Chapter 6
The final bell echoed through the halls of The Royal Guardian High School, signaling the end of another day. Students spilled out of their classrooms, their laughter and chatter filling the corridors as they headed toward the gates.
But Aleza remained in her seat. Her eyes were fixed on her books, her focus unwavering as the school grew silent.
Suddenly, the classroom door creaked open. Aleza didn't look up, her gaze glued to the pages.
"School ended ten minutes ago, Aleza. Why are you still here?" Rayzon asked, his voice soft as he walked toward her desk.
Aleza didn't lift her head. "I can't focus at home. I'm catching up on some lessons. I'll leave in an hour."
Rayzon smirked, leaning against the neighboring desk. "Is that so? Maybe I could help you with your studies?"
Aleza's eyes snapped shut. SLAM! She brought her hand down on the desk with enough force to make the wood groan. She stood up, her face flushed with sudden irritation.
"Enough, Rayzon! Stop trying to get close to me. I don't like it, okay? Every student in this school has left—why are you still haunting me? Just leave me alone!"
Her voice was sharp, vibrating with anger, yet Rayzon's expression didn't flicker. A calm, gentle smile remained on his lips.
"Fine," Rayzon said quietly. "If that's what you want, I'll leave. I'll make sure to stay out of your way from now on. And... if I've bothered you, I'm sorry."
He turned and began to walk away. His footsteps echoed in the hollow classroom. But just as his foot crossed the threshold of the door, a voice cut through the silence.
"Wait!"
Rayzon froze. He turned slowly, looking back to see Aleza standing by her desk. Her hand was reached out toward him, her face a deep, startled crimson. There was a strange, flickering light in her eyes—something between panic and longing.
Rayzon tilted his head. "Yes, Aleza? Is there something else?"
Aleza blinked rapidly, pulling her hand back as if it had been burned. She looked down at the floor, her voice trembling and hesitant. "No... it's nothing. Just... just go."
Rayzon smiled, a hint of knowing in his eyes. "Alright. Take care of yourself."
As soon as he vanished, Aleza slumped back into her chair, her hand clutching her chest. Her heart was thundering against her ribs. Why did I stop him? What is wrong with me? Why is my heart racing like this?
She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to calm down. "It's nothing, Aleza. You're overthinking." She buried her face in her books once more, trying to drown out the sound of her own heartbeat.
An hour later, as the clock struck 4:00 PM, Aleza packed her bag and left the deserted school.
As she walked down the street, a prickle of intuition crawled up her spine. Someone was following her. She stopped, glancing over her shoulder out of the corner of her eye. Seeing nothing, she turned back and kept walking.
A few steps later, she stopped again. This time, she spun around fully, her eyes sharp.
"Whoever you are, come out now! Don't test me—I'm a professional-level fighter!"
Rayzon stepped out from behind a utility pole, his hands in his pockets and a playful grin on his face. "Wow... your sixth sense is incredible."
Aleza exhaled a long, frustrated sigh. "Why are you still in your uniform? Why haven't you gone home?"
Rayzon whistled, looking up at the sky innocently. "I was waiting for my sister. she told me to meet her outside, but she never showed. Then I saw you leaving, and I figured I'd follow you for a bit."
Aleza narrowed her eyes. "You're a terrible liar. You weren't waiting for any sister, were you?"
Rayzon scratched the back of his head, chuckling. "Guilty. Like I said, your sixth sense is top-tier. You caught me."
Aleza sighed again, her shoulders dropping in defeat. "Fine. Why were you waiting for me? Why follow me?"
Suddenly, a loud, rumbling growl erupted from Rayzon's stomach. He turned bright red, clutching his midsection. "I'm starving. Can we eat first? I need to talk to you about the upcoming School Festival."
Aleza turned, her classic attitude returning. "If it's about school, we can talk over a meal. But at a restaurant I choose."
Rayzon hesitated. "Look, I don't usually eat at... local places. Why don't we go to a VIP lounge instead?"
Aleza didn't even answer. She just started walking.
Rayzon sighed, a defeated smile on his face. "Alright, alright. I get it." He jogged to catch up with her.
Aleza led him to a place that was neither too large nor too small, but it was beautiful. It sat in a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Inside, they took a booth by the window.
"It's small... but it's actually quite nice," Rayzon admitted, looking around.
Aleza was staring out the window, her gaze distant. "This is my favorite spot. I used to come here all the time... a long time ago."
Rayzon leaned in, his eyes searching hers. "A long time ago? What do you mean by that? Were you away somewhere?"
Aleza's eyes widened for a split second, but she masked the reaction instantly. "I just meant I've been coming here for years. Now, what do you want to eat?"
"Honestly, I'd never be caught dead eating at a local joint like this, but—"
"But what?" Aleza snapped. "Then stay hungry. If you don't want the food, then leave."
"Wait, wait! Let me finish!" Rayzon said quickly. "I meant... I'm actually excited to try it. It'll be a first for me, and I'm glad I'm experiencing it with you."
Aleza eyed him suspiciously. "Are you serious?"
"I swear on it."
Aleza ordered a full, large-sized extra-cheese pizza. Rayzon stared at her in shock. "Can a small girl like you actually finish that whole thing?"
Aleza leaned her elbows on the table, a smug, defiant smirk on her face. "Watch me. I can finish the whole thing. But a guy like you? You'll probably give up after two slices."
Rayzon laughed, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, you're probably right. I've got a light appetite. Maybe you could share a slice or two with me?"
Aleza let out a short laugh. "Oh? Looks like the rich boy forgot his wallet and can't afford his own pizza, so he's begging for mine?"
Rayzon smiled, thinking to himself: I could buy this entire restaurant if I wanted to. But aloud, he said, "You caught me again, Aleza. I left my wallet at home. I'd never ask otherwise, really."
Aleza smiled—a genuine, soft smile. "Fine. I'll share. Now tell me... what about the festival?"
Rayzon's expression turned serious. "You've only been here two days. You don't know how ruthless these students can be to win. You're entering both the Beauty and Singing competitions. That means you're going up against Mami-chan, the undefeated beauty queen, and Rehan Forsu, the most famous singer in school."
He leaned forward. "Mami-chan has never lost. Her silver hair, her golden eyes, her porcelain skin—she's a porcelain doll. And Rehan? His voice is like honey; he hypnotizes the crowd. To beat them, Aleza, you have to be ten steps ahead."
Aleza smirked. "A competition isn't fun unless it's a challenge. I believe in myself. I'll win both."
Rayzon smiled. "Since you're so confident, I want to help you. Give me a chance to be on your team. I know you're going to break every record this school has."
Aleza didn't hesitate. "No thanks. I do things on my own."
Rayzon sighed. "If you carry everything on your shoulders, you'll burn out. Your confidence will crumble if you're alone."
Aleza touched her shoulder, her voice dropping. "I've always done it this way."
Rayzon reached across the table, extending his hand. "If you do it alone, you might win... but you'll have no one to celebrate with. Take my hand as a friend, Aleza. I want to see you win with my own eyes."
A rare, mysterious smile touched Aleza's lips. This time, she didn't pull away. She placed her hand in his. "Fine. Let's win this together."
Rayzon grinned. "Now that's a smart girl."
Aleza suddenly squeezed his hand with a crushing grip, a dangerous smirk on her face. "Does that mean you thought I was stupid before?"
"Ow! No! I was just... I was complimenting you! Please, let go!" Rayzon winced in pain.
After the meal, they stood outside. The sky was painted in brilliant oranges and purples as the sun dipped below the horizon. Aleza watched the sunset, a peaceful smile on her face.
Rayzon stood beside her, mesmerized by the view. "So this is why this place is special. This sunset... it's breathtaking."
Aleza turned away, her mood shifting back to her usual cool self. "My house is close. I can walk from here. And if you follow me again, my bag is going to meet your face again. Goodbye, Rayzon. See you at school."
Rayzon blinked, watching her walk away into the twilight. Was she always this temperamental? he wondered. She's on a completely different level. Even my own ego fails in front of her. Aleza... you're truly something else.