[Third Person's PoV]
Clark quietly stepped back into the classroom, carefully shutting the door behind him with a soft click. The sudden sound drew everyone's attention—conversations halted, pens froze mid-stroke, and even the teacher paused mid-sentence to glance his way.
But Clark didn't react. He kept his gaze low, ignoring the curious stares and silent questions that filled the room. Without a word, he walked down the aisle and took his seat, which had now been relocated directly in front of Lala's desk. Her seat, evidently rearranged, was positioned just behind his.
The teacher cleared their throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Alright, let's continue," they said, resuming the lesson.
As the minutes ticked by, Clark tried to focus on the lesson, but it was difficult. He felt a light tap on his back. Turning his head slightly, he raised an eyebrow and found Lala leaning forward, her expression earnest and confused.
Cupping her hands around her mouth, she whispered, "I'm sorry, but… wasn't this supposed to be Clark's seat? Do you know where he went? I haven't seen him since he disappeared earlier."
Clark's eye twitched. Slowly, he turned back around, brushing his hair away from his forehead with a hand. He stared blankly at his desk as a storm of emotion brewed beneath his calm facade.
'I think... I think I'm genuinely going to kill myself. This can't be my life. This cannot be how it turns out.'
From the seat in front of him, Itsuki glanced back, as she wanted to question what had happened. Her curiosity was evident in her eyes, but when she saw Clark's soul-drained, thousand-yard stare, she wisely decided against asking any questions.
---
When the bell rang, signaling the end of first period, a wave of energy burst through the room. Students instantly surrounded Lala's desk, forming a tight circle of eager faces. Her beauty, exotic aura, and the mystery of being a transfer student were more than enough to draw a crowd—both boys and girls alike.
They fired off questions, barely giving her a second to respond.
"So, Lala, where are you from? You don't look Japanese."
"Why did you transfer in so late? School already started weeks ago."
"Wait, is it true you and Clark are engaged? For real!?"
Clark, lingering by the door with his bag slung over one shoulder, watched the scene unfold with mild concern. He wondered how she'd handle the interrogation, and just as he prepared to step in and smooth things over, Lala surprised him.
She smiled nervously but answered with composure. "I'm from Germany," she began, rubbing the back of her head, a little flustered. "I was supposed to attend from the start of the school year, but… there were some complications. So, I ended up arriving a bit later than planned. As for the engagement—yes, you could say that. It was arranged between our two families."
Clark blinked in astonishment. Her answers were calm. Well-prepared. Too prepared.
Then it clicked. 'Momo and Granny Seiko must have coached her. That has their fingerprints all over it.'
He exhaled in relief. That was one less fire he had to put out today.
Feeling much more at ease, he turned and walked out of the classroom, heading toward his next period. As he strolled through the hallway, he noticed Komi walking quietly beside him. She kept stealing glances his way, her expression unreadable but inquisitive.
Clark sighed softly and said, "You're wondering if she's really my fiancée, aren't you?"
Komi blinked, caught off guard, then nodded subtly. She opened her notebook, neatly balanced along her arm, and quickly scribbled something before holding it up to him:
"A bit."
He chuckled. "We're not. Not officially, anyway," he admitted with a tired shrug. "Let's just say… she's had a few unpleasant stalkers in the past. My grandmother thought a fake engagement would keep her safe from any new ones, especially in a new environment like this."
Komi's eyes widened in alarm and concern.
"Don't worry, she's not in any danger. And I'm not either," Clark said reassuringly, offering her a polite nod. "But thanks. I appreciate your concern"
He noticed Komi glance away, clearly still worried. A moment later, she turned back and wrote two words in her notebook, then gently showed it to him.
"Be safe."
Clark paused mid-step, a small smile tugging at his lips. He covered his mouth with one hand and let out a soft laugh, the warmth in her gesture melting a bit of the day's stress away.
"Thanks," he said genuinely.
…
As the lunch bell echoed through the halls, most students were already on their way to the cafeteria or outdoor spaces. Still, a few lingered in the classroom, chatting idly or finishing up notes.
The door to the classroom suddenly burst open with surprising energy.
"Lala! I came to get you!" Momo announced with cheerful authority as she strode inside.
"Momo!" Lala gasped with delight, throwing her hands up in a celebratory wave. Her face lit up as though she'd just been rescued.
Momo beamed, approaching her new friend briskly. "Since it's lunch break, I figured now's the perfect time to give you the grand tour of the school."
Her eyes then flicked over to another quiet presence in the room. "Komi, right?"
Komi jumped slightly at being addressed so directly. Her wide eyes darted around before she hesitantly pointed to herself as if unsure whether she was being called on or accused.
Momo gave a confident nod. "Why not join us?" she said with a warm, inviting smile.
Komi glanced between Momo and Lala, clearly unsure how to respond. Her fingers tightened around her notebook as panic started to creep in. But then, her gaze found Clark, who stood near the back of the room. He gave her a small, reassuring smile and mouthed silently, You got this.
Her eyes widened at the gesture, and after a pause, she gave a soft nod in response.
"Sweet! Let's go then!" Momo said enthusiastically, wasting no time in looping an arm around each of them and marching toward the door.
Just before stepping out, Momo glanced back at Clark. She caught the subtle movement of his lips as he mouthed, Thank you.
She smirked knowingly.
The entire invitation had been orchestrated by him.
Clark might not have been the most socially adept person—and definitely not the ideal candidate to help Komi reach her dream of making one hundred friends—but that didn't mean he couldn't rely on the people around him. Especially someone like Momo, who radiated confidence and kindness and happened to be his polar opposite in the best way.
Clark had pulled Momo aside earlier that day and given her a brief but heartfelt explanation of Komi's situation—her social anxiety, her struggles to communicate, and how he wanted to help her connect with others. Momo had readily agreed, touched that Clark, of all people, was trying to help someone open up.
With a playful wink and a quick 'OK' hand sign, Momo led both girls out of the room and down the hallway.
---
Meanwhile, Clark grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. With everyone gone and the classroom finally quiet, he made his way toward his usual lunch spot—the school rooftop. It was peaceful, open, and, most importantly, basked in direct sunlight. His favorite kind of lunch.
However, as he pushed open the rooftop door, a long sigh escaped his lips.
He could feel her. The moment he stepped outside, an all-too-familiar presence triggered his instincts—an annoying presence.
Sure enough, there she was.
Lois Lane.
She was sitting comfortably on a blanket spread across the upper platform rooftop floor, a neatly packed lunch and thermos arranged beside her like she was setting up a picnic for two.
Clark walked toward the metal ladder leading to the higher ledge and began to climb. "Ms. Lane, if I keep finding you here, I'm going to find another place to spend my lunch break."
"What?!" Lois huffed as she spotted him. "How did you know I was here? I was going to surprise you!"
Clark hoisted himself up onto the rooftop's upper platform and laid down on his back, letting the sunlight wash over him. "I stepped outside, felt a sharp wave of irritation in the air, and immediately assumed it was you. Turns out, I was right."
Lois gave him a look of mock offense. "Seriously? That's how you describe me? Annoyance in the air?"
Clark didn't move. "Ms. Lane, are you seriously so lonely that you have no one else to bother during lunch?"
Lois shrugged with a sheepish grin and scratched the back of her head. "Kinda? Most of my upperclassman friends graduated already. And Orusen—he's from the journalism club—well, he's got his own group. I don't really fit in with them."
Clark glanced at her briefly. He opened his mouth to say something thoughtful—maybe even kind—but before he could, Lois pulled out a notepad and a recorder, flipping it on with an all-too-eager gleam in her eyes.
"Now then!" she declared. "Care to tell me how your engagement with Miss Lala came to be? Was it arranged from childhood, or a recent development?"
Clark stared at her like she had just grown a second head.
"Are you seriously interviewing me right now?"
Lois smirked, unapologetic. "Look, if I can't recruit you into the journalism club, then the least I can do is write an article so compelling that it gets others interested. Maybe if I impress you with my talent, then you'll finally give in and join us."
Clark sat up slightly and pinched his fingers together.
"This close," he said dryly, "You were this close to actually earning my sympathy."
Lois simply grinned, proud of herself. "What can I say? I'm persistent."
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