"S-sorry…" Under Mei's impassive gaze, the three girls turned and bowed slightly to Kiana.
This half-hearted apology wasn't enough. "Louder. And use her name."
"Sorry, Kiana-san." They inhaled deeply and apologized loudly. Their faces were grim. Apologizing to the Raiden heiress was one thing, but this idiot? Their comments about Kiana were simply stating facts.
But they had no choice. Somehow, this fool had gotten on Mei's good side.
The thought made the Raiden heiress even more irritating.
"Mei-sama, is this acceptable…?" Despite their resentment, they maintained a facade of respect. Perhaps it was a talent unique to "heiresses."
Even Kiana could sense their insincerity. Mei didn't press further, simply nodding. The girls scurried back to their classroom.
The crowd, witnessing the anticlimactic end to the near-confrontation, murmured their disappointment and dispersed.
Kiana, hands behind her back, leaned forward, giggling. "Mei, you're so amazing! They were so mean, but they didn't dare say a word to you! Hee hee… Thank you, Mei."
Mei bit her lip, glancing at Kiana with a complicated expression. "They're not afraid of me. I'm just using my family's name. Is there anything else? I need to get back to class."
"Ah…?" Kiana hadn't noticed Mei's unusual demeanor, but the distance in her tone was unmistakable.
"Uh… I just wanted to… thank you again, for yesterday. And… I returned the crutch to the infirmary. And… sorry for bumping into you this morning…"
"Anything else?"
"No… nothing…"
Mei's lips trembled. "Then go back to your class," she said flatly, walking away before Kiana could respond.
The sound of heels clicking on the stairs echoed in the hallway. Kiana stood there, bewildered, wondering why Mei was suddenly avoiding her.
It didn't make sense. Mei had been so kind yesterday, and just now, she'd defended her…
Kiana rubbed her head. She wasn't one to dwell on things she couldn't understand. If she wanted to know, she'd just ask Mei directly.
What if Mei refused to answer, or even talk to her? Then she'd create an opportunity. Simple.
A confident smile spread across her face. Humming a tune, she returned to her classroom just before the bell rang.
Mei, sensing something, looked up and saw a glimpse of a swaying braid through the open back door.
She sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of disappointment. Weren't all those who approached her just interested in her family's wealth? Kiana was probably no different…
Mei, do you really think someone would approach you just for being "Raiden Mei"? a voice echoed in her mind.
But Mei, Kiana didn't approach you. You approached her, by chance. Another voice countered, negating the possibility.
Who knows? Maybe she was looking for a way to get close to you, and this was her chance.
Mei didn't want to be cynical, but she was afraid, anxious. Afraid of the whispers, anxious… for reasons she couldn't explain, perhaps just the cumulative effect of the morning's strange events.
The bell rang, and the teacher entered, heels clicking. After a brief start to the class, she walked down from the podium. "Did everyone finish their homework? Place it on your desks, I'll check."
Mei froze, realizing the source of her anxiety. After the kidnapping, she'd fallen asleep in the car, forgetting all about the homework.
It was a language arts class, not much homework, mostly multiple-choice. Finishing it in a few seconds was impossible, but filling in random answers to fool the teacher… probably doable.
But Mei wouldn't do that.
First, as the Raiden heiress, she wouldn't stoop to such deception.
Second, as the Raiden heiress, no teacher, except Katsuki, would dare to punish her. Yes, it was ironic, enjoying the privileges of her status while resenting its constraints.
Mei chuckled wryly. As the teacher approached, she presented her blank worksheet, apologizing, "Sorry, Sensei, last night I…"
"Hah!" The teacher scoffed, interrupting her.
Before Mei could react, the teacher grabbed her arm and pulled her up. "As expected of our heiress, too lazy to even pretend to do your homework?"
The entire class stared. Mei, still dazed, could only hear the buzzing of voices and feel a wave of heat spreading through her body.
The teacher patted her shoulder sharply. Mei flinched, hoping for a reprieve, a misunderstanding, but only heard a cold, "No homework? Go stand outside!"
The classroom fell silent, everyone's faces mirroring the shock of witnessing the end of the world.
If it were Katsuki, they'd understand. But this teacher had always fawned over Mei. What had changed?
Some wanted to intervene, but no one dared to speak first, afraid of being labeled a "brown-noser."
In the awkward silence, Mei, biting her lip, walked out the back door.
The boy sitting by the door considerately closed it behind her, separating the classroom from the outside world.
Two worlds indeed. The classroom, filled with bodies, felt warm, even with the front door open.
Outside, a sharp, biting wind accompanied the darkening sky.
Mei shivered, pulling her cardigan tighter, accepting her fate.
Her father, Ryōma, had built his empire from scratch, but by the time she was born, ME Corp was already established. She'd been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
She'd never been so humiliated. But more than the embarrassment, she sensed the teacher's unusual, deliberate malice.
"Why…?" She hugged herself, seeking a sliver of warmth and comfort.
"Bang!" A sudden noise startled her. She turned to see the door of the next classroom burst open. Katsuki dragged a nonchalant Kiana out.
Seeing Mei, they both froze. Katsuki quickly recovered, returning to his classroom without a word, closing the door behind him.
Kiana didn't care about standing outside. It was routine. She hadn't had her homework yesterday either, but her sprained ankle had saved her. Today, she was out of luck.
But routine didn't mean she enjoyed it.
She'd been feeling sullen, but seeing Mei, a smile spread across her face. She waved cheerfully. "Mei! Hee hee! What are you doing here?"
Mei turned, offering only the back of her head.
Kiana, assuming shyness, moved closer. "Mei! Let's chat!"
Mei's shoulders trembled. She spun around, eyes flashing with anger, but, fearing being overheard, she hissed, "Kiana, are you mocking me?"
"Huh?" Kiana frowned, confused.
But seeing Mei's reddened eyes, even she could see Mei was genuinely angry.
Mei didn't give her a chance to speak, turning away again, refusing to engage.
Kiana realized she'd probably been misunderstood. She wanted to explain, but Kaslana pride held her back. She huffed, turning away as well. She'd rather jump off the roof than speak to this moody heiress!
Unbeknownst to them, on the roof of the opposite building, Bronya lowered her binoculars, rubbing her tired eyes. "That's twice now. Seems that white-haired girl is close to the target…"
And unbeknownst to her, in her own classroom, the teacher raged at her empty desk. Seele, nervously twisting her uniform, offered excuses, while Sin, along with the other students, fueled the fire, until the teacher noticed the twins snoring in the front row…
The period dragged on. Mei's shoulder ached from leaning against the cold wall. She turned, glancing at Kiana, who still had her back turned, also seemingly angry.
Mei bit her lip, remaining silent.
The bell rang. Mei leaned against the wall, pretending to sleep. She waited until everyone who needed the restroom had left before relaxing.
Opening her eyes, Kiana was gone. Mei shook her head and returned to her classroom.
Despite her quiet steps, her shallow breaths, her desire to be invisible, all eyes turned to her.
It was the first time the Raiden heiress had been punished. They all wanted to see her reaction. Would she cry? Or would she be nonchalant, like that idiot?
Mei rubbed her head, another voice echoing in her mind. Perhaps it was her inner voice.
And it was right. She, Raiden Mei, wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her defeated.
She straightened her back, as if nothing had happened, and returned to her seat.
The blank worksheet still lay on her desk. She glanced at it, crumpled it up, and tossed it in her drawer.
What now? She had no plans.
Maybe… nap?
She hesitated. There seemed to be no other option.
She probably had other homework to finish, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
"Holy crap!" A sudden shout startled the class. Mei looked up, annoyed, to see a girl staring at her with wide eyes, her phone in hand.
The girl's expression was a mix of shock and realization. She quickly covered her mouth and turned away, saying nothing.
Mei's heart pounded, a wave of anxiety washing over her.
More and more students pulled out their phones, their gazes turning towards her, their expressions growing more complex.
Mockery, scorn, disgust… expressions Mei had never seen directed at her.
Something had happened, something bad, and she had no idea what.
She wanted to ask, but she couldn't bring herself to speak, like knowing she'd failed a test but lacking the courage to confirm it.
"Rumble—" A distant thunderclap rattled the windows. Mei clutched her chest, as if to dispel the ominous premonition. But the gesture only intensified the feeling, like the lingering smell of mildew under a dark, oppressive sky.
The anxiety persisted throughout the third period. As the bell rang, all eyes turned to her again.
A crowd had gathered in the hallway outside, pointing and whispering. She couldn't hear them, but she knew it was about her.
"What happened?" She finally opened her phone.
Even before unlocking it, she saw the headline: Shocking! ME Corp CEO Raiden Ryōma Arrested for Financial Fraud! Evidence Conclusive!
"Rumble—" The thunder continued, the dark gray clouds like a drum, beaten relentlessly.
The smell of mildew intensified. Suddenly, the sky opened, unleashing a torrent of rain and hail.