The reactions from the people around him didn't seem to bother Seiya. He simply smiled, nodded politely, and found an inconspicuous seat to sit in.
He couldn't help it—ever since debuting as a child actor, he had gradually grown used to these kinds of situations. It had been uncomfortable at first, but once you got used to it, it really wasn't a big deal anymore.
In contrast to Seiya's composure, Ruby Hoshino was clearly a bundle of nerves.
In her previous life, she had just been an ordinary girl. Although she entered the Performing Arts Department with dreams of becoming an idol, the moment she stepped into the classroom, she was overwhelmed—everywhere she looked, there were beautiful girls and handsome boys.
What's worse, she recognized some of them. They were people who had already debuted—faces she'd seen on TV or in magazines.
But soon, Ruby lightly patted her cheeks and whispered encouragement to herself.
It's fine. Even if everyone here looks amazing, I inherited Mom's beauty too. I just need the right chance!
While she was busy psyching herself up, she suddenly noticed the girl sitting next to her—a pink-haired student—staring straight at her with wide eyes.
The reason Ruby found her so "unbelievable" was simple: although they were all first-years, that girl's body was… well, far beyond what any normal sixteen-year-old should have.
Realizing that her staring might seem rude, the pink-haired girl quickly apologized. "Sorry! I didn't mean to keep staring—it's just… you're really pretty. And since you came in with Hito Seiya, I got curious. Oh, right! I'm Umemiya Nami. Nice to meet you! This department really is full of hidden talents, huh?"
Ruby blushed at the compliment, then—without hesitation—pulled out her phone and started searching in front of Nami's face.
"Wow, you're a gravure model! And a G-cup? That's so sexy!"
Nami's face turned bright red. "H-hey, stop that! Don't look it up right in front of me! I just debuted recently, so I'm still a total newbie. I'm nothing compared to the big names!"
As she spoke, Nami's eyes darted subtly toward Seiya's seat.
By now, because of Seiya's approachable attitude, several students had already gathered around him, trying to chat or strike up a connection.
Ruby followed her gaze and smiled knowingly. "You mean Seiya? Yeah, he really is different. But he's been in the industry since he was a kid. Even if we're the same age, his experience and reputation are on another level. It's pointless to compare ourselves to him. Oh, and I'm Ruby Hoshino. You can just call me Ruby—nice to meet you, too."
After saying that, Ruby felt a little deflated.
Nami and the others might be below Seiya in rank, but at least they were already in the industry. Meanwhile, Ruby had only just signed a contract with Strawberry Productions a few days ago. She hadn't even done a single job yet. Calling herself an "idol" was… well, self-proclaimed at best.
"Ruby, you called him by name just now—and you two came in together. Don't tell me…"
Ruby waved her hands quickly. "No, no! You're reading too much into it. I only met Seiya today. We just happened to know the same upperclassman who brought us here, that's all. But you, Nami—you've been talking about Seiya a lot since earlier. Could it be… he's your oshi?"
For someone who seemed shy, Nami didn't deny it. Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Not just me! My whole family are fans of Hito Seiya! I still can't believe I'm actually in the same class as him—it feels like a dream!"
Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Ruby couldn't help smiling. It wasn't strange at all—for someone in the entertainment world, it was perfectly normal to have someone they admired. And for a fan, being in the same class as their idol was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime happiness that anyone would cherish.
If it were me, Ruby thought, and I suddenly found myself classmates with Hoshino Ai… I'd probably be even more ecstatic than she is.
"Anyway," Ruby said with a small grin, "even if we're in the Performing Arts Department, I bet most of the students here are just normal people compared to someone like Seiya, right?"
Nami chuckled awkwardly. "Actually… that's not quite true. This year, our class is really something. Besides Seiya, there's another super popular actor—"
Before Nami could even finish her sentence, several nearby students gasped.
"No way! Shiranui Marinelle? She's in our class too? I thought it was just someone with the same name!"
"Hito Seiya and Shiranui Marinelle—the two most popular young stars right now, both in the same class?!"
Ruby and Nami turned to the source of the commotion, just in time to see a breathtaking girl with long, deep-green hair stride into the classroom.
A small beauty mark graced both the corner of her eye and her lips—adding a mature, glamorous touch to her already stunning features.
In that instant, every gaze in the room was drawn to her. Even Ruby and Nami, both girls themselves, couldn't look away.
Shiranui Marinelle—an actress who skyrocketed to fame through a hit Monday-night drama. She had not only achieved success as an actress but also in advertising and music, becoming a multi-talented star admired throughout the industry.
Frankly, compared to everyone else in the class—most of whom barely counted as "minor talents"—Marinelle was a true top-tier celebrity. Her achievements were something the others could only look up to.
As she entered the classroom, her elegant yet cool aura silenced all whispers.
But when Marinelle's eyes met Seiya's, a flicker of surprise appeared on her face.
After a moment's hesitation, she walked straight toward him.
The crowd around Seiya instinctively parted, clearing a path for her.
Everyone understood the unspoken rule—birds of a feather flock together.
And in this Class 1-F, the only one who could stand on equal footing with Shiranui Marinelle… was none other than Hito Seiya.
(End of Chapter)