First Day

Part I

"Hana-ojousama-"

A sharp, persistent tug on my covers shatters the peaceful silence of my morning.

"Hana-ojousama, you are going to be late! Please, wake up!"

"Nghhh..."

I groan, burying my face deeper into my pillows, wrapping the heavy blanket around myself like a protective cocoon.

"Five more minutes, Mayu-nee... just five more minutes..."

"Absolutely not! There are no extensions today!"

Mayu-nee scolds, her voice entirely rigid with authority as she forcefully yanks the covers off my bed.

"It is your very first day of school, Ojousama! It would look incredibly bad if you arrive late to your first-class period. First impressions are absolutely important!"

"I know, I know... Zzzz..."

"Nnnnf! Hana-ojousama!!"

It didn't take long before I was forced to get out of bed.

The chilly morning air hits my skin, making me shiver as my heavy feet touch the cold floors.

It's so cold.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I stare at the crisp, unfamiliar uniform hanging from my wardrobe door.

That's right.

Today is officially the first day of my first year.

The reality of the situation finally begins to sink in as I go through the motions of preparing for the day.

Eating a quick breakfast feels like a blurred, mechanical chore.

Taking a bath, my mind races with terrifying scenarios of failing my classes, and as I carefully brush my hair and step into the stiff, perfectly tailored uniform,

A cold knot of anxiety tightens inside my stomach.

"Mom, we're off!"

I call out, as Mayu-nee and I reach the suite's front door.

"See you later, sweetie! Mayu-chan, good luck to you as well!"

Mom waves from the living area, her voice radiating its usual cheerful, effortless warmth.

I take a deep breath, there is no turning back now.

Let's go!

The moment our corporate van pulls up to the academy's massive entrance,

The sheer scale of the fortress feels twice as intimidating as it did yesterday.

Students pour through the gates in waves, moving with an innate, practiced grace that makes me feel completely out of place.

"Then, Hana-ojousama, see you later,"

Mayu-nee says, smoothing down her crisp medical staff uniform.

Though she looks a bit restless.

"Hana-ojousama, please don't hesitate to call me anytime, I'll rush to your side as soon as you give me a-"

"I know, I know Mayu-nee."

"Also, I had already prepared everything you need inside your bag, make sure to not forget to-"

"I get it already, Mayu-nee! So please don't worry about me, we're gonna be late."

Mayu-nee freezes, her lips curling.

"Then... I'll head toward the faculty and medical wing to finalize my registration. Do your absolute best today, Hana-ojousama."

"Uh-huh, see you later, Mayu-nee,"

I reply, offering a weak wave as she turns and walks down a separate path.

Seriously, I should be the one worrying about you, you know?

Left entirely on my own, I look up at the towering, hyper-modern glass structures.

"Let's see... I think I should definitely find my homeroom first, well before the opening ceremony starts,"

Navigating the academy, however, quickly turns into an absolute nightmare.

The campus was a dizzying maze of polished marble corridors, interconnected sky-bridges, and identical-looking luxury architectures.

Ten minutes passed, and I found myself walking in a complete circle, the panic in my chest rising with every tick of the clock.

"What's up with this place??"

Unable to take it anymore, I approached one of the security staffs patrolling the manicured courtyard.

"E-Excuse me, sir,"

I stammer, my voice tiny.

"Do you happen to know where I can find Room 1-A, Section Veritas?"

The guard pauses,

Looking down at my uniform, before pointing toward a completely separate complex across the wide lawn.

"Oh, that's in a different building, young lady. You're on the wrong side of the campus."

"Gugh..."

"I see. Thank you, sir!"

I gasped, bowing rapidly before rushing off in the direction he pointed.

"Huh? Wait, you're a first-year, right?"

Suddenly, a stern, uniform-clad disciplinary officer calls out, halting my steps just as I am about to leave.

"Y-yeah!"

I squeak, spinning around nervously.

"I see, so you're completely new around here,"

The officer notes, crossing his arms as he glances at his wristwatch.

"Then here's a word of advice, you should really hurry. The automated classroom doors lock precisely on the bell."

"..."

"If you get locked out, it's an automatic detention, it will be bad if you get it in day one."

My eyes practically bulge out of my head.

Huh?!

Locked outside on day one?!'

"Hey, wait-"

Driven by pure panic, I sprint down the corridor at high speed, my hair flying wild behind me as I dash across the sky-bridge,

Any semblance of my elegance is gone,

Well, it's not like I'm trying to.

"Hey wait, miss! No running down the ha-"

"..."

"I... I made it..."

Panting heavily, I lean against the cold wall outside Room 1-A.

Did I heard someone calling me earlier?

Well, not like it matters, I'm finally here.

I hurriedly smooth down my skirt,

Wiping a bead of sweat from my forehead, and try to catch my breath before reaching for the sleek metallic handle.

Click.

The moment I step across the threshold, the lively morning chatter inside the classroom instantly dies down.

Dozens of cold, calculating eyes lock directly onto me.

What's with the silence?!

It's so suffocating

For a couple of agonizing seconds, they evaluated my presence.

Then, just as quickly as it arrived, the noise returns.

The gazes shift away, completely dismissing me as if I were nothing more than a passing shadow.

I swallow hard, walking down the aisle with my head lowered, picking an empty seat near the back window.

Sinking into my chair, I stare blankly at my desk, feeling completely overwhelmed.

What am I even doing here?

As I observe the other students from my corner, a heavy sense of insecurity settles in.

Their posture, their delicate gestures, their perfectly styled hair,

Everything about them screams extreme wealth.

Even their uniforms look different.

While mine is standard, theirs are customized.

With subtle luxury alterations, expensive designer watches, and high-end jewelry.

Standing next to them, I feel ridiculously small and plain.

Before I can sink deeper into self-pity, the classroom door opens once more,

Our homeroom teacher steps inside.

At the same time, everyone falls into immediate, disciplined silence.

Right behind the teacher, two male students enter the room,

Carrying stacks of heavy academic paperwork and official orientation materials.

The moment my eyes land on the first student, my vision narrows and my breath catches in my throat.

It's him.

It's the tall, breathtakingly handsome guy with jet-black hair.

The one who gently offered his hands and helped me up after I tripped in the dirt yesterday.

Stunned, I glance toward the second student beside him.

"Huh?"

My jaw practically drops.

Walking right next to him is the loud, obnoxious guy who was kicked out of the BGC cafe the other day.

It was the one who relentlessly eyed on Mayu-nee!

"Thank you, Mr. San Diego, Mr. Alcaraz,"

The teacher says with a polite nod.

"You may take your seats."

Part II

"Alright, class, we will begin our formal orientation with brief self-introductions,"

The teacher announces while adjusting her glasses.

"Please come up to the front one by one when your name is called."

One by one, the elite students step up, delivering flawless, highly confident speeches.

Their personal backgrounds, powerful family lineages, corporate backings...

The tension makes my anxiety spike with every passing minute.

"Next..."

The world stops.

Suddenly, All the eyes on the room we're fixed.

Locking on me.

"Huh, m-me?"

Some of the students at the front giggles,

As the teacher looks at me once more, nodding, and giving a firm, serious expression.

My heart gives a violent thud.

I stand up, knees trembling slightly as I walk down the aisle toward the front podium.

I can feel the critical eyes of the entire room burning into my back.

Just be normal, Hana.

Just walk straight-

Catch!

My loafer catches the edge of a classmate's desk leg,

I stumble forward as my arms flail wildly before I manage to catch myself against the teacher's heavy wooden desk.

The classroom erupts into a wave of cruel, stifled laughter.

Several girls cover their mouths with manicured hands, thoroughly amused by my display.

Trying to salvage whatever dignity remains, I grip the edges of the podium and clear my throat.

"I-I am Hana Konoe... I recently moved back from Tokyo,"

This is bad,

My world can't stop spinning.

"And I am... I am pleased to meet you all-"

I blurt out, accidentally biting my tongue hard on my final sentence.

A sharp wince crosses my face, prompting another round of muffled giggles.

"Thank you, Hana Konoe,"

I want to cry.

Fully mortified, I flee back to my seat, burying my face in my hands.

Next, the arrogant boy from the cafe stands up, smoothing down his blazer with a cocky grin as he strolls to the front.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Khyle Alcaraz,"

He begins, his voice smooth, organized, and perfectly articulated.

In complete contrast to his flirtatious demeanor at the cafe, his formal introduction is remarkably eloquent.

He speaks with practiced, commanding confidence that leaves the classroom impressed.

Finishing with a practiced smile, he returns to his seat, basking in the admiring whispers of the girls around him.

"Now, our last student. Please stand."

The moment he rises, the entire classroom's attention is captivated.

Every single eye in the room locks onto his tall, striking figure.

He walks to the front, his expression unreadable.

"I am Renz San Diego,"

He says simply.

Renz?

The name echoes in my mind, striking a strange chord.

Have I...

Heard that name somewhere before?

Why does it sound so familiar?

Before I can ponder it further, his speech ends just as quickly as it began.

It is incredibly brief, yet delivered with such calm authority that the class remains stunned for several seconds.

After that, the teacher claps her hands, and the formal lectures officially started.

By the time the lunch bell rings, I feel like a total ghost.

While the rest of the students immediately gather into exclusive social circles,

I sit frozen at my desk as the weight of isolation creeps in.

Meanwhile, a flock of popular girls surrounds Renz's desk, giggling and peppering him with questions.

"Hey, What family are you from?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Let's exchange contacts,"

Tssk, they are so annoying...

Wait why am I getting annoyed?

Suddenly, a shadow falls across my desk.

"Well, well, look what we have here,"

A smooth voice chimes in.

I look up to find Khyle leaning heavily against my desk, flashing a charming smirk.

"I noticed you earlier during the introductions, gorgeous. You looked like a lost little lamb up there. It was honestly pretty cute."

This guy, someone, please!!

"A girl as pretty as you shouldn't be sitting all alone on day one, right?"

A wave of discomfort quickly washes over me, as I shrink back into my seat,

My expression turning awkward.

"U-uhmm, please excuse me-"

Eeek!!

"Hey, don't be shy,"

Khyle chuckles as he plant his palms on my table, pulling out his phone as he closes the distance further.

"How about you give me your number, and I can show you around campus? I promise I'm an excellent guide-"

Grab!

Before Khyle can finish, a hand reaches out from behind, firmly gripping his blazer collar and yanking him backward.

"Hey! What the-"

Khyle yelps, stumbling.

"I'm hungry,"

Renz says, his deep voice cutting through the commotion.

"Let's buy something at the cafeteria."

He stands there holding Khyle by the collar,

Like a misbehaving puppy.

"Huh?! W-Wait! I'm in the middle of talking to a lady here, man!"

Khyle protests, shaking his arms dramatically.

"Let's just go,"

Renz repeated, completely ignoring his complaints as he forcefully steers Khyle toward the exit.

Within seconds, the two vanish down the hallway.

The group of popular girls stands frozen in shock.

Slowly, they turn their sharp gazes toward me, narrowing their eyes.

As if they are silently interrogating me, whether I secretly know Renz.

Stop staring at me!! I'm just confused as you guys are!

Overwhelmed, I look down at my notebook.

Yet, beneath the anxiety, a tiny, unexpected warmth blooms in my chest.

Did he just... help me out?

"Psst! Hana!"

A tiny, urgent whisper calls out from behind my chair.

I turn around in surprise to see a nervous, familiar face.

It's the girl from the entrance exam yesterday!

"Sarah!"

I gasp, feeling a surge of relief.

"You're in this class too?!"

"Yes! Thank goodness!"

Sarah whispers, sliding into the seat next to mine with an exhausted sigh.

"I was way too terrified to say anything earlier because the tension in this room is insane!"

"Listen, let me fill you in on how this crazy place actually works before those elite girls make you a target."

Sarah leans in closer,

"First off, the doors,"

Sarah explains, tapping her fingers on the desk.

"Every single classroom door here is synchronized with the same mechanical system."

"If you're even half a second late, the handle won't budge. You get logged as absent, and an automatic demerit point is slapped onto you!"

I already know about it,

Well... I learned it the hard way.

But demerit points... Huh?!

"Demerit points?"

"Oh, you have no idea,"

Sarah monologues dramatically, shaking her head.

"Demerit points lower your student status. If you drop down to Tier Class-D, the other students won't even look you in the eye, they will treat you like total garbage."

Thats just cruel.

What's up with that rule?

"Though... It is not an official school rule. It's just a thing the upper students made up."

Sigh, I knew it.

Sarah glances toward the hallway before looking back at me with wide eyes.

"The high-society rules here are brutal. The rich kids stick exclusively to their family circles."

"If a lower-tier or middle-class student tries to initiate contact with a top-tier heir without permission, it's considered a social violation."

"..."

I don't even understand anything at this point.

"That's why everyone looked at you like a hawk when Khyle and Renz spoke to you!"

Sarah leans in even closer, her voice dropping to an intriguing whisper.

"Look at how those popular elite girls flock right to Renz's desk-they wouldn't give a guy the time of day unless they believed he was high-status."

"So when guys as untouchable as them step in to talk to you, it turns every single head in this classroom!"

"..."

"I had no idea..."

"Yeah, so keep your head down around those socialite cliques,"

Sarah grins, pulling out two homemade sandwich boxes.

"Anyway, forget about them for now. Want to split lunch?"

A genuine smile returns to my face.

"I'd love to!"

Part III

Meanwhile, down the corridor, Renz and Khyle walk side by side toward the administrative complex.

"Seriously, man, you completely blew my chance off back there!"

Khyle groans, rubbing the back of his neck in deep frustration.

"She was about to give me her number!"

"You were making her uncomfortable,"

Renz replies, his tone entirely flat.

"Do those ridiculous things while I am not watching."

Khyle sighs in defeat.

"Fine, fine. Whatever. Let's just get some food. I'm starving."

The two step into the grand, hotel-like hall of the campus cafeteria.

However, the moment their eyes land on the menu boards, their expressions darken.

-Cafeteria Selections (PHP)

-A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Rice Bowl, "₱2,400"

-Truffle-Infused Organic Pasta, "₱1,800"

-Premium Bluefin Tuna Sashimi Salad, "₱1,650"

"What kind of insane prices are these?!"

Khyle clutches his heart like he's taken a fatal blow, his eyes wide with genuine horror as he whispers under his breath.

"Even the salad?! Four digits?! What is this, are they garnishing the leaves with gold and tears of angels?!"

He then turns around frantically, grabbing Renz's shoulder.

"Hey, Renz! Hold on, let me see if I can borrow some-"

He cuts himself off when he notices Renz already calmly walking away toward the exit.

"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?!"

Khyle gasps, rushing after him and grabbing his arm.

"Aren't your family rich?! Bro, lend me some cash! I know you've got something on you!"

Renz stops in his tracks.

A tiny drop of cold sweat forms on his temple, and his lips press tightly together into a flat, strained line.

"I... just remembered I bought some cheap snacks from the convenience store down the street this morning,"

His voice lacking its usual composure.

Khyle stares at him, taking in Renz's uncomfortable expression, before his eyes widen in complete disbelief.

"Wait... don't tell me... are you broke too?!"

Renz doesn't even bother answering.

He simply turns his head away, ignoring Khyle as he resumes walking toward the exit.

"Hey! Don't ignore me! Renz! Okay, okay, I'm sorry!"

Khyle yells, chasing after him with a desperate, pleading look.

"You're sharing those snacks with your best pal, right? You know! Sharing is caring~"

Renz lets out a sigh, his shoulders slumping.

"Fine. Let's just go back to the classroom."

With their heads hanging low, the two tall, striking young men quietly turn their backs on the luxury buffet,

Shuffling away in complete financial defeat to split a cheap plastic bag of convenience store bread.

After a short break, we head back to our seats for the remaining periods.

The afternoon air inside the classroom turns sharp and tense the second the lessons starts.

"Now that we've covered the standard definition of supply and demand, lets push this further."

"Can anyone tell me what actually happens to market equilibrium when an unexpected global supply disruption hits?"

He scans our quiet, nervous faces, but the silence in the room only grows heavier.

Before anyone else can even check their notes, Renz's raises his hand.

"Ah, Mr. San Diego. Go ahead,"

Renz stands up, his spine perfectly straight.

"Standard equilibrium collapses because consumer demand remains inelastic in the short term while supply drops sharply,"

He explains in a calm, measured voice.

"If you model it using advanced macroeconomic game theory,

The price shift isn't linear-it triggers a speculative hoard-and-outbid loop among top market competitors."

The teacher's eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

He pauses, tapping his pen against his chin before letting out an amazed laugh.

"Connecting a basic first-year market rule directly to advanced game theory...

Immaculate reasoning, Mr. San Diego! Outstanding work!"

A sea of hushed, excited whispers instantly erupts around the room,

As several girls lean across their desks to catch his eye.

Just who are you exactly...

Riiiiiing!

The final bell of the day echoes across campus,

The signal of freedom.

After saying goodbye to Sarah, I pack my bag and step out into the evening breeze,

Watching the sun set over the grand school grounds.

Waiting by the edge of the courtyard is Mayu-nee.

"Hana-ojousama,"

She greets warmly, stepping forward to take my heavy bag.

"How was your first day? You look utterly exhausted."

"Yeah... it was quite an ordeal,"

letting out a soft sigh, we walk toward the front gates where Sir Thomas is waiting with the car.

As the towering glass buildings fade into the evening shadows behind us, my mind drifts back to the classroom.

His voice.

The quiet way he stepped in to help.

The name, Renz.

A deep curiosity settles into my thoughts, refusing to go away.

Why does it feel like a piece of my past is hiding behind those cold eyes?