In this world, society was divided into two kinds of people: humans and hybrids.
Hybrids were beings who were half human and half beast.
They were first discovered after a scientific experiment went terribly wrong. What started as a secret project soon spread across the world, and before anyone could stop it, hybrids began appearing everywhere.
At first they were rare.
Now they were simply… uncommon.
Over time, things changed. Humans and hybrids could reproduce together, and hybrids could also have children with other hybrids. The newer generations were more advanced, able to hide their animal traits perfectly.
However, hybrids were never completely normal.
They could usually be recognized by their rare eye colors, unusual hair shades, or unnatural beauty. Their bodies also functioned differently. Both male and female hybrids experienced heat cycles, and in extremely rare cases, some male hybrids could even give birth.
Because of their rarity, hybrids were considered a protected species.
They were required to wear special bands that monitored their health. It wasn't meant as discrimination. Hybrid bodies were weaker than human bodies in many ways, and the government claimed the bands helped provide proper care.
Many hybrids eventually moved to their own territories—places humans called Hybrid Utopias.
Those who chose to live among humans had to register with the government.
"And that is the history of hybrids and the regulations placed on—"
The teacher suddenly stopped speaking.
His eyes slowly shifted toward the classroom window.
A head full of bright red hair was sticking out of it.
Half of a girl's body had already slipped outside the window while the other half remained inside the classroom.
"Ava!" the teacher shouted.
Every student in the class turned their heads at once.
There she was.
Only her head remained inside the classroom while the rest of her body was already outside.
Ava blinked.
Her hazel-blue , bright and clear like the sea siren eyes, stared innocently at the teacher.
"Teacher… go on… go on," she said with a cheerful smile. "Just pretend you don't see me."
Thunk.
A marker flew through the air and hit her square on the forehead.
"OW!"
"Student Affairs Office. Now!" the teacher roared.
Ava sighed dramatically and climbed back inside through the window.
As she stood up, her school uniform immediately broke several dress-code rules at once.
Her white shirt sleeves were rolled up carelessly to her elbows. Her jacket was completely unzipped, hanging loosely from her shoulders.
The school tie that should have been around her neck was nowhere to be seen.
Her skirt stopped high on her thighs instead of the proper knee length.
Her long black thigh-high socks had decorative holes woven into the fabric, making them look more like fashion than part of a uniform.
Thin chain bracelets rested loosely around her wrist, clinking softly when she moved.
She didn't look like a student.
She looked like trouble wrapped in beauty.
The classroom was large and bright, rows of wooden desks stretching toward the back. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, and the blackboard behind the teacher was still filled with notes about hybrid history.
But no one was paying attention anymore.
Everyone was staring at Ava.
Some students whispered behind their hands.
Others pointed.
A few boys watched her openly, their faces slightly red.
"Is she really trying to escape again?"
"She's insane…"
"She got caught this time."
Ava walked toward the door lazily.
Then she suddenly stopped.
She slowly turned her head.
Her hazel-blue eyes swept across the classroom.
The whispers died instantly.
The students who had been pointing quickly straightened in their seats and pretended to focus on their textbooks.
Ava snorted softly.
"Cowards."
Without another word, she walked out of the classroom.
And toward the Student Affairs Office.
Inside the Student Affairs Office, Ava stood in front of the desk while the teacher glared at her.
"With the amount of times you've come to my office just this week," the teacher said as he slammed his hand on the desk, "one would think you own this office."
Ava blinked at him.
"Teacher, you shouldn't say that," she replied seriously.
"It would make it sound like I'm after your job."
She paused, looking at his head.
"But no one wants a job that would leave them bald like you, so I think you're perfectly suited for it."
The teacher's face twitched.
He immediately grabbed the cap on his desk and placed it firmly on his head, covering his thinning hair.
"Why are you here again?" he asked through clenched teeth.
Ava rubbed her nose shyly.
"I was escaping from class through the window."
The teacher froze.
"Through the… window?" he repeated slowly.
"Yes," Ava nodded.
"I took your advice."
"My advice?"
"You said sneaking out through the back door was bad," she explained proudly.
"So I used the window instead."
The teacher stared at her with his mouth slightly open.
"But I was caught," Ava sighed dramatically.
"Still, this time I had a reason! He was repeating the same history everyone already knows. How hybrids were first discovered, the rules set for them, why they rarely appear in this city anymore…"
She crossed her arms.
"I know those rules better than I know my parents' names."
The teacher closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Dealing with Ava required patience.
A lot of patience.
Because the biggest problem with Ava…
Was that she looked completely innocent.
She was the kind of girl whose beauty confused people.
Pretty enough that one might mistake her for a goddess.
At 5'5 cm tall, Ava had a slim yet slightly athletic body. Despite her young age, her figure already hinted at stunning curves.
Her waist was slender, her frame delicate, yet her movements were flexible and energetic.
Her skin was pale and smooth like milk, glowing faintly like polished glass.
Her face had a soft heart-shaped structure, making her look gentle and sweet at first glance.
Her eyes were a deep hazel-blue, dark and captivating like a siren's gaze. They looked innocent… but anyone who knew her well could easily see the mischief hiding inside them.
Her eyebrows were slightly arched and expressive.
Her nose was small and straight.
Her lips were naturally full and pink, forming a soft pout even when she wasn't trying.
Dimples appeared whenever she smiled, and a tiny beauty mark rested near the corner of her eye.
Her long wine-red hair flowed down to her waist in loose waves.
At first glance, many people even mistook her for a hybrid.
Unfortunately…
Tests confirmed she was one hundred percent human.
Which meant her troublesome personality couldn't be blamed on hybrid instincts who are sometimes tame in nature.
No.
Ava was simply chaos.
Energetic like a monkey.
Loud like a firecracker.
Elegant? Absolutely not.
Instead of grace, she loved trouble.
Instead of politeness, she preferred fists.
And whenever she decided to use her mouth instead of her fists…
People usually prayed she would just punch them instead.
Even her school uniform ignored half the rules.
The teacher slowly opened his eyes again.
He sighed deeply.
"You know the punishment."
Ava groaned quietly.
"Go to the cafeteria," he said, rubbing his temples.
"You'll help the cafeteria staff today.
Consider it community service."
He pointed toward the door.
"And after school, you'll assist the janitors."
"They already know what tasks to give you."
The man leaned back in his chair and sighed again.
Dealing with Ava felt like aging ten years every week.
"And stay away from trouble, or I'm calling your parents here immediately. Get it?"
The teacher's warning had barely finished when a knock sounded on the office door.
Knock knock.
"Come in," the teacher said.
The door opened, and the receptionist stepped inside.
"Sir, the new student is here. Mister Matthew. Should I let him come in?" she asked.
The teacher straightened slightly.
"He's signing in today, correct?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Is he a day student or a boarding student? Has he filled the forms? Has the uniform been given to him?" the teacher asked quickly.
The receptionist nodded.
"Yes, sir. He's a half-time boarding student. Some days he may stay in the hostel, but most days he'll go home. He filled the forms last week. He just needs a tour around the school."
The teacher nodded in approval.
"Good. Let him come in."
The receptionist turned and opened the door.
"Please come in."
A moment later, the new student stepped inside.
At that exact moment, Ava—who had been lowering her head and desperately thinking of an excuse to escape her punishment—looked up.
Then she froze.
For a moment, it felt like time stopped.
The world around her went silent.
If someone had told her angels were singing in the background, she would have believed it.
Her heart started beating wildly.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The boy standing at the doorway was…
Gorgeous.
No.
That word wasn't enough.
He was exquisite, like a painting that had somehow come to life.
His presence alone made the room seem brighter.
If the most beautiful hybrids in the world stood beside him, they might still lose.
That was how ridiculously attractive he looked.
The school uniform fit him perfectly, as if it had been custom-made just for him.
His posture was calm and elegant.
His appearance was so refined that Ava's mind produced only one word.
Damn.
Meanwhile, Matthew was speaking politely with the teacher.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
But something felt strange.
He could feel a gaze on him.
A very intense gaze.
He was used to people staring at him. It happened almost every day, and he had long grown used to it.
But this one…
This one felt like someone was trying to burn a hole through his body with their eyes.
Slowly, Matthew turned around.
His gaze met Ava's.
The two students stared at each other.
Meanwhile, the teacher, completely unaware of the silent staring contest happening behind him, continued talking to the receptionist.
"Who will give him a tour of the school?" the teacher asked.
"The student council members are all in class. I also have several meetings today."
The receptionist frowned slightly.
"And you're busy with student affairs."
For a moment, both adults looked thoughtful.
Then suddenly—
"I will!"
Ava spoke immediately.
Both the teacher and the receptionist turned toward her in surprise.
Ava cleared her throat and straightened her posture.
"I have seen my sins and my wrongdoings," she began seriously.
"I know I have not been a good student. I have made things difficult for you, teacher."
She lowered her head respectfully.
"But I want to start fresh."
She placed a hand dramatically on her chest.
"I want to make a new beginning by showing this new student around."
Then she continued confidently.
"As the school motto says—success is good, but with teamwork it is better. Unity, strength, knowledge, and rules."
She gestured proudly toward herself.
"And who knows this school better than me?"
She paused.
"Even the founder probably doesn't know every building like I do."
"Trust me."
She looked at the teacher with wide innocent eyes, acting like the most responsible student in the world.
The teacher's lips twitched.
This girl…
He knew Ava very well.
The Ava he knew did not care about helping people.
She only cared when she wanted something.
Which meant she definitely wanted something right now.
"I think that's a good idea," the receptionist said with a smile.
The teacher sighed.
Then he turned to the new student.
"What do you say, Matthew?"
Matthew answered calmly.
"Anything the teacher decides."
His voice was soft and pleasant.
The moment Ava heard it, her heart flipped twice.
The teacher nodded in satisfaction.
Good student, he thought.
Then he looked at Ava again and frowned.
"Show him around the school properly."
"Don't teach him bad habits."
"And don't disgrace the school.
Understood?"
Ava's lips twitched.
"When have I ever been bad?" she asked innocently
The teacher opened his mouth, clearly ready to list every crime she had committed since enrollment.
But before he could say a word—
Ava grabbed Matthew's wrist.
"Come on! I'll show you everything!"
And she dragged him straight out of the office.
Leaving the teacher staring at the empty doorway in stunned silence.
Outside the office, Matthew lifted his hand and lightly hit Ava's hand that was still holding his wrist.
She didn't move.
His brows furrowed slightly.
He increased the strength of the hit.
Only then did Ava finally let go.
She stepped back and looked at him carefully again, as if she were examining a rare piece of art.
Matthew stood there calmly while she stared.
He was tall.
Very tall.
Height: 183 cm (6'1)
His body was slender but toned, elegant yet clearly well-built. Not bulky like athletes, but strong in a quiet way.
His skin was pale and smooth like porcelain.
His face had a soft oval shape with delicate features that made him look refined and almost unreal.
His eyes were almond-shaped, hidden behind black contact lenses.
His eyebrows were thin and soft.
His nose was straight and refined.
His lips were naturally red, like they had been stained by fruit juice.
Very kissable.
His hair was silver-black, soft and layered, slightly messy and fluffy, giving him an effortless charm.
Then there was the school uniform.
The dark blazer rested perfectly on his shoulders, fitted neatly along his slim frame. The white shirt beneath it was spotless and crisp, the black tie tied neatly at his collar.
His trousers were straight and tailored, making his long legs look even longer.
Everything about him looked perfect.
Like the uniform had been designed specifically for him.
Ava stared.
Damn.
So hot.
I want to hug him.
Matthew frowned slightly.
The girl had gone into another staring trance.
Without saying anything, he turned and began walking away.
That snapped Ava out of it.
"Wait!"
She ran forward and spread both arms wide, blocking his path.
"Where are you going?" Ava asked.
"Move," Matthew said, frowning.
"Nope."
Ava proudly patted her chest.
"I promised to show you around, and I always keep my promises."
Without waiting for permission, she turned and started walking.
Matthew watched her for a moment before silently following.
For the next while, Ava dragged him around the entire school.
She showed him the academic buildings.
The sports field.
The garden courtyard.
The library.
And finally…
The dormitory building.
Matthew walked inside.
Ava followed.
He stopped at the entrance to the boys' dormitory hallway and slowly turned around.
"Are you still going to follow me into my room too?" Matthew asked calmly.
Ava nodded automatically.
Matthew frowned.
Ava froze.
Then she quickly shook her head.
"N-No! That's not what I meant!"
She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"I just wanted to make sure you reached your room safely."
Matthew stared at her quietly.
Ava forced a smile.
"Right… you don't need my help."
"I'll see you next time!"
Before he could respond, she turned around and ran away quickly.
Straight toward the cafeteria.
Her punishment was still waiting.
Inside the cafeteria kitchen, one of the chiefs looked up as Ava walked in.
Without saying anything, she tied an apron around her waist and placed a hairnet over her red hair.
The chief simply pointed toward a mountain of dirty plates beside the sink.
Ava sighed.
No explanation needed.
At this point, she worked here so often she looked more like a part-time staff member than a student.
"What did you do this time?" one of the female chiefs asked with a sigh while preparing vegetables.
"Some students don't know how lucky they are," the woman continued.
"They attend a private school but refuse to focus on their studies. Always getting punished."
She clicked her tongue.
"If you're not careful, you'll end up working as a waitress one day."
"A girl like you should be beaten properly. Your parents are wasting money sending you here."