The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the lecture hall, casting golden streaks onto the tiled floor.
Students murmured lazily as they settled into their seats, some scrolling through their phones, others chattering about the latest drama in the university debate club.
Fah sat in her usual spot—middle row, centre-left. Not too far in front where the professor could single her out, but not too far in the back either. The perfect, unnoticed position.
Beside her, Phat was already talking, hands gesturing animatedly as he recounted some football match that, frankly, she didn't care about.
"And then, in the last ten minutes—"
Fah sighed. "Phat, do you ever think about anything besides football?"
Phat grinned, nudging her playfully. "You love me for it."
She didn't deny it.
But before she could say anything else, the lecture hall doors swung open.
The professor walked in—but it wasn't him that caught everyone's attention.
A girl followed behind him, tall, poised, carrying herself with the kind of effortless confidence that commanded a room without a single word.
Long, dark hair. Sharp eyes that held no hesitation. Unlike most new students, who either shrank under the weight of attention or tried too hard to impress, she simply... existed.
Unbothered. Unaffected.
"My name is Nara," she said, voice even. Clear. Controlled. "I transferred from Bangkok University. I look forward to studying with you all."
The whispers started instantly.
"She's pretty."
"I wonder if she has a boyfriend."
Fah barely registered the gossip.
Because for some reason—she couldn't stop staring.
And then—
"Fah," the professor called.
Her back straightened immediately. "Yes?"
"You'll be her partner for assignments this term."
What?
For a second, her brain stalled.
And then—Nara turned. Looked directly at her.
Her eyes were unreadable.
And for some reason, Fah had to look away first.