"Look, the vice president and the other three members are all gathered together!"
"My goodness, how beautiful! How handsome they are!"
"Just look at how tall they are! And those striking black eyes!"
"I'm so thrilled to be in the same class as them!"
"Damio, Chichiro, Nai, Gio, and Frange the five illustrious members of Vring High School's student council stood proudly together.
"This was the first time I had seen them all in one place" The admired. The atmosphere buzzed with admiration.
Damio Katsio was the youngest son of the prestigious Katsio family, renowned as the second most powerful and wealthiest lineage in all of Joie, just behind the infamous Vandaster family.
Joie, a vast country with a diverse and bustling population, was as varied in landscape as it was in its people. Similar to Shiu, Damio had been sent to Vring to pursue his studies.
Vring is located in the rural part of Joie Land. Damio was sent there by his family due to his background.
Vring lay amidst rolling hills and verdant fields, a stark contrast to the bustling life of the capital city of Joie.
The Vandaster family, in contrast to the Katsios, had a notorious reputation tangled with mafia ties. However, they were not your typical gangsters.
Once embroiled in a web of criminal activities, they had transformed over the years into protectors of the community. They had begun to aid citizens and formed alliances with the government, doing away with those who threatened their beloved country.
With this shift, the Vandaster family garnered the unwavering support of the people, marking a watershed moment in history when a gang once shunned was embraced by the citizens.
The Vandaster family gained the direct support of the citizens, signaling the rise of their power. And all that thanks to Shiu's father, Shiuro Vandaster.
Damio was strikingly handsome—a true visual marvel. Towering at an impressive height, he shared the stature of Shiu. His strong, broad shoulders and well-defined physique communicated a mix of strength and elegance. His short, gray hair was meticulously styled, swept to the sides, enhancing his sophisticated aura. Clad in a crisp, formal uniform, every detail was perfectly arranged, radiating an air of regality.
He stood with grace in the center of the classroom, his penetrating black eyes scanning the room's occupants until they finally settled on a young man slumped over his desk. The moment his gaze found Shiu, a spark ignited in his eyes, revealing a flicker of interest.
"He's right there," Damio murmured quietly to himself. Beside him, his classmate Chichiro heart was filled with admiration, glanced up. "Is something wrong, Damio?"
But Damio chose to ignore the cute, short young man at his side, instead making his way to the back of the classroom.
Typically, Damio would take his place in the center of the class but today was different. Every eye followed his movement as he strode confidently to the empty seat next to Shiu, who lay asleep by the window.
Taking his place, Damio remained fixated on Shiu's sleeping figure, each passing moment amplifying his interest.
Chichiro, noticing Damio's unwavering gaze, felt frustration welling up inside him. He stared at Shiu with envy "Why is he sleeping in the middle of class?" he whispered, unable to contain his exasperation.
Frange, Nai, and Gio turned to see what had caught Chichiro's attention, and their eyes quickly fell on the young man who was dozing peacefully at his desk.
"Hmm... just leave him be," Nai advised, returning his focus to the front.
"Yeah... but why is Damio sitting next to this delinquent?" Chichiro's hands curled into fists, watching with envy as Damio continued to be captivated by Shiu.
"Damio doesn't seem to mind. But you... Chichiro, don't tell me you still have feelings for Damio?" Gio inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Chichiro remained silent, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air.
Nai stared at him, at a loss for words as the tension lingered.
"Look, man, it's been a year. You should really consider giving up, Chihiro." Frange leaned back in his chair, a hint of frustration on his face, he was tired of Chichiro. "It's rare that we even get a chance to talk to him. If it weren't for the council work, he wouldn't have anything to do with us at all."
Frange sighed deeply, as if the weight of the situation was pressing on him. "You know that's impossible. We all know it, and everyone at the school understands what kind of person Damio is. He's ice-cold and ruthless. I doubt someone like him even knows what 'like' or 'love' means."
Chihiro pressed his lips together, a swirl of emotions brewing inside him. He was fully aware that Damio would likely never accept his confession, but giving up wasn't an option. Maybe if he poured more effort into it...
After a lengthy explanation of the lesson, the teacher, a stern figure at the front of the room, wrote one of the most challenging math problems on the board, the numbers and symbols intertwining into a daunting riddle.
"Alright," the teacher announced, scanning the room. "Apart from Damio, who has the courage to come up and solve this equation?"
A collective gasp filled the air as silence enveloped the classroom. A palpable tension rose; no one appeared prepared to raise their hand. They could practically feel their brains melting just from the mere sight of the complex equation.
"What... no one? I thought you were all smart!" the teacher exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face.
"Yes, but teacher," one brave student finally spoke up, anxiety creeping into his voice. "How are we supposed to solve a problem of this level? They teach this kind of stuff in universities and colleges!"
"We're still in high school, you know!" another student added, a hint of indignation breaking through.
"What are you saying? You'll be graduating in less than a year and heading to college. You should know how to tackle this problem!"
"WHAT?!" the students erupted in unison. "How do you expect us to solve something you haven't even taught us yet, you unreasonable teacher?"
"Damio can solve it. Why can't you?" the teacher pressed, a challenge lacing his tone.
"We're not Damio. We're just ordinary people," a girl murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but heavy with truth.
In the back of the classroom, Damio leaned back in his chair, a picture of nonchalance, his eyes slowly wandering over the daunting whiteboard. They finally settled on the sleeping student slumped over his desk.
"Then those who can solve this equation will be exempt from participating in the next tests," the teacher declared, a sly smile creeping across his face.
"WHAT?! How can you do that?" the students clamored, astonished by the sudden high stakes. "Give us something simpler!" As the reality of the challenge sank in, they found themselves wishing they had the skills to tackle the problem.
"Then why don't you ask Sleeping Beauty here?" Chihiro's voice rang out, cutting through the murmur of the class. All eyes turned to Shiu, anticipation and malice sparkling in their gazes.
"He's done for," the students thought, a sense of foreboding settling over the room.