The classroom was cool, floating dust visible in the faint sunrays streaming through the window.
Dexter and Kensei entered the classroom; Vanessa was already seated by the window in the front.
They were earlier than everyone else.
They sat quietly, preparing for class—Dexter reviewing History, while the other two went over their math assignment due today.
It was quiet— almost empty. Only the soft sounds of turning pages, scribbling pens, and tapping shoes broke the silence.
As homeroom approached, students began to arrive—and with them, the morning chatter.
"Did you watch yesterday's episode?"
"Please let me borrow your assignment! I'll give you a treat in return."
"Huh?! You forgot!!? Are you from Yunoma or what?"
"Who do you think would win…"
The classroom was abuzz.
Vanessa had the girls crowding around her, begging for help with the assignment.
Kensei was in the back, chatting a bit then returning to the work every now and then.
And then there was Dexter, seated in the middle of the class, all by himself, reading his book.
"They're showing project results today, right?"
Dexter heard the whisper— it was Rose.
"I hope we didn't mess it up"
Lily said, nodding as her eyes drifted towards Dexter's back.
As she looked up, she met his gaze— he had turned only slightly toward them.
She quickly averted her gaze away from him, pretending to read from the book on her desk.
The classroom door creaked open, signaling the start of homeroom.
Dexter closed his history book and slid it into his bag, turning to face front.
The teacher entered the classroom; the once chaotic room went silent— her light footsteps echoing into the farthest corner.
"Good morning, Miss Clara!", The kids greeted in unison as they got up.
"Good morning, please sit down." She said with a gentle smile, "Today, a new friend will be joining us, try to get along, okay!"
She turned toward the door.
"You may come in now!"
Dexter's gaze shifted to the doorway.
The door slid open, and a boy walked in— about Dexter's height, his black hair perfectly neat, his eyes caught the morning light like faint embers.
"Introduce yourself to your friends."
The teacher said, stepping down the podium and moving to the back of the class.
The room went still. A faint whistle through the windows grew louder.
The boy scanned the room with his gleaming eyes for a while.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and opened them slowly, smiling softly.
"My name is Julian Hart. I'm twelve years old. My hobbies are running, painting, and reading."
He paused, his tone bright but composed.
"As for my dream, I would like to become a detective because finding out the hidden truth sounds fun."
His smile widened slightly.
"But for now, my dream is to become friends with you all!"
"…Detective, huh? I'd like to do something like that too." Dexter thought to himself.
Still half lost in thought, he caught the murmurs rising from behind.
Dexter turned back.
Julian's name was already on everyone's lips.
Among the boys, a few compared themselves to him while others scoffed.
The girls, however, were quite impressed— charmed even.
He glanced at Ken, who looked genuinely impressed.
Dexter turned back to the front and blinked twice.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a brief smirk from Julian.
Julian noticed his glance and smiled gently.
Dexter looked away, searching through his bag.
"Okay class! Quiet down! Julian, your seat is next to Dexter", Miss Clara said.
Dexter jolted and looked up, Julian stood before him, his hand extended.
"Nice to meet you! Please tell me more about the school during recess!"
Julian's tone was bright, his hand still waiting in air.
"Hm." Dexter replied with a single nod and continued searching his bag.
Julian paused, lowered his hand and took his seat.
"Don't worry about him. He's always like that." Rose called out to Julian from behind.
Julian made a quick turn, glaring at Rose.
"Is that so?"
For a moment, his tone and expression fell out of sync before his usual smile returned to his face.
Rose's smile faltered a bit,
"You can ask me about anything— I doubt he'll be of much help"
She said, her voice low but cheerful.
"Okay, let's get started with today's class.", Miss Clara said, pulling out her textbook and marker.
The students rustled through their bags, taking out their stationery and books.
"Could we push our desks together? You see, I don't have the textbook today since I am new."
Julian whispered, leaning towards Dexter.
Dexter simply joined their desks without a reply.
"Vanessa, where did we stop yesterday?", Miss Clara asked.
"We are to continue from page 73, Miss!"
Vanessa said, turning the pages of her own textbook.
"Okay, everyone—turn to page 73, we will be doing fill in the blanks today!"
The students whispered back and forth at the mention of the surprise exercise.
"Shh! Quiet down! Ok now— The____ revolution marked the end of Desmond Regime over Nethara, who will answer this?"
Miss Clara laid down her book and scanned the class for students willing to answer, no one volunteered.
After a while, Julian raised his hand.
"Yes, Julian?"
" The answer is the Heartlight Revolution Miss!", Julian answered, loud and clear.
"That's correct, onto the next," Miss Clara picked up her book and continued, "_______ were the part of Nethara in the past".
This time, Max and Julian both raised their hands.
"Ok— Julian, you answer", Miss Clara picked him. Max lowered his hand, brooding quietly.
"The regions of Elysia, Mirai, and Yunoma were parts of Nethara in the past"
Julian answered again, with the same confidence.
"And when was it?", Miss Clara asked.
Julian went silent for a moment.
"Around 2043?", Julian said in a low voice.
"Yes, that's correct! Well done!", Miss Clara praised him.
Everyone was quite surprised by Julian being able to answer despite being new to the curriculum.
That wasn't the case with Dexter.
The session went on after that. Julian answered all the questions directed at him "flawlessly".
The bell rang across the hall, signaling the end of the period.
Students stretched, chairs scraped the floor as quiet chatter gradually filled the room
"Okay, that's it for today! Be sure to review the material covered today."
Miss Clara said, collecting her bag from the desk and exiting the room.
As soon as Miss Clara left, the students flocked around Julian like moths flying over a bulb.
Dexter watched for a moment; the same light that drew them in made him turn away.
He got up slowly, the hum of chatter fading behind him as he stepped into the quiet hallway.
"I can't believe you can answer like that on your first day"
"You mentioned that you like painting— wanna pair up with me in art class today?"
"What sort of books do you like?"
"Let's have a race sometime, I'll show you who's the real boss around here"
Boys and girls alike started bombarding him with questions and praise.
Julian responded to all of them with a gentle smile and brief comments.
"Sorry guys, but could you move aside for a bit?"
Julian's tone was light, almost apologetic.
He rose from his chair and walked toward the front, stopping beside Vanessa's desk.
"So… long time no see, huh? Vanessa?"
Vanessa tilted her head, "Wait… Do I know you? Could you possib—"
"Yes, it's me. We used to be classmates back in elementary"
Julian answered before she could finish.
"I remember now," Vanessa said with a small laugh. "You used to sit by the window all by yourself. I'd never have guessed that you'd change this much"
"Well, it's been two years. I figured… being alone isn't all that great."
As Julian uttered those words, Dexter entered the room, with a small notepad in his hands.
Dexter heard Vanessa and Julian chatting.
"They're already hitting it off so well! Isn't this the first time they've talked to each other?"
Dexter stood there for a moment, lost in thought.
Something inside him twisted—a knot that sank, yet somehow pulled up.
"They were classmates back in elementary it seems—"
"Ah!"
Dexter jumped, the notebook slipping from his hand.
"Huh? — Are you alright?"
Ken crouched, picking up the notepad and handing it back.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!", Dexter scoffed lightly.
Ken looked at him and then smiled.
"Oh! So that was it huh? Good… wait— why am I relieved?"
Dexter felt the knot in his chest loosen, before he could make sense of it, Ken spoke up.
"So— What do you think?", Ken asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Think what?", Dexter looked puzzled, unsure what Ken was getting at.
"About Julian. What do you think of him?" Ken asked.
"Well…" Dexter hesitated. "He's too bright for me, I am no match for that kind of energy."
He paused glancing towards Julian, his words drowning in the classroom chatter.
"I don't think we would get along too well."
He added after a moment, his brows knitting slightly.
"But… there's something strange about him. Something I can't quite put into words."
"…seems like I wasn't the only one."
Ken said in a low voice as he caressed his chin.
"You weren't the only one? What's this about?",
Vanessa asked as she reached for the duster.
"It seems like I wasn't the only one who failed to finish the assignment due today."
Ken replied, moving his hands as he spoke.
"Well, you did come to me to clarify a lot of questions this morning. Get on it now and you'd still be able to do it."
Vanessa said as she erased the whiteboard.
Dexter smiled softly. He looked at the notepad in his hand, remembering the "work" assigned to him.
"Vanessa, actually the teacher tol—"
"Vanessa! Thanks for the help!"
Julian's voice cut through Dexter's words as he walked toward the whiteboard.
"It was fairly easy too!" Julian continued.
"It is… if you study consistently"
Vanessa said, smirking as she glanced at Kensei.
"Iguess it can wait.", Dexter thought to himself.
He closed the notepad in his hand and seated himself.
He opened his book, occasionally peeking over its edge.
He saw Julian and Vanessa exchanging light words as they both sat down.
"Too bright for me…" he thought again— though this time, he wasn't sure who he was referring to.