The sun was shining brightly through the window and gently shining on a brown haired youth in a classroom. This is Luca Kaoru, a young 16-year-old half-Japanese Omega, who is studying at Apollo International School for Excellence. This school is one of the most prestigious academies in the world and has educated many powerful and influential people in the world.
Back to Luca. He was writing in his notes as the teacher taught him algebra. As the teacher explained, the sound of the bell ringing indicated the end of class. As Luca gets up and leaves the classroom to go to the cafeteria, he is stopped by James Julles, his best friend from middle school, and coincidentally, he's the student body president.
"Luuuucaaaa!"
Luca had barely taken two steps out of the classroom when James Julles swooped in like a well-dressed hawk. He wore the student council blazer with the kind of effortless swagger that said I've never once been told no, and his smile was suspiciously wide.
Luca didn't even slow down. "No."
James blinked. "You don't even know what I'm asking yet!"
"I know that face. That's your 'I need a favor so huge it could alter the fate of humanity' face."
James clutched his chest dramatically. "How dare you accuse me—okay, yes. You're right. I need a favor."
"I knew it."
James caught up and looped his arm around Luca's shoulders. "It's just a tiny thing. Barely worth calling a favor. A molecule of effort."
"Molecules don't need hostage positioning," Luca murmured.
James grinned. "So, the International High School Soccer Tournament starts in three days. The committee is dangling your name as manager for the hospitality squad."
Luca stiffened. "You want me to wrangle arrogant teenage athletes?"
James nodded earnestly. "Manage schedules, greet foreign teams, coordinate snacks—though we'll pray the soda volcano doesn't recur."
Luca scoffed. "I hate crowds, sports, and being in charge."
James's gaze softened, as if commiserating. "Noble suffering," he said gently. "There's a certain halo around someone who endures what they detest for the greater good."
Luca squinted. "That doesn't even make sense."
"But, this does." James reached into his backpack and produced a plastic cup balanced precariously with whipped peaks. "One salted-caramel cheesecake pudding—handmade by Sakura Café. Every day for two weeks."
Luca's dessert-loving soul recoiled. He had vowed to live beyond cravings. Still, cheesecake was nearly worth considering.
Luca was silent for a beat. "…Tempting. Still no."
James sighed dramatically, then leaned in with narrowed eyes. "You remember that time last year when you broke into the chemistry club lab after hours to 'liberate' the rabbit named Gregory?"
Luca's eyes widened. "You swore you'd never bring up Gregory."
James grinned. "You said, and I quote—' James, if you ever tell anyone I cried over a rabbit, I will haunt you in the next life.'"
"That's emotional blackmail."
"It is," James agreed brightly. "So what's it gonna be? A peaceful life with pudding, or global exposure via the school gossip chat?"
" How about me telling the whole school you wet your bed last week, and I have to help you air your matters in secret from the dorm head?" Luca countered with his ammo.
" You wouldn't dare."
" Try me." As both narrow their eyes, not backing down.
" Then I have no choice. I'll tell everyone at school you're looking for a boyfriend." James whispered to Luca's ear, not wanting the other student to hear.
" And that's a bad thing because..."
" Hehehe, my dear friend. Do you know who ranks first in the 'someone I want to date in this school' list for 2 years, or 'Who I imagine when I polish the wood' list for 2 years, or ' Who I wish to spend the night with' or even ' Who I want to spend my life with'."
" What kind of degenerate ranking lists are those? The first one and the last one are the only normal ones."
" You're focusing on the wrong point."
" And the point is..."
" You, my friend," James pointed at Luca and started to explain in a hushed tone, " are the most popular and desirable person in this school, and they think from day one that we're dating, and I never denied it since you don't seem to like dating."
" I have my reason," Luca said, not liking where this is going.
" The moment I said we're not a couple, do you know what will happen?" James' hushed tone started to creep Luca.
" You'll be swamped by 90% of the school's male population every hour. All your free time will be filled with boys wanting you're affection. Day in and day out." James's voice started to be quieter as Luca imagined this scene.
When he was going to the lunch line, of boys he didn't know started to flirt. When he's eating, people are fighting to be near him. When he returned to his dorm, gifts filled the room, making his room cramped. And when he goes to the bathroom...
Thinking about the last one gave him a shudder.
"So what's it gonna be? A peaceful life with pudding, or exposure via the school chat?" James said with a happy smirk
Luca was contemplating the pros and cons of the offer.
" Did you hear that the captain of the volleyball team has a body pillow of you?" James said off-handedly. That did it.
Luca groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Fine. I'll help. But I want two puddings a day, your dessert at lunch, and full immunity from morning assembly duties for the rest of the semester."
James beamed. "Deal! You're gonna love it. Or hate it. Either way, it's happening."
As they turned toward the cafeteria, Luca muttered, "I'm going to make you run water to all thirty teams personally."
"Bold of you to assume I won't do it shirtless for publicity," James shot back with a wink.
Luca sighed. "I regret everything already. Btw, who makes those rankings?".
" I think it's someone from Luca's Fanclub."
" What the quack!" he was shocked and glad that they misunderstood James and his relationship.
The cafeteria's hum was a low roar—students vying for tables, voices rising, cutlery clinking. Plates of bowling-pin proportions towered on trays: grilled chicken, golden fries, pasta salads, fruit salads. James guided Luca to their usual window table.
They sat across from each other. James unpacked 2 bento boxes adorned with delicate sakura flowers. "From Sakura Café," he crowed. "Your favorite off-menu: onigiri, tamago with truffle, and salted-caramel cheesecake pudding." James gave Luca the bento box.
Luca stared at the box as if it were a high-stakes chess move. "You prepared to bribe so well."
"Well, I still owe you for the favor last time." James lifted a piece of tamago to Luca's lips. "Open."
Luca complied, tasting the sweet-umami egg custard. Memories of childhood dinners with his mother surfaced—warm kitchens, laughter. Luca showed a blissful expression that caused some students to blush
James studied him. "You okay? You look like someone who had an orgasm."
Luca replied. "I'm fine."
James nodded, unfazed. "Here's the deal. I need someone I trust. Someone discreet. There are scouts, sponsors, and even a few minor royals attending. It has to go perfectly." His face faltered. "Apollo's reputation is on the line."
Luca inclined his head. "I get it."
Another moment passed before Luca dove in. "Why me?"
James exhaled. "Because you're the only one who can keep a secret and not crumble under pressure. You're precise, calm, and unflappable when you need to be."
Luca masked the twist in his gut. Pride at being needed, mingled with dread.
They ate in near silence, punctuated by James's occasional instructions: meeting times, uniform, VIP hallway routes. At the end of the lunch period, they pack up the bento box.
"So, manager?" he asked softly.
Luca pushed his tray back. "I'll do it."
James's triumphant grin nearly broke his composed façade. "Thank you." His gaze softened. "Luca, I mean it. You'll do great."
As the bell rang again, echoing in Luca's chest, James rose. He clapped Luca's shoulder once and strode away. Luca watched him go, feeling the weight of the upcoming week settle into his bones.
That night, he lay on his dorm bed, ceiling lights off, the city's distant hum filtering through the window. His mind churned with upcoming itineraries, guest lists… and....
He drifted into a dream: a midnight stadium bathed in moonlight. Empty bleachers, the center field aglow. A figure emerged—tall, lean, exuding a crystalline chill that both intrigued and terrified him.
They advanced, a big, muscular hand extended. Luca's stomach clenched.
One touch, the figure said without words. His breath, frost-kissed, wafted into Luca's face.
Luca's heart thundered. Pheromones he thought extinct roared to life: honey-sweet, heady, impossible to contain.
One breath.
He leans closer to Luca, and then they kiss. The stranger's hands then wandered around Luca's body. Luca's hands pulled his head to deepen the kiss, and he couldn't push away. As the stranger's hands wandered south. He gasped awake, sweat slick against his skin. For a heartbeat, the phantom lingered.
Luca feels something in him changed and have a feeling his quite life will be turn upside-down.