Batch Four's classroom was silent except for the scratching of pencils. At the front, Mirzand stood tall, his heavy gold chain glinting with every movement, rings flashing as he pointed toward the board. His half-open shirt showed the polished pendant on his chest, his style loud and sharp as always.
"Do these questions," he instructed firmly. "Everyone must finish before you leave. No excuses."
The problems were simple—basic math and grammar. Most of the students bent quickly over their papers, scribbling answers with ease. One by one, they finished and slipped out toward the sports area, relieved to be free.
At the back, though, Sona was slouched over her desk, chin in her hand, eyes wandering out the window. Her pencil dangled between her fingers, barely touching the page.
"Sona," Mirzand's voice cracked across the room. "Focus."
She jumped, scribbled a few half-hearted lines, then drifted off again. By the time the last student had gone, her paper was still nearly empty.
She gathered her bag slowly, glancing at the door, ready to sneak out unnoticed.
"Stop."
Mirzand's hand came down on her desk, rings clicking against the wood. He leaned forward, his presence heavy, blocking her path.
"Sit. Finish it. Now." His tone was calm but absolute.
Sona froze. He was her leader. She had no right to argue. Biting back her frustration, she dropped into her chair again, dragging her pencil across the page with exaggerated annoyance.
Under her breath, she cursed, "All because of Aria… if she hadn't put me in Mirzand's batch…"
Her mutters were swallowed by the sound of Mirzand's rings tapping steadily against the desk, waiting until every answer was complete.
Batch Five's classroom buzzed faintly as students shuffled in, but the moment Aria stepped to the front, the noise stilled. She stood straight and neat as always, her presence carrying more weight than her years.
"Good afternoon," she began, her clear voice echoing softly across the room.
But before she could continue, her eyes brushed against Zorvath. He was leaning back in his chair, pen dangling loosely in his fingers, gaze locked on her with a fire that burned deeper than words. His stare wasn't casual—it was sharp, hot, and unrelenting, like he was peeling back every layer of her soul.
Aria faltered, her heartbeat stumbling. She quickly looked away, forcing her eyes back to her book.
The students noticed. Whispers slithered through the room like smoke.
"Did you see…?"
"Why's he staring like that?"
"Is something going on between them?"
Aria swallowed hard, cheeks heating. She tried to steady her voice.
"We… we won't waste time. For today, I'll keep it simple. You'll have a bit of homework, but first—introductions. One by one, tell us your name, and which subject you feel weak in."
She pressed on quickly, hoping to drown out the murmurs.
The first few students—nervous and shy—barely mumbled their names before shrinking back into their seats. Aria didn't push. She let them be.
Then Zorvath's turn came. He didn't even move. His pen scratched across the paper for a moment, then stopped. His eyes lifted again, locking on hers with that same unreadable heat. No words. Just his name, written on the corner of his paper: Zorvath.
Aria shifted uncomfortably, her throat dry.
Next came Rizwan. He stood, tall and composed, his voice softer than the others. "I'm Rizwan," he said. "I'm weak in math, I think. But… I'll try." His lips curved faintly as his eyes slid to Aria. "And… our leader? She's already inspiring us. Even just by standing there."
A light laugh rippled from a few students. Aria's eyes widened—she didn't expect that.
Clack.
The sharp sound of a pen hitting the desk broke the moment. All heads turned—Zorvath's pen had slipped from his grip, but his face betrayed nothing.
Rizwan stiffened, sensing the weight of those eyes on him. He quickly sat down, bent over his paper, and was the first to hurry out once Aria dismissed the class.
The room was quiet again when the short-haired girl rose from her seat. She had tanned skin, slim build, and sharp black eyes that gave her a mean edge at first glance. Her brown bob framed her face neatly as she spoke in a clipped tone.
"Miki. M-I-K-I. English is my weakest subject."
That was all. But as she lowered herself back into her chair, she turned just enough to flash Aria a small, unexpected smile.
Aria blinked, caught off guard. The girl who had once accused her of ruining KHSS—smiling at her? She tucked that thought away.
The remaining students were quiet, shy, unwilling to open up just yet. Aria let them be, closing the session with only a simple reminder about the homework.
As the class began to shuffle out, she stood still at the front, hiding the storm inside her chest. Zorvath hadn't spoken a word—but his silence had spoken louder than anything else.
The classroom was empty now, except for Aria and Zorvath. Aria sat at the desk, flipping through the worksheets her classmates had submitted. Her pen scratched lightly across the page, though her mind kept tugging toward the boy still seated at the back.
Zorvath hadn't left. He hadn't spoken. He just sat there, watching her.
Finally, Aria stood and walked toward him.
"Did you complete?" she asked, her voice low.
No reply. His eyes stayed locked on her.
She took another step closer, forcing the question again. "Did you complete?"
Without warning, Zorvath rose to his feet. Aria startled, stepping back in reflex, but he only held out his paper.
She glanced down. Blank.
"You… didn't know it?" she asked softly.
Still no answer.
Aria's chest eased slightly. She thought maybe he was just too shy. "It's okay," she said gently. "Sit. I'll teach you."
He obeyed, lowering himself back into his chair, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
Aria leaned in, carefully explaining every point—English grammar rules, then the basics of maths—her words measured, patient. Yet the entire time, his attention wasn't on the paper. His gaze stayed fixed on her, unblinking, absorbing not the lesson but her presence.
She grew uneasy under the weight of it, and finally pulled back. "Now complete it."
Zorvath's pen moved at once, swift and sure. Within seconds, the paper was filled. He slid it across to her.
Aria blinked, stunned. "You remembered… all of it?"
She shook her head faintly, then handed the paper aside. "Good. Then go to the sports area and help them clean."
For the first time, Zorvath's voice broke the air.
"When are we going to the café?"
Aria's heart skipped. She had forgotten about that. "Right," she murmured. "I'll ask Sona to come with us—"
"No," he cut her off, his voice deep, unwavering. "Let's go alone. Together."
Aria froze, her lips parting. "But… she told me—"
Before she could finish, Zorvath stepped closer. His hand closed gently but firmly around her wrist, pulling her near. With his other hand, he pressed a finger lightly against her lips.
"No more questions."
The room fell silent.
Aria stared up at him, her breath caught, his closeness overwhelming. Zorvath's eyes bore into hers, steady and fierce. For that moment, the world outside ceased to exist—only the two of them, locked in stillness, suspended in something neither dared name.