Rain. Again... This damn rain is driving me crazy.
"Leon, wake up! Get up, we've arrived! Classes are starting!"
The irritated voice of my friend Riki tore through my half-asleep mind.
"Hey, shrimp, have you lost your mind? Want to be the first one thrown out of the car?"
I didn't even open my eyes. That cursed rain.
"You know I always fall asleep to the sound of rain."
"You sleep in the morning because you're out with girls all night! Don't give me that crap — get out of the car!"
He yanked the door, but I easily pushed him back.
"You little punk!"
I jumped out, circled around, and shoved him outside.
Of course, I wasn't actually going to hit him. But someone has to remind him who's in charge.
He stood there, soaked like a puppy. I rolled down the window.
"Speak, kid," I said evenly.
"Mr. Leon, today is the first exam. If I don't get you there on time, the headmaster will kill me."
He was shivering under the rain.
Exam... I'd completely forgotten.
I nodded to the driver and the guards. They silently got out and opened the umbrella. Though by now, it was useless for Riki.
"You forgot your bag," I said, tossing it to him.
I kept mine — thank God my hands still worked.
They escorted us to the entrance. Beyond that point, the academy guards took over.
All the elite students arrived with chauffeurs and guards. The ordinary ones made their way on their own.
From above, it looked like hundreds of umbrellas were racing toward the building.
"Riki, what's all this chaos so early in the morning?"
"Leon, I told you — today's the exam. It's mandatory for all year levels. Come on."
"Is this test really that important?"
He looked at the students, then at me, but said nothing.
"Alright, let's go. You really do look awful."
We walked down the corridor in silence. His wet uniform left a trail behind him.
"Last night's girls were something else," I tried to lighten the mood.
"Those scholarship girls really know how to have fun... especially when there's a reward involved. Great night."
Riki stayed quiet — like a drenched puppy.
"Scholarship girls are way easier than elite ones. Pay them and no trouble. No drama."
"Not all of them are like that," he said quietly, eyes on the floor.
"I know. Go change. Take a set from my locker — you know the code. They're not labeled anyway."
He stopped and gave me a strange look — not surprised, more like doubtful.
"I swear, I'll go straight to class," I said.
"Fine, Leon. Just... no girls along the way," he replied and hurried off.
That little rat... Thinks I can't get to class without some flirtation? I'll make him pay for that later.
Riki... I know not everyone has a price. Maybe that's why you're still around. You've never asked for help. Even when things were really bad.
The lecture hall was already full.
Despite the academy's elite status, seats were strictly assigned.
Riki messaged to check if I'd arrived. I sent back a photo of my middle finger, the lecture hall in the background.
We were in different courses.
Scholarship girls were glancing at me — as usual.
But something felt off today. The seat in front of me, the one that usually shielded me from the professor's view, was empty.
It was bothering me — now I had to sit in full view.
"Good morning!"
Mr. Lo, our economics professor, entered.
"Oh, what a surprise — Mr. Leon himself! Too bad the exam's canceled. The commission got into a car crash — thanks to the rain. It's postponed till next week."
He went on explaining, while girls whispered and shot glances at me.
Bang!
The door burst open — Mr. Lo even flinched.
A girl, soaking wet, rushed inside.
"Apologies for being late, Mr. Lo. May I take my seat?"
Something wet and overgrown bowed before the teacher. God... straight out of a horror movie.
Despite the look, her voice was calm and firm.
"Good morning, Miss Maya. First, clean yourself up. You even startled me," he smirked awkwardly.
"I need to take the exam," she bowed even lower.
A scholarship student. The exam mattered.
"Don't worry. It's canceled. Go to the restroom. Do something with that hair — it's... unsettling."
"Sorry. I don't have a change of clothes."
I looked more closely. A long skirt, a sweater down to her fingertips, a fully buttoned shirt.
Hair — long, black, tangled.
I couldn't hold back a chuckle.
Yuna, one of the elite girls with an outfit that screamed attention, snorted too.
"I could lend her my uniform," she said sweetly.
"Thank you, Miss Yuna, that won't be necessary," Maya replied, still calm.
"Excuse me."
And left.
Yuna glanced at me. A problem.
Scholarship girls — vanish.
Elite girls — play games, cling. Boring.
Where did this one come from? I didn't even remember seeing her.
Though... maybe she was the one who usually sat in front of me.
And now — empty.
Now Mr. Lo's staring straight at me.
Damn it. And the rain still wouldn't stop...
Ten minutes later, the door opened again.
"May I rejoin the lesson?"
It was Maya. Dry. Same clothes.
Hair — tied back.
I looked at her face. Lips, nose... and eyes.
Cold. Blue. Like metal.
I couldn't look away.
"Oh, it's you, Miss Maya. Go ahead. Let's continue," said Mr. Lo.
She sat in the same place. Again, blocking the view. Like before.
I noticed her clothes were dry — exactly the same.
Her skin, neck, eyes — too much.
Those loose clothes hid a firm, strong body.
STOP.
Was I seriously checking her out?
"Heh..." I chuckled.
"Sorry," I added automatically, catching Lo's stare.
Class ended. Riki was waiting by the door — dry, wearing my uniform.
"Sorry, Leon. I'll have it cleaned tomorrow."
"Just leave it in the locker. The staff will handle it. Oh — find me two girls tonight. And... something else."
I turned and nodded toward Maya.
"Look into her."
Riki stared at her, then at me.
"Her?.."
"Exactly."
He burst out laughing.
She clearly heard it — didn't even blink.
It took him a few seconds to pull himself together.
"If that's all, go," I snapped. People were already staring.
"Leon, she's swimming tonight. Coming?"
"Tonight already? Damn. I forgot. This rain..."
"Forget the rest. After that dive — we're watching."
I watched her walk away.
For a moment, her bangs parted — her eyes, icy and sharp, glanced into the void.
An interesting one.