[Nana’s POV]

The classroom, 10 minutes earlier:

Homeroom hasn’t quite started yet, and every student in class is talking about Kaname and his return. With the rumor that he’ll be joining our class, everyone takes the chance to huddle together in the middle of the room to gossip about it.

“So where is he? I thought you said he was going to be in our class?” Asks a classmate.

“That’s what I heard.”

“Are you sure? You probably heard wrong, you know. Not even Madam Vice is here and she’s never late. They probably had her transfer to whatever class they put him in.”

“No, that can’t be. I even heard Madam President say so herself. And I’m sure you heard how she’s always had a thing for him.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

“Apparently she—,”

After hearing my name of endearment behind my back, I can’t help but to make myself a part of the conversation, “Apparently she what?”

“Oh! Good Morning, Madam President! We…we were just…talking about how…”

Another girl speaks up to cover for the other’s hesitation. “How Madam Vice’s twin brother will be transferring into our class this year! We’re all really excited to see if they truly look alike.”

I knew they had been talking about more than what was being relayed to me. ‘How can some girls be so careless about something as simple as gossip?’ I think. But aloud, I say, “Well, you’re all going to be in for a good surprise, because they actually are identical.”

“O. M. G., really?!”

“See! I told you!”

“Well, now I really want to meet him! If there’s a boy version of Madam Vice then he’s for sure to die for. Do you think so, Madam Pres.?”

I frown slightly. “Why are you asking me?”

“Well, I heard that you went to primary and middle school with both Madam Vice and her brother. So you already know what he looks like, right?”

“Were you guys close?”

“Slow down! Haha!” I can’t help but find their enthusiasm amusing. “I can only answer one question at a time.” I think, ‘This is my chance.’ So, I continue, “But to answer your questions: Yes, he is so handsome. And yes, we were pretty close. Some might even say that we were childhood sweethearts.”

“What?! No way!” The statements have the intended impact on the girls.

“No way, Madam Pres.! Then this is like a fateful reunion for you two, right?” The girl practically bounces on the balls of her feet in her excitement. “Two young lovers, separated by circumstances out of their control! But fate decided to give them a second chance at love by having them meet in their last year of high school before becoming adults! It sounds too romantic!”

The girl beside her shakes her head, laughing. “You’ve read way too much manga.”

“It’s a guilty pleasure of mine!” The first girl says with not an ounce of shame.

After I planted my seed I try to find a way to leave the conversation. I see the boys in class, who weren’t taking the news of the returning student as well as the girls, on the other side of the room. There is only one guy in particular who doesn’t seem to be reacting at all, unlike the other boys. But even though he doesn’t show much emotion, one can tell that he isn’t really happy about the news simply by his silence. He must’ve felt me staring because he suddenly turns and makes eye contact with me.

“The guys don’t seem very happy about the new transfer student,” one girl comments as she follows my line of sight.

“Why would they?” To soften her words, I add in a conspiratorial whisper, ”He’s going to take all the attention from them. Not that they really get any anyway.“

“Haha, so true.”

“That’s not the only reason.” The quiet boy appears standing beside me having approached when I leaned down to whisper, his expression still serious. “Kaname Takahashi wasn’t only known for his looks. He was also known for his guitar playing and reckless behavior—or should I say, his delinquent behavior. Takahashi was someone who caused fights, broke property, including school property, and had any girl he wanted. Girls wouldn’t understand why a guy like that wouldn’t be liked by us guys.”

”Way to kill the mood Renji!”

“Yeah! It’s not nice to spread rumors like that! You don’t even know him!”

“And did you say, ‘guitar playing’? He plays?”

Seeing another opportunity I decide to quickly act on it. I put on the biggest smile and say, “Oh, did you guys know? I wasn’t the only one in this room that grew up with Mr. Takahashi.”

“Really?!”

“Who else?!”

I place my hand on Renji’s shoulder and say, “Renji Shizuhara. They were the best of friends, back then. You wouldn’t ever see one without the other. Isn’t that right, Renji?”

“No. Way.”

“Then why were you saying all those bad things about him, just now? Did something bad happen?”

“Yeah, Renji?” I give Renji a teasing grin. “Did something bad happen?”

Renji looks around as the girls stare at him, earnestly waiting for his answer. “Nothing happened. We were just being kids. It’s been 3 years, so I’m sure he’s probably changed in some ways. Don’t you think, Madam President?” With his face still unchanging, he walks back to the group of boys.

“Wow, has Renji always been like that?”

“Someone didn’t have a very good break, huh?”

“So do you think Kaname was really like that? And if he was, do you think he still is?”

“I hope not. I’m not really into the bad boy type.”

“Me either. What about you, Madam Pres.? Do you think he’s still the same?”

“Well, I can do without the fights and breaking of property. But as far as having any woman he wants. That part doesn't sound so bad to me.” After I have my bit of fun, I spot Yue sitting on her own at her desk, staring out the window. While staring at Yue I think to myself, ‘As long as she’s not one of them.’ I take my seat just as the classroom door opens and the homeroom teacher walks in.

—

[Yue’s POV]

“Everyone rise,” Nana instructs.

The class stands and greets the teacher. “Good morning, everyone! Let’s take our seats and get down to business, shall we! I know that I’m a little late, but I found out that the new student had to make a quick detour before coming to class.”

After hearing this, several students’ imaginations kick into high gear, and they begin secretly texting one another in the student-created, class group chat.

With everyone texting, my phone starts going off nonstop in my pocket, bringing me back to reality. Glancing at the desk in front of me, I notice that it’s empty. ‘Where’s Kikyo?’ I wonder. My phone goes off again after a pause, so I quickly take it out of my pocket thinking it’s probably from Kikyo. Seeing it’s just the class group chat, and not from Kikyo, I almost dismiss it until I see her name mentioned in one of the texts.

<Do you guys think Kikyo is with him?>

‘Who’s him?’ I think, as I read the group chat, to see what’s going on. 

“Ms. Tachibana!”

Remembering where I am, I slowly lift my head to find the class and the homeroom teacher staring at me. Nana, in particular, leans in with interest for the incoming lecture.

I rise from my chair in response to my name being called. “Yes, sir.”

“I know I’m only a homeroom teacher,” he says shaking his head. “And with your academic grades, I’m sure this information is all unnecessary for you. But let’s not get reckless just because we’re almost done, okay?”

“Yes, sir. Forgive me.” I bow slightly with my apology. “I was only worried about our class Vice President and was about to text her to find out where she is.”

“Oh…well…I guess it’s alright, then.” As I sit down, the teacher takes a quick look around the room at the clear question on all of their faces. “If you all must know. Your Vice President is—”

The class door slides open and in walks Kikyo. 

“Kikyo!” Nana exclaims first.

“There you are, Madam Vice!”

“Vice President! Where have you been?!”

Everyone, except for me, rises from their seats to confront Kikyo on why she was late. “I’m sorry to worry everyone. I had a minor issue with my brother, that I had to tend to.”

“Talking about your brother, Kikyo! Where is he?” Nana says, with obvious intent.

“Oh…well…he’s—”

Just then there’s a sound of a ruler slamming on a hard surface. Silencing everyone and bringing their attention to the Homeroom Teacher, who made the disturbing noise. He says, “He’s waiting for you all to take your seats and be silent, so he can greet all of you.” Everyone’s eyes widen before they run to their seats without saying another word. Kikyo walks to her desk, giving me a slight grin until she takes her seat.

“Alright, class!” the teacher calls out, seeking to regain order. “Hopefully, after this, you can all finally get yourselves together. Come on in, Mr. Takahashi!” 

[Kaname’s POV]

It seems as if the whole class, including the guys, go into absolute shock as I walk in the room. It somewhat reminds me of when I used to walk out on stage. The silence of the audience can mean a number of things. The ones that don’t know you are analyzing if they’re going to like you through your appearance. The ones that know you, smile or wave at you to let you know that they’re there to support you. And there are also the ones that used to know you. They’re the ones that think they know the current you and already have set expectations. 

“Class!” says the teacher. “This, as everyone can suspect, is your class’s new student! Go ahead and introduce yourself! Although, I’m sure you don’t really need the introductions. But since this is the way things are done, why change them, right?”

I slightly bow to the class and say, “Good morning, everyone. I’m actually not really that new, I just haven’t been in the area for a while. But for those that don’t know me, my name is Kaname Takahashi. I apologize for keeping your beloved Vice President from class. I didn’t realize my sister was so important these days. I’ll try not to do that in the future.”

 With a huge silence that still possesses the room, I look around, and from the swooning looks on all the girls' faces, it seems like I’ve already won them over—at least, until I came across her face.

That’s when I remember. How could I forget? In rare cases, there’s going to be individuals in the audience, where it's not that they don’t like you, per say, but rather, they don’t have any kind of interest in you at all. To some, they’re the most important people in the crowd. And even though her face isn’t exactly giving away that she doesn’t like me, her gazing out the window for sure communicates that she’s uninterested. And the girl is none other than Sleeping Beauty. I can’t help but smile. 

‘Who would have thought we’d be in the same class….’