The classroom was absolute chaos.
Chairs scraped, bags thumped, and the low roar of voices filled the air like a tide that had forgotten how to retreat. It was 8:55 AM, but not a single soul was in their seat.
"Did you finish Ms. Meyer's assignment?"
"I totally forgot—quick, let me copy yours!"
"Shh, don't laugh so loud, she might be outside!"
Somewhere near the middle of the noise storm sat a group of five who somehow managed to look peaceful in the uproar.
---
Annika Wu sat with her chin on her palm, staring at the others like she was observing a parade of morons she'd been forced to accompany. She was stunning—the kind of person who could hold someone's attention with a single glance. Yet, she always made sure to speak softly and never glow too bright.
Across from her, Yuen Park and Mila Cortez were bickering—again.
"I'm just saying," Yuen gestured wildly with a packet of chips. "You can't forget my birthday and then say the fireworks were 'good enough compensation.'"
Mila rolled her eyes dramatically. "You got a full evening of explosions in the sky. Who else can claim that?"
"That's how Valterra celebrates national holidays, not me, woman!"
Annika stared at them, eyes narrowing. "Why do you insist on showing dog food in front of me this early in the morning?"
The table went quiet.
Rei Saito, the calm, elegant beauty with sharp eyes, lowered her book slowly. Leo Carmine, seated beside her, glanced up from his tablet with practiced nonchalance.
Dog food.
The code phrase implied one thing: romantic affection was being shoved in front of single people.
Yuen paused mid-chew, glancing at Mila. "Technically, we aren't even dating in front of you right now."
"You're arguing like a married couple," Annika countered with a sigh.
"Oh, so you're jealous?" Mila teased, grinning.
Annika sniffed. "Jealous? No. Annoyed? Yes."
Rei rested her chin on her hand and spoke, "Honestly, at this point, I'm just invested in their relationship arc."
Leo nodded solemnly. "They've had more development than the last three shows you recommended."
Rei gasped slightly. "Are you telling me you're still thinking about that?"
"The ending was a statistical abomination," Leo declared without hesitation.
Yuen blinked. "Bruh. Are you two arguing about an anime?"
Rei tilted her head. "Don't pretend you don't cry when the robot sacrifices itself."
"I WAS TIRED THAT NIGHT!" Yuen yelled.
Mila thumped Yuen's head. "That's enough excuses for one lifetime."
---
Further toward the windows, a pair of students whispered:
"Why is the teacher taking this long today?"
"I don't know, but I hope she cancels class."
"Someone said the principal walked in earlier. Maybe she got fired."
"Or maybe—"
"Let me stop you there before you say something stupid."
---
"Annika," Yuen said suddenly, leaning forward mischievously, "we wouldn't 'show dog food' if you just got a boyfriend already."
Mila nodded. "Seriously. There's gotta be someone who caught your eye."
Leo raised a brow. "I have a spreadsheet of potential candidates."
Rei shoved him lightly. "Leo, stop trying to treat her love life like a corporate takeover."
Annika glared at all of them. "One day. I will get a flamethrower. And you'll all be sorry."
---
Then, finally—
The door slid open.
Everyone fell silent. Even the clock seemed to stop ticking.
Mr. Elias Grant, their homeroom teacher, stood with his usual calm smile, holding a folder in one hand and a mug in the other.
"Good to see you all surviving another morning of chaos," he said with a dry tone. "As usual, I'll pretend I didn't hear any of that."
A few giggled. Annika straightened up.
Mr. Grant set down his mug on the desk. "Before we begin, we have something… special today. A transfer student just joined us."
A ripple went through the crowd.
He turned toward the hallway and nodded.
"Come in."
The classroom held one collective breath.
A figure stepped through the doorway.
Black hair. Calm eyes. Expression unreadable.
Like someone walking out of a different story entirely.
And just like that—
Valterra High stood at the precipice of change.
Kai Ardent had arrived.