The corridors of Alpha Academy were vast and imposing, with high ceilings that seemed to swallow any sound. The marble floors beneath their feet gleamed as if they were polished every hour, and the walls were lined with portraits of distinguished alumni—some of whom Yuki had heard of, others whose names meant nothing to him but undoubtedly carried weight in this world of influence and power.
Asano led the way, his steps measured and calm, as though he had walked these halls a thousand times before. Yuki followed closely behind, trying his best to keep up with the pace, his eyes wide as he took in the grandeur around him.
"This is the main hall," Asano said, gesturing toward a wide open space with large windows that let in an abundance of light. "It's the heart of the academy. You'll find the most important announcements posted here, and it's where students gather before classes begin."
Yuki nodded, silently absorbing the information. The main hall was filled with towering columns and statues, each one depicting historical figures or mythological gods. There were fountains scattered throughout the space, their water glistening in the sunlight. It was the kind of place that made you feel small, insignificant, even though you knew everyone around you was just as powerful as you.
Asano led him down several hallways, pointing out various rooms. "This is the library," he said, stopping in front of a massive door. "It's said to have every book you could ever want, and then some. Most of the students spend their free time here, pouring over their textbooks or... well, gossiping." He smirked at his own words, clearly familiar with the less academic activities that took place within.
Yuki smiled back, though the weight of his nerves didn't lessen. He had spent his entire life surrounded by books and tutors, but this was different. This was a world of connections, influence, and appearances, and he wasn't entirely sure where he fit into it.
Next, Asano guided him to a large, open courtyard, surrounded by lush gardens and stone paths that crisscrossed like a labyrinth. The air here was fresh, scented with the fragrant flowers that lined the edges of the garden. Yuki paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the place. This, at least, was something he could appreciate. It was a place of calm amidst the overwhelming chaos of the academy.
"This is where the students come to relax, or to have their meals," Asano said. "If you're ever feeling overwhelmed, you can always take a walk here. The gardens are perfect for clearing your mind."
Asano led Yuki through a series of other buildings, showing him the various dormitories, classrooms, and athletic facilities. The academy had everything one could imagine—an indoor swimming pool, an expansive gymnasium, and even a state-of-the-art theater for performances. It was clear that Alpha Academy spared no expense in ensuring that its students had access to the best resources available.
By the time they made their way back to the dormitory wing, Yuki was exhausted. His mind was swimming with all the new information, and yet, there was a sense of unease that he couldn't shake. He had seen the students here—the sons and daughters of the elite—and each of them seemed to carry an air of superiority that made him feel like an outsider.
"We're here," Asano said, stopping in front of a door at the end of a long hallway. He turned to Yuki with a small smile. "This is your room. You'll be sharing it with Aoto, the son of—" Asano hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "Well, I'm sure you've heard of him. His father's one of the most influential men in the country."
Yuki nodded, though the mention of Aoto's father didn't mean much to him. His thoughts were on the boy himself. Aoto. Who was he?
The door opened with a soft creak, and Yuki stepped inside, his gaze immediately falling on the person who had been silently sitting on the bed.
Aoto.
He was tall—taller than Yuki by at least a few inches—and his posture was relaxed, but his presence was commanding. He had sharp, angular features that could have been sculpted from stone. His hair was a dark, almost ink-like black, falling in messy strands around his face. He wore the standard academy uniform, but it seemed to fit him effortlessly, as though the clothes were made for someone like him—someone who was used to being in control.
His eyes were a striking shade of amber, bright and unblinking, as though they could see right through you. Yuki felt a shiver run down his spine as their gazes met, and for a moment, there was a silence that stretched between them. Aoto didn't smile. He didn't say a word. He simply stared.
"Yuki," Asano said, breaking the tension. "This is Aoto. He's... well, he's not much for company, but he's not bad once you get to know him."
Aoto didn't respond to Asano's words. Instead, he shifted on the bed, his eyes still locked on Yuki. There was something about his gaze that made Yuki feel exposed, as though Aoto could read him like an open book.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it," Asano said with a shrug, as though he wasn't the least bit concerned about the obvious tension in the room. "Dinner is in an hour. Don't be late." With that, he left the room, leaving Yuki alone with Aoto.
The silence between them was suffocating. Yuki shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other, unsure of what to say. He had always been taught to be polite and respectful, but something about Aoto made him feel... small. Like he wasn't worthy of speaking first.
Finally, Yuki cleared his throat. "Um... Aoto, right? It's nice to meet you."
Aoto didn't reply at first, his gaze still unrelenting. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"I don't care if you're a prince," he said coldly, his voice low and steady. "You're just like everyone else here. Don't think your title will protect you."
Yuki blinked, surprised by the harshness of Aoto's words. He wasn't sure how to respond. He had expected some level of respect, at least in the beginning, but Aoto seemed to have no interest in treating him differently just because of his background.
"I—I'm not trying to make things difficult," Yuki stammered, feeling his unease grow. "I just thought we could... get along."
Aoto stood from the bed, his movements smooth and fluid, as if he were a predator sizing up his prey. He took a step closer to Yuki, and for a moment, Yuki was frozen in place, unsure of what to do.
Without warning, Aoto suddenly grabbed Yuki by the shoulders and shoved him roughly against the wall. The force of the movement took Yuki by surprise, and he gasped as his back hit the cold stone with a thud.
Aoto's amber eyes bored into his, and his breath was warm against Yuki's face as he leaned in close. "Listen to me, Your Highness," Aoto's voice dripping with menace. "I don't care who you are. If you step out of line here, I'll make you regret it. Understood?"
Yuki's heart pounded in his chest, his breath caught in his throat. He could feel Aoto's grip tightening on his shoulders, but there was something else in the way Aoto was looking at him—something that sent a shiver of something he couldn't quite place through his body.
Before Yuki could respond, Aoto released him, pushing him back lightly before stepping away and leaving the room.
Yuki stood there, his back still pressed against the wall, his body trembling slightly. His mind was racing, trying to process what had just happened. He was confused, unsettled, and yet... there was something about the way Aoto had pinned him there, something in his eyes and the way his hands had gripped him, that made Yuki's chest tighten in a way he couldn't understand.
Aoto was dangerous. He could feel it in the air between them. But there was also something else—a pull, a spark, that made Yuki's heart beat faster.
What was happening to him?
With a deep breath, Yuki pushed himself off the wall and straightened his clothes. He had to keep his composure. But as he looked toward the door, waiting for Aoto to leave for dinner, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life at Alpha Academy was about to become a lot more complicated.
And for reasons he couldn't explain, part of him...welcomed it