Theo froze for a few seconds. His eyes locked with the girl's—deep, calm, and strangely soothing despite the unfamiliarity. She looked slightly confused, but not angry. Instead, she gave a faint smile and crouched down to pick up her scattered books.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to…" Alvano said quickly, his voice full of guilt.
"It's fine. I wasn't paying much attention either," the girl replied softly. Her tone was calm and polite, but there was a faint chill hidden behind it.
Theo handed her one of the books that had rolled quite far away. "Here… this one almost fell to the second floor," he said jokingly.
The girl accepted it, glancing at Theo briefly. "Thanks."
Once all her books were gathered, she stood up and straightened her posture before looking back at Alvano one last time. Without saying another word, she turned and walked away gracefully. Alvano remained frozen in place, as if his mind was still stuck in that brief gaze they shared.
Theo nudged his arm lightly. "Hey… bro, wake up. Don't tell me you fell in love already?"
"I… don't know," Alvano murmured under his breath.
"Huh? Seriously?" Theo chuckled. "You bump into a girl in the hallway and suddenly get shot by Cupid? That's classic."
But Alvano didn't respond. Something about that encounter felt strange—not just because of her beauty, but because there was an odd aura around her. Something faint, inexplicable, and lingering in his thoughts.
The school bell rang softly, shattering the quiet air that filled the grand halls of Velmont High School. The sounds of classroom doors closing and teachers' footsteps echoed faintly in the distance. The hallway became still again—only the rhythmic click of shoes against marble broke the silence as lessons began.
Inside the classroom, everything was neat and orderly. Students sat upright, eyes fixed on the digital board at the front, attentively following the teacher's explanation. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a soft glow that made the room feel calm and focused.
Alvano sat in the third row from the front, near the right side of the room. For the first time that day, his mind felt somewhat clear. After all the chaos in the girls' restroom and that mysterious encounter, he was trying his best to focus on the lesson. Though his thoughts drifted now and then—mostly toward that unfamiliar girl—he kept writing notes and listening closely.
"Focus… focus…" he muttered under his breath, gripping his pen tighter.
Time seemed to pass quickly, and before long, the lunch bell rang. The quiet order of the classroom dissolved into the lively chatter of students getting up from their seats—some carrying lunch boxes, others heading straight to the cafeteria.
"Remember your promise this morning?" Theo whispered teasingly.
Alvano sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Coffee milk, right?"
"Exactly!" Theo grinned, looking way too excited. "After everything that happened today, that sweet iced coffee might just save my life."
Alvano chuckled faintly, packing up his books. Theo stood as well, and the two of them walked out of class together, heading toward the cafeteria on the first floor, right next to the school's inner garden.
Velmont High was an elite school, and even its cafeteria looked like a semi-modern restaurant. Rows of comfortable chairs, a wide variety of meals—from local dishes to Western cuisine—and a sleek drink station where students could order coffee, tea, or juice through the school app.
As soon as they stepped inside, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. The cafeteria buzzed with energy, though everything remained organized. Students chatted and laughed quietly in their groups while enjoying their lunches.
"I'll grab a table near the window," Theo said, pointing at an empty seat with a clear view. "You go order the drinks."
Alvano nodded and headed to the digital ordering kiosk. After a few taps on the screen, he ordered two iced coffee milks—one for Theo, one for himself. Within moments, a voice from the machine announced their order number.
While waiting, he leaned slightly against the counter, watching the cafeteria scene unfold. The mix of laughter, clinking utensils, and soft chatter made it feel oddly peaceful. He glanced toward Theo, who was already seated, eating calmly while fidgeting with his chopsticks.
But then, without warning, the atmosphere shifted.
Gradually, the noise died down. Laughter faded, conversations stopped mid-sentence, and even footsteps became slower, quieter. Alvano frowned, sensing the sudden tension. Around him, students began to lower their heads or straighten their posture, as if something—or someone—important had just entered.
From the main cafeteria doors, a small group of students walked in. There were about six or seven of them, yet their presence filled the entire room. They moved with the kind of confidence that didn't need to be loud—controlled, composed, and deliberate. Their uniforms were identical to everyone else's, but the small details—silver brooches, expensive watches, and their aura of superiority—set them apart.
It didn't take long for Alvano to realize who they were. These were the elites of Velmont High—the sons and daughters of politicians, conglomerates, and high-ranking officials. They were the unspoken upper caste of the school's social hierarchy, admired and feared at once.
And among them… was her.
The same girl he had bumped into earlier. She walked in the middle of the group, poised and elegant, her calm expression betraying no emotion. The light from the windows caught the soft brown shade of her hair as it swayed slightly behind her.
"…She's one of them?" Alvano whispered to himself, eyes locked on her.
He picked up the two cups of iced coffee and began walking back toward Theo's table—but stopped halfway when a loud voice cut through the quiet cafeteria.
"Damn! The menu's still the same today? I'm so sick of this!" shouted a tall student among the elite group. His booming voice echoed across the room, drawing nervous glances from every direction.
Alvano paused mid-step, glancing toward the commotion. The tall boy didn't seem to care about the attention; his casual arrogance made it clear that no one would dare scold him anyway.
Before things could escalate, one of the girls in the group stepped forward slightly. Her expression was calm but sharp, her beauty striking and intimidating at the same time.
"Watch your language," she said coolly. "We're not like them. Don't lower yourself."
The air instantly grew tense again. Students looked away, pretending not to hear. Some straightened their backs, others quietly moved their trays as if afraid to draw attention.
Alvano just sighed and shook his head lightly. "What is this, a drama rehearsal?" he muttered under his breath.