As the school day neared its end, Luck stood up, preparing to leave. He returned to his seat to grab his bag when Miria suddenly turned to him, locking eyes with him. "Do you have any plans after school?" she asked, her gaze steady. The question caught Luck off guard for a brief moment, but he responded nonchalantly, "No?" Miria continued, her tone calm yet direct. "I was wondering if you'd be able to join me for lunch." Luck, still caught off guard, blinked before muttering, "Huh?"

I eyed Miria carefully as we walked to the restaurant. There was something off about her casual tone earlier, something that felt a little too calculated. “I’ve got to admit, I’m suspicious of you,” I said, looking at her sideways. “What’s really going on here? ”

She glanced at me, her face unreadable. “There’s nothing to be suspicious of,” she replied with a shrug. “Just follow through with what I asked, and you’ll be fine.”

I wasn’t buying it, but I didn’t push it further. We sat down at a table, and when the waiter arrived, Miria looked at me with her usual no-nonsense expression. “You can’t get anything,” she said, cutting me off before I even opened the menu. “It’s all on me today.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Wait, seriously? You’re paying for everything?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m treating you today, so don’t even think about it.”

I still wasn’t sure how to feel about this sudden generosity, but I didn’t argue. When the food arrived, I couldn’t help but feel awkward. “Are you sure it’s okay I put this expensive meal on your tab?” I asked, looking at the plate in front of me. “I feel kind of weird eating something so costly when you’re paying for it while you don't have something just as nice.”

Miria didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I’m sure. I told you to get whatever you wanted, and I meant it. Don’t feel weird. Lunch today is my treat, so just eat.”

I hesitated for a moment, still feeling the pressure of her gaze, then picked up my fork. Right before I took a bite, I paused, looking her in the eyes. She was still watching me, her expression unreadable. “Is something wrong with you, Luck?” she asked, sounding slightly annoyed now. “Eat already.”

I finally took a bite, the awkwardness lingering as I chewed, but as soon as I started eating, she leaned forward onto the table and began talking again, shifting the conversation to something else entirely.

Miria suddenly turned to me with a calm but serious expression. "I heard that Dev and the others have planned a study group for the upcoming tests," she began, her voice as blunt as always. "They want everyone to ace it, but I need you to do something for me." She didn’t wait for a response, diving right into her request. "I want you to sit in on the sessions, observe everyone who doesn't show up or misbehaves, and make sure they actually do their work."

So this was the favor. She made sure everyone else stayed on task, while I was the one stuck doing it for her. I couldn’t help but feel like I’d been guilt-tripped into something I hadn’t agreed to, pressured into doing her dirty work just because she covered lunch today.

I set my fork down and leaned back slightly in my chair, trying to suppress the growing frustration. "So you want me to keep an eye on everyone at the study group? Watch for the slackers and make sure they actually do their work?"

Miria didn’t flinch, her gaze steady as ever. “Yes,” she said, her tone cool and direct. “I want you to do this. It’s simple. Just sit in, observe, and make sure they stay on track.”

I raised an eyebrow, still feeling suspicious. "And why me? You want me to be the one to keep track of all this?"

Miria shrugged, unfazed by my hesitation. "You’re good at noticing things others miss. Plus, you don’t like staying in the spotlight. It’s perfect for you."

I crossed my arms, leaning forward a little. "So you’re basically asking me to play the role of the enforcer while you get to relax."

She met my gaze, unflinching. “I want you to do this because I trust you to handle it. It’s a small favour, and I think you’ll manage just fine.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of her words. She was right—this wasn’t exactly something I could refuse, not without making it awkward. "Fine," I muttered, already feeling the sense of obligation creeping in. "I’ll do it, but don’t expect me to take on more of this kind of stuff in the future."

Miria’s lips curled into the slightest smile, and she nodded. "Good. I knew you’d come around." She reached for her drink, taking a slow sip, her eyes still locked on mine as though this conversation had already ended. "Now, eat. We have a lot to do."

I picked up my fork again, though the food felt less satisfying now. This wasn’t exactly the lunch I had in mind, but at least it was over—at least for today... My mind was already occupied with the task Miria had roped me into. I couldn’t help but feel a little resentful, but I knew better than to argue further. The lunch had shifted from an unexpected treat to a subtle kind of obligation.

“So, when do these study sessions start?” I asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

Miria glanced at me over her glass, the expression on her face unreadable. "They’ll start tomorrow afternoon, after school," she replied. "The others are already planning the schedule, but I need you to be there and observe. Make sure everyone sticks to it."

I raised an eyebrow. "What happens if they don't? Just report them to you."

"Exactly," she answered, her tone casual, but there was a certain finality in her words. "You’ll be doing the heavy lifting. I'm counting on you to make sure everyone stays on track."

I let out a quiet sigh. So, this was how it was going to be. I was the one stuck with the responsibility of keeping everyone in line while she watched from the sidelines. But there was no point in arguing now—I had already agreed, albeit reluctantly.

"What will you do in the event that they fail to show up or behave badly?" I asked, merely curious as to what she would do in reality.

She looks at me as he turns. "I'll handle things my way."

"And what if they don't and they actually fail?" I enquired in order to better understand what I was actually getting into.

Miria’s gaze hardened slightly. "If they fail again, they’ll be expelled. It’s as simple as that. We don’t get a second chance here. So, you see why this is so important, right?"

I stared at her for a long moment, realising how serious this really was. "Yeah, I get it. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it," I muttered under my breath.

She didn’t acknowledge my comment, already turning her attention back to her own meal. "I didn’t ask you to like it. Just do it."

I let the silence stretch between us as I finished my meal, the weight of the task she had given me settling heavily on my shoulders. As much as I wanted to protest, I knew it was already too late. She had played her cards well—guilt-tripped me into doing something I didn’t want to do, and now I had no choice but to see it through.

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“So,” I said, pushing my empty plate aside, “what happens after I keep everyone in check? What’s in it for me?”

Miria looked at me, her lips twitching slightly. "You get the satisfaction of knowing you helped keep everyone from failing. Isn’t that enough?"

I stared at her for a moment. "I’m not doing this for the 'satisfaction,’ Miria," I said, my tone flat. "I’m doing this because you basically forced me into it."

She smiled—the kind of smile that made me wonder if she was getting a little too much enjoyment out of this. "Exactly. Are you finished now? This is my number; don't use it to contact me in any way; only use it if you need something from me.”

I nodded, standing up from the table and taking her phone number at the same time. “Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you.”

The next day, as classes ended, Luck was gathering his things when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Turning, he found himself face-to-face with Lila Hart, her bright smile radiating an infectious enthusiasm.

“Hey, Luck!” She greeted cheerfully. “I just wanted to invite you to a study group our class is organizing. We’re trying to make sure everyone does well on the upcoming tests so we can rack up house points and maybe beat Hampden, Lee, and Ridley! Most of the class is planning to come, so it’d be awesome if you joined too.”

Luck considered her invitation. Despite the somewhat forced nature of these group efforts, he recalled Miria’s “request” to observe and keep everyone on track. With a sigh, he nodded, and they made their way to the library.

Inside, students gathered around tables, but 3 hadn’t shown up, leaving seventeen, with six students designated as tutors. Realising the group was too large for productive study, they split into smaller clusters. Luck found himself in a group of 5, and after some deliberation, they decided to continue the session at a nearby cafe where they could study and enjoy a meal.

As they settled in, Luck glanced around at the group. He noted the various dynamics in play, some chatting, others absorbed in their books. Miria’s words echoed in his mind, reminding him to keep a close eye on who was genuinely committed to the session.

As they settled into the cosy corner of the cafe, the atmosphere was a comfortable blend of quiet conversation and the occasional sound of clinking glasses. Luck glanced around the table at his group members, assessing each of them for the first time up close.

Aurora Dawn sat beside him, her serene expression masking a watchfulness he’d noticed from the start. She seemed to have a calm but calculated way of drawing people in, curious but never intrusive. Then there was Finn Oak across from him, whose sharp gaze hinted at a quick, observant mind—someone likely to notice the little details others missed. Beside Finn was Ivy Thistle, already focused on her notebook, her concentration intense, as if she could tune out the entire world when it suited her. Finally, there was Elior Light, who gave off an air of quiet confidence, his posture relaxed but somehow alert, like he was just waiting for the right moment to contribute.

Aurora tilted her head slightly, her eyes studying him with a trace of curiosity. "You know, I didn’t expect you to actually join us, Luck," she said, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. "Rumour had it you were the silent type."

Finn nodded, adding, "Yeah, we thought you might be one of those quiet loners who barely talks."

Luck responded with a calm, straightforward tone. "Is that so? I don't know why, but that slightly hurts." He looked between them, his expression remaining neutral. "Guess I’m just selective with words."

Ivy blinked, clearly surprised. "So... you’re actually a normal guy? You just don’t talk much?"

Luck gave a slight nod. "I talk if there’s a reason to."

Elior chuckled. "Well, here we were, thinking you’d be some mysterious figure."

Aurora gave a faint smile. "I’m a bit disappointed. I expected at least a cryptic line or two."

Luck looked at her calmly. "Wouldn’t see much point in that." His tone was steady, devoid of any amusement, but he could tell from their reactions that they were starting to see him differently.

Ivy laughed lightly. "Well, I think we can get used to this."

Luck returned to his notes without a change in expression. The group seemed pleased to get a conversation out of him, and for now, he was willing to let them—at least while the work got done.

"Alright, enough getting-to-know-you stuff," Finn finally said, tapping his pen on his notebook. "Let’s actually study."

Luck nodded slightly, grateful for the shift in focus. He picked up his notes, feeling a bit more at ease. Though he had his reservations about the whole setup, at least the group seemed to be serious about getting things done.

As the group settled into their study session, Aurora flipped through a dense stack of notes, a slight frown creasing her brow. “Have you guys heard about the new grading policies?” she asked, her voice calm but carrying an undertone of worry.

Elior looked up, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

Aurora leaned forward, lowering her voice a little. “Apparently, the administration has set a threshold for academic performance. They’re saying students who fall below a certain mark could face expulsion.”

Ivy’s eyes widened. “Expulsion? That’s… extreme.”

Finn nodded, his face thoughtful. “It does seem harsh, but it explains why the school is pushing these studies so hard. It’s not just about keeping our house points or XP points up —it’s about survival.”

Luck listened in silence, his mind turning over the implications. This revelation made Miria’s request weigh heavier than before. She’d told him to monitor everyone to make sure they stayed on task, but the stakes felt uncomfortable now. His classmates weren’t just studying for points; they were fighting to stay in the school.

As the conversation continued, the tension around the table was palpable. Some of them looked anxious, others merely resigned, but there was a shared awareness that this wasn’t just another ordinary study group.

Breaking the silence, Finn glanced at Luck. “What about you, Luck? You don’t seem too fazed by this. Are you just that confident, or...?”

Luck kept his face neutral, his voice steady. “Confidence doesn’t change the expectations. They are what they are.” He paused, glancing around the table, seeing the worry etched on their faces. “But if it’s that serious, then we need to be smarter about this. The focus should be on helping each other, not just doing what we’re told.”

Aurora nodded thoughtfully. “Agreed. If we’re only following orders, we’re not really learning anything useful.”

There was a murmur of agreement around the table, and the weight of the task became clearer to Luck. Miria had set him up to be the “enforcer,” but now, seeing his group struggle under the looming pressure, he found himself questioning the role she’d assigned him. Would enforcing her strict standards actually help, or just drive them further into stress and frustration?

He knew that if he reported any slacking, it could easily add to the risk of talking with her. And yet, Miria’s words echoed in his mind, reminding him of the expectations she had set.

Finn noticed Luck’s thoughtful silence. “You okay, man? You’re quiet, even for you.”

Luck glanced up, his gaze calm but intent. “Just thinking... maybe it’s time we set our own goals instead of focusing so much on what others want from us.”

Aurora looked at him curiously. “Meaning?”

“Meaning we focus on actually learning,” he replied, feeling an unusual sense of conviction. “Helping each other instead of worrying about how the administration or anyone else is judging us. The grades will come, but if we’re just going through the motions to avoid punishment, none of us are going to get anywhere.”

The group fell silent, each of them processing his words.

After a moment, Ivy broke the quiet with a determined nod. “He’s right. If we’re going to stay, it should be because we actually deserve it, not just because we avoided expulsion.”

Finn leaned back, a faint grin on his face. “Well, I didn’t expect to hear that from you, Luck. Guess you’re not as indifferent as you seem.”

Luck shrugged, his expression unchanged. “I just don’t like doing things that don’t make sense.”

A renewed sense of purpose seemed to spread through the group, their previous anxiety replaced by a cautious resolve. The looming threat of expulsion hadn’t gone away, but now they all had something tangible to work toward—a real goal, not just survival.

As Ivy started organising her notes, she glanced around. “Okay, enough talk. Let’s get to work. We’ve got a lot to cover, and this is the only way we’re going to get through it.”

Luck watched as the others dug into their books with a fresh focus, feeling the subtle but meaningful shift in their dynamic. He might have taken on the task Miria assigned him, but now he was doing it on his own terms, understanding that helping his classmates succeed went beyond mere obedience.