*Chapter 3: Welcome to Aether High — Chaos, Crushes, and Catastrophes*
Kaito Nakamura blinked. Again. And again. Somehow, he was *still* in the afterlife, but this time, as the most ridiculously gorgeous student at Aether High — the kind of beauty that made grown men stammer and teenagers swoon. If only he knew *how* or *why* his afterlife involved surviving endless awkward stares and getting hit on by half the school.
Today was the first day of his "new life." Meaning: he had to survive the chaotic social jungle that was this supernatural academy without tripping over his own feet (which was already a challenge).
Just as Kaito took a cautious step forward, a voice boomed nearby.
"Hey! Watch it, rookie!"
Turning around, Kaito met the glare of Alexander Brown — Aether High's hottest, scariest, and most mysterious upperclassman. Alexander was the kind of guy who looked like he'd bite your head off if you looked at him sideways... yet somehow, every girl and guy wanted *him*. Even Kaito felt his stomach do an embarrassing little flip.
Alexander's expression softened just a bit as he added, "You really don't have to try so hard to stand out. You already do."
Before Kaito could even think of a response, a charming, confident voice interrupted them.
"Well, well, well... if it isn't Aether High's most confusing love triangle in progress." David Louise sauntered over, flashing a mischievous grin. His eyes immediately locked on Kaito. "New face, huh? I like that."
Kaito nearly choked on air. This guy was the definition of trouble. And from the way Alexander's jaw clenched, David was trouble they both knew all too well.
Suddenly, a small, shy voice piped up behind them. Jin Lee peeked out from behind David, cheeks flushed a delicate pink. "Don't be too scary, David. He's new."
David winked at Jin, then shot a playful glance at Kaito. "Don't worry, cute one. I'm harmless... mostly."
Before Kaito could reply, the ground seemed to shake with the approaching storm known as White Louise — the school's original queen bee and David's very protective older sister. With her two besties, the Gold twins, trailing behind, White zeroed in on Alexander like a heat-seeking missile.
"Alexander! You're still spending time with *him*?" White hissed, eyeing Kaito with pure venom. "I don't care how cute he is, you belong with me."
Alexander rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out of his head. "White, please. I'm not interested."
White's smile was as sharp as her nails. "We'll see about that."
Kaito's face turned several shades of red as he realized he'd just accidentally stepped into the middle of a school-wide soap opera and he hadn't even unpacked his bag yet.
"Welcome to Aether High," Alexander muttered under his breath, as chaos swirled around them like a supernatural tornadoes
---
Kaito swallowed hard, trying to appear calm as White Louise's icy glare pierced right through him. The Gold twins, Clare and Mara, flanking her like loyal bodyguards, whispered something about "protecting the throne" — which only made Kaito more confused about what throne he had accidentally sat on.
Before he could get a grip, the school's infamous *Ghost Bell* rang out, sending a shriek echoing through the halls. Not your average school bell — this one howled like a banshee, and students groaned in protest.
"Class starts in five minutes," Jin mumbled, tugging awkwardly on Kaito's sleeve. "Try not to get lost in the haunted corridors... or eaten by rogue spirits. It's a thing here."
Kaito blinked. "Rogue spirits? Eaten?"
David snorted. "Welcome to Aether High, newbie. You better learn fast or become lunch."
Suddenly, the floor beneath them trembled. A thick, green mist seeped from the walls, coiling like fingers in the air. Students scattered, yelling about a "spirit surge." Kaito was stuck, heart pounding, when out of the fog emerged a grotesque figure — a snarling shadow beast with glowing red eyes.
The shadow beast dissolved into mist as the last rune flared, and the school slowly returned to its normal spooky, chaotic self. Kaito wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to smile through the panic.
"Is it always like this?" he asked.
"Every single day," Jin answered, grinning shyly. "But that's what makes it fun."
Kaito sighed. Maybe afterlife wasn't about peace and quiet. Maybe it was about surviving drama, crushes, and supernatural chaos... with a little bit of comedy thrown in.
---
Want me to keep going with this tone? Or add a scene where Kaito accidentally embarrasses himself again? "Oh great," Alexander grunted, stepping protectively in front of Kaito. "Another day, another demon."
Without missing a beat, Alexander pulled out a shimmering blade glowing with runes, slashing through the mist. Kaito gaped — this was *not* the afterlife he expected when he died from what he still thought was an embarrassing, totally mundane accident.
David pulled out twin daggers that flickered like lightning and leapt into the fray with theatrical flair, shouting, "Time to make this spirit *dance*!"
Jin, surprisingly nimble, darted between shadows, his quiet chants turning the air thick with glowing sigils. Even White Louise joined, summoning a blizzard of ice shards that glittered like diamonds.
Kaito stood frozen — but when a shadow lunged at him, he barely managed to dodge, tripping and landing flat on his face with a loud *thud*. The hall erupted with laughter, including David's loudest, most obnoxious cackle.
"Smooth, new guy! You sure you're ready for this place?" David teased.
Kaito groaned, rubbing his pride and his aching cheek. "I swear, I'm more used to finals than fighting monsters."
Alexander's dark eyes softened just a little. "You'll get used to it. Or you won't survive. Either way, welcome to Aether High."