Standing at the school gates was Sun Jing, hands buried in her pockets, dressed in the boys' uniform—black blazer with white trims, open collar, and slightly rumpled white shirt. The black pants contrasted sharply with her white high-top sneakers.
Her long blonde hair was messy, slightly spiked and tousled, with bangs that half-covered a small scar on her forehead. Her magenta eyes glimmered with mild curiosity as she looked up at the towering building before her.
"Wow… this place is huge," she muttered, whistling softly. "Hm… where do I go now?"
She began walking aimlessly through the courtyard, hands still in her pockets.
'I should probably use my Heart Reading skill… maybe it'll help me figure out where to go.'
Her vision faintly glowed as her mind opened up to the whispers of the students around her.
Instantly, hundreds of overlapping thoughts struck her all at once.
'Who's that hot transfer student?'
'Wait, is that a boy or…?'
'Their hair is amazing—look at those eyes!'
'I'd let them ruin my life…'
Sun Jing's eyes twitched. "Never mind," she grumbled, clutching her head. "My head is killing me now. Way too many hormones in this place."
She was about to deactivate the skill completely when a sultry, melodic voice reached her ears.
"Ara~ ara~ You look lost. You must be new here, right~?"
Sun Jing turned around—and nearly forgot how to breathe.
Standing just a few feet away was an angelic beauty with a voluptuous figure, long black hair tied into an elegant ponytail that flowed down to her ankles, and mesmerizing violet eyes.
She wore the girls' Kuoh uniform, though somehow it looked far better on her than it should. A white blouse, the black shoulder cape and corset accentuating her curves, and the magenta skirt swaying in the wind.
Sun Jing blinked, momentarily forgetting how to speak. "Uh… yeah. I'm new. Just transferred here today."
The girl giggled softly, covering her mouth with a hand. "Fufu~ I see. Welcome to Kuoh Academy. My name is Akeno Himejima, third-year student and member of the Occult Research Club."
"Akeno…" Sun Jing repeated under her breath.
"Nice to meet you, Akeno-senpai. I'm Sun Jing."
"Sun Jing~?" Akeno tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with interest. "That's a unique name. You're quite the handsome one, aren't you?"
"Eh—?!" Sun Jing froze, her face flushing crimson as Akeno leaned closer, her sweet perfume filling the air.
"Fufu~ what's the matter? You look tense."
"I—uh—it's nothing! Just… adjusting to a new environment, that's all," Sun Jing stammered, stepping back slightly.
Akeno smiled knowingly, then gestured toward the building. "Well then, Sun Jing-kun, why don't I show you around? Consider it my personal welcome to Kuoh Academy."
"…Sure," Sun Jing replied, "Lead the way."
Akeno led Sun Jing along the second-floor hallway. Students passing by couldn't help but steal glances at the tall blonde transfer student walking beside one of Kuoh Academy's "Two Great Ladies".
Akeno smiled politely at each greeting, but her eyes occasionally flicked toward Sun Jing and each time, she sensed something off.
'There's… a lot of magical power leaking from her.'
It wasn't just a faint trace either — it was radiant, pulsing faintly like the steady rhythm of a heartbeat. To humans and anyone else, it was invisible. But to Akeno's eyes, the air around Sun Jing shimmered faintly with pink-hued mana, coiling and dispersing out.
'She doesn't feel like a Fallen Angel… nor an Angel… or even a Devil. Akeno's expression didn't change outwardly, but her eyes narrowed slightly. Then what in the world is she?'
Meanwhile, Sun Jing was completely oblivious to the scrutiny.
"Man, this place is really big," she said stretching her arms behind her head. "I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to navigate this place without a map."
Akeno chuckled softly, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Fufu~ I'm sure you'll get used to it soon enough. But if you ever get lost, you can always call for me, Sun Jing-kun~."
"I'll keep that in mind, senpai."
"So," Akeno began, tilting her head slightly as she glanced at her new companion. "What year are you in, Sun Jing-kun?"
"I'm a second year," Sun Jing replied, rubbing the back of her neck. "Guess that makes you my upperclassman, huh?"
Akeno's smile deepened, her violet eyes glinting. "Indeed~. That means you'll have to listen to me when I tell you what to do~."
Sun Jing chuckled, feeling her face heat up slightly under Akeno's playful gaze. "Heh. I'll think about it."
The bell rang in the distance, echoing through the halls.
Akeno brushed a strand of her long black hair behind her ear. "Classes will start soon. Why don't I take you to the faculty room to finalize your transfer, and then to your classroom?"
"Sounds good."
Akeno stopped in front of a classroom door, turning toward Sun Jing with her usual serene smile.
"Well, this is your homeroom, Sun Jing-kun. I hope you enjoy your first day here."
Sun Jing gave her a grateful grin. "Thanks for the tour. I'll make sure to remember where all my classes are."
She gave a casual wave before sliding the door open.
The moment she stepped inside, the entire room seemed to pause. Then—
"Kyaa! Who is that?!"
"She's so cool!"
"Is that a new transfer student? She looks like someone from a movie!"
Sun Jing blinked, frozen for a moment as the wave of squealing and whispers filled the air. A few of the girls practically sparkled as they stared at her — especially since the blonde's uniform was slightly loosened at the collar, giving her a relaxed and confident look.
"Uh… morning?" she said awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.
The class erupted again.
Akeno, still standing by the door, couldn't help but chuckle softly behind her hand. "Fufu~ she's already popular."
Turning on her heel, she began walking back down the hall, her smile fading into a thoughtful expression.
'You feel pretty strong, Sun Jing-kun…' she mused silently.
'I just hope those fallen angels won't get to you before Rias does…'
Her steps slowed for a moment, and a small, knowing smile curved her lips.
"It would be such a shame if someone as cute as you were to die so soon…"