Mind controlling your emotions... your face is completely red," Arvard whispered.
Saina ignored him and opened the large brown wooden door with glass panels.
As she entered the hall, her bright smile and blushing face drew everyone's attention—including the principal, who had been in the middle of his speech on stage.
Whispers began to spread across the hall as students noticed a black-haired guy with striking crimson eyes following behind her.
Those who had seen the two together that morning began to share the story, and murmurs rippled through the room like wind through leaves.
The principal caught sight of Arvard, and his mind suddenly drifted to old stories his grandfather once told—tales of the "free spirit prince."
Snapping back to reality, the principal took a sip of water from the glass on the podium. He cleared his throat.
The whispering stopped.
Saina climbed the steps between the wooden chairs and took the empty seat beside the student council president.
On the floor, students stood in organized lines. At every corner, student council members kept watch over the crowd.
Mai waved to Arvard and gestured for him to join her.
He walked over just as the principal resumed his speech.
Next to Mai stood a girl with black curly hair, small eyes, and a round face, along with a brown-haired boy wearing sleek silver spectacles.
"You can stand here, Albert," Mai said as Arvard approached.
"There are some changes in school regulations," the principal announced. "The fence at the beach cliff has been upgraded. The students who broke through it are suspended for three weeks. If anyone repeats such behavior, they will be expelled. The rooftop is now off-limits due to safety concerns, and the new student council building is nearly complete. The floor the council currently occupies will be reassigned to a club of Ms. Elle Kal's choosing."
He paused, then continued with a note of surprise:
"Ms. Saina will be teaching History to the first-year students. She will also be the homeroom teacher for Class 10-3. That is all."
With that, he turned and disappeared behind the curtains.
More whispers erupted—this time about Ms. Saina. First-year boys cheered quietly, thrilled that the teacher they were already crushing on would be teaching them. Many were jealous of Class 10-3.
Mai raised her hand, signaling the student council to silence the crowd. They stepped forward, urging students to quiet down.
"Miss Saina sure is popular," Arvard commented.
"Yup. The boys look at her like she's a goddess," Mai replied with a laugh.
Arvard chuckled softly. "Okay."
Mai leaned in. "What about you? I heard from Quill that she hugged some mysterious guy with shiny red eyes and black hair this morning."
"Oh, that?" Arvard said casually. "It was a misunderstanding. She mistook me for someone else."
"Someone else?" Mai repeated, eyebrows raised. There are more men like him?
"Yeah, an old friend, apparently," he added, playing it off.
"Wow, so you visited her office?" she asked.
"Yeah. Is that unusual?"
"Only like four students have ever been in there."
"Have you?" Arvard asked.
"Nope." Mai replied quickly.
Absolutely! Here's Part 2 of your chapter, professionally edited and polished for clarity, grammar, and natural dialogue, while keeping your characters, tone, and intentions intact.
"What's the role of the student council in this campus?" Arvard asked, genuinely curious.
Mai turned to him with a soft smile. "I was expecting that question," she said. "In our school, the student council system is inspired by Japanese schools. The president is elected by students, while the other positions—like vice president, accountant, and secretary—are selected by either the president or the principal. The council oversees discipline, club budgets, trip arrangements, and a few other responsibilities."
"Humans are part of the council too?" Arvard asked.
"Yeah, they are," Mai replied. "They help maintain the balance. In fact, our current Tresurer is a human. Oh—looks like the assembly is ending. Sorry, but I have to go now. See you in class!"
As Mai walked away, students began leaving the hall, row by row. Arvard noticed people stealing glances at him as they passed. He moved forward to join the line—only to realize Elena was standing in the row ahead.
Wearing silver really does dull my senses, he thought. Now I'm stuck right behind her.
The girls were lined up in front, the boys trailing behind. A blond boy next to him turned with a grin.
"Hey dude. New student?" he asked.
Arvard glanced sideways but said nothing.
The boy leaned in, dropping his voice just a little. "Is it true that Ms. Saina hugged you?"
As soon as he said it, several heads turned toward Arvard, clearly eavesdropping.
"It was just a misunderstanding," Arvard replied calmly.
"Man, I wish I had a misunderstanding like that," the boy muttered. "You're already the luckiest guy in school. And weren't you just talking to Mai? She's seriously cute."
"I think you're getting the wrong idea, my friend," Arvard said.
The boy laughed. "You talk kinda odd, but hey—odd is the new cool."
Without asking, he threw an arm around Arvard's shoulder, pointing ahead. "See that girl? The one with the pink glasses?"
Arvard followed his gaze. "You mean… Trisha?"
The boy's face lit up. "You know my girl too?"
"Wait, are you two… together?" Arvard asked, raising a brow.
"Nah, not yet. But I like her," he whispered like he was revealing a secret.
Ah. So he's in love, Arvard thought.
"Okay," Arvard said neutrally.
"How do you know her?" the boy asked, suddenly curious.
"I stopped by her group this morning to ask something. We ended up chatting and became friends," Arvard replied simply.
"Dude, that's some playboy-level stuff," the boy said, laughing again.
Arvard didn't reply. He kept walking quietly. The two had now exited the first building and entered the Garden of Flowers.
"Hey… so, could you… I mean, would you maybe…" the boy stammered.
"What?" Arvard asked, slightly annoyed now.
"You know… introduce me or something?" the boy whispered nervously.
"You want me to tell her you like her?" Arvard asked bluntly.
"Shhh!" the boy hissed. "Keep your voice down!"
As the lines broke apart and the students scattered through the garden, Arvard stopped and turned to face him. Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, he smirked.
"Listen, she's known me for five minutes. And I don't even know your name."
"Oh shoot—you're right! I forgot. I'm Michael. And you're…?"
"Albert," Arvard replied with a small smile, then turned away.
Something about Michael reminded him of someone from long ago. He pulled his phone from the inside pocket of his blazer and checked his schedule.
"Nice phone," Michael said, peeking at it.
"Thanks."
"Wanna exchange emails?" Michael asked with a hopeful grin.
"Sure," Arvard replied.
Just then, a voice called out from behind them. "Hey, Albert!"
They both turned to see Sasha waving enthusiastically.
Michael blinked. "Is that Sasha? Waving at us?"
Arvard waved back with a relaxed half-smile. Behind Sasha, Trisha emerged from behind a tree, trailing just a few steps behind.
Michael panicked. "I think I should leave."
"Why? You're acting like you've never—oh," Arvard said, catching on. "Now I get it."
"Yeah, you get it. So I'm leaving." Michael started to turn away, but Arvard grabbed his arm.
"Now's a good time for that introduction, don't you think?"
"Hey, Albert!" Sasha said again as she approached, sounding more confident than before.
"Hey!" Arvard replied, releasing Michael's arm.
Michael forced a weird smile and turned back. "Hey…"
"Hi, Michael," Sasha said casually.
"Hi, Trisha," he added.
"So you two became friends?" Trisha asked, eyeing the two of them.
"Yeah," Michael said quickly, putting a hand on Arvard's shoulder.
Suddenly, Arvard's phone rang. The number was unknown. He answered.
"Hello?" he said, his tone neutral.
All three of them stared at him, waiting to see who it might be.
"Can you spend the day with me? Redark wants to meet you too," a woman's voice said from the other end.
"No." Arvard hung up.
"Who was it, bro?" Michael asked.
"Someone from family," Arvard replied, slightly uneasy.
The phone rang again. Arvard sighed.
"Excuse me," he said, stepping aside. He answered the call. "What now?"
"Why'd you hang up on me? That was rude," the voice said, playful but insistent.
Back in the group, Michael whispered to the girls, "Who do you think he's talking to with that face?"
"No idea," Trisha replied. "Maybe a sister? Or brother?"
Arvard exhaled. "Fine. After sunset." He ended the call.
Returning to the group, he offered a small apology. "Sorry about that."
"So, Albert—what class are you in?" Sasha asked.
"10th-3," Arvard replied.
"Oh, I'm in 10th-2 with these two," Sasha said, a little disappointed.
"Our classrooms are right across from each other," Trisha added.
Arvard didn't respond, instead glancing at his watch. "When do classes start?"
Trisha checked hers. "In six minutes."
"Then we should get going," Michael said.