Maki glanced up, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and disbelief. “You are a celebrity,” she whispered back. “Everyone thinks you died falling off a building. So, they’re holding a funeral in four days. The festival has been postponed for a week, and the graduation is coming up after that.”

Aric’s mind reeled with the information. He had no idea his actions had left such an impression. The shock of becoming so popular posthumously, for things he had done almost without thinking, was overwhelming.

“I’m… popular?” he echoed, struggling to grasp the reality of it. “Why didn't you tell me?”

She shook her head, putting her hands together. “Because you never asked.”

“Seems a bit cold, don't you think?”

Maki made a dismissive noise, almost a “tsch” sound. “I’ve been too touchy for the last few days and decided to stop.”

Aric stepped closer to her, thoughts racing about how he would fight against her aura. But as he stayed closer to her face, he felt something burning within him and his heart started to beat harder. Her gaze held what seemed to be disdain, and he found himself stepping back.

“Can I take the exam as Aric and not Yamamoto?” he asked, his voice wavering slightly.

Maki smirked, a self-satisfied expression crossing her face. “I asked my close friend, who happens to be the principal’s daughter, your existence when you switched bodies. I made sure both identities are interchangeable grade-wise and attendance-wise.”

Aric blinked, processing her words. “So, I can just… switch?”

“Yes,” she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. “You can take the exam as Aric. Everything will be sorted out officially later.”

Relief washed over him, mingling with a sense of gratitude. “Thank you, Maki. This means a lot.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she said, her smirk hardening into a fierce expression. “You still have to beat my score and somehow show up alive after tomorrow. Many people are looking into your background, and clubs have even formed around your name.”

Aric felt a strange mix of pride and frustration. “But that’s all for Yamamoto. Not Aric.”

They both frowned, the weight of the situation settling between them. Aric rubbed the back of his head, glancing at her again, feeling the power wash over him. He steeled himself, thinking that this would be a greater chance to gain resistance. With determination, he controlled himself and said, “You know, you look cute with that expression.”

She jumped back, red spreading across her face, and he felt the heat increasing in his own. For a few seconds, they both stood there, caught in an unexpected moment of vulnerability. Then, Maki’s expression hardened again. She frowned and slammed a hand against the table.

“You’ll pay for that comment,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of embarrassment and determination.

The teacher groaned, breaking the tension between Aric and Maki. “A prayer to all the lost souls,” she murmured, her voice filled with lament. “But, unfortunately, we still have to take the exam.”

Aric and Maki exchanged a quick glance, hers lined with a bit of fierceness before heading to their seats. The room was heavy with the atmosphere of mourning, yet the reality of their academic responsibilities pressed on.

“Everyone, please go back to your seats,” the teacher called out. “The exams will start now.”

Aric settled into his chair, his mind refocusing on the task ahead. He knew he had to put everything else aside and concentrate on the exam, despite the strange and surreal circumstances surrounding him.

As the papers were distributed, he took one last look at Maki, who was already absorbed in her own thoughts. He couldn’t stop looking at her features, how they illuminated her face. Maybe it was something relative to his new powers, something that he was noticing only recently. It had to be.

Spinning his pencil around his fingers, he flipped to the back of the exam paper and started marking random answers out of habit. But after glancing at Maki, he paused. Her focused expression and the determination in her eyes reminded him of the seriousness of the situation. He quickly erased the random marks, muttering to himself, “If I don’t try, she’ll kill me for sure.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

He completed the 200 questions across all subjects in 90 minutes, his hand aching from the effort. With a final glance at his answers, he felt a surge of confidence. He had given it his best.

Rising from his seat, he walked to the front of the classroom and handed his paper to the teacher. The room was silent, the weight of the exam palpable among his classmates. Aric returned to his seat, glancing at Maki, who was still deep in concentration.

When Maki finally finished her exam and began to leave the room, Aric stood up and quietly followed her. She noticed his presence beside her and, without looking at him, said, “Let’s go to the empty classroom.”

They walked silently down the hall, the quietness of the school amplifying their unspoken words. When they reached the empty classroom, Maki opened the door and stepped inside, motioning for Aric to follow.

“I’ll go get lunch,” she said abruptly and quickly left the room, leaving Aric alone with his thoughts.

Once she returned with lunch, they sat together, the silence between them both comfortable and awkward. Aric started digging in, his appetite sharpened by the morning’s events. After a few bites, he looked up at Maki.

“Are you popular too?” he asked, genuinely curious.

She shrugged, keeping her eyes on her food. “Somewhat,” she replied.

Aric nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “It makes sense, considering your appearance and grades.”

Maki turned away slightly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. She coughed, trying to regain her composure, and her demeanor shifted back to its usual coldness. “Just focus on your food,” she said curtly.

Aric continued eating, but his curiosity got the better of him. “Why did you bring me here?” he asked, looking at Maki with a mix of confusion and concern.

Maki kept her gaze on her lunch, her tone measured. “There’s a chance your new fan club might recognize you and start creating ghost rumors or something equally stupid,” she explained. “It’s better to keep a low profile for now.”

Aric raised an eyebrow. “Ghost rumors, huh?”

She nodded. “Yeah. The school’s been buzzing with all kinds of nonsense since they thought you were dead.” She paused, then added,

Aric sighed, thinking about the challenges ahead. “Thanks for the heads up.”

Aric frowned, thinking about everything that had happened. “What happened to Laric?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Maki’s expression darkened. “He was sent to prison,” she said flatly.

Aric stood up abruptly, fury coursing through him. “What? That’s not fair—”

Before he could continue, Maki grabbed his arm and pulled him back down, her eyes blazing. “He deserved it,” she hissed, her tone fierce. “You don’t know everything he did. Trust me, it’s better this way.”

Aric stared at her, trying to process her words. “Deserved it? What did he do?”

Maki’s grip tightened, and she leaned closer, her voice low and intense. “He threw you off of a building and was bent on making your life hell. He’s not who you think he is.”

Aric’s eyes started to glaze over as he absorbed Maki’s words. “I think I understand what happened,” he said slowly. “But if Laric was just jealous of us hanging out together, he shouldn’t have been punished so harshly.”

Maki’s expression softened slightly, though her grip remained firm. “It wasn’t just jealousy, Aric. He crossed a line when he tried to kill you. This isn’t about a simple rivalry or misunderstanding. It’s about keeping you safe and ensuring he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Aric sighed, his expression softening as he looked at Maki. “Can I give you a hug?” he asked gently.

Maki didn’t respond immediately, her silence stretching for a few moments. Taking her lack of protest as a sign, Aric leaned in and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting hug.

“You seem way too stressed,” he murmured softly. “It’s going to be okay. You don’t have to worry about me and my situation so much.”

Mentally, Aric focused on the sensation, feeling the power of resistance building within him. He began to squeeze harder, testing his limits. After a moment, Maki pushed him off, her expression a mix of annoyance and confusion.

Aric felt the heat rise to his face, but despite the awkwardness, he couldn’t help but smile. “I think I’m halfway through,” he said, a hint of triumph in his voice.

Maki frowned, clearly not understanding. “Halfway through what?”

Aric chuckled, feeling more confident than before. “Halfway through building my resistance to your aura. I can feel it, Maki. I’m getting stronger.”

She stared at him, looking angry. “You’re impossible.”

Aric’s expression softened, and he looked into her eyes earnestly. “But I do truly mean my words, Maki. I care about you, and I’m not just saying these things lightly. I want to protect you, just as much as you want to protect me.”

Maki’s emotions seemed to waver, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. For a moment, she looked as though she might say something, but then she abruptly stood up, her expression hardening into anger once more.

Without a word, she turned and slammed the door behind her, leaving Aric alone in the empty classroom.

Realizing that the second section of exams would start soon, Aric pushed aside his thoughts and hurriedly finished his meal.