That morning, Andalas High School felt different from usual. It was noisier. More crowded. And somehow more... dazzling.
It wasn't because of the morning sun reflecting off the school building's windows, but because of the hundreds of new students crowding together in their junior high school uniforms—but what caught the attention of the senior boys with wandering eyes was that many of the new female students this year were beautiful. According to the senior girls, there were also many handsome junior boys this year.
However, among them, there was a girl standing on the edge of the field—as if she didn't want to be the center of attention.
Her name was Evelyn Valeria Alexis, or Eve for short. Today was her first day of high school, where she was participating in Orientation Week. She looked ordinary, with pale skin and a dull face due to minimal makeup. Eve doesn't care about her appearance. She has long, straight brown hair that was tied back loosely, with a few strands falling over her forehead. She didn't wear any powder, just lip balm. She is tall but too thin. She is introverted—but has above-average intelligence, her academic grades are truly fantastic, and she excels in various fields.
Eve seems uninterested in mingling.
She is quiet and has no interest in showing off anything.
Her hands hold a sketchbook that she hasn't had time to put in her tote bag.
Because this morning... is too chaotic.
“Damn... there are so many people,” she muttered softly.
Suddenly, she heard a girl talking next to her. She doesn't know when the girl had appeared beside her.
“Well, it's Orientation Week. All schools are chaotic on the first day.”
The girl smiled amusedly at Eve's surprised expression.
“Anyway... my name is Hera Rafaella... You can call me Hera,” she said, extending her hand to Eve.
Hera Rafaella. Beautiful. Her long hair was left loose and looked better cared for than Eve's. She was one of the new students who was quite well known even before officially entering Andalas because she was active on social media.
“My name is Eve.”
Eve awkwardly accepted Hera’s handshake.
“Starting today, we’re friends, okay?” Hera smiled sweetly at Eve.
Before Eve could respond, Hera had already pulled her hand away. She noticed Eve’s expression.
““You're so tense, relax, Eve.”
Eve shook her head slowly.
“I'm just lazy. I don't really like crowds.”
Hera laughed softly.
“You do seem really quiet. But don't worry. Let's enjoy this together. After all, it's only once in a lifetime, Eve.”
“Yes, Her.”
On the other side of the field, there was a different kind of commotion. Soft shouts, whispers, even some sounds that were almost like holding one's breath.
Eve and Hera glanced at the source of the commotion.
And that's when...
The world seemed to slow down.
A guy stood among the new male students. He was tall, with broad shoulders. His black hair was neatly combed but not stiff. His face—too perfect for a normal human being. Eve, who was usually only interested in anime boys and Korean idols, stared at him without blinking.
His gaze was cold, almost emotionless. But that was precisely what made everyone, especially the girls, transfixed.
It wasn't just Eve.
All the girls glanced at him secretly.
“He's so handsome, damn. He looks like Cha Eunwoo.
“He's the son of a lecturer at Airlangga University.”
“Wow, one of the most famous universities in this country, that's cool.”
“What's his name?”
“Reynold something, I'm not sure.”
Eve, who heard this, became even more curious about the guy called Reynold.
“Hey! Eve! Are you daydreaming?”
Hera's voice snapped Eve out of her trance.
“No... no.”
“You've been staring at Reynold. Are you interested in him?”
“What are you talking about, Her? How do you know his name?”
"I went to junior high school with him, Eve. Reynold Maximilian Hawthorne. He's the son of rich parents, his father works in the government, his mother is a lecturer, and he's as handsome as a Korean idol, according to the girls in junior high, but he's really mean and cold."
“Are you close friends with him?”
“Not really. Just normal. Lots of girls have a crush on him, but he doesn't pay any attention to them.”
“Including you, Her?”
“Huh? Me? No way! I don't really like people my age. I prefer older people. They're more mature."
“The school gardener is older than you, Her.”
“Damn. That's not just older. That's elderly, Eve. Like..i would date an old man! You're crazy.”
“But seriously, he never responds to girls?”
Eve asked Hera again.
“As far as i know, he doesn't. But yesterday when i was registering at this high school, i saw him looking at a senior. And i think that was the first time his eyes were drawn to something.”
“A girl?”
“Of course, Eve. Do you think Rey is a gay?”
“Oh, so his name is Rey. Who was he looking at, Her?”
“An upperclassman, really pretty. And friendly too. I think she’s one of the student council members. I don’t know her name yet. I’ll let you know if i see her again. But why are you asking about Rey? Are you interested in him? Admit it!”
Hera smiled mischievously, teasing Eve.
“No. I'm just curious.”
“Curious? Curiosity leads to attraction, Eve. And your cheeks are as red as a boiled crab that was left in the pot too long. You're interested in Rey, aren't you?”
“What are you talking about, Hera? No. For me, Satoru Gojo is still the best.”
“Satoru Gojo? Who's that? What a strange name.” Hera frowned slightly.
“Anime.”
Hera rolled her eyes.
“You’re such a wibu. Whatever, Eve.”
Even though Eve denied it, she knew this was the first time her heart had beaten faster because of a guy. It was her first day of high school, and she had already fallen in love. With someone who didn’t even know her. Or maybe Rey would never even notice her.