Chapter 3: Publish By Rvie (Completed)The morning lessons dragged on, each tick of the clock sounding louder in my ears, and beside me, I could feel Elis's silent judgment like the weight of a thousand stares. Her disapproving aura was palpable as we navigated through the mundane hours filled with lectures and notes. Finally, when the lunch bell rang, its clear chime pierced through the dreary atmosphere, offering a much-needed reprieve. I could feel the relief wash over me as I stood up, swept along by the eager tide of students rushing into the hallway like leaves caught in a spirited autumn wind. The school buzzed with energy—students chatting animatedly, lockers slamming shut, and the excited chatter echoing off the walls.
“Oi! Kaito!”
I turned my head, half-expecting to see a teacher or perhaps a diligent class representative waving me over. Instead, there was Elis, arms crossed, a picture of tension that suggested she was either irked or desperately uncomfortable. She was staring intently at a spot just near my shoes, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks that looked more like a hint of annoyance than actual shyness. It was an unmistakable contrast: the ice-cold demeanor she usually wore was cracked, even if only just a little.
“Uh, hey, Elis? Need something?” My voice carried a note of confusion as I tried to make sense of why she was seeking me out specifically.
Her gaze flicked up to mine for a brief moment before darting away again.
“The canteen… directions?” she managed to say, the words coming out as if they were physically painful for her to utter. Wait—she didn’t know where the cafeteria was? I blinked in surprise.
“Oh! Yeah, sure, it’s this way,” I said, gesturing for her to follow. Honestly, I was just as uncertain as she was since I hadn’t been there before either. But I figured if I followed the stream of students, I’d eventually find it. I started walking, with her gaze fixed firmly on the back of my head, the quiet apprehension crackling in the air between us like static electricity.
As I navigated the bustling, crowded hallway teeming with students, my attention was suddenly and irresistibly drawn to a lively group of girls over by the field, clad in sleek, eye-catching tracksuits. They were sprinting with an exhilarating, almost infectious energy that radiated from them like sunlight breaking through the clouds. Their movements flowed seamlessly—quick, sharp, and graceful—as they darted across the expanse of grass, embodying a mesmerizing combination of speed and laser-focus that held my gaze captive. For a fleeting moment, I couldn't help but get caught up in their rhythm, entranced by the way their feet seemed to glide, almost as if they were dancing rather than running.
But my reverie was abruptly shattered.
WHAM!
In an instant, I collided with someone, my shoulder slamming into theirs with a force that jolted me right back into the chaotic reality of the hallway. Oof! The impact knocked the wind out of me, and I stumbled backward as the victim of my distraction teetered precariously, sending their books and papers flying into the air in a disarray of literary chaos. It was as if a tornado had swept through the hallway, scattering knowledge left and right.
“Oh crap! Sorry! I’m so sorry!” I rushed to apologize, my voice laced with embarrassment as I knelt down amidst the chaos I’d just caused. Wow, Kaito. Real smooth move there—totally knocked a poor girl over because you couldn't look away from the athletic display. What a stellar moment.
Before me lay a girl sprawled on her back, her eyes wide with surprise and a twinge of pain etched across her face as she cradled her elbow like it was a fragile artifact. The avalanche of textbooks surrounding her mirrored the tumult of my own thoughts.
“Are you okay?! Here, let me help!” I exclaimed, my hands moving instinctively to gather up the scattered papers, still feeling the heat of humiliation creeping up my cheeks. The frantic motion of collecting her things was my desperate attempt to make amends, but all I could think about was how clumsy I had been—the moment felt like an eternity, time stretching on while I tried to recover from my blunder and help ease the damage I had done.
“Ahh… tsk tsk tsk, ouch,” she muttered as she blinked rapidly, seemingly dazed. She pushed a few unruly strands of hair from her face, revealing bright, slightly bewildered green eyes that sparkled with a mix of surprise and determination. A smattering of freckles adorned her nose, giving her an approachable, down-to-earth vibe.
“Uhh… yeah,” she replied, accepting my hand.
“Thanks for the help! I’m Elaine! Nice to meetcha!” Her smile was wide and genuine, igniting a spark of warmth in my chest.
“No, it’s totally my fault! I rushed around the corner without looking,” I said, rapidly gathering her scattered books. “I’m Kaito. Nice to meet you, Elaine,” I added, glancing up just in time to catch her expression shift into something more animated.
“Kaito!” Elaine chirped, grabbing an armful of books herself, her enthusiasm infectious. But then, to my surprise, her gaze darted over my shoulder, and her eyes lit up even more like she’d just spotted a long-lost friend. “Oh! Hey! Are you with Kaito?” she exclaimed, suddenly making her way around me.
Elis stood frozen in place, her expression frosty, as if she’d just caught a whiff of something unpleasant.
“Hi! I’m Elaine! What’s your name? Nice to meet you!” Elaine thrust her hand out toward Elis, her enthusiasm slamming against the brick wall of Elis's icy demeanor.
Elis stared at the offered hand as if it were an alien artifact.
“Elis,” she stated coolly, her voice tinged with frost.
Before the moment could drag on into the awkwardness of silence, Elaine stepped forward and engulfed Elis in a brief, enthusiastic hug.
“Welcome to Ignatius!” she cheered, making the chilly atmosphere crackle with an unexpected warmth.
Fwoosh! I could have sworn I saw the temperature drop around Elis as her eyes widened in pure shock. For a split second, she looked utterly stunned, her usually composed facade rattled.
Elaine released her and stepped back, still beaming.
“See you guys later!” With another brilliant smile, she gathered the last of her books and practically skipped down the hallway, leaving a moment of stunned silence in her wake.
I stood there, momentarily rooted to the spot, while Elis remained rigid, slowly processing what had just happened—a violation of her personal space that was both startling and undeniably amusing. The blush on her cheeks was now a fierce crimson, but this time it radiated pure embarrassment. She gradually pivoted her head in my direction, her features a captivating tapestry woven with threads of annoyance and disbelief. The vibrant crimson blush that had dominated her cheeks was slowly ebbing away, but even as its intensity faded, she retained an air of unusual fluster that made her all the more intriguing. It was as if the very essence of her composure had been shaken, leaving behind an electrifying mix of vulnerability and fierce independence.
Oh boy, I thought to myself, feeling the tension in the air thickening like a storm cloud ready to burst. The once trivial concern of the forgotten canteen had completely slipped from my mind; it seemed laughably insignificant when weighed against the tempest that was Elaine. My heart raced—Day One of this new chapter in my life, and already I found myself ensnared in the chaotic clash between a frosty, unpredictable tsundere and a whirlwind of unrestrained energy. How had I stepped into this unpredictable roller coaster of emotions so quickly? And why did it suddenly feel as if I were straying into the thrilling—yet undeniably treacherous—realm of high school social dynamics?
The corridors around us buzzed with the chatter of students, but in that moment, everything seemed to fade into the background. The laughter and gossip became mere echoes, while the magnetic force of Elaine's presence held my attention captive. I felt like a bystander in a drama that was unfolding right before my eyes, a tangled web of emotions and interactions that felt both exhilarating and perilous. Did I really have the nerve to navigate through the ups and downs of teenage relationships? It was as if I were standing on the edge of a cliff, peering into the breathtaking yet unpredictable abyss below.
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