The classroom carried a steady rhythm of quiet conversations and shifting chairs, the kind of noise that came from too many people forced into the same space.
Thirty-two students.
Four rows.
Every seat filled.
Ethan sat in Row 1, second seat, by the window. Jeremy was beside him, leaning back slightly, cap low, as though the entire class was optional.
The teacher spoke at the front, something about control and application, but attention in the room was already beginning to drift.
Then the door opened.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
The timing was off. Late enough to be noticed, early enough that class hadn't fully settled.
She walked in without hesitation.
Cream-colored hair, soft but striking, falling neatly past her shoulders. Her expression was composed, confident in a way that didn't ask for approval.
She didn't apologize.
Didn't explain.
She simply looked around once.
The teacher paused, clearly irritated.
"…Take your seat."
She nodded slightly and moved.
No rush. No uncertainty.
Her eyes scanned the rows once, then—
She stopped at Row 3, first seat.
Kybei.
He didn't look at her.
Not even once.
She sat beside him anyway.
A second passed.
Then—
"…Unbelievable."
Kybei's voice was low, but sharp.
Ciara turned her head slightly. "What is?"
"You."
No hesitation.
"No greeting. No apology. Just walk in like the class revolves around you."
Ciara stared at him for a moment, then let out a small breath.
"…I hate people like you."
Kybei finally glanced at her.
Cold. Direct.
"…Good. I hate you too."
There was no humor in it.
None at all.
The air between them tightened instantly.
Not awkward.
Hostile.
"You look like you enjoy being miserable," Ciara continued, resting her chin lightly on her hand. "Is that your personality or are you trying too hard?"
Kybei's grip on his pen tightened slightly.
"At least I have one."
Ciara smiled faintly.
"…I really don't like you."
"…The feeling is mutual."
The teacher cleared his throat sharply.
"That's enough."
But the damage was done.
Everyone around them had already noticed.
Ethan included.
He didn't turn fully, but he didn't need to.
Some tensions didn't need to be seen.
You could feel them.
"Answer the question."
The teacher pointed.
Ciara.
She didn't hesitate.
Her answer came smooth, precise, confident.
Correct.
The teacher nodded once. "Good."
Kybei said nothing.
But the silence this time felt different.
Ciara noticed.
Of course she did.
She leaned slightly toward him.
"…Try to keep up."
Kybei didn't even look at her.
"…Try to be useful."
That was it.
Simple.
Direct.
And somehow worse than shouting. Eli sat with Morphisa beside him.
He hadn't reacted to anything.
Not the entrance.
Not the argument.
Not even the tension spreading through the room.
Like none of it concerned him.
Ciara's eyes drifted in that direction for a brief moment.
Just a second.
Something softer passed through her expression.
Then—
Gone.
Because Eli never looked back.
Not once.
Jeremy shifted slightly beside Ethan.
"…This is going to be a long term."
Ethan didn't reply.
But he agreed.
In the next class opposite Ethan's, the atmosphere was different.
Less controlled.
More restless.
The teacher spoke, but attention came and went like waves.
Zakura sat quietly. His posture was relaxed, one hand supporting his head, gaze distant but aware.
He wasn't trying.
He didn't need to.
The door opened suddenly.
Louder this time.
Victor walked in.
Black hair slightly messy, expression completely serious.
"Sir, I almost died."
The class turned.
The teacher stared at him.
"…Explain."
Victor placed a hand on his chest, as if recalling trauma.
"I almost missed breakfast."
Silence.
A few students blinked.
The teacher exhaled slowly.
"…Sit down."
Victor nodded. "Thank you, sir. I'm still recovering."
He walked in like that made perfect sense.
Straight to Zakura.
Dropped into the seat beside him.
"You didn't even try to cover for me," Victor said under his breath.
Zakura didn't look at him.
"You were late."
Victor leaned back.
"…That's not the point."
The teacher resumed.
Victor leaned slightly toward Zakura again.
"…If I die early, it's because nobody supported me."
Zakura's voice stayed calm.
"You're not dying."
Victor nodded once.
"That's good. I have plans."
A few seats ahead, Purity sat quietly, focused on her notes.
Victor's eyes shifted.
Then back to Zakura.
"…That one."
Zakura ignored him.
Victor continued anyway.
"She looks responsible."
No reaction.
Victor nodded to himself.
"…I like that."
Zakura finally turned slightly.
"…Why?"
Victor answered immediately.
"Responsible people live long. I want to be around that."
Zakura stared at him for a second.
"…That makes no sense."
Victor smiled.
"It makes perfect sense."
The teacher turned suddenly.
"You. Answer the question."
Victor straightened.
Confident.
He stood up.
The room went quiet.
"…Sir," he began, "I do not know the answer."
A pause.
"…Then why are you standing?"
Victor nodded once.
"I felt it was important to be honest."
Silence.
The teacher looked like he was reconsidering his life choices.
"…Sit down."
Victor sat immediately.
"…That went well."
Zakura exhaled quietly.
"…You are a problem."
Victor leaned back, completely relaxed.
"And yet, I'm still your roommate."
At the back of the class—
Reginald watched.
Expression unreadable.
Annoyance flickered briefly.
"…Idiots."
But he didn't look away.
Back in the first class—
Ethan's gaze drifted across the room again.
Row 3.
Ciara and Kybei were still not speaking.
But the silence wasn't peaceful.
It was waiting.
Eli hadn't moved.
Jeremy shifted beside him, already half-asleep.
Everything felt… louder now.
Not in sound.
In presence.
Different people.
Different energies.
All forced into the same space.
Ethan leaned back slightly, eyes half-lidded.
For the first time
He wasn't just watching.
He was starting to understand.
This place wasn't calm.
It only looked that way.
Underneath
Everything was clashing.
And sooner or later
It would reach him too.