Ch.05 Punishment

"Aurora, you can sit beside the window seat," Miss Eve said warmly, pointing toward the desk at the very back.
"Ah… Thank you, Miss Eve," Aurora replied softly, bowing politely.
She picked up her bag and started walking down the aisle. Sunlight streamed in through the large windows, painting soft patterns on the floor. But as she reached her spot, she noticed something unusual.
Someone was already sitting at the desk by the window — his head down, completely hidden under his school coat.
Aurora stopped for a moment, blinking.
Eh? What's with this guy… hiding like that?
She shook her head lightly. "Well… I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover," she whispered to herself. Since they'd be desk partners for the entire year, she figured she should at least introduce herself.
Aurora stopped beside her seat, bowed slightly, and smiled.
"Hello… my name is Aurora. Nice to meet you."
She waited.
And waited.
But the coat-covered figure didn't even move, let alone reply.
"…U-Uhm…" Aurora gave a small awkward laugh, scratching her cheek. "Okay then…"
She quietly sat down beside him, a little embarrassed.
That's when a soft whisper came from the seat in front.
"Psst! Hey…"
Aurora looked up and saw a short, slightly chubby girl with bright red hair tied into two little ponytails. She leaned back toward her and whispered:
"Umm… maybe you should leave him alone for now. He never talks to anyone. Always sits like that."
"Oh…" Aurora nodded, still puzzled.
The red-haired girl smiled kindly. "I'm Amber, by the way. Nice to meet you."
Aurora brightened and smiled back. "I'm Aurora. I hope we can be good friends."
Amber grinned and nodded.

Class began, but Aurora couldn't focus on the lesson at all.
Her eyes kept drifting toward the boy next to her. He hadn't moved even once — no reaction, no response, nothing.
Is he shy? Or… maybe he doesn't want to talk to anyone?
She rested her chin on her hand, stealing a few glances. Something about him felt oddly familiar.
He kind of reminded her of K…
Maybe if K was in this class. They would be get along too well
Wait. K? No… that's impossible. Maybe this person is

"K… K! Answer this! Are you even listening?!"
Aurora jumped in her seat, startled as Miss Eve's voice echoed through the classroom.
"W-Wha— Me?!" Aurora pointed at herself in panic.
Miss Eve frowned. "No, I said K. Not you."
Aurora blinked in confusion. "…Eh?"
Amber stifled a laugh from the seat in front, while Aurora sank into her chair, covering her face.
K…? Don't tell me…

Miss Eve marched over to the window-side desk and pulled the coat off the boy's head in one swift motion.
"K, I've been calling you!" she scolded.
Underneath the coat was a boy with messy silver hair and half-lidded eyes that radiated pure boredom.
Aurora's eyes widened slightly. It really IS K?!
K looked up lazily, visibly annoyed. "…Two."
"Huh?" Miss Eve blinked.
"The answer," K muttered flatly. "It's two."
Miss Eve sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "That's correct! Then why didn't you just say it earlier? How many times do I have to tell you, stop acting so strangely in class?"
K leaned back, clearly uninterested.
Miss Eve tapped her chin, then smirked. "Alright… since you love hiding so much, I'm giving you a punishment."
K slowly turned his head, narrowing his eyes. "…What now?"
She pointed at Aurora. "After school, you're going to show Miss Aurora around the entire campus."
Aurora nearly dropped her pen. "E-Eh?! Wait, why me—"
"I'm not doing that," K cut in immediately, frowning.
Miss Eve's smile vanished as her tone sharpened. "Do you want me to repeat myself, K?"
A tense silence filled the air.
"…Tch." K sighed in defeat. "Fine."
"Good." Miss Eve nodded firmly, then turned to Amber. "And I think K will try to escape Amber, you'll join them."
Amber blinked. "Eh? O-Oh… sure, Miss Eve."
Aurora sat stiffly in her chair, feeling K's cold, annoyed gaze brush past her. She immediately turned away, pretending to look out the window as if the clouds were suddenly fascinating.

The rest of the class went by slowly, and finally, the lunch bell rang.
K stood up, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked straight out of the classroom without a word.
Aurora exhaled deeply. "Phew… for a second, I thought he'd scold me if I made eye contact with him."
Amber leaned closer. "Right? He's… kinda weird. Always looks annoyed. Do you think maybe… he was hiding from you earlier?"
Aurora froze. "Eh?! W-Why would he hide from me?! I-I don't even know him!"
Amber smirked mischievously. "Mhm… suuure you don't."
Aurora puffed her cheeks and quickly changed the topic. "L-Let's just eat lunch."
Amber giggled. "Alright, alright."
After lunch, the remaining classes crawled by until the school day finally ended.
Aurora packed her bag, glancing at K's desk by the window.
She had a feeling… this "school tour" was going to be anything but normal.