The sound of murmured conversations and laughter filled the academy's entrance as students arrived for the start of their final year studying at Capital Academy.
The High school is known for its elite status, boasting sprawling gardens, marble walkways, and grand buildings that exude wealth and privilege. Among the crowd, heads began to turn as two figures stepped out from a black luxury car at the front gates.
Hiraya adjusted the strao of her school bag as she glanced up at the familiar towering gates. Her calm expression betrayed none of the storm brewing within her.
Besides her, Stella exuded charm, her delicated featires framwd by dark waves of hair. She smiled brightly at the students around them, who whispered excitedly as the two sisters walked pass them.
"Jie, isn't it exciting? This is our last year here. I can already tell it's going to be unforgettable." - Stella said, her tone sweet.
Hiraya didn't reply, instead, her black eyes scaning the crowd around them. She recognized some familiar faces despite it was already been a long time since she graduated from her previous life. A few of them waved, while others simply stared, their gazed lingering on her with a mixture of awe and hesitation.
"Good Morning Hiraya!"
A cheerful voice called out, breaking her thoughts. Three girls approached, their polished appearances and confident strides making them as members of the school's elite.
Chen Mei, the tallest of the group with a height of 160, shoulder length hair, grinned as she reached Hiraya.
"You've been so hard to reach this summer! Did you go somewhere for vacation?"
Lin Jing who stood besides Chen Mei, adjusted her purple lined blazer as she chimed in.
"Maybe her vacations is many times more exciting than ours."
The last of the trio, Sun Yi gigled as she looked at Hiraya up and down. "I bet she didn't even need to do anything flashy to make people notice her. Look, she grew taller during this vacation. It seems like she is already 170cm tall."
The other two look at Hiraya enviously. Well, at the end of the second year ceremony, Hiraya is only 160 cm and now, she grew another 10cm and she is only 17years old this year. While they are already gonna turn 18 this year and yet, they didn't grew taller that much.
"Nothing exciting as you thought. Just some quiet time with family." - Hiraya said calmly
The girls exchange looks, not beliveing that she just spend her summer vacation staying at house.
"Quiet time? You must have gone at least on vacation right? Come on, cant you just tell us what you did. I'm curios." - Chen Mei
"I did really stay at home. Just relaxing for my peaceful vacations. That's all."
"Wow. You really just stayed at home? I could never do it. The tree of us went to vacation seperately, playing there and there and posting our pictures on our social media. Just enjoying the free time we have. After all, it will be a hectic year for us since we are already grdauating student."
While talking, they arrived at the main building. Other students keep glancing their way as whispers keep following them.
It wasn't hard to see why the Trio clung to Hiraya ever since their First Year school year. Hiraya just naturally actracted people with her aura and scores in her studies, and she is also blessed with looks above others.
Although the girls sorrounding her is beautiful on their own right, they couldn't match Hiraya at all.
Even in her simple black slacks and black leather shoes, she exudes an aura of grace and intellect. Her black uniform open blazer and fiited white longsleeve shirt highlighted her slender tall figure pared with her pale, flawless complexio, she naturally drew attention. She looks cool and beautiful at the same time while wearing the boys uniform.
Capital Academy required their students to wear their uniforms on school days, and girls naturally need to wear skirts and boys needs to wear slacks. But Hiraya is an only exemption. Since starting on second semester of their first year, she requested to wear pants and she had been granted to wear it, since Hiraya insisted on it. So the Academy could only grant it since Hiraya always top in exam in the entire nation and she even represented their school abroad on her first year and won first place, so she deserve to be an exemption.
"We have an opening ceremony tomorrow and I bet you will be the represantative again after you place first in the placement exam later." - Chen Mei suddenly said
"Right. At the end of the opening ceremony, some students could perform, say, can you perform tommorow? I still remember the time you sang ang play piano during the arts festival in our first year."
Hiraya expression didn't change but a memory crossed her mind. She hadn't thought about that performance in years. Back then, it had been a small moment of joy, one of the few times she allowed herself to relax and play like other students.
"No. I don't have interest in performing tommorow." - Hiraya said lightly but her tone ramined firm.
The girls groaned in disappointment but didn't press further.
As they approached the grand double doors of the main building, Hiraya gaze drifted to the crown of students parting to make way for them. Some offeered polite nods or greetings, while others simpky stared, their whispers growing louder.
"She's even prettier than last year."
"Look at her, so calm and steady."
"Do you think she'll place first for today's yearly placement exam?"
"Of course. What I am concerned is, if she will join the national team and represent our country in the competition this year."
Hiraya ignored those words as her thoughts remained focus.
Beside her, Stella trailed at slight distance, her smile faltering as she watched Hiraya effortlessly draw attention. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.
"Jie, are you joining the national team this year?" - Stella asked sweetly.
Hiraya turned her head slightly, her expression calm. "Of course."
"Really? Good luck, Jie." - Stella said, while deep inside, she sneered. Without the Scholar System this time, let me see if you can still place first in the placement exam and if you can still join the national team with confidence.