Chapter 5 -The Wildcard Student

As we stepped off the bus and onto school grounds, Mariam's voice boomed from the entrance, echoing off the gates.

"WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!!!!!" she shouted, megaphone in hand, her infectious energy drawing a crowd.

Students poured in from all directions, laughing and chatting, as Mariam stood at the gate, directing the chaos with a flourish.

"FIRST DAY BACK, AND ALREADY IT'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING SEMESTER!!!!!!" she declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon the entire student body was buzzing with anticipation. Hana, Tama, Steward, and I exchanged knowing glances, accustomed to Mariam's antics.

But our attention was soon diverted by Kallie, who approached us with a curious expression.

"Hey, I heard Alex was chosen for the student exchange program?" she asked, eyes sparkling with interest.

I nodded, a hint of concern etched on my face. "Yeah... but I'm worried he might do something reckless.”

Mark, ever the jokester, chimed in, "Well, remember that time he pulled off those crazy stunts? Everyone in the Borneo faction still calls it D-Day – the day he stood up and fought back!”

Memories came flooding back, and I couldn't help but blush. I recalled the time Alex had bravely defended me against Halim's boys... my cheeks grew hot as I relived the moment.

I looked down, trying to compose myself, but my friends had already noticed my flustered state.

Hana's eyes sparkled with a mix of warning and mischief as she gazed up at me. "Big sis!! Don't think that just because I'm sticking with you, I approve of you and Big brother... yet!"

Her adorable pout and crossed arms only made me want to squeeze her tighter. I swept her into a bear hug, twirling her around like a doll.

"Let... me... go... big... sis... okay... fine... I... ap... prove... please... let... me... go... big... sis," Hana struggled to say, her words muffled against my shoulder. Her tiny hands flailed, trying to push me away, but she couldn't hide her giggles.

Steward chuckled, intervening on her behalf. "Big sis, let her go... you're going to squeeze the life out of her!”

Hana instantly darted behind Steward, sticking out her tongue and making a face at me. "Bad girl!! Grrrr!!!" She looked like a tiny, furious cat, and I couldn't help but melt at the sight.

As the commotion died down, a figure emerged from the school entrance, exuding a rebellious aura that rivaled Alex's. His piercing gaze swept across the students, his tall frame towering over them. But unlike Alex's intimidating presence, this boy's rough demeanor seemed more like a facade, a hooligan's bluster rather than a genuine gangster's menace.

Mariam, still radiating enthusiasm, didn't flinch as the boy suddenly appeared before her. He sneered, "You're noisy as hell, just shut up, will ya..." But Mariam just smiled sweetly, unfazed, and placed a hand on his shoulder as if he were an old friend.

"WELCOME!!!!! FIND A SEAT, WILL YA!!!!" she boomed, directing her megaphone at his ears with a mischievous glint in her eye. The boy winced, covering his ears, as Mariam's voice threatened to shatter eardrums.

The contrast between Mariam's warmth and the boy's gruff exterior was jarring, yet intriguing. Who was this mysterious newcomer, and what secrets lay beneath his tough exterior?

"Fucking bitch!!!!" The boy's face twisted in rage as he lunged at Mariam, fists clenched. I instinctively moved to intervene, knowing Mariam wouldn't hesitate to defend herself. But before I could react, a bespectacled old man appeared out of nowhere and delivered a lightning-fast punch to the boy's head.

The boy crumpled to the ground, dazed. The old man, dressed in a rumpled suit, stood over him, his expression serene. But then, he bowed deeply, his hands clasped together.

"I deeply apologize for my son's behavior. He's new here... and only a first-year middle school student. Gomen nasai." His Japanese accent was thick, but his words were laced with sincerity.

Mariam's smile returned, and she bowed back, her movements fluid. "Don't worry, sensei. Everyone's welcome here... unless they want to land on the naughty list, that is." She winked, and the old man's face cracked into a gentle smile.

I approached Mariam, trying to play it cool, but she immediately swooped in for the kill.

"Hey Sil... how's your day without your darling?" she asked, a sly grin spreading across her face.

My expression dropped like a lead balloon, and I felt my face burning up like a tomato. Steam practically billowed from my head as I stuttered, "H-hey... I was just worried about you…"

Mariam chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Oh, this is nothing compared to your darling, right?" She teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I tried to deflect, "Jeez, Mariam... we're just friends, not in a relationship yet..." But she just kept coming, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

"Did you do it...?" she asked, her eyes glinting with amusement.

My face turned an even deeper shade of red as I spluttered, "H-hey!!! That's not something a student council member should be saying!!" Mariam just laughed, clearly pleased with herself for getting under my skin.

The old man's eyes twinkled as he introduced himself, his voice warm and gentle.

"Ah, student council members, I presume? I'm Akira Hu, and this is my son Shinji Hu, a first-year student here... or should I say, Form 1?" He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Mariam and I bowed in unison, our movements fluid and synchronized.

"I'm Mariam, Vice President of the Student Council, and this is Sylvia, our Student Coordinator," Mariam said, her voice clear and confident.

Mr. Akira's eyes widened in surprise. "A student council, just like in Japan! But I see you've adopted a more Western approach here... fascinating!”

Mariam nodded, her curly hair swirling around her like a whimsical aura. "Yes, we're testing the waters with a more casual vibe, hoping to find the perfect fit for our school's unique rhythm," she said, her words flowing effortlessly, like a gentle stream meandering through a sunny meadow.

Mr. Akira's interest was piqued, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Haa, interesting... I'd love to hear more about it.”

But as the school bell rang, signaling the start of classes, I intervened, trying to wrap up the conversation.

"Uh, shall I escort you to Mr. Rahman's office, sir?" I asked, winking at Mariam, who nodded in agreement.

Mr. Akira smiled, effortlessly scooping up Shinji in his arms, as if the boy weighed nothing.

"Ah, thank you, Sylvia. Lead the way!"

I escort the group to Mr. Rahman's office, where Melissa is already waiting. With a nod and a bow, I bid them farewell and head to my next destination: the infamous 3 Buccaneers class.

As I enter, my classmates turn to me with a mix of awkwardness and curiosity. But Nadia, Jamilah, and Chong quickly break the ice with their bright smiles and cheerful greetings.

"Morning, Sylvia!!" they chime in unison.

I smile back, trying to play it cool. “Morning!"

But Nadia's next question makes my ears blaze like a wildfire. "Hey, I heard your boyfriend went to MCKK…"

My face turns beet-red as Jamilah chimes in, "Ooh, does he call you from there?”

I whisper a sheepish "uh-huh" as the girls squeal in delight, “Kyaa!!"

The boys, not to be left out, start cheering and jeering, "Yo! Alex is on the roll!" Their teasing only adds fuel to my embarrassment, making me want to melt into the floor.

The chaos reaches its peak until Mr. Rahim bursts in like a thunderclap, his signature entrance making everyone's heart skip a beat.

"MORNING, EVERYONE!!!!!! JOE!!!! GET READY, CLASS!!!!!" he thunders, his voice echoing off the walls.

"Got it, Captain!" Joe replies, already knowing he's the first target of Mr. Rahim's physical “motivation."

Without hesitation, Mr. Rahim swoops in, lifting Joe with his signature wrestling move, "The Fireman Carry and Back Breaker." Joe's legs flail wildly as he's hoisted into the air.

"ITS MR. RAHIM!!!! ARE YOU ON MY SHIT LIST!!!!! LIKE AMIN!!!!" Mr. Rahim roars, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Language😅, Captain..." the class choruses, trying to stifle their giggles.

Joe's mouth is now a bubble-filled mess as he pleads, "Gah... pl... ease... have... mer... cy... capt... ain…"

Mr. Rahim scans the room, searching for his next victim. "Who's next in line to say 'Captain' again?!”

The class cowers, unanimous in their refusal to speak up.

With a flourish, Mr. Rahim declares, "Well, then, let's start the class..." leaving Joe lying on the floor, looking like a defeated warrior.

On the whiteboard, Mr. Rahim writes, "Malaysia History..." and adds with a mischievous grin, "And it looks like we're going on a field trip to the museum! Because, let's face it, history is way more fun when you're experiencing it firsthand, not just reading about it in books!”

The class erupts into cheers and groans, knowing they're in for an unforgettable adventure with their unorthodox teacher, Mr. Rahim.

Mr. Rahim began his lesson on Malaysia History 101, trying to captivate his students' attention. "Okay, class! Today we're going to explore the fascinating world of Malaysian history! From the ancient Malay kingdoms to the British colonial era, we'll cover it all!”

Just as Mr. Rahim was about to delve into the details, Joe suddenly groggily opened his eyes, still recovering from the earlier KO move.

"Ugggh... what happened?" Joe mumbled, rubbing his sore back.

Me and the rest of the class tried to stifle our giggles.

Mr. Rahim, however, was unfazed. "Ah, Joe! Welcome back! You missed the introduction, but don't worry, I'll summarize it for you: Malaysia was founded by Parameswara, and then the Portuguese came, followed by the Dutch, and finally the British…"

Joe, still disoriented, blurted out a question that left everyone in shock: "Uh, Mr. Rahim? Did Parameswara have a pet dinosaur?”

The class gasped in unison, with I’m widening in disbelief. "Joe, what are you talking about?!”

Mr. Rahim raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and annoyance on his face. "Want me to eat you, or which package of therapy would you like? We have 'Basic Sanity Check' or 'Advanced Reality Reboot’?"

The class erupted into laughter, while Joe looked around, still confused. "What's so funny? I thought it was a valid question..."

Mr. Rahim, still fueled by his earlier outburst, decided to ride the wave of absurdity.

"I believe it's a T-Rex..." he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Everyone in the class face-palmed, thinking, "This is going downhill fast.”

Joe, oblivious to the danger, replied with excitement, "Really?! Are you 7 years old?!”

Mr. Rahim's face turned beet-red, like a tomato about to burst. "Yes... come here, Joe, and I'll show you an example!" He beckoned Joe with a crooked finger, his eyes gleaming with maniacal intensity.

The class frantically signaled Joe to stay back, but he blindly walked into the trap. Mr. Rahim pounced, locking Joe in a tight headlock. Joe tapped out, flailing his arms wildly.

"Give! Give! Give!" Joe yelped, his voice muffled.

The boys rushed to intervene, trying to calm Mr. Rahim down. "WAKE UP, JOE!!!!" they chorused, as they attempted to restrain their teacher.

The scene was pure chaos, with Mr. Rahim still fuming, Joe dazed, and the class in hysterics. It was a history lesson none of them would ever forget – or repeat.

As the dust settled, Mr. Rahim, still grinning mischievously, declared, "Now, where were we? Ah yes, the ancient civilizations!”

With a flourish, he launched into a tale of epic battles, mythical creatures, and legendary heroes. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his gestures became more dramatic, as if conjuring the spirits of the past.

We were entranced, our minds transported to a world of wonder and awe. The classroom transformed into a time machine, with Mr. Rahim at the helm, guiding us through the annals of history.

His unorthodox teaching methods were a breath of fresh air, making the subject come alive in a way we never thought possible. We hung on his every word, eager to see where the journey would take us next.

As the lesson drew to a close, Mr. Rahim concluded with a flourish, "And that, my friends, is how the course of history was shaped by the bravery and cunning of our ancestors!”

We applauded, still grinning from ear to ear, as the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Another epic history lesson with Mr. Rahim had come to a close, leaving us eagerly anticipating the next installment.

As we waited for the other teacher, the girls huddled together, sharing a juicy secret. Nadia leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard from Class Patriot that someone's being bullied again…"

Chong rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that's so lame. We've all been through that.”

But Jamilah's expression turned serious. "Seems like Senior Priscilla's investigating, but she can't find the culprit…"

Just then, Chong dropped a bombshell. "You know, my big brother's a cop, and he told me someone's taking down crooks and goons in KK. They can't believe who's doing it – no CCTV, no witnesses, no trace!”

A boy burst into our conversation, eyes wide with excitement. "I heard that rumor too! My sister works at a hotel in KK, and she saw it! She said some hooded guy took them down like Neo from The Matrix or those Hong Kong kung-fu movies!”

The other boys scoffed. "No way, that's just exaggeration!”

But the boy insisted. "No, bro, my sister was hiding in the reception building when she reported it to the police. They just told her to keep them posted…"

Jamilah's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Just like a vigilante…"

I felt a shiver run down my spine. That sounded awfully familiar, but I'd never seen Alex do anything like that. He was more of a straight-up fighter... or was he? Maybe I should ask Mariam if she knows anything about this.

The conversation took a thrilling turn as one of them shared a tantalizing tidbit. "Actually, I've seen something like this before. My dad told me last week he saw someone scaling buildings in KK like a parkour pro…"

Kevin's eyes widened in awe. "No way, we have a real-life Batman in KK!”

Chong playfully teased Kevin. "Yikes, Kevin! You're always hanging out with your brother at night, better watch out, or you might be the next to spot him!”

Kevin's face turned pale, but then he chuckled. "Jeez, man, don't scare me like that! My brother works in a restaurant in KK, and he saw the hooded guy too. He said the guy ordered teh tarik – weird, right?”

A spark of intuition ignited within me. This sounded eerily familiar to Alex's nocturnal habits. A woman's intuition was kicking in, and I had to investigate further. I made a mental note to grill Mariam about this later.

As the conversation reached a fever pitch, our teacher walked in, and we reluctantly shifted our focus to the mathematics lesson ahead. But my mind kept wandering back to the mysterious hooded figure and Alex's possible connection to it…

As the teacher droned on about math, I found myself lost in thought, my mind consumed by the rumors. The whispers from the boys behind me only added fuel to the fire.

"...my brother saw an apparition in the trees at Forest Hill, and a little girl beside him," one of them whispered, their voice barely audible.

The other boy's eyes widened in terror. "That's freaking scary... don't tell me it's the urban legend of the ghostly father and daughter…"

Just then, the teacher's voice cut through the tension. "Hey, you two! Can you answer this question for me?”

The boys' faces turned bright red as they hastily returned to their notes.

But my mind lingered on the eerie tale, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

After two classes, lunchtime finally arrived, and I sought out Mariam. But she was busy, her expression grave.

"Trouble's brewing in the Patriots... Michael's handling it, but that new boy's causing a stir. He's like a goon, not a badass like Alex…"

I seized the opportunity to ask Mariam the burning question. "Hey, Mar... did Alex go on some secret training or something?”

Mariam's pause spoke volumes, and she swiftly pulled me into the Student Council office.

She closed the windows, curtains, and doors, her eyes locked intensely on mine.

"Did that bozo did something to you?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.

I chuckled, trying to downplay my concerns. "No, I'd just kick his butt if he tried anything..."

But Mariam's gaze lingered, as if she sensed there was more to the story. "So, tell me... I've always wanted to know something too…"

The air was thick with tension, and I knew I was on the cusp of uncovering a secret that would change everything.

I confided in Mariam, my voice barely above a whisper. "Alex has been sneaking out at night, claiming he has a job with Mr. Habeeb.”

Mariam's eyes widened, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Mr. Habeeb... Amin's dad's boss.” I see my dad used to be the police director, now replaced by Mr. Habeeb, our neighbor.

I nodded, my heart racing. "It's just that when I see Alex, he looks like he's searching for something... or someone."

Mariam's gaze turned introspective, her voice laced with a hint of mystery. "I think I know what's going on. Remember the incident with the clone? Alex took it down with the help of Soro and a little girl, Maya. She's around Hana's age…"

My eyes locked onto Mariam's, my mind reeling with connections. "And Alex said they're his distant cousins... but I saw him fight with an acrobatic style, like a trained assassin..."

Fear gripped my heart, a heavy feeling settling in. "No... please... no…"

Mariam's voice cut through my panic. "Hey, Sil! Calm down! You're having palpitations!"

My vision blurred, and I felt myself falling.

When I came to, I was in a serene landscape – a small pond, grassy fields, and two children. Was I dreaming?

A little girl grasped my shirt, her smile angelic. "Hey, you're Sylvia, right?”

I smiled back, my voice shaking. "Hey... are you alone here?”

Frederica's eyes sparkled. "What you see here is Alex's memories, and mine... we shared them together.”

My heart skipped a beat as I struggled to speak. "Are... you... Frederica?”

She nodded, and I felt a surge of determination. "Why... am... I... here?”

Frederica's smile faltered, and Natalie appeared beside me.

"What's going on? Is that... Alex? And you must be Frederica?”

Frederica's gaze turned somber. "I wanted to introduce myself... and warn you. You, me, and Natalie... we're connected to Alex in ways we can't understand yet."

As Frederica spoke, I couldn't help but glance at Natalie, our eyes locking in a brief moment of rivalry. We both had a claim to Alex's attention, and the air was thick with unspoken tension.

But then, something unexpected happened. Natalie extended her hand, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Hey, I've heard a lot about you from Mar and Alex. Nice to meet you.”

I took her hand, my response laced with a hint of curiosity. "I've heard a lot about you too, from Alex and his mom.”

Natalie's eyebrow shot up, a spark of surprise igniting in her eyes. "Oh? And what did they say?”

I smiled, my tone light. "Just that you're a force to be reckoned with.”

Natalie chuckled, her gaze never leaving mine. "Well, I suppose that's true. But let's not start a cat fight here, shall we?”

Her eyes turned to Frederica, her expression serious. "So, Frederica, what's going on? You must have something important to discuss."

I watched, impressed, as Natalie took charge, her confidence and determination evident in every word. No wonder Alex was drawn to her - she was a true partner, a match for his own strength and spirit.

Frederica's eyes clouded, and she revealed a haunting image - her own mutilated body, bonded with Alex's deformed form, their blood intertwining like a dark, macabre dance.

Alex's mother wept, her voice trembling as she performed the twisted operation.

"I'm so... sorry... Frederica... Your sacrifice won't be in vain... Please, be at peace…"

Frederica's gaze locked onto ours, her voice laced with a mix of resignation and determination. "That's me... I'm okay with it... It was my wish... I was dying anyway... But now, I want to show you something…"

The scene shifted, revealing Alex training alone in the dead of night, his movements fluid but laced with a hint of desperation. A darkness lurked behind him, its presence making the air thick with foreboding.

"Alex started to get scary from that moment," Frederica whispered, her eyes glinting with a mix of sadness and fear.

As we listened, entranced, Frederica revealed the shocking truth - Alex's nightmares, born from the operation that revived him, had haunted him since childhood. His own darkness, a sinister presence that whispered cruel truths in his ear.

"You're not just a monster, but a weapon... Different from all of them... Now, you'll discover your mother's part in a bigger conspiracy... Hana will grow up and leave you, Sam will grow up and leave you... All your friends will leave you... What will you do? You think Natalie will protect you all this time? Grow... up…"

The voice is like a knife, cutting through Alex's fragile psyche, leaving him shattered and broken. Frederica's eyes locked onto ours, her expression grim.

"That's... his darkness... Something he got from Darrel, the guy who took him in..."

"That's awful..." I whispered, my heart aching for Alex's suffering. Natalie's gaze locked onto Frederica's, her expression a mix of shock and determination.

"That's why I took care of him before... I just wanted him to forget... I didn't want him to become like this... This is my worst fear come true..." Natalie's voice trembled, her eyes welling up with tears.

She recounted the moment she found Alex at the hospital, battered and bruised, with a bullet wound and Damien by his side.

I said to them "But I thought he was at peace when he tried to meet you, Frederica... When he visited your grave…"

Frederica's gaze turned introspective. "Yes, it did bring him peace... But at the same time, something strange happened... As if my purpose wasn't fulfilled... There's more to it…"

Natalie's eyes narrowed. "That voice, the sinister one... It's familiar. I heard it when I met him in the hospital four years ago in LA.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What should we do?”

Frederica's expression turned resolute. "That's why I brought you two here... You're his connection, his heart... Alex only sees you two.”

A vision unfolded before us, revealing Alex's inner world - a world where only Natalie and I existed. My heart swelled with emotion, a mix of happiness and protectiveness.

Natalie's hand found mine, our eyes locking in a moment of understanding. "Let's help him, okay?" Frederica asked, her smile radiant.

We nodded, our hearts beating as one. "This time, Alex isn't alone... He's just stupid beyond comprehension..." Frederica giggled, and we joined in, our laughter a promise of solidarity.

When I woke up, Mariam and Alex's mother were beside me, their faces etched with concern. "Hey!" Mariam hugged me tightly, her voice warm with relief.

“Sylvia are you okay?” Mother (Alex mom) said to me in relief.

“umm…sorry I’m fine now…” but I wanted to keep that moment a secret because now I feel that I could understand Alex deeply now, with a new determination of protecting him.

“That is great!! Wow that scared me for the moment…” Mariam had a sigh of relief and Priscilla is here as well

“You okay….you better take a rest…” Priscilla is concern for me as well.

I wake up seeing Hana is here as well, she is crying

“Big sis!!!! I’m really scared that you did not wake up waa!!!” I hugged her and smile at her

“Sorry I think just feel a bit tired…maybe…” I convinced her

Hana smile and the others as well including Tama and Hazlan look at me

“Hey if you still tired just rest here” Mariam said to me

“Nope I’m fine…okay lets go…sorry to trouble you but give me time to take a stand here…”

When everyone leave suddenly Mother asked Mr Rahman to leave as well

“okay…take your time…” Mr Rahman walk out from the office and Mariam suddenly entered back

Now this is getting awkward because as if there is something more.

“I heard you muttered Natalie…if I’m not mistaken…” mother asked me and Mariam seems to be hearing it as well

“Well then how is she?” Mariam is cheering things up now

“Uh…..is just a dream…really maybe my head thinking too much…”

“Then I’ll leave it at that…” mother (Alex mom) seems to trust it but Mariam is not buying but she keeping at that first. That is what I’m worried about because she will find out soon enough.

As I stepped out of the office, my mind still reeling from the meeting, I headed to class, realizing I'd missed lunch and most of the lesson. The last class of the day was about to start.

Shinji was loitering around, his tall frame leaning against the wall, his eyes fixed on me. "Hey Shinji, what are you doing here?" I asked, my instincts on high alert.

He stood up, his smile charming, but his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. "You look cute... want to date me?" His words sent a shiver down my spine, Mariam's warning about him echoing in my mind.

I tried to brush him off, but he grabbed my cheeks, his touch making my skin crawl.

"Maybe come to my house, I could need help..." His suggestive tone made my blood boil.

With lightning-fast reflexes, I kneed him in the groin and grasped his head, my eyes blazing with a fierce warning. "You bitch! That hurt! You know who I am?!”

I glared into his eyes, my gaze piercing, my voice low and deadly. "Our vice president is kind compared to me, or even the disciplinary student here... so let me get you straight... be a good student, or else..." My eyes flashed with a killer's intensity, sending a shiver down Shinji's spine.

He crumpled, clutching his groin, his face contorted in pain. I dragged him towards the classroom, my grip unyielding. "Don't forget to head to your class, or if you want me to send you there…"

With a swift kick, I sent him crashing to the floor, his body limp. I stood over him, my chest heaving, my eyes still blazing with fury. "Class 1 Patriot, let's go.”

The students parted, their eyes wide with fear, as I dragged Shinji's unconscious body into the classroom. The message was clear: cross me, and face the consequences.

Mr. Akira's eyes widened in surprise, but he seemed to expect this confrontation. "Sorry about my son..." He bowed, and I returned the gesture.

"It's okay, he needs to learn responsibility," I said, my gaze sweeping across the Patriot class, notorious for its bully cases.

"May I brief your class for a while?" I asked Mr. Akira, who nodded.

Shinji stirred, groggily opening his eyes. "Ugh... what the hell happened? That bitch... ekk!!" I glared at him, my eyes flashing with anger.

"Sit down," I commanded, but he refused. With lightning-fast reflexes, I lifted him and slammed him into an empty chair. The class gasped, some terrified, others relieved.

I began my lecture, my voice firm. "We're here to learn, right?" Most nodded, but some glared at me, revealing the student council's problem.

Shinji stood up, ready to fight, but I swiftly delivered an axe kick to his shoulder, sending him crashing down.

The former members of the Borneo student group, suspected bullies, stepped forward. "Hey, this isn't a prison…"

Their leader, a girl, sneered, brandishing her art knife. I kicked her in the face, and she flew across the room, leaving everyone stunned.

"I'm not like the vice president or disciplinary student... I'm just like you, and I want to say: BE A STUDENT, NOT AN ASSHOLE!!" I channeled Alex's intensity.

The girls cowered, begging for mercy. "Sorry, it was Rosita's fault!”

"No, it was Shinji's fault!”

"Please, let us enjoy school!”

They blamed each other, but I cut them off. "You all need to take responsibility... and apologize to the teacher and your friends.”

All except Shinji apologized, still sulking. I used my foot to his face, my yandere aura intensifying.

"Apologize... or else.”

The message was clear: I wasn't a harmless girl. I was a force to be reckoned with.

Shinji's defiance faltered as I slammed my foot into his chest, pinning him to the ground. My eyes blazed with intensity.

"Apologize now..." I demanded, my voice low and menacing.

Shinji's face contorted in pain and fear as he screamed at the top of his lungs:

"I'M SORRY!!!!! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!!!”

I stood up, my gaze still fierce. "That's good.”

With a deep bow, I apologized to Mr. Akira. "Thank you all... sorry about this, Mr. Akira.”

Mr. Akira bowed back, a hint of a smile on his face. "No, I thank you... I see students, not just troublemakers, now…"

The class erupted into applause, their faces filled with a mix of shock, awe, and gratitude.

But then, whispers spread like wildfire:

"This is Sylvia, Alex's mistress... you know Alex, our super student... the one who make the infamous gathering last year that look like a picnic..”

My eyes widened in embarrassment as I realized my reputation had preceded me. I closed my eyes, my mind racing with the implications.

How would I explain this to Melissa and Mariam now? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

The scene ended with me standing amidst the applause, my eyes closed, my heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety.

A fierce determination burned within me, igniting a transformation. My heart, once filled with uncertainty, now beat with a singular purpose: to protect Alex, the one I loved.

I felt an unshakeable resolve coursing through my veins, a promise to myself to stand by Alex's side, to shield him from harm, and to be his rock in times of turmoil.

The whispers of my reputation as Alex's mistress still lingered, but I embraced them, wearing them as a badge of honor. For I knew that I was no longer just a bystander in Alex's life; I was his partner, his confidante, and his protector.

With this newfound determination, I stood taller, my eyes blazing with a fierce inner light. I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, to defend Alex against all odds, and to ensure that he would never be alone again.

The scene ended with a close-up of my face, my eyes burning with determination, as the soundtrack swelled with a powerful, emotive melody, symbolizing my transformation and my unwavering commitment to Alex.