Liu slouched in his chair, fiddling with his pencil as he listened to the familiar hum of morning conversations in the classroom. Zhao was seated beside him, his fingers flying over his gaming console as he finished a quick match before class began. Their shared obsession with games had kept them connected, and the "gamer group," as most classmates called them, found sanctuary in each other.
Zhao nudged him. "You're ready for the tournament on Saturday, right? I heard they're bringing in challengers from other schools this time."
Liu rolled his eyes but smirked. "Are you worried or something? I've got this."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, a group of classmates fawned over Feng, the school's resident rich kid and the unofficial leader of the popular crowd. Feng sat surrounded by admirers, looking entirely at ease in his designer blazer. Though he rarely mingled with the "gamer group" or the quieter students like Sui and Tian, Feng's popularity was undeniable.
Sua and Tian sat by the window, slightly distanced from the commotion in the classroom. The two of them were inseparable friends, often seen studying together or sharing quiet conversations. Sua was outgoing and confident, while Tian carried a mischievous air about him that contrasted with Sua's demeanor. Together, they formed their own quiet circle, unaffected by the social hierarchies that ruled the rest of the class.
The teacher entered, quieting the room with a sharp gaze. After setting down her books, she made an announcement. "Class, I'd like you to welcome a new transfer student."
Heads lifted with curiosity as she gestured to the doorway. A tall figure stepped in, his dark eyes scanning the room with a reserved expression. Liu's attention immediately snapped to the newcomer as he walked up to the front of the room.
"This is Meng Qingshan. He'll be joining us for the rest of the year."
Meng's gaze was unreadable as he looked over the room, but something about him felt both familiar and out of place. There was a subtle sharpness in his eyes, an intensity that was hard to ignore. Dressed in the simple school uniform, he didn't stand out in appearance, yet his presence felt heavy, carrying an air of mystery.
The teacher continued, "Meng, there's an open seat in the second row next to Sua and Tian."
Meng nodded, making his way over to his new seat. Sui gave him a welcoming smile as he sat down, and Tian nodded politely. Liu couldn't shake the feeling that something about this new student was familiar, but he brushed it off as coincidence.
As Meng settled in, whispers began circulating around the room. Zhao leaned over to Liu, muttering, "Looks like a serious guy. Bet he wouldn't last in one of our games."
Liu chuckled softly but kept glancing at Meng, intrigued. The whispers and curiosity soon faded as the teacher began the lesson, but Liu found himself stealing glances at the transfer student throughout the morning, unable to shake the strange sense of déjà vu that lingered whenever he looked at him.