The morning sun kissed the marble archways of St. Freya Academy with soft, golden light—its warmth trailing lazily across cobblestone paths and ivy-laced pillars. Suspended above the world like a sanctuary untouched by despair, the campus shimmered beneath a sky brushed in endless blue.
Streaks of sunlight filtered through the glass-paneled chapel, casting broken rainbows across the inner courtyard where the breeze whispered between fresh uniforms and quiet beginnings.
And there—just beneath the largest archway that opened to the heart of it all—stood Raiden Mei.
Gone was the shadow that had once clung to her like a second skin. Her new St. Freya uniform fit her form in crisp navy and white, the silver insignia at her chest catching the sun with each breath. Her violet hair, now braided neatly, danced in the soft wind. Her posture was firm, shoulders squared—but her eyes lingered on the distant gates, where clouds drifted like forgotten memories.
She didn't move when the footsteps came—until the voice followed.
"Meiiii! Wait for me!"
Kiana shot forward like a silver blur, practically tripping over her own excitement. Her uniform flared as if trying to keep up with her. A school bag dangled half-zipped from one shoulder, and a meat bun clamped between her teeth like the most disrespectful school badge imaginable.
She reached Mei in a whirl of motion, beaming wide enough to challenge the sun.
"New uniform suits you!" Kiana grinned through her snack. "You look like you stepped out of a fashion magazine or something!"
Mei blinked, slightly flustered, before glancing down at herself. "I… wasn't sure it fit right."
"Are you kidding? You look super cute!" Kiana said proudly, dusting off Mei's already spotless sleeve. "Bet Victor would love it! Though I still think mine makes me look cooler."
"You said that about three different outfits this week," Mei murmured—but a faint, genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Other students had begun to gather—mostly girls in similar St. Freya uniforms, their badges catching the morning light. Some chattered excitedly, others stared in awe at the campus suspended in the clouds above them. But more than a few glanced toward the pair—Raiden Mei and Kiana Kaslana—already whispered names.
"Where are the boys?" Kiana asked, bouncing on her toes. "I wanna see if they clean up nice."
"I don't know," Mei replied softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "They said something about their uniforms not fitting."
"Not fitting? What does that even—"
Footsteps echoed. (A/N:play the chorus of guy.exe here ;] )
Measured. Certain. And the world quieted as two figures stepped through the gates.
And everything changed.
First—graceful, silent, deliberate. A silhouette dressed in traditional black and white. A crisp kendo uniform hugged a lithe frame, hakama pleats flowing like water around each step.
Ocean-blue hair fell in sharp contrast over pale features, silver eyes unblinking, unreadable. A shinai rested across their back like an extension of thought.
"Is that a transfer?"
"Wait… are they a girl or…?"
"Does it even matter? I'd die either way."
Yuzuki said nothing. Eyes forward. Not oblivious. Just above it.
And beside him—something else entirely.
He didn't walk. He moved.
Victor cut through the courtyard like dusk incarnate. A long black coat swayed with each step, its split tails revealing pressed charcoal slacks beneath. His shirt, matching in tone, hugged lean muscle—shadow sculpted in motion. He lifted a hand to adjust his collar—maybe from the heat, maybe because he felt the weight of every gaze.
His fingers brushed his throat, and for a brief moment, sunlight struck gold along the lines of his skin.
Just a glimpse.
Enough to silence breath.
And then it was gone.
"...That was… that was a work of art."
"His eyes…"
"Is it normal to feel faint from just watching someone walk?"
Victor didn't notice. Or maybe he did—and didn't care.
He scanned the courtyard as if it were a map he'd already memorized.
And then—
"VICTOOOOOR! YUZUUUU!"
Kiana's voice cracked the sky like a trumpet of idiocy. She shot forward, a blur of chaos and carbohydrate, charging straight for the duo like the world's most determined puppy.
Trailing just behind, Mei followed with exasperated elegance. "Kiana! Stop shouting! You're embarrassing us—!"
Kiana skidded to a halt, flinging her arms wide as though she might scoop up both boys into a group hug, soul included.
"BACK OFF, LADIES," she declared, cheeks puffed, voice garbled by a half-eaten meat bun. "THEY'RE MINE. MOSTLY YUZU. BUT THAT'S MY BROTHER TOO."
Yuzuki blinked slowly. "…I think she means that platonically."
Victor didn't look away. "...Are you sure?"
"...Maybe."
Mei coughed delicately into her hand, cheeks flushed. "Could you two at least pretend to be normal… just once?"
Victor finally glanced sideways. "You look good," he said, plain and direct.
Mei's breath caught. "Th-thank you," she managed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear again even though it was already perfect.
They walked together down the marble-floored halls, sunlight dappling through the tall windows. Other students watched from the corners, whispering behind cupped hands.
Kiana squinted at Victor. "Wait a sec—why aren't you wearing the uniform!?"
"Because I'm me," Victor said, not missing a beat.
Yuzuki shrugged beside him. "Miss Theresa said it was fine. Technically, I'm just following his lead."
"Not fair!" Kiana whined. "I wanna look cool and mysterious too!"
"You're not mysterious," Yuzuki muttered. "You're the opposite of mysterious."
"That's slander. Accurate slander."
They reached the doors to Class 2-A.
The idle laughter quieted.
The sliding panels opened with a hiss.
And then—the world tilted.
Inside, half-turned in his seat, one leg crossed casually, sat a boy with pale hair and with gold and silver eyes like polished glass.
Etoile.
Victor didn't breathe.
Didn't hesitate.
No words. No warnings.
He lunged.
Chairs clattered. Desks rattled. Mei gasped. Kiana dropped her bun.
Yuzuki cursed under his breath.
And Etoile smiled like he had expected it all along.