«But is it really her...?»
«Yes! No doubt about it! I'd recognize her anywhere!»
«What's she doing in our school?»
Whispers spread through the classroom like wildfire.
All eyes focus on the girl walking beside Professor Misaki Yuunami as they enter.
She wears the school uniform, but she's clearly not just any girl.
«I know you are all excited, but I ask you to maintain the typical discipline and seriousness that distinguishes our school,» Professor Yuunami says.
Her voice calm but firm.
The class falls silent.
Everyone stares at the newcomer.
«Many of you surely already know Miss Ana Garroza by reputation. Next year, she will be the lead in a movie filmed right here in Japan. To prepare for the role and master our language, she will attend our prestigious academy until filming starts. In short, she'll be your classmate for the whole year.»
Professor Yuunami's tone turns even more serious.
«As I already said, I ask you to moderate your behavior and not make her feel uncomfortable. She may be a world-famous star, but she's still your peer. I'm sure she'll feel much more at ease if you treat her like one.»
«Thank you, Professor.»
Ana bows twice; first to Misaki, then to her new classmates.
Then she takes a seat at the desk to the left of Itsu.
Now the seating is like this:
Itsu in the center.
Hakuto on his right.
Ana on his left.
And Chantal sits behind Hakuto.
Rika, instead, is at the first desk—right in front of the teacher's.
«Nice to meet you, Ana. My name is Itsu Chihane. And this guy is Hakotto Tendo!»
«I'm really happy to meet you, Itsu. And you too, Hakotto.»
~Itsu really has an idiot face. Even more than in the photo that Marquis Velshekar showed me~
Ana thinks.
~And that other guy… Hakotto… who the hell is he? He's not in the data Velshekar gave me. He must be just a regular human. But still… now that I look at him closely, he's kind of a tasty snack… I think I'll fuck him before going back to America~
Ana's smile is so bright and seductive that Hakuto doesn't even realize she's called him by that weird nickname.
Or maybe he's just so used to it by now, it feels like a second name.
Ana turns her head slightly and stares at Chantal.
She probably expects a greeting or at least a reaction.
~But Chantal just ignores her.
This little bitch…! Who does she think she is, ignoring a star of my caliber?! Marquis Velshekar was right. She's absolutely unbearable!~
«My name is ANA GARROZA,» she says, clearly emphasizing her name. «Nice to meet you. Who are you?»
«I'm the one whose peaceful Sunday at the water park you ruined,» Chantal replies coldly.
Her gaze is just as icy as her voice.
When the break bell rings, the entire school floods into the hallway in front of class 2-B.
The crowd grows so wild that even the principal has to step in to calm things down.
Hakuto, Chantal, and Itsu watch from a safe distance.
They already spoke with her that morning.
Hakuto didn't even know who she was until yesterday, so he's definitely not a superfan.
And for the first time, Rika is with them too.
It's her first peaceful break—until yesterday, she was the school's idol, always surrounded by fans.
Now that someone else has stolen the spotlight, she's finally able to breathe.
«I hope Ana stays here as long as possible…» Rika says, her voice like a prisoner tasting fresh air after years locked away.
«I hope that little slut leaves today!» Chantal fires back. «Arrogant. Vain. And she spent the entire class staring at Hakuto without blinking!»
Itsu slaps Hakuto on the back.
«Stepson of one of Japan's richest women and boyfriend of a super sexy Hollywood star! Hakotto, you're the luckiest guy alive!»
«Don't say stupid things. As if someone like her would care about someone like me…»
«Are you saying that if she did, you'd go for it?!» Chantal snaps.
She yanks Hakuto by the ear.
«I'm way more beautiful, more feminine, and much nicer than her! No way she has those lips and boobs at sixteen! She's so fake, even a blind guy would notice!»
Hakuto looks away from her.
«Yeah… especially nice and feminine…» he mutters with a smirk.
Chantal is about to explode when, out of the corner of her eye, she spots Ana slipping away from the crowd and heading straight toward them.
«What the hell does she want now…?» Chantal mutters.
«I'm really sorry, but I felt like I was suffocating with all those admirers around. Do you mind if I stay with you a little? You seem like decent people, and you're not throwing photo and autograph requests at me… I'm exhausted…» Ana sighs.
Chantal is just about to say something—her face says it won't be nice.
But Hakuto quickly covers her mouth with both hands.
«Of course, we'd be really happy to,» Hakuto says.
«Oh, thank you so much. You're so kind.»
Ana blushes.
Her face shows a perfect mix of sexy and kawaii.
That look alone sends both Hakuto and Itsu into a daze.
But just then, Yuzu steps out from the crowd.
She's holding a sheet of paper and a pen.
«Please, Ana! Can I get your autograph? I'm your biggest fan! I've got all your posters in my room!»
Hakuto and Rika glance at each other, clearly thinking the same thing: she doesn't even have a postcard of Ana Garroza.
«Sorry about her. She's my younger sister, and she's always a bit… pushy and inappropriate,» Rika says with an apologetic tone.
«Your younger sister…?» Ana repeats.
«Yeah, she's in class 1-A. It's the farthest from ours, so I guess she missed the autograph session. If it's not too much trouble, could you sign something for her? That way, we'll get her off our backs...»
«Oh, if she's the little sister of such a kind and sweet girl like you, I could never say no,» Ana says warmly.
Her kindness and warmth immediately win over both Rika and Yuzu.
But not Chantal.