Ishita Ryu Joshi stood at the main gate of St. Dominion High, her heart pounding like a ticking bomb.
"New school, new start," she repeated in her head.
She wore her freshly ironed uniform, polished shoes, and a hopeful smile—but inside, she was a storm of doubt.
Will I make friends? Will they like me? What if I mess up my introduction? What if they laugh at me?
The building was bigger than her last school. Louder. Faster. It felt like the students already knew where they belonged. And she didn't.
"I'm looking for Section C," she asked politely to a boy standing near the board.
The boy paused, raised his brows. "You sure?"
She nodded.
He chuckled darkly. "Good luck with that."
Before she could ask more, he walked away.
She tried again, asking a girl near the stairs. "Down the west corridor. Last room."
Then, under her breath, the girl muttered:
"Why would they send another girl after Ivy left?"
Ishi heard it—and suddenly, her footsteps felt heavier.
Who was Ivy? Why did she leave? And why did everyone act like Section C was cursed?
The hallway darkened the closer she got. The windows had dust. There were scratch marks on desks pushed outside. She gulped.
Finally, she stood in front of a slightly ajar door labeled C.
A boy leaned on the frame—tall, with sharp cheekbones, rolled sleeves, and messy black hair. He looked like someone from a K-drama... if the character was secretly dangerous.
He looked at her like she was a puzzle.
"You're the new girl?" he asked, voice cool.
"Yes... Ishita," she managed.
"Hm. You're late," he said. "Don't expect a second welcome."
Before she could respond, a strict voice from inside called out, "You must be Miss Ishita. Come in."
The boy stepped aside.
She entered.
The classroom was unlike anything she expected. Loud. Unbothered. Chaotic.
Boys everywhere—throwing paper, yelling, kicking each other's chairs. One even slept with headphones in.
No one noticed her.
The teacher cleared his throat. "Settle down!"
After a few seconds, things barely quieted.
"This is Ishita Ryu Joshi, your new classmate. Please welcome her."
No one clapped. One boy coughed on purpose.
Ishi smiled awkwardly and took a deep breath.
"H-hi, I'm Ishita. I just transferred here. I like sketching, listening to music... and I hope to get along with everyone."
Silence. Then someone whispered, "She's not gonna last a week."
The teacher continued anyway. "And you'll be under the guidance of your class president, Reyan Kashyap," he said, gesturing to the boy who'd met her at the door.
Reyan didn't even look up. Just chewed gum and leaned back in his chair.
"Take that empty seat beside him."
Ishi walked over and sat beside Reyan, clutching her bag. Class president? He didn't act like one.
The teacher left.
Instantly, the class returned to its noisy chaos.
Ishi tried to stay invisible.
When the lunch bell rang, she pulled out a pack of chips, chocolates, and her neatly packed lunchbox. She'd made it herself this morning. A little comfort.
But as soon as she unwrapped the chips—
Snatch!
Gone.
One boy held it up triumphantly. "Thanks, newbie!"
Another grabbed her chocolates. "Welcome to hell!"
Her mouth fell open. "That's mine—!"
No one cared.
Then came the voice beside her.
"Share your food," Reyan ordered, not even glancing at her.
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
He finally turned, meeting her eyes. His were dark. Cold. Commanding.
"I said share. Or starve."
Heart racing, Ishi pushed her lunchbox halfway toward him. He took a few pieces without a word.
They ate silently while the rest of the class roared in chaos.
☐ Ishi's Thoughts (in box)
This place is a jungle.
Why is he the class president? He acts like a gangster.
No one talks to me. No one wants me here.
And yet... I didn't cry. Not yet.
☐ Reyan's Thoughts (in box)
She's softer than Ivy.
She spoke politely. Introduced herself.
She shared when told. But didn't cry.
Interesting.
End of Chapter 1
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