The bell rang, signaling lunch break.
I stretched my arms, lazily grabbing my bag from under the desk.
Bryan: "Ughhh, that math quiz killed me. I swear my brain just died."
Mila: "If you actually memorized the formula, you'd be fine."
They kept bickering as they made their way toward me.
I smirked at them, leaning casually on the desk.
Rika: "You two done flirting yet? I'm hangry."
Both of them turned red and replied in sync, totally flustered.
Both: "Who's flirting?!"
Then they stopped and looked at each other, realizing they just walked into it.
I burst out laughing, holding my stomach.
Rika: "Geez… you two are hopeless. Let's go already. I'm starving."
Mila pouted and smacked my shoulder.
Mila: "You owe me juice for that teasing!"
Rika: "Fine, fine. Let's go."
We walked to the cafeteria, still teasing and poking at each other like usual.
Students smiled as we passed by. Mila was well-known for being the smart, reliable science club president. And Bryan? The "great swimmer" of the campus — as he'd never let anyone forget.
Bryan: "Ohh~ look at that. Mila's fangirls are back. Should I get an autograph now before you're too famous?"
Mila: (rolling her eyes) "Oh shut up. Look who's talking — the campus 'merman.' Gross."
Rika: (chuckling) "You two never change…"
But when we reached the cafeteria, we stopped.
A huge crowd had formed.
Mila: "Umm… what's going on?"
Bryan: "Special meal promo today?" He looked around, puzzled.
I pulled out my phone, and it buzzed right on cue.
Mom: "Sweetie, don't catch a cold, okay? I love you."
I stared at the message.
But that wasn't just a sweet text. That was a code.
"Don't disappoint us. I'm watching."
My fingers stiffened around the phone.
Suddenly, Bryan gently nudged me, eyes wide in silent panic.
I blinked and looked up at him, forcing a smile.
Rika: "Wha–what? Don't tell me you're panicking over some cafeteria meal too?"
Bryan didn't answer. He simply pointed with his lips toward the crowd.
I turned.
In the middle of the cafeteria stood a girl — white hair, soft pink lips, and a delicate, almost untouchable aura.
She wasn't just beautiful.
She was… strange. Too quiet. Too perfect.
But then — she looked straight at me.
Smiling.
My chest tightened.
Whispers started rippling through the crowd.
She stood, heels clicking softly on the tile as she walked — slow, poised — toward me.
The cafeteria fell into dead silence.
Even Mila and Bryan instinctively stepped aside, giving us space.
I blinked, caught off guard.
Rika: "Ummm… h-hi?"
She didn't respond right away. Just kept looking into my eyes, like she was trying to read something behind them.
Then she offered her hand.
And just as I lifted mine, she already took it, firmly.
Clarissa: "My name is Clarissa. Nice to meet you."
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