Andrew The Detective jolted in fright. If he were a cat, he would have leaped two or three meters into the air in sheer terror.

“N-No! It’s nothing! I-I think I’ve gathered all the information I need. I’m heading back to class. Bye!”

Like a flash of lightning, Andrew The Detective shot up and bolted toward class 11B, nearly tripping over a few plastic chairs along the way.

Royce plopped down onto an empty plastic chair beside Ethan. His dark, icy expression gradually faded away, disappearing so suddenly it was as if it had never been there in the first place.

“Good! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me directly.”

Royce called after Andrew The Detective, then flashed a bright smile, showing off his perfectly aligned white teeth. Mischief danced in his eyes once again.

“How’s it going, bro?”

Ethan was still thinking about how to respond when a commotion erupted from the nearby rows of classrooms. It seemed like someone had fainted.

Today was unbearably hot, not a single cloud in the sky. Though it was only 7:30 AM, the temperature had already soared to around 37-38°C, yet Harmony High School still held the Opening Ceremony of the new school year in the yard as scheduled. However, the usual musical performances had been replaced with a memorial ceremony for Felix Hoang.

A heavy, sorrowful atmosphere engulfed the entire 10th-grade section. Many female students couldn’t hold back their emotions and had begun sobbing as the school band played a mournful funeral march.

When the somber music finally ended, the band retreated backstage, and several students stepped forward to share their thoughts about Felix Hoang, making the ceremony even more poignant.

The combination of grief, stifling heat, and the sheer number of students gathered around caused Flora Nguyen from class 11C to feel lightheaded before she collapsed on the spot.

“Hey! Move aside and let her breathe! And you two tall, long-legged boys, where’s your chivalry? Carry her to the infirmary, now!”

A booming, authoritative voice rang out, it belonged to Bach Nguyen, the school’s Physical Education teacher. He had singled out Ethan and Royce. Though Ethan was only 1.78 meters tall, a full 10 centimeters shorter than Royce, he still stood out among the other male students.

“Sir, I respectfully decline. I think you should do it instead,” Royce responded bluntly, shocking Ethan.

At his old school, no student would have dared speak to a teacher like that, not even to a young and seemingly good-humored teacher like Mr. Bach.

“But I’m not allowed to touch female students.”

“Well, I don’t like touching female students either. Hmph, I’m going to submit a petition demanding the school extend the girls’ uniform skirts past the knees.”

Royce had pointed out the real reason behind the awkward hesitation, both for Ethan and likely for himself as well.

“Are you crazy, Royce? I forbid you from submitting that petition!”

“Ohh, now I see why you’re not allowed to touch female students.”

“It’s not what you think! My girlfriend just gets jealous easily.”

“Ah, then congratulations on escaping singlehood.”

“Ugh, I’d rather stay single!”

As the two of them continued bickering, deflecting responsibility, and veering off into nonsense instead of solving the problem, Ethan decided to take action. He ran to the infirmary, grabbed a stretcher, and together with Royce, carefully transferred Flora onto it, making sure her uniform remained properly in place.

Once they got Flora to the infirmary, Royce immediately disappeared. So, the most charming boy in school was actually uncomfortable around girls?

Flora stirred slightly as she lay on the infirmary bed, a tear still clinging to her eyelashes. It seemed she was also one of Felix Hoang’s admirers.

Trina Nguyen, the school nurse, checked Flora’s temperature before grumbling at her.

“I’ve told you so many times, you need to take your medication on time. At this rate, even if you do take it, your body won’t absorb it fast enough. I’m going to have to give you an injection. Ethan, step outside.”

“No! I don’t want a shot!”

Flora whimpered in panic and clung tightly to Ethan’s arm just as he was about to leave, per Nurse Trina’s instructions.

“If you don’t take the shot, you’ll turn into an ugly monster. Is that what you want?”

Only after being threatened like a child did Flora reluctantly agree to the injection, though she still clung to Ethan’s arm for dear life. As Nurse Trina pressed the needle into her upper arm, Ethan simultaneously experienced his own pain as Flora’s fingernails dug deep into his skin. Honestly, it was unclear who was suffering more!

The worst part was that Flora could scream and cry freely to express her pain, while Ethan had to grit his teeth and endure it in silence.

When the liquid in the syringe had been fully injected, Flora finally released her grip and slowly lay back down, drifting into sleep.

Looking down, Ethan saw fresh red nail marks on his arm. Luckily, none of them had drawn blood.

Girls truly were terrifying creatures!