Another day, another minute of my life wasted in this prestigious academy…
This place is brimming with prodigies, such as myself; however only a few of us see the potential of the world through rose-coloured lenses. The majority of students detest the ideas of Professor Edward Stewarts, despite his excelling intelligence and innovative creations as an established scientist. I belonged to that small pocket of people — but was one of the louder ones. When I think something is wrong, I definitely make sure to get my point across. Often, that gets me into trouble. I was, no doubt, famous within the school for being one of the most obstreperous. My obtrusive ways and vivacious charms had always made me quite popular with everyone in here, especially the guys.
I was never really interested in finding love in this place, though. Thinking that it probably would've been another one of those high school clichés, I strayed away from anyone who started showing a deeper interest in me. Well, that was what I thought. Until he wrecked my life…
"Did you hear about the newcomer arriving today?" Valerie held her chin in her hand, resting it on my table after casually pulling up a chair.
"Ooo! A newbie?" I remark, only a little curious. It had been a long while before this, since anyone dared to enlist into such an elitist school.
"I do hope they're a cutie." Cameron was sitting on the desk directly in front of mine. "None one here is really my type, ya know?" She tilted her head back a bit and let out a hopeless sigh.
"Didn't you breakup just last week?" Valerie chuckled. "You're so desperate, Cami."
"I'm not desperate, Val! I just need a little spice in my life! Is that so bad!?" She whined, kicking her legs about as if she were a child.
"I suppose not… but nobody knows spice until they've been graced with the blessing of living in a palace with an actual prince." Valerie coughed, hinting at the fact she was alluding to me.
"Oh? You mean that research job I've received recently?" I questioned and they both gave me mischievous looks.
"Prince Tora IS quite attractive. It's truly a shame he doesn't visit Lalithia very often." Cameron laughed.
"And I'm pretty sure he's around OUR age, right?" Valerie added.
"And I'm pretty sure he's engaged, so let's not fantasise about him." I rolled my eyes at their silly suggestions.
Luckily, our gossip was put to a stop as everyone heard the footsteps of our teacher from outside in the hallway. We all rushed about, trying to quickly settle down before he entered the room. It was pretty quiet. There were only the odd murmurs and the distant giggles of Valerie and Cameron placed at the back of the class together. No matter how unfair I thought that was, I would never be placed near those two - for I have to be "monitored" at all times - in case I have "another moment". There I sat in my seat, at the front of the class, in a grouchy manner and Sir began with a loud and chirpy announcement:
"As you may or may not know, on this pleasant morning, we have a marvellous new student joining our class today." He looked towards the open classroom door and gestured that the person should come inside. "Come on and introduce yourself. No need to be shy, only Miyuki bites!" His poor attempt at a joke involving me put me in even worse of a mood, but that was quickly changed when he stepped into the room.
He was hesitant in his movement, but he slowly made his way into the room. Looking around, taking in all the new faces and then his gaze fell on me - who was sat right in there at the desk in front of where he stood. When our eyes locked onto each other's I was more than just memorised. Those eyes that twinkled like the purest and precious of gems, I got lost in his deep emerald sea. It was quite unfortunate that he realised we were staring directly at each other for some time, whilst the rest of the class remained still and silent, Swiftly, he shifted his contemplating look away from me and to the floor - which made a few strands of hair cover up his right eye. His bashful personality shone prominently through his actions and my heart began to flutter a little.
I, Miyuki Mizuko, was almost captivated by such a timid fool? That couldn't possibly be...
"Uhm... hi. My name is Daichi. Daichi Hikaru. And... I've just joined this school. Uhm... yeah..." The class was dead silent as I burst out into shameful laughter. I quickly stopped myself as I realised I was the only one and hid my face with my hands in slight embarrassment. That was awkward. I peeked at his reaction through the gaps between my fingers to see his face after what I had done. Our eyes met again and he quickly turned away from me, trembling in his crippling sheepishness.
"Right... Well then! Daichi, lovely to welcome you into our HUMBLE class." Once again that was totally aimed at me.
"I am so sorry." I said, involuntarily, as he scurried past my desk to a desolate seat at the back of the class, near the window. Weirdly, I felt bad.
Throughout the lesson, I spent my time dwelling on the new guy. Daichi? That's a cute name. He's pretty cute in general though. Any moment Sir wasn't looking, I would spin around just to get a quick glance at him without being too noticeable. But he was always glaring out of the window. What's so cool out there? I thought, every time I looked back to see the same thing. I would try and examine another feature of him with each glance.
It wasn't just his beautiful green eyes that made him so intriguing, it was his whole appearance. His rather long, unique darkish green shade of hair that would sometimes often act as curtain for those entrancing orbs hidding beneath. He wore his uniform in a neat and presentable way. The white shirt carefully tucked into his trousers and the striped tie precisely folded to lay perfectly around his neck. His neck... he did have a well defined collar bone slightly revealed as the top button wasn't done up.
My study session was quickly interfered when Sir caught me off guard:
"Miss Mizuko, can we please focus!" I turned back around without question still knowing that I wasn't going to pay any attention to the rest of the lesson.
I spent most of my time fixated on this Daichi fellow. Every time he may have walked past me I had great intention to watch him and see if he would notice me observing him. Yet every time he just seemed too wrapped up in his introverted shell to realise and I'd grumpily pout as I watch him pace down the hallway away from me. Is he pretending I'm invisible? Maybe I should actually say something to him. Is he mad that I laughed at him? I didn't mean to it was just instinct!
It was only at lunch my thought bubble that engulfed me popped and I snapped out of my inner cognition.
"So… he's adorable." Cameron giggled. We were all giving Daichi the occasional stare down. He was sat at a table by himself, not seeming in any way willing to go and talk to anyone.
"Anyone else getting this emo kinda vibe from him?" Valerie chuckled.
"If that is his vibe, it's 100% hot and I'm falling for it." Cameron fanned herself, exaggeratedly.
"You're not usually this quiet, Yuki. What do you think about him?" When Valerie addressed me I kinda jumped out of realisation that I was still staring at him.
"What was that?"
"Your opinions on Mr Hikaru?" She remarked.
"Oh… he's—"
"I think Miyuki made her opinion on him more than clear as soon as he walked into the room and was trying to introduce himself! I bet she thinks he's some shy idiot… you were so mean, laughing at him like that! The poor guy!" Cameron went off on one. In response I gave her a groan which implied that I wasn't bothered, but that was exactly what I was thinking.
I needed to apologise.
It was by the end of the day that I decided to take action. I was going to talk to him whether he wanted me to or not. I followed him a few steps out of the school campus and then was reluctant to go straight up to him. I don't even know what to say; what if he hates me now; I can't do this; why on earth do I feel so guilty; were all the things preventing me from simply saying sorry. My head was glued onto the floor as I glumly got lost in my thoughts again and, suddenly, I bumped into someone…
"Is there something wrong?" The voice that asked was nicely mid-tone — not to deep, not too high pitched, more like just right. It was him. Daichi had a confused and innocent look on his face.
"What? No! Why would anything be wrong?" I retorted, quickly, without thinking.
"You've been following for a while now. It's getting quite weird, that's all."
"Uh!?" Of course he would've noticed if I was following him! What the hell was that Miyuki!? You and your dumbass self! He probably thinks I'm stalking him home! "No, no! I wasn't following you! I mean, I was— NO! What I mean is—!" He seemed really concerned as I flailed about awkwardly. "I'm sorry that I laughed at you earlier. I didn't mean to. Honest!"
"Oh? Well, apology accepted… I guess." It was only seconds of silence before he started to hurry away.
"Bye, then…" I muttered. I was left just standing there by myself. He didn't even say bye! I wasted precious time dwelling on that stupid apology and he didn't even care! In my anger, I stomped off in the opposite direction and made my way home.