The sound of the morning bell echoed through Kuoh Academy, signaling the start of another day.
Students were either slouched in their seats or chatting idly, eyes glazed as the homeroom teacher strolled in. But something was different this time. Excitement buzzed in the air.
"Alright, everyone," the teacher clapped her hands, standing at the front of the room with a smile. "We have a new student joining us today. She transferred here recently, so I hope you'll all make her feel welcome."
She gestured toward the door. "Come in, Asia-san."
The door slid open with a gentle click, and in stepped a girl that instantly silenced the classroom.
Soft blonde hair that shimmered in the sunlight. Emerald-green eyes that sparkled with innocence. Her pale skin and gentle smile gave off an angelic aura that was hard to ignore. She looked more like a character from a fantasy novel than a real person standing in front of a bunch of hormonal teenagers.
Asia bowed politely.
"H-Hello, my name is Asia Argento," she said in a soft, melodic voice. "I am still learning Japanese, so please be kind to me. I look forward to studying with everyone."
There was a wave of awestruck gasps.
Even the girls, usually quick to judge a pretty new face, looked too stunned to say anything.
The teacher nodded encouragingly. "Is there anything else you'd like to share with the class?"
Asia blinked, then smiled brightly as if remembering something important.
"Ah, yes! I am currently staying with Issei-san. He's been very kind to me and helped me get used to Japan. He even carried all my belongings to my room yesterday."
The classroom broke.
"...HUH!?"
All heads turned to me—Hyoudou Issei, the infamous pervert of Kuoh Academy—sitting near the window, trying very, very hard not to die from the shockwave of attention that just hit me.
I slowly lowered my head into my arms.
"Why… why did she have to say that…" I mumbled to no one in particular.
The class erupted into chaos.
"MOVE IN!? SHE LIVES WITH YOU!?"
"WHAT ROOM!? HOW CLOSE!?"
"IS SHE YOUR COUSIN!? YOUR FIANCÉ!? YOUR BRIDE FROM ANOTHER WORLD!?"
"You bastard! You're already in the Occult Club with Rias-senpai, and now this!?"
I looked to my left and saw my two so-called friends—Matsuda and Motohama—already standing up from their seats, their expressions a mix of betrayal and apocalyptic rage.
"Issei! You traitor! You absolute normie!" Matsuda cried.
"You said you'd die a virgin with us! You PLEDGED!" Motohama shouted, his glasses fogging with emotion.
I held up both hands. "Listen, guys! I didn't ask for this! It just… happened!"
"Oh, it just happened, huh?" Matsuda said dramatically. "She just fell from the sky into your house!?"
Motohama gasped. "Wait. Wait a second. If she lives with you… that means you guys share breakfast… and possibly the bathroom…"
Their brains began to melt.
"I've seen enough anime to know where this is going!" Matsuda screamed.
The girls in the class weren't much better.
"Of course she's living with him. Typical," one muttered.
"I bet he's already tried peeking on her," another whispered with a death glare.
"He's so shameless…"
Asia tilted her head, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"
The teacher tried desperately to regain control of the room. "Everyone, please! Calm down! Asia-san, why don't you take the empty seat next to Hyoudou-kun?"
Asia smiled and walked over, sitting down gracefully beside me as if nothing had just exploded seconds ago.
I could feel my soul slowly leaving my body from all the stares boring into the side of my head.
"You did great," I whispered.
"Thank you," Asia replied brightly. "But… did I embarrass you, Issei-san?"
I sighed. "Not really. I mean, yeah, but… it's not your fault."
She looked down. "I just wanted to thank you."
I glanced at her—at how she gripped the hem of her skirt, looking so nervous and unsure, trying so hard to belong.
"You didn't do anything wrong," I said. "Don't let those idiots bother you. I'm used to it."
She looked up at me and smiled shyly. "Okay."
And then, of course, the bell rang again, and our teacher launched into the first lesson of the day.
But no one was paying attention.
Asia Argento, angelic transfer student and accidental bringer of chaos, had single-handedly turned the classroom upside-down just by existing—and by saying one innocent truth.
That she lived with me.
Throughout the rest of the morning, whispers continued. Every time Asia asked me a question, the classroom collectively gasped. Every time I answered, someone hissed my name like I'd just committed treason.
Matsuda leaned over during break and whispered like he was at a funeral.
"You disgust me, Hyoudou. Living with a girl like that… and acting like it's normal…"
Motohama added, "If you don't let us visit your house, our friendship is over."
"Denied," I replied without missing a beat.
They groaned and collapsed dramatically over their desks.
Meanwhile, Asia was busy trying to figure out how to open a juice box, her face scrunched in pure concentration. I watched her for a moment, then reached over and poked the straw through for her.
She blinked. "Ah, thank you!"
And that innocent smile… it made the backlash worth it.
Probably.
Maybe.
…Not really.
~~~
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