"I'm here," I repeated, my voice steady and cold.
"What?!" Marie gasped, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.
"What the...?" Kristel trailed off, her face pale with a mix of shock and fury.
The classroom erupted into a frenzy of whispers.
"Is that really Erina? How is that possible?"
"Maybe she just has the same name as Erina Onil?"
"That must be it! Hey, you! Are you really Erina Onil? Professor Phillip's daughter?"
I turned toward the voice, offering a calm, sharp smile. "Yes. That's exactly who I am."
"Impossible!" Kristel shrieked, finally finding her voice. "How can she be Erina Onil? Erina is... Erina is ugly! This girl is—" She stopped herself, realizing what she was about to say.
"Oh? Were you about to say I'm pretty?" I chuckled, tilting my head. "Thanks for the compliment, Kristel."
"I didn't mean that!" she snapped.
"No, it's her," Marie whispered, still in shock. "I'd know that voice anywhere. It's Erina."
"Enough!" the Professor roared, slamming his book on the desk. "We are already late. Stop this gossiping immediately or face disciplinary action! Sit down!"
The room fell into a tense silence. Kristel glared at me one last time before dropping into her seat, her mind clearly racing.
After Lessons. Outside.
"Hey, Erina! Wait up!" Marie caught up to me, breathless. "How did you do this? How did you... change so much?"
"Is it a bad change?" I asked with a playful wink.
"No! Not at all! You're stunning," Marie said, still looking me up and down. "It's just... if it weren't for your voice, I wouldn't have recognized you in a million years."
"Well, Marie, if you have the will, you can do anything," I replied vaguely.
Suddenly, a girl stepped into our path. Sandy. I recognized her immediately from Erina's memories—she was Kristel's shadow, and she had been standing right there when Kristel pushed me down the stairs.
"Hey, girls," Sandy said, her tone arrogant. "Kristel is waiting for you on the roof. You need to go up there right now. She said it's urgent."
"We aren't going," Marie snapped, stepping forward. "What does she want this time?"
"I don't know," Sandy shrugged, "but if you don't show up, things will go very badly for both of you."
"We aren't g—"
"Marie, it's fine," I interrupted, placing a hand on her shoulder. My blood was starting to simmer. "Let's go. I want to see what she has to say."
On the Roof
The wind whipped around us as we stepped onto the rooftop. Kristel was leaning against the railing, looking as smug as ever.
"Oh, you actually came. I'm glad," Kristel said, her eyes traveling over me with pure jealousy. "First, I have to ask—how did you pull off this trick? You're still just as ugly on the inside."
"Really?" I replied, stepping closer. "Because everyone else seemed to love the new look."
"I think you hit your head so hard you became a fool," Kristel sneered. "An ugly duckling can never be a swan, Erina. Remember that."
I stayed silent, my expression unreadable. Silvia would have broken her jaw by now, but I was playing a longer game.
"Why did you call us here, Kristel?" Marie asked.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot." Kristel tossed a thick stack of papers at my feet. "Here are my assignments for tomorrow. Do them all, and make sure to copy my handwriting perfectly."
"And if I refuse?" I asked softly.
"If you refuse? Hahaha!" Kristel laughed, stepping toward the edge. "You can't. Unless you want me to throw you off this roof for real this time."
I looked at the papers, then at her. I lowered my head, my shoulders shaking. "Okay... okay, I'll do whatever you want. Please, just don't hurt me!"
"Erina, no!" Marie cried out.
Kristel smirked, looking triumphant. "Good girl. I knew you knew your place."
Suddenly, I started to laugh. It wasn't a sob—it was a dark, chilling laugh that echoed across the roof.
"What... why are you laughing?" Kristel demanded, her smile faltering.
"You actually thought I was serious?" I looked up, my eyes flashing with the cold intensity of a military agent. "Don't make me laugh, Kristel. Who do you think you are to give me orders? You're far too cocky. And as for the duckling and the swan? You don't even qualify as the duckling."
"How dare you!"
"I dare plenty," I said, stepping into her personal space. "You have a pretty face, but you don't have enough brains to do your own homework. You want to throw me off the roof?"
Kristel swung her hand to slap me, but my reflexes were faster. I grabbed her by her hair, twisted her arm, and dragged her toward the very edge of the building.
"Look down, Kristel!" I hissed, holding her over the railing. "Now, tell me—who is throwing whom off this roof?"
"What are you doing?! Let me go!" she screamed.
Sandy and her friends stood frozen in shock. "Help me! Quick!" Kristel cried out.
"If any of you take a single step, I'll let go," I warned, my voice like ice. Sandy froze instantly.
"Are you crazy, Erina?!" Kristel sobbed, her legs dangling over the drop.
"Yes! I'm crazy!" I leaned closer to her ear. "I became crazy the moment you pushed me down those stairs. Now, let's see if you're still so arrogant when you're falling through the air!"
"No! Please! I'm sorry!" she wailed, tears streaming down her face. "I-I'll do anything! I'll stop! Please, let me go!"
"Oh, really? Fine." I yanked her back onto the solid ground, tossing her aside like trash.
Kristel collapsed, trembling and gasping for air. Sandy rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"
"Does it look like I'm okay?!" Kristel screamed at her.
I stood over them, looking down with pure disdain. "Kristel, consider this your only warning. Don't try your petty tricks on me again. They won't work. And don't forget your promise—you're my errand girl now."
"Let's go, Marie."
Later
Marie was silent as we walked toward the gates. Finally, she stopped. "Erina... is that really you?"
"Yes. Why wouldn't it be?"
"You were so... cool," Marie breathed, her eyes shining with admiration. "Where did you learn to do that? I've never seen you stand up for yourself like that."
"It's a long story, Marie. I'll tell you another time."
As we reached the main courtyard, a massive crowd had gathered.
"What's going on?" I asked. "Why is everyone out here?"
"Don't you know? A new transfer student arrives today," Marie said, her excitement returning. "They say he's from an incredibly wealthy family and incredibly handsome. Oh, I want to see him!"
"Not interested," I shrugged. "I'm going to class. See you there."
I tried to push through the wall of students, but it was impossible. "Please, let me pass... excuse me—"
Someone shoved from behind, and I lost my balance. I felt myself falling forward, but instead of hitting the pavement, I hit something solid. Two strong arms caught me.
"Are you okay?" a deep, smooth voice asked.
I looked up, and for a moment, my heart skipped a beat.
~to be continued