Lina always arrived early — it was the only way to avoid the stares.
But today, when she walked into the classroom fifteen minutes before the bell, someone was already sitting in her usual seat.
A boy — unfamiliar, clearly not form her class, looked up at her. He had soft eyes and a bright smile, like he belonged on the cover of a magazine instead of their plain school chairs.
"You're Lina, right?" he asked casually, as if they were old friends.
She blinked. "Yes…?"
He stood and gave a polite bow, a bit exaggerated but charming. "I'm Ciel. Transfer student from Class 1-A."
Transfer? But the semester was already in full swing.
"Your seat was the first one I looked for," he added with a smile. "Mind if I sit here? I heard this is where all the interesting people hang out."
Lina didn't know what to say.
Rachel, sitting nearby, gave her a knowing grin. Another classmate nudged her playfully. Someone even whispered, "Lucky…"
She sat down beside him silently, unsure of why her heart was beating too fast again.
Ciel talked a lot — but it wasn't annoying. It was warm. He asked about her favorite drinks, what music she liked, if she watched anime, and whether she preferred rainy days or sunny ones.
He didn't mention the video. Not once.
But she couldn't ignore the glances from the others. And she definitely couldn't ignore the sharp look Renzo gave their way when he passed by the window — silent, unreadable, and gone too fast.
For some reason, that look stayed with her the whole day.