Polar Opposites

Part I

"Alright, class, settle down,"

The homeroom teacher announces, tapping her digital tablet.

"Before we begin today's lectures, the administration noted an issue with yesterday's attendance sheet."

"I need to verify our official student roster."

She scrolls through the screen, her brow furrowing in deep confusion.

"Let's see... Sarah Mercado? Is Sarah Mercado present?"

A small, incredibly nervous hand slowly raises itself from the desk behind me.

Wait, Sarah? But she is here yesterday—

"Here... ma'am,"

Sarah squeaks, her voice trembling.

"I see, did you transfer into Room 1-A this morning from another block?"

"No.. Maam... I..."

"..."

"I was here since yesterday."

The teacher blinks, completely baffled.

The entire classroom simultaneously turns around, dozens of pairs of eyes staring at Sarah in utter shock.

No one, not a single soul in that room noticed her existence until just now.

"I was right here... In this exact seat for the entire day."

"You... you were here?"

The teacher asks, squinting through her glasses.

"During the five-minute presentations?"

"Yes, ma'am,"

Sarah whispers, shrinking until she is flush with her desk.

"I did my introduction right after the guy with the expensive watch."

"I think... I think everyone was just spacing out."

At the front, I have to physically bite the inside of my cheek.

This is just too funny!

"Pfft..."

I can't believe it, is she a ninja or something?

"Hey,"

I whisper, leaning over while the teacher corrects the digital file.

"How did you manage to bypass reality yesterday? Even I didn't see you sit down!"

"I told you, Hana!"

Sarah hisses back, her face flushed with utter embarrassment.

"The vibe in this room is just so intimidating. I was just trying not to get noticed, I swear it wasn't on purpose!"

"Miss Mercado!"

"Eeek!"

The homeroom teacher's stern voice suddenly cuts through the room, her sharp glare locking onto Sarah.

"Now that we have established you on the official roster, kindly refrain from broadcasting your personal thoughts during class."

"Do I need to assign you a seat in the very front row?"

"N-No, ma'am! I- "

I press my hands harder against my mouth.

I really shouldn't be laughing,

I'm going to get in trouble as well.

During the mid-morning break, the heavy heat of the tropical sun begins to bake the campus,

Forcing most of the students into the shade of the grand marble halls.

Standing near the vending machines, Renz leans his back against a stone pillar,

Pressing an icy bottle of green tea directly against the side of his neck to fight off the sweltering humidity.

Beside him, Khyle stands casually in the full sun, completely unbothered by the heat.

He comfortably sips a cold juice box, popping his blazer collar with zero effort.

"Seriously, man,"

Renz mutters, his voice dropping into its usual flat tone as he takes a slow sip of his cold tea.

"Why are you even here?"

"What do you mean 'why am I here'?"

Khyle gasps, deeply offended.

"I'm your emotional support! Your loving best buddy!"

"You're a parasite,"

Renz corrects, pressing the chilled bottle back to his palm.

"My former academy issued direct recommendation letters to top high schools because of my academic record."

"My mother made me enroll here because she insists on a specific environment, but you, on the other hand, have absolutely no business here."

Khyle's face instantly turns into a proud, incredibly shameless smirk.

He crosses his arms, leaning in closer to Renz.

"Fufufu... that's where you're wrong, my icy friend."

"Huh?"

"The moment I found out your mom had pushed you into an elite school, I spent three straight weeks locked in my room studying like an absolute maniac."

"..."

"I broke the grading curve, aced the entrance board, and secured a full academic scholarship just to get into this place."

"I literally dragged myself through educational hell just so I could follow you here. Aren't you glad?"

Renz stares at him for three agonizing seconds.

"No. It sounds like stalking."

"It's loyalty, Renz! Loyalty!"

"..."

"Besides, we have a system! You know we both benefit from each other!"

Khyle declares, throwing his arms out dramatically.

"I handle the annoying social politics for you, and in return, I get to find myself beautiful ladies just by sticking next to you!"

"Do you have any idea how easy it is to talk to girls when I'm standing next to—"

Khyle pauses mid-sentence, realizing he was suddenly talking to thin air.

"..."

"Renz?"

Not long after, these two transfer students would become the most notorious figures in the entire academy,

Earning a terrifying title from their peers:

The Polar Opposites,

The Two Calamities,

And The Menaces of Year One.

Part II

By noon, the social divide in Room 1-A solidifies into something concrete,

And the contrast between the two boys' reputations violently explodes.

I sit at my desk, eating a homemade bento that Mayu-nee packed for me.

Sarah, on the other hand, Is enthusiastically whispering the latest campus gossip into my ear.

"Look at them,"

Sarah mutters, gesturing subtly toward the front of the room.

"What about them?"

"The campus forums are literally going insane right now. Have you seen the threads?"

"The threads?"

I ask, tilting my head.

"The Renz San Diego fan clubs!"

Sarah squeaks, pulling out her phone to show me the screen.

"Yesterday's academic stunt completely solidified him as the 'Ice Prince' of the first-years."

"The seniors are already calling him a flawless prodigy."

Yesterdays?

"Look at the comments—"

My eyes widen.

[He's so cold,]

[His eyes look like diamonds,]

[I want him to look down on me with disgust.]

Gughh.. High society girls are honestly so weird.

Peering at the screen, a strange, heavy knot twists my stomach.

Flawless prodigy... Ice Prince...

The words feel so distant from the gentle, crying boy I remember from the playground seven years ago.

"But look at this difference,"

Sarah sighs, swiping to a completely different thread that features a blurry photo of Khyle.

"Khyle Alcaraz is getting the exact opposite treatment."

"It's only been day 2 but the rumors about him are already getting totally out of hand."

—Khyle Alcaraz

(The Academic Hustler / Playboy)

A dangerous, smooth-talking user who got in on a scholarship; targets rich girls for their allowances.

"They're saying he's a predatory gold-digger just because he was hitting on the girls near the lockers this morning,"

Sarah whispers, shaking her head.

"The elite kids hate that he got a scholarship. They think he's trying to scam his way into a wealthy family."

I glance over at Khyle, who is currently sitting at his desk.

He is completely unbothered despite the icy glares he receives from the surrounding students,

Casually spinning his pen on one thumb, and occasionally winking at a group of girls who immediately scoff and turn away.

Shortly after, the second period began.

As soon as our physics teacher—

A notoriously strict man who looks like he hasn't smiled since the previous decade, finishes his lessons.

He slams a massive, multi-tiered equation onto the whiteboard.

"This problem was taken directly from a national high school physics final exam,"

He says, crossing his arms with a stern gaze.

"Is there anyone in this room who can even identify the starting variable? Anyone?"

The classroom went entirely dead silent.

Students actively lowering their heads, praying, and saying weird chants, terrified of being called on.

Well, it's not just them.

What kind of problem even is that?

Please don't pick me.

"Mr. San Diego,"

Renz stands up smoothly, his expression completely vacant.

Renz—

Without saying a word, he walks to the front, takes the marker from the professor's hand, and begins to write.

The soft rustling of the marker against the board pierces through the quiet room.

He doesn't pause to think.

He doesn't use a calculator.

Within two minutes, the entire complex equation is broken down, simplified, and solved to absolute perfection.

"Flawless,"

The teacher breathes, visibly stunned.

"Sit down."

As Renz walks back, the quiet whispers explode.

"He's literally a machine,"

A girl in front of me gasps.

"He didn't even look at the textbook."

"Now,"

The professor clears his throat, Silencing the rest of the room once more.

"Since Mr. San Diego solved the theoretical aspect, who can apply the secondary law to the remaining variable?"

"..."

"Mr. Alcaraz."

The snobs in the front row smirk,

Khyle lets out a loud, dramatic yawn, stretching his arms behind his head as he stands up.

"Man, and here I thought today's class would actually be a challenge."

He strolls to the front, his posture incredibly loose and arrogant.

He snatches the marker, tosses it lightly in the air, catches it, and begins scribbling across the board at a pace that is almost insulting.

He doesn't just solve the problem as well, he adds a simplified shorthand note at the bottom that bypasses three unnecessary steps.

"Done,"

Khyle grins, capping the pen and handing it back to the stunned professor.

"Next time, give us something that requires actual brainpower, teach."

The classroom sits in an absolute, suffocating silence.

The snobs who have been spreading rumors about him being a useless fraud now looks like they have just swallowed a whole lemon with bitter faces.

I stare at the two of them, my mind spinning.

They really are a pair of monsters.

One is an unapproachable glacier, and the other is a chaotic storm.

Riiiiiing!

The final bell signals the end of day two.

We pack our bags in a daze and navigate out into the corridor, joining the thick stream of students heading for the exits.

"I don't think my brain can handle another minute of physics,"

I complain, slumping slightly as we walk side-by-side through the crowded hallway.

"How are you holding up, Sarah?"

"Honestly? I think my soul left my body somewhere around step three of that equation,"

Sarah sighs, adjusting the strap of her backpack.

"Sigh, anyways I'll see you tomorrow then—"

Before I can finish my sentence, Sarah instantly vanishes.

"Ehh?"

As I walked out of the main hall, I find Mayu-nee waiting for me under the shade of a large acacia tree.

"Hana-ojousama,"

Her voice is much steadier today, though she still looked slightly drained.

"How was your second day? Did you manage to... stay on your feet today?"

"I didn't trip once, Mayu-nee,"

Sigh, I hope she stop worrying too much.

Wait... Huh?!

How did she... But I didn't even—

"Those people who laughed yesterday on ojousama... If I see them*"

"M-mayu-nee!? C-calm down please!"

"..."

That was close, how did she even found out about it?!

Let's change topic, yes, change!

"By the way Mayu-nee—"

"The two boys in my class are literally aliens. They solve university physics problems for fun."

"Boys?"

Mayu-nee tilts her head, pausing for a second as her eyes blink in curious confusion.

"Yeah—"

"Hmm... are you talking about the transfer students?"

"Yeah, Renz and Khyle,"

I confirm, looking up at her.

"Wait, Mayu-nee, do you know them?"

"I don't know them personally,"

Mayu-nee clears, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she shakes her head in amusement.

"But the clinic staff was actually talking about them today."

"They say Master Renz is an absolute dream, the whole campus is buzzing about him! The girls have already dubbed him the 'Flawless Genius' of the first-years."

As she explains, Mayu-nee's expression suddenly shifts.

"Though... the other one... Master Khyle, was it? The rumors going around say he's a dangerous delinquent."

"..."

"No, he's not really a delinquent, Mayu-nee."

"He's just... he's just incredibly shameless..."

That board question from earlier is a huge proof, he solved that problem with ease after all.

"But honestly, they're both pretty amazing in their own way."

"Fufufu, I suppose."

As we approach the main entrance, Mayu-nee's expression suddenly freezes.

She stops dead in her tracks, slapping a hand against her forehead.

"Ah!! My head is completely empty today!"

"Hana-ojousama, I forgot the medical logs on my desk at the clinic! It would be bad if I leave them behind."

"Ehh? Then I'll come with you,"

"No, it's fine, Hana-ojousama. Please stay right here and rest your feet,"

Mayu-nee says quickly, waving her hands dismissively as she adjusts her bag.

"I'll run back to the main building and grab them in a flash. Just wait near the gates, okay?"

As Mayu-nee turns around and hurries back inside, my thoughts immediately floods my mind.

My hand subconsciously reaches into my blazer pocket, brushing against the cool, silky fabric of the pristine white handkerchief I have tucked away inside.

"Renz..."

His hands helping me up after I tripped from the other day.

The strange, intense familiarity of his voice...

The way he defended me from Khyle without a word...

The name Renz.

No, there's no way it's him right?

His name as well, after all, the one I remember...

Keeping my head down and staring blankly at my shoes, I pivot on my heel to head toward the entrance.

Thud!

"Whoa-!"

My shoulder violently collides with a solid, unmoving chest.

As my foot catches the edge of the pavement, my balance shatters instantly.

With a horrified gasp, I pitch forward, my hands instinctively flying out to grab onto whatever is in front of me.

"Eeek!"

I clamp my hands firmly onto the lapels of a crisp school blazer.

The person doesn't budge. Instead, a strong, steady hand quickly shoots out and grabs my upper arm.

"Are you alright?"

A calm, deep voice echoes directly above my head.

I freeze, my hands still tightly clutching the stranger's blazer.

Slowly, I lift my eyes.

Looking down at me with an entirely unreadable expression is Renz.

"R-Renz?!"

I rapidly let go of his blazer, taking two panicked steps back.

"I am so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going, I- I was completely spacing out, and—"

"It's fine,"

He interrupted, his gaze lingering on my flustered face.

"You seem to have a habit of falling down."

My jaw locks in pure embarrassment.

This is the worse!!

Why we always meet at the worst time?!

Wait—

Before I can process his blunt remark, my fingers brush against the handkerchief still half-exposed in my pocket.

This is actually the best chance,

It's now or never!

With trembling hands, I pull out the neatly folded white fabric and extend it toward him.

"U-Um! This is yours from yesterday!"

I blurt out, my eyes locked onto his collarbone.

I can't even look at his face!

What are you doing Hana?

"I washed it and pressed it! Thank you so much for helping me!"

Renz stares at the handkerchief in my hands.

For a brief second, his usual cold expression smoothes out, a faint trace of amusement softening his dark eyes.

He reaches out and slowly takes the fabric from my grip.

"You didn't need to wash it. But thank you."

"Hey! Renz! Sorry I took so long,

A loud, energetic voice suddenly shatters the tension as he sprints out of the school gates, completely out of breath.

"The disciplinary officer was giving me a hard time about my uniform—"

He skids to a halt right next to Renz, his eyes bouncing back and forth in absolute shock.

"Oh??"

Khyle's face instantly twists into a massive, highly amused smirk.

He leans in, nudging Renz aggressively with his elbow.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

"Are you hitting on my lost little lamb while I'm not looking, Mr. Ice Prince?"

Renz doesn't even blink.

He casually shoves the handkerchief into his pocket, and grabs Khyle by the back of his collar.

"Whoa! Hey! Let go of me, man! I was trying to say goodbye to the lady!"

Khyle yells, flailing his arms dramatically as he is forced away.

"Hana-ojousama!"

Mayu-nee's voice suddenly calls out from behind.

She hurries toward me, holding the retrieved logs in her hand.

"I am so sorry to keep you waiting!"

"It's fine, Mayu-nee,"

I whisper, my heart still racing as I watch the two boys vanish from the distance.

As Mayu-nee escorts me toward the waiting car, I place a hand over my chest, my mind in an absolute stir.

He's just a classmate...

So why... why is my heart racing like this?