"Are you okay, Ryoshu? You look... different. I mean, you've changed a lot. No, maybe a little bit. Two weeks ago, you looked so different compared to now," she said, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity. Her eyes scanned his face, taking in the gaunt cheeks, the shadows under his eyes, and the air of weariness that seemed to cling to him. There was something profoundly altered in his demeanor, a certain gloominess that hadn't been there before.She stood there, her mind racing to understand the transformation before her. Just a fortnight ago, Ryoshu had been a vibrant young man with confidence in his step and a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. Now, he seemed almost a shadow of his former self, as if his life had been drained.Then, a mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She decided to mock the person standing before her, hoping to provoke a reaction. Turning to Charlotte, she sneered, "I can't believe this idiot confessed to you, Charlotte."Her voice carried a biting edge,
"Oh, now you, a mere commoner, want to run away?" Esther's voice dripped with sarcasm, her eyes narrowing as she watched Ryoshu's retreating figure. She could feel her frustration bubbling beneath the surface, barely contained."Goodbye," Ryoshu replied curtly, not breaking his stride as he hurriedly walked away, his steps quick and purposeful. His pace conveyed a sense of urgency as if he were trying to put as much distance between them as possible."But you won't escape that easily!" Esther shouted, determination flaring in her eyes. She lunged forward, her hand outstretched to grab his arm. She remembered how effortlessly she had snatched his mask earlier and felt confident, especially now that she had ascended to E-rank. The surge of power within her made her feel invincible."Hey, where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet," she called out, her voice a mix of frustration and challenge. She was not going to let him slip away so easily.Just as her fingers were ab
She could no longer sense his presence as if he had vanished into thin air. The realization hit her like a cold splash of water, leaving her momentarily stunned. Her equally bewildered friends exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion mirroring her own."Where is he? That bastard!" Esther's voice was a mix of fury and disbelief. Her eyes darted around the bustling square, desperately trying to locate him amidst the crowd. The bright lights and festive decorations now seemed mocking, highlighting the stark contrast between her inner turmoil and the surrounding merriment.'Damn it, he ruined the best day of my life!' she fumed silently, her hands balling into tight fists. The frustration bubbled up inside her, threatening to spill over.Haruki, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. His gentle smile, a constant source of comfort, appeared as he laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Esther. Remember we still have your father's party to look forward to?" His voice was calm and
----0w0----"Esther? Why are you standing there?"Upon hearing the familiar voice, Esther turned around to see the boy she had a crush on. Her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but beam with an adorable smile. Her dimples deepened, making her pink cheeks even more prominent against her fair skin, reminiscent of Snow White's.Esther's skin was exceptionally fair, but her ash-white hair drew people's attention. This unique feature was a hallmark of the White family, perfectly complementing her blood-red eyes, which seemed to glow with a mysterious charm."Oh, I'm just waiting for you guys. Haruki, you got here pretty early, didn't you?" she responded warmly, her voice carrying a gentle lilt that matched the serene morning.Haruki, the boy she addressed, had striking blue hair and matching blue eyes that sparkled like sapphires. He was approaching her at a leisurely pace, his steps light and relaxed. Just as he neared, the cherry blossoms began to fall, their delicate petals
"Katia... no surprise there, right? And it's been quite a while since we last saw Charlotte's brother," remarked Esther. Her voice carried a hint of curiosity as she spoke, her eyes scanning the room for familiar faces.Haruki, standing nearby with a casual yet attentive posture, shook his head gently. His dark hair shifted slightly with the movement. "Oh, he's not her brother," he clarified, his tone calm but firm, leaving no room for doubt.Esther looked genuinely taken aback by this revelation. Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion as she tried to recall the details from the meticulously read admission letter. It was a thick, formal document that she had studied thoroughly. "Really? I thought upper-level students could visit freely today," she pondered aloud, her mind grappling with this new information.Haruki noticed her confusion and offered a quick explanation, hoping to shed light on the situation. "Eric is busy with something today..." His words trailed off as he gla
As the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the campus of Oliver Pigeon Hill, students started to trickle in, their chatter filling the air. Among them, Haruki and Esther stood out, drawing the attention of nearly everyone who passed by. They were used to this: the stares, the whispers, the constant gossip that seemed to follow them like a shadow. It was an unwelcome but familiar part of their lives.The students couldn't help but steal glances at the pair, their eyes widening in awe and disbelief. Conversations buzzed around them, snippets of which reached Esther's ears."Do you see those two? It's crazy," one student murmured to another, their voice tinged with amazement."That girl was ranked number one in the entrance exam... I can't compete with that," another whispered, shaking their head in resignation."Are both of them monsters? Holding the top two positions like that," someone else added, their tone a mix of admiration and envy.Although used to such comments, Esthe
Haruki received a painful punch, but his face remained unchanged. The blow had landed squarely on his arm, but he rubbed the sore spot and turned to Esther serenely. "But I still want to thank you anyway," he said. His voice was warm and sincere, and his radiant smile that seemed to light up the entire hallway—was the kind that could melt even the coldest hearts. Unsurprisingly, many girls around them paused in their tracks, their eyes glued to Haruki, captivated by his undeniable charm.Esther was no exception. Her face turned beet red, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks. 'Damn, I thought I had gotten used to his heartthrob smile by now,' she thought, feeling her heart skip a beat. Despite spending so much time with Haruki, his smile still had the power to make her feel like a nervous schoolgirl.They continued walking down the bustling school corridor. The cheerful morning atmosphere suddenly took on a darker tone. The bright sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to
One girl was deeply engrossed in her studies, her eyes fixed intently on the pages of her textbook. The other girl lounged comfortably against the window sill, gazing absentmindedly outside. Having grown accustomed to the delightful sensation of soaking in the hot tub, Esther emerged feeling refreshed and returned to her usual self. With a cheerful demeanor, she greeted her friends:"Hello, you two.""Hi," came the brief reply.Katia maintained her aloof and reserved demeanor. She was a girl of few words, and when she did speak, it was often in short, concise sentences. Her cold exterior made her seem distant, but those who knew her understood it was just her nature."Hey, have you both finished tidying up the room?" Distressed in her studies, Charlotte looked up and removed her pink glasses. She carefully set them aside on her desk, consciously focusing on the conversation at hand. Her expression was curiosity and mild concern, reflecting her meticulous nature and tendency to ensure