"Welcome, I've been waiting for you," she said, her voice cutting through the cacophony of whispers that filled the hallway. The crowd's eyes were fixed on us, their murmurs painting a picture of curiosity and speculation. Why would the Council President, known for her strictness and rumored to suspend students on a whim, seek out an ordinary student like me? Their hushed tones seemed to suggest I was her next target.

Noticing my discomfort amid the sea of stares, she clapped her hands sharply, commanding silence with a simple gesture. A hush fell over the crowd; it was evident that her presence commanded respect—or perhaps fear—from everyone in the school.

Taking a deep breath, she addressed the onlookers with a stern yet composed tone. "It seems some students have ample free time to eavesdrop on others' conversations. Such behavior could infringe upon the rights of your peers, don't you think?" Her gaze swept over the students, sharp and discerning, yet her lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

As if on cue, the crowd began to disperse, leaving us in a sudden pocket of privacy.

"Perhaps you could use a little break," she suggested, her tone softer now. "I wanted to have a word with you. Would you mind joining me in the club room after school?" Without waiting for my response, she turned on her heel and strode away, leaving a trail of intrigue in her wake.

I stood there for a moment, processing the unexpected invitation. What could the Council President possibly want with me this time? With a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, I made my way to the classroom.

As I sat at my desk, lost in thought, Zen and Shu approached me in a rush.

"Hey, are you alright? Did the President do anything to you?" Zen asked with concern.

"Ah... Ye...." I began, but Zen interrupted me.

"I told you to stay away from her, but you didn't listen to my advice," Zen said sternly.

"Ah.. no, that's not..." I tried to clarify, but Shu cut in.

"White, you were asking about her yesterday. Did something happen? If so, tell us; maybe we can help," she said, her voice laced with worry.

"Well, yester......." My response was cut short as Aris made her entrance into our classroom, standing beside her brother Zen.

"What did you do that made the president herself come to the school entrance to punish you?" she asked, gripping both my hands.

Shu looked at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and shock. "Ummm.....You are?" she inquired, eager yet apprehensive.

"I am his future wife," Aris declared bluntly, her gaze fixed on Shu.

"Wh... Whatttt?" Shu's eyes darted between me and Aris in disbelief.

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Zen, standing behind Aris, thumped her on the head with his fist. Aris winced, trying to soothe the pain by pressing her hair with both hands, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

"Maybe this will teach you a lesson. I've told you many times not to make such jokes; they can lead to misunderstandings," Zen chided.

Internally, I mused, 'Nice, Zen. For once, you played the part of a good brother, albeit a small one.'

"But, Zen brother..." Aris began, only to be interrupted as Zen placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes serious.

"I'll say this once, and listen carefully, okay? White isn't interested in girls. You know he was ga...." Before he could finish, I punched him on the head with my fist.

"I was wrong to think you might actually have a good side, not just as a human, but as a brother," I retorted, watching Zen try to alleviate his pain by pressing his head.

"Shu, you don't need to listen to them," I said, turning to Shu, who stood in shock, murmuring to herself.

"White is a gaaaaa..." she mumbled, her voice trailing off.

"Hey, you don't need to listen to them," I reassured her.

As the school returned to its usual buzz, Zen decided it was time for introductions. "Shu, meet Aris, my younger sister," he said with a smile.

Aris stepped forward with a confident grin. "Hey there, I'm Aris. You might have heard about me—I'm pretty well-known in the junior class," she declared, her pride evident in her voice.

Shu blinked in surprise, her response tinged with embarrassment. "Oh... um, I'm sorry, but I haven't," she admitted, then quickly added, "I'm Shu, a friend of your brother Zen," trying to mask her nervousness.

Aris's brow furrowed in confusion. "Really? You've never heard of me? But why, and how...?" she mumbled, her thoughts trailing off as she spoke to herself.

Shu attempted to bridge the gap, "I'm sorry, it's just that I don't really have many friends," but Aris seemed lost in her own world.

Zen intervened, "You don't need to explain," he reassured Shu before turning to me. "So, what's the latest with the president?" he inquired curiously.

I hesitated, the truth on the tip of my tongue. "Well, not much. I met her yesterday. She wanted to discuss something about..." I paused, contemplating the wisdom of full disclosure.

Choosing discretion, I continued, "Yeah, she needs my help with something," I offered vaguely.

Zen raised an eyebrow. "But why does she need your help? There are plenty of brilliant students at school—why you?" he pressed.

I pondered for a moment before responding, "She's curious about how I managed to score 100 on the last test. As an average student, she believes I can provide insight into how others might improve themselves. She's looking to assist other students."

"That's it?" all three echoed in unison.

"Yes, she wants to meet so she can extend help to others," I explained, hoping my excuse would hold.

Zen let out a sigh of relief. "Good, I was worried you'd be her next target," he said.

Shu nodded in agreement, "I was concerned too, but if that's the reason, then it's fine. It's a bit odd that she wants to help others, though. Maybe the rumors aren't true," she pondered.

As Shu spoke, the bell signaling the start of the first period rang, prompting everyone to take their seats. Zen and Shu headed to their desks, and just before Aris departed, she leaned in with a plea.

"Please, keep my job a secret from Zen, okay?" she whispered and then hurried away.

The final bell of the day rang out across the school.

As usual, Zen made his way to his club, and Shu left to visit her grandmother. Alone with my thoughts, I decided it was time to meet Luna. She had mentioned she'd be in the club room. Upon arrival, I found her seated comfortably, sipping her tea. She greeted me warmly and poured a cup for me as well.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I inquired.

Luna glanced around, seemingly searching for someone. "Well, I just need to confirm something, but first, where's Bell?" she asked.

"I left her at home; she was a bit of trouble yesterday," I replied.

Luna nodded, then hesitated. "Ah, what I wanted to say is..."