From a distance, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. Before Alvaro could even react, someone ran past and bumped into her shoulder hard enough to make her stumble a little. The person didn't even bother to look back or apologize—just kept walking as if nothing had happened.
Alvaro frowned, irritation flashing across her face. "What's with them?" she muttered.
"Haha, just ignore it," Kaori said with a light laugh beside her. "They're kind of known as the troublemakers around here. You better not mess with them—they usually come in groups."
Alvaro let out a short chuckle. "Seriously? They sound like a bunch of kids. Poor things—already in high school but still acting like kindergarteners." Her tone was teasing, with a touch of disbelief.
Kaori giggled. "Yeah, I know. Weird thing is—lots of people actually like them."
Alvaro looked at her in surprise. "You're kidding, right? People like them? Seriously?"
Kaori nodded, amused.
Alvaro shook her head, sighing dramatically. "Wow… the standards here must be really low."
"Hahaha, I can't believe you actually said that!" Kaori laughed, nearly bending over.
"But it's true," Alvaro shrugged casually. "They act like little brats. I can't understand how anyone would like that."
Kaori nodded in agreement. "Yeah, fair enough." She smiled at Alvaro. "Anyway, which class are you in?"
"Uh, 10B, I think," Alvaro answered.
"Ah, that's too bad. We're not in the same class," Kaori said, sounding a little disappointed.
"Which one are you in?"
"10F."
"Whoa, that's really far!"
"Exactly!" Kaori exclaimed with mock frustration.
Alvaro laughed softly. "Hah, anyway… uh, where's the toilet?" she asked, glancing around the hallway.
"Over there," Kaori said, pointing down the corridor.
"Okay. Can you wait for me here? I still don't know where 10B is."
"Sure," Kaori said with a nod.
Alvaro walked off toward the direction Kaori pointed. She didn't notice the small sign beside the door—her mind was still spinning from the new environment, new faces, and her new situation. Without realizing it, she walked straight into the boys' toilet.
Inside, a boy was washing his hands at the sink. Alvaro walked up beside him, pretending nothing was wrong, and started washing her hands too. The boy gave her a puzzled look, his brows furrowed.
"Uh… wrong restroom?" he asked carefully.
"No? Why?" Alvaro replied innocently.
The boy tilted his head. "You're a girl… in the boys' toilet."
For a second, Alvaro froze, eyes wide. "O–OH! R–RIGHT!" she stammered, her cheeks burning red. She quickly grabbed her bag and dashed out, muttering incoherently as the boy shook his head in disbelief.
How careless do you have to be to walk into the wrong toilet? he thought, chuckling to himself.
Alvaro hurried back to Kaori, face flushed and voice shaky. "B–back…"
Kaori tried her best to hold in her laughter, but her lips were already twitching. "Don't tell me—you went into the boys' toilet? What are you, a pervert?" she teased, bursting out laughing.
"W–wrong door…" Alvaro said stiffly, wishing the floor would just swallow her whole.
Ugh, never again. I'll just hold it in till I get home, she thought miserably.
"Alright, alright," Kaori said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Do you still want me to show you where 10B is, or do you want to stand here and die of embarrassment first?"
"N–no, please, just show me where it is," Alvaro said quickly.
Kaori grinned. "Okay, let's go." She extended her hand toward Alvaro.
"Eh?" Alvaro blinked, confused.
"Oh, come on! Just hold my hand," Kaori said with an exaggerated sigh.
Flustered, Alvaro awkwardly reached out and gently took Kaori's hand. Kaori immediately started walking quickly, pulling Alvaro along.
When they stopped, Kaori turned and smiled. "Here it is—class 10B."
She peeked through the small window in the door and noticed the vice principal already standing at the front of the class.
"Eh, Valerie! You're finally here. Go on, get inside," Kaori said, smiling brightly.
"Ah—okay. Thanks," Alvaro replied.
"I'll head back to my class then. See you later!" Kaori waved before walking away down the hall.
After she left, Alvaro—still under the name Valerie—stood in front of the door for a few seconds, gathering her courage. Slowly, she knocked and opened it just enough to peek inside.
"Excuse me… sorry I'm late, sir," she said softly.
The teacher looked up, frowning slightly. "Tsk, another one late on the first day," he muttered. But then his eyes focused on Valerie. "Oh—wait, are you the new student?"
"Yes, sir," she answered politely.
He nodded. "Alright. Since it's your first day, I'll let it slide. But make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Yes, sir," Valerie said quickly, bowing her head slightly.
"Good. Now, introduce yourself to the class."
Valerie nodded and walked to the front of the room, her hands slightly trembling. She turned to face the rows of curious students.
"H–hello, everyone. My name is Alva—" She froze, then corrected herself instantly. "I mean, Valerie. Valerie Celeste. I just transferred here from Veokoza High."
That was close… I almost said my real name, she thought, forcing a small smile.
"Nice to meet you, Valerie!" one of the students called out cheerfully.
Valerie relaxed a little and smiled faintly. "Yeah, nice to meet you too."
The teacher gave her a nod. "Alright, Valerie, please take a seat in the empty spot over there."
"Ah, yes, sir." She walked over to the back of the classroom and sat down, carefully placing her bag beside her desk.
When she glanced to her right, she saw a boy sitting next to her—a quiet-looking guy with glasses, completely absorbed in a book. His neat uniform and calm presence made him seem… reliable somehow.
He looks like the studious type, she thought with a small smile. Maybe he could be a good person to talk to later.