"Okay,” came a muffled reply.

  I nearly didn’t catch it. Her voice was faint, distant and cold. There was no hint of emotion in it, no hint of whether she was happy,irritated or disgusted by me. But that didn’t matter. Because in my head, I could already hear trumpets blaring and her single word kept replaying in the rhythm — okay, okay, okay.

  I had to respond somehow. So, I forced my mouth open, trying to hide the stupid grin forming beneath my serious face.

  “Uh...thanks. See you then.”

  For a second, or maybe less, our eyes met again. Something was left unsaid between us. Something wordless, fragile, impossible to describe.

  Words are cruel things, aren’t they? Even when she spoke coldly, like she was keeping her distance, her eyes whispered something else.

  Or maybe that was just my ego, blinding me, seeing light where there was none. But I’ve always been a romantic fool, so I wanted to believe in that . And maybe someday, I’d hear it from her lips for real.

  Until then, I turned back towards my seat, feeling the echo of her voice still tangled in my thoughts. Around me, the classroom was alive and chaotic with noise again, whispers, footsteps, a few low tch's and grunts thrown my way.

  Whatever, I’d grown accustomed to them.

  The stares, the gossip, the petty noise; none of it mattered. What mattered was what came next. We were partners now. Which meant I had to talk to her more, coordinate and plan. For that, I needed her digital ID.

  “Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, “I should have asked.”

  Just then, I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.

  It was Daniel —the guy sitting behind me, with a grin that balanced perfectly between ‘Dude, that was insane’ and ‘Can’t believe you pulled that off.’

  “That was smooth,” he said, lowering his voice. “Didn’t know you had it in you.”

  I blinked. “Had what in me?”

  “You know, being all confident and forceful. That was cool, man.”

  Putting aside the word ‘forceful.’ I focused on the cool part, carefully ignoring the rest. I let the complements puff my ego up like a balloon on fire.

  “I mean, I felt sorry for her too,” Daniel continued. “I’ve seen the messages about her too. Those were nasty, man. Real low.”

  “Well..I—.” I started, fumbling for words but Daniel didn’t let me finish.

  “ Tell you what,” he cut in, flashing his usual cocky grin. “You still need two more for trials, right? Why don’t I join you guys? I kinda wanna see what the ice queen is like up close.”

  “HUH!?”

  “ What do you mean two more people?” I asked, blinking dumbfoundedly at Daniel, wondering if my ears heard it wrong.

  “Uh.. You didn’t hear the teacher?” he replied, hesitating, that tone that people use when they realize they’re talking to an idiot.

  “Hear what?” I shot back, clearly not getting it

  “ He means,” Elizabeth, the pink haired gyaru class rep butted in, flicking her hair dramatically, “that the trials are supposed to be in four man teams, not two, you clueless, glasses-wearing wannabe hero.”

  I froze.

  She smirked.

  And before I could avert my eyes, she leaned forward, closing the distance between us until her glittery face was centimetres away from mine.

  From the outside, it probably looked like she was about to kiss me.

  Spoiler: she was definitely not.

  “You didn’t even listen to the teacher properly,” she teased, eyes glinting with mischief. “How the hell are you planning to impress the princess if you can;t even follow basic instructions?”

  Her voice dripped with mockery, but there was a grin hiding in there.

  “I-I’m not trying to impress her!” I protested, pushing her back slightly, my face heating up.

  “Hmmm? Next you’re gonna say that wasn’t a confession, right?” she said tilting her head with a sly grin.

  A GUT PUNCH OUT OF NOWHERE.

  “C-co-confession? That’s not what that was!” I blurted out, tripping over my words.

  “ Sure, sure,” She said, clearly not buying it. “You’re not fooling me, hero boy.”

  “You’re misunderstanding!”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Says the guy with a crush.”

  “No, I don't! I Just wanted to be friends!”

  “As if I’d believe that sneaky line.”

  “Wh–how do I make you believe it then!?”

  She didn’t miss a beat.

  “Easy. Let me and Daniel join your team.”

  “What—but I can’t just decide that on my own!.”

  “ Then maybe” she said sweetly, eyes narrowing, “ as your cute class rep, I should just officially announce it to the whole class.”

  She turned to Daniel. “ What do you think, Rudolf?”

  Daniel scratched his cheek, pretending to think, but his grin gave him away. “Well, she’s got a point. And, honestly, what’s the harm in letting us tag along?”

  “You too?” I groaned.

  Elizabeth smirked, like she’d just scored the winning goal.

  “Well?”

  I sighed, shoulders dropping. “Fine.. I’ll ask her.

  I couldn’t tell who was worse – the teasing gyaru or traitor behind me who was clearly enjoying the show.

  …

  Like that, the short break was over. Next up were field classes so we packed up and moved.

  When you think about it, this wasn’t half bad. Arguing, laughing, teasing – all those tiny things made up this small world called the classroom.

  And If this small world was hierarchical, cruel, and unfair… then it was also warm, loud and strangely hopeful.

  The world I’ d been reincarnated into was one of endless war and loss —a world where every child was being raised for battle, whether they wanted it or not. Maybe that’s why moments like this hit different. Watching Elizabeth and Danield bicker with me over something stupid…it actually lifted my spirits.

  . The world wasn’t so bad after all.

  …

  Finally the day ended and it was time to head back to the dorms. Usually, that was the time of the day when I could stretch, relax, maybe stare blankly at the ceiling while passing my time.

  But not today..

  Because today, I was nervous. Nervous to the point my whole body felt like slime.

  I stood outside the classroom building, waiting under the flickering night near the exit.

  Waiting for who? Well the Ice queen as Daniel called her– Kiyara Aryavane.

  It wasn’t exactly by choice, though. I was pressured. Daniel and Elizabeth had ganged up on me earlier, practically shoving me into the situation. They wanted to join my team for the trials, our team, technically I was in Kiyara’s team according to me. So I don’t know what was going on. Talk about being complicated.

  Still…it wasn’t too bad. It gave me an excuse to talk to her again and you know, maybe get her digital ID.

  The only problem? She was late.

  Even Daniel and Elizabeth were there, hiding behind a column like middle school spies, whispering commentary and giggling every now and then. Great. A live audience. A full blown youth romantic comedy in a post- apocalyptic world.

  I sighed. “What’s taking her so long…”

  As if on cue, the elevator doors opened with a soft chime and a silhouette stepped out.

  Slow, graceful steps echoed down the empty hallway. The closer she came, the clearer she became

  It was Kiyara. Unlike us, who were in school uniform, she wore a light-blue, knee length, smock dress, while her dark hair flowing softly behind her.

  It was twilight outside, though the sky wasn’t warm orange, it was heavy and gray. Still I couldn’t help but imagine how she would’ve looked if the sun were setting properly, her skin brushed in gold, glowing like a melancholy dream.

  Now it was just two of us; the empty hall; the faint hum of lights and her quiet presence approaching me.

  When her eyes finally found mine. I panicked and waved, way too awkwardly, forcing a smile that probably screamed creep more than friendly.

  “Miss..Aryavane,” I began, trying to sound natural and definitely failing. “ Sorry for stopping you like this. I just..had something to ask you.”

  Hearing that, Kiyara's expression didn’t change much. She just looked at me silently for a few seconds. Then suddenly, she gave me a small nod.

  DAMN IT.. THAT WAS FREAKING CUTE.

  I somehow managed not to let that thought slip out loud, Maintaining my so-called composure, I explained everything about Daniel and class rep’s interests in joining our team for the trials team. I also told her that if she had someone else in mind, she could reject them outright.

  Kiyara stayed quiet, unblinking, thinking. But during that entire time, her eyes were fixed on me.

  It was weird.

  I even turned around twice to check if someone was standing behind me. But there was no one. Just me. And her gaze.

  Her calm, cold stare felt like it could pierce right through my soul. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and I’d take a stare over disgust any day.

  After a long pause, she nodded.

  CRAP– ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE AND I’M GONE. WHY IS SHE SO QUIET?!

  “Can I , uh, call them here?” I asked her, trying to sound composed.

  Another nod.

  “Guys, she said –”

  Before I could finish, the two had already jumped out from behind the pillar they were hiding behind.

  Daniel gave her a quick look, before leaning in and quietly whispering to me, “ Up close, she’s got a whole different aura. You have got an eye, man.”

  What’s up with the twelve years old of this world, I thought and glared at him. “Yah, i get you, but can you people stop teasing me in front of her?”

  Meanwhile, Elizabeth was in full gyaru- inspection mode. She tiled her head, scanning Kiyara from head to toe, her eyes narrow with curiosity.

  Due to that , Kiyara froze, completely stiff, like a statue.

  I grabbed Elizabeth by the sleeve and pulled her a little closer, whispering harshly, “You’re intimidating her. Please stop.”

  “Chill, dude,” she said, grinning. “I’m not gonna eat her. Just trying to see what you see in her”

  “For the last time, I am not into her.. Stop making it weird. She will get the wrong idea.”

  “Hmm, really?” she tilted her head playfully, her eyes sparkling, every blink was like a jab trying to knock me down.

  Before I could say anything else, I noticed Kiyara watching us. Her head tilted slightly to the side, lips parting as if she wanted to say something, but she closed them again.

  Silence.

  And then –

  “Mistress Kiyara”

  A deep unfamiliar voice cut through the air like a shard of glass. We all turned towards the sound. A man dressed entirely in black stood near the exit, his figure tall and sharp, face hidden behind dark sunglasses (useless in this world)

  A classic bodyguard.

  He strode toward us, expression unreadable, and gently took her hand.

  “Let’s go, Mistress Kiyara,” he said and pulled her along. Kiyara followed, her light footsteps almost soundless against the floor.

  For a moment, I just stood there, watching her go. But something inside me twisted, like a thread being knotted. If I didn’t say something now, maybe I’d never get another chance.

  So I took a deep breath and shouted with all the air my lungs could hold: “See you tomorrow, Miss Aryavane!”

  The man stopped. Then he turned, his sharp gaze cut toward me like a knife through the gut.

  I froze. But I didn’t look away. Not this time. He turned back and continued walking, escorting her toward the waiting vehicle.

  But I still didn’t look away. It was as if I was waiting for something.

  And just as they reached the door, Kiyara turned.

  She looked back at me, eyes the same hazy, calm and cold, while her lips faintly moved. No sound reached me, but I didn’t need to hear.

  I knew what she said.

  “Okay.”

  And somehow, that quiet, voiceless word felt warmer than anything I’d ever heard.

  …

  Words are cruel things. Always failing to hold what we truly mean. On their own, they could sound cold, blunt, even ugly, yet, they matter. Because sometimes, it’s not the words themselves that carry meaning, but the person who speaks them.