Rio raised an eyebrow, sensing something was clearly wrong.
"Dude… what's going on with you?" he whispered, leaning closer. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Aster blinked, snapping out of whatever dark thoughts had swallowed him.
For a brief moment, his expression softened into something almost vulnerable—but it disappeared just as quickly.
He forced a casual smile.
"Nothing," Aster said lightly. "Just surprised, that's all."
Rio wasn't convinced.
"Surprised?" he muttered. "You look like you're about to murder someone."
Aster's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"Come on," he added after a moment. "Let's just focus on the class."
But Rio couldn't help noticing something strange.
Aster's gaze kept drifting toward the front of the classroom.
Toward Mr. Ryan Cassano.
And the look in Aster's eyes was anything but normal.
Fear.
Anger.
Hatred.
Rio frowned slightly.
What the hell is going on…?
The Professor
Meanwhile, the new professor had already captured the attention of the entire room.
Ryan Cassano stood at the front of the class like he owned the place.
His voice was deep and smooth, carrying a natural authority that demanded attention without effort.
Every word he spoke dripped with confidence.
Every movement felt deliberate.
His sharp gaze swept slowly across the students as he spoke, as though measuring each of them.
It was strangely intimidating.
Some students found it attractive.
Others found it unsettling.
But no one dared to look away.
Rio tried to focus on the lecture, but something kept distracting him.
Something about this man…
Something about his presence…
It felt oddly familiar.
And yet he was sure he had never met him before.
Then suddenly—
Ryan's gaze stopped.
Right on Rio.
A slow smile curved his lips.
"Ah… Mr. de Orlando."
The sudden attention made Rio straighten instinctively.
"I see you're as attentive as ever," Ryan continued smoothly.
The class turned to look at Rio.
Rio scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
Great. First day and I'm already the target.
Ryan clasped his hands behind his back.
"In fact," he continued, "I have a very special assignment for you."
A murmur spread through the room.
Rio blinked.
"For… me?"
Ryan nodded slightly.
"One that will test your creativity."
The way he said the word made Rio feel an unexpected chill crawl down his spine.
Ryan's eyes lingered on him longer than necessary.
And for some reason—
Rio's heart skipped.
Something about that gaze made him uneasy.
Why does this feel so… familiar?
He couldn't explain it.
It was like trying to remember a dream that vanished the moment you woke up.
Then suddenly—
Rio felt something tighten around his waist.
A strong grip.
Firm.
Possessive.
His eyes widened.
"Aster—what are you doing?" Rio whispered quickly, pushing the hand away.
He glanced around nervously to see if anyone had noticed.
Thankfully, no one seemed to be paying attention.
Except—
Aster wasn't even looking at him.
His eyes were locked on Ryan.
Burning with silent rage.
It was as if he hadn't even realized he had grabbed Rio.
The tension in his body was so intense his knuckles had turned white.
Rio blinked in confusion.
Aster…?
It looked almost childish.
Like a kid desperately clutching his favorite toy because someone might take it away.
Meanwhile—
Ryan Cassano hadn't missed a single detail.
His gaze remained fixed on Rio.
Carefully studying his face.
Searching.
Almost… desperately.
As if he was trying to confirm something hidden beneath Rio's expression.
Something that reminded him of someone else.
A Warning
Suddenly Aster leaned closer.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Don't trust him."
Rio blinked.
"What?"
Aster's jaw tightened.
"He's not what he seems."
Rio stared at him, stunned.
What the hell does that mean?
But before he could ask anything—
Ryan's voice cut through the room.
Deep.
Smooth.
And strangely hypnotic.
"Now then… where were we?"
His eyes returned to Rio.
"Ah yes. Mr. Rio de Orlando."
Rio swallowed.
"Yes, sir?"
Ryan tilted his head slightly.
"For your next assignment…"
He paused.
"…the topic will be organizing a business event or conference."
Several students immediately started whispering.
Ryan continued calmly.
"You will be responsible for planning and executing a real business-related event."
He began walking slowly across the room as he spoke.
"A seminar… a workshop… a networking conference…"
His gaze flickered back toward Rio.
"A demonstration of your project management abilities."
Rio nodded slowly.
Okay… that sounds normal.
But Ryan wasn't finished.
A small spark of amusement appeared in his eyes.
"However… we'll add a little twist."
The classroom fell silent.
Everyone leaned forward slightly.
Ryan smiled faintly.
"What if we combine business with art?"
The students exchanged confused looks.
Ryan continued.
"Your assignment will involve organizing a public exhibition."
He stopped directly in front of Rio's desk.
"You will select a product to present and promote through artistic depiction."
Rio frowned slightly, trying to understand.
Ryan leaned closer.
"You must convince your audience."
"Meet their expectations."
"Understand their desires."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Sell them the dream."
The room remained silent.
Ryan straightened again.
"The university will provide the initial funding for your exhibition."
That made several students look impressed.
"But," Ryan continued calmly, "since this will be a real event… your exhibition must generate enough revenue to repay that funding."
Now the students looked nervous.
Ryan's eyes returned to Rio.
"And that," he finished softly, "is your assignment."
Then he lowered his head slightly toward Rio and spoke in a quieter tone.
"Choose your product carefully."
His gaze sharpened.
"Especially the depiction."
Rio felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine.
Something about that sentence felt like a hidden message.
Aster Interferes
Before Rio could react—
Aster suddenly stood up.
His chair scraped loudly against the floor.
The class turned toward him.
Aster's voice was calm but firm.
"Sir."
Ryan looked at him.
"Yes?"
"As you mentioned," Aster said steadily, "this is a group assignment."
Ryan nodded slowly.
"So?"
Aster didn't hesitate.
"I would like to complete the assignment in collaboration with Rio."
The room grew quiet.
For a moment—
Ryan simply stared at him.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"Ah."
His eyes flickered between them.
"Collaboration."
He clasped his hands behind his back again.
"Very good."
His voice carried a trace of amusement.
"After all… teamwork is an essential skill in business."
He nodded slightly.
"Your request is approved."
Aster sat down again.
But the tension in his shoulders never relaxed.
Rio leaned toward him immediately.
"Okay," he whispered, "now you definitely need to explain what's going on."
But Aster didn't answer.
Because at that moment—
Ryan Cassano was still watching them.
After Class
When the lecture finally ended, the students began gathering their things.
But Rio barely had time to stand before Aster grabbed his arm.
"We need to talk."
"Now."
Rio blinked.
"Whoa, okay—"
But Aster had already started pulling him toward the door.
They stepped into the corridor.
Rio was about to ask something when—
Soft hands suddenly covered his eyes from behind.
A cheerful voice whispered in his ear.
"Rio~ guess who?"
Rio chuckled.
"Lisa?"
But before he could say more—
Aster's hand shot up instantly.
He grabbed the girl's wrists and pulled them away from Rio's eyes.
His expression was cold.
Sharp.
"Listen," Aster said through clenched teeth.
"Rio is busy right now."
The girl blinked in surprise.
"I need to speak with him about something important."
His voice dropped lower.
"So if you don't mind…"
He stepped slightly closer.
"Leave."
The girl looked stunned.
Aster had never spoken to her like that before.
"…Okay," she muttered awkwardly.
But just as she turned—
Aster gave her a quick, subtle gesture behind Rio's back.
A silent signal.
Don't follow.
Lisa hesitated.
Then quietly walked away.
Rio watched her go, feeling uncomfortable.
"What was that about?" he asked.
Aster placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Come."
They walked further down the corridor until it was empty.
Confrontation
Rio stopped walking.
"Aster," he said seriously, "why did you talk to her like that?"
Aster didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He turned slowly.
And looked at Rio.
The expression in his eyes made Rio freeze.
There were too many emotions there.
Confusion.
Fear.
Jealousy.
Something deeper.
Before Rio could react—
Aster suddenly lifted both hands and placed them on Rio's cheeks.
Forcing him to look directly at him.
Rio's eyes widened.
"Aster…?"
Aster's voice came out quiet.
Almost fragile.
"Tell me something honestly."
Rio blinked.
"…What?"
Aster swallowed.
"Do you have feelings for that girl?"
Rio stared at him in complete shock.
"WHAT?"
His brain completely short-circuited.
"Of course not!"
He laughed nervously.
"Lisa is just our classmate. Our friend. That's it."
He said the words quickly, almost defensively.
Aster stared at him for several seconds.
Then finally exhaled.
"…Good."
Rio frowned.
"Aster, what—"
But Aster interrupted him.
"I don't need anyone else," he said quietly.
His eyes looked strangely bright.
"I only need you."
Rio froze.
"If you really didn't care about her," Aster continued, "then why were you so bothered by how I treated her?"
His voice cracked slightly.
Aster's eyes were glistening now.
Rio felt his chest tighten.
"Aster…"
"What's going on with you?" Rio asked softly.
Aster looked away.
"I don't know."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I just feel… protective."
He clenched his fists slightly.
"I don't want anyone to hurt you."
Rio's heart skipped.
There was something deeper behind those words.
Something unspoken.
Something dangerous.
"I care about you too," Rio said gently.
"But this…"
He hesitated.
"This feels like more than just protection."
Aster's gaze dropped to the floor.
"I…"
He swallowed hard.
"I don't think I can explain it."
He took a step back.
"Forget it."
His voice turned quiet again.
"Let's just focus on the assignment."
But Rio couldn't ignore what just happened.
He reached forward and grabbed Aster's shoulder.
"Aster."
Aster froze.
Rio's voice softened.
"We're not done talking about this."
Slowly—
Aster turned back toward him.
Their eyes met.
The air between them felt thick.
Electric.
Full of words neither of them knew how to say.
And somewhere far away—
Inside a quiet classroom—
Arthur Blake watched through the window.
His lips curved slowly into a dangerous smile.
The game was becoming far more interesting than he expected.