Chapter 273: B - A Star as a classmate

"Is that really her...?"

"Yeah! No doubt about it! I’d recognize her anywhere!"

"What’s she doing at our school?"

Whispers spread through the classroom like wildfire.

Every eye is glued to the girl who just walked into the classroom alongside Ms. Misaki Yuunami.

She’s wearing the Reimeikan High School uniform, but it’s obvious to everyone that she’s no ordinary girl.

"I know you’re all excited, but I expect you to maintain the discipline and composure our school is known for," Ms. Yuunami says firmly.

The classroom falls completely silent, and Ms. Yuunami continues.

"Many of you probably know Miss Aoi Kuze by reputation. She’ll soon begin filming a movie right here in Ashiya. To balance her studies with her work, she’ll be attending our prestigious high school until filming is complete. In short, she’ll be your classmate for the entire school year."

Ms. Yuunami’s tone grows even more serious.

"As I already said, I expect you to behave yourselves and avoid making her uncomfortable. She may be a world-famous star, but she’s still your age. I’m sure she’ll feel much more at ease if you treat her like any other classmate."

"Thank you, Ms. Yuunami," Aoi says politely before bowing twice — first to Misaki, then to her new classmates.

Every boy in the class holds his breath when she bows in their direction. Her uniform blouse isn’t fully buttoned, revealing the top of her ample cleavage.

Hakuto is no exception.

Finally, she takes the seat to Claire’s left.

Now Claire is in the middle, with Hakuto on her right and Aoi on her left. Chantal, meanwhile, sits behind Hakuto.

"Nice to meet you, Aoi. My name is Claire Kurotsuki," she introduces herself politely, trying to contain her excitement.

It’s not like Claire is some die-hard Aoi fan — she hasn’t even seen any of her movies. She only knows her by reputation.

But even that alone is enough to make Claire feel a little intimidated.

"I’m Hakuto Seiko. I hope you’ll like it here," he adds calmly, giving her a small wave.

"I’m really happy to meet you too, Claire. And you too, Hakuto Seiko," Aoi replies with a radiant smile that melts Hakuto’s heart and those of a few other boys sitting nearby.

Aoi then turns to Chantal.

She was probably expecting a greeting, or at least some kind of reaction, but Chantal simply ignores her.

"Nice to meet you. My name is AOI KUZE. And you are?" she asks, theatrically emphasizing her own name.

"I’m the one whose peaceful Sunday at the water park you ruined. That’s who I am," Chantal replies coldly, her gaze just as icy.

Aoi simply shoots her an annoyed glare without saying a word.

Hakuto lets out a long, resigned sigh.

If this is any indication of how things are going to be, poor Aoi is in for one hell of a year...

When the bell rings for the break between classes, the entire school floods into the hallway outside Class 1-B.

The crowd gets so wild and rowdy that even the principal has to step in to calm things down.

Hakuto and Chantal watch from a safe distance.

And for the first time, Claire is with them too.

It’s her first peaceful break in longer than she can even remember. Until just yesterday, she was the school idol, constantly surrounded by crowds of students wanting to chat with her.

Now that someone else has stolen the spotlight, she can finally breathe again.

"I hope Aoi stays here as long as possible..." Claire remarks, sounding as relieved as a prisoner tasting fresh air after years behind bars.

"Well, I hope that little bitch gets the hell out of here today!" Chantal snaps. "Arrogant. Vain. And as if that wasn’t enough, she spent the entire lesson with her eyes glued to my boyfriend! Damn man-stealing bitch!"

"Are we seriously doing this again? I’ve told you a thousand times, you and I aren’t dating! You’re the one who forced me to swear eternal love to you when we were kids! Besides, as if someone like her would ever be interested in someone like me..."

"Are you saying that if she was, you’d give in to her flirting?!"

Chantal responds by giving Hakuto’s ear a hard yank.

"I’m way prettier, more feminine, and much nicer than her! And most importantly, I’m more natural! There’s no way she has lips and boobs like that at fifteen! She’s so fake even a blind person could tell!"

Hakuto looks away from her.

"Yeah... especially nice and feminine..." he mutters with a smirk.

Chantal is about to explode when, out of the corner of her eye, she spots Aoi breaking away from the crowd and heading straight toward them.

"What the hell does she want from us now...?"

"Sorry to bother you, but I felt like I was suffocating with all those fans around me. Do you mind if I stay with you for a while? You seem nice, and you’re not bombarding me with requests for photos and autographs... Seriously, I’m exhausted..."

Chantal is about to say something, and judging by her expression, it isn’t going to be anything friendly. But Hakuto quickly covers her mouth with both hands before she can spit out something nasty.

"Of course. We’d be really happy to have you," Hakuto says.

Aoi blushes and lowers her head slightly in gratitude.

"Oh, thank you so much. You’re so kind."

She says it with an expression that’s the perfect mix of sexy and kawaii, leaving Hakuto completely mesmerized.

Just then, Irina emerges from the crowd, elbowing her way through with a sheet of paper and a pen in hand.

The moment she heard Aoi was there, she rushed out of the neighboring building that houses the middle school and came running straight over.

"Please, Aoi! Can I have your autograph? I’m your number one fan! I have all your posters in my room, I swear! Please, please, please!"

Hakuto and Claire exchange puzzled looks, clearly thinking the exact same thing.

Some number one fan. Irina doesn’t even own a single Aoi Kuze postcard...

"Sorry about her. She’s my little sister, and she can be a little... pushy and inappropriate sometimes," Claire murmurs awkwardly.

"Your little sister...?" Aoi repeats.

"She goes to the middle school next door, so I guess she missed the autograph session. If it’s not too much trouble, could you sign something for her? That way we can get her off our backs..."

"Oh, if she’s the little sister of such a sweet and kind girl like you, how could I possibly say no?" Aoi says warmly.

Her kindness and warmth immediately win over Irina, Hakuto, and Claire.

But not Chantal.