.
"I don't care if you badmouth me. I can defend myself. But don't you dare talk behind someone else's back. That's cowardly. Or are you just scared Maxine will kick your delicate noble ass?"
Maxine blinked.
Me?
They were fighting… because of her?
The thought felt absurd. Ridiculous, even. Who in their right mind would fight for the honor of someone who wasn't even their friend? Not even an acquaintance. Someone she herself had mistreated. Why defend her?
Why? Was it some kind of trick? Nobody defends someone who insulted them… unless they want something in return. Wouldn't it make more sense to join in the mockery instead? Suspicious… why else would she be this angry?
But then Maxine remembered that scene: Nen hugging Lady Wiebke, making a spectacle out of her humiliation. Yeah… it wasn't far-fetched to think she was reckless—or stupid—enough to start a fight for that reason.
What an idiot…
The tension was seconds from exploding when a third figure entered the scene, stepping in behind the feline girl.
A young man of elegant bearing, every step measured as if he were performing on stage. His golden hair gleamed under the sunlight from the windows, and his lips carried a seductive smile, rehearsed to perfection.
Prince Kaelvarion.
Any other girl would have squealed in excitement. Alongside Lord Wiss and Lord Lysandre, he was one of the academy's idols, owner of countless sighs and hearts.
But not hers.
The moment she saw him, her expression twisted with disgust. She stepped back, as if a foul sewer had suddenly opened before her. Her revulsion was so blatant even Maxine noticed, startled.
Why does she hate him so much?
It was curious. She treated the prince like trash, yet with Maxine… with Maxine she tried so hard to get closer.
Still, she kinda thought it was a little funny how she didn't even try to hide her annoyance. If she had to sum her up in one word, it'd be: a stalker. Creepy as hell… but also kinda entertaining to watch. Just a tiny bit.
Maxine shook her head. She couldn't get distracted. She had come here for a reason.
Breathing deep, she stepped out of hiding, walking toward them with firm steps.
The blonde noble flinched, her features twisting into disgust. The prince watched with interest, a light chuckle escaping him, as if Maxine's presence were nothing but entertainment.
And Nen… Nen's eyes lit up the second she saw her. Her tail, incapable of hiding her emotions, flicked eagerly, coiling and uncoiling with nervous excitement.
Maxine narrowed her eyes.
"Oi, kitty. We need to talk. Now."
Her voice was icy, sharp like glass breaking in silence.
In response, Nen's face brightened. Her lips curved into a pure, almost childlike smile, as if this was the moment she'd been waiting for all day.
"Totally! Let's go!" she answered, all bubbly joy.
That expression disarmed her.
Frightened her, even.
And once again, like a bitter echo, a thought crossed Maxine's mind: I really do have a problem, don't I? What kind of madness will this kitty spring on me now?