As soon as the teacher left the classroom, a brief silence fell.
But the very next second—
Serena: "Ha—finally free!" She put one foot up on the desk.
Aiden: "Our era has arrived!!" He also stepped onto a desk.
The two of them, Serena and Aiden, each with one foot on a desk, stood in perfect sync like long-time partners. They struck a dramatic pose as if declaring sovereignty over the class.
Aiden: "Starting today, we will be the strongest seatmate duo!"
Serena: "Ruling the class with friendship and wisdom!!"
They spoke in tandem, pointing dramatically at the ceiling like protagonists from a hot-blooded anime.
"Hey! Don't stand on the desks!" Elena jumped up angrily, glaring at them with a disapproving look.
"Ah, sorry, sorry!" Aiden quickly jumped down, but his excitement couldn't be contained. He ran around the classroom like a carefree deer.
Serena hopped down more gracefully, gently shaking out her skirt as she strolled elegantly through the room.
As she walked, she noticed two familiar figures in the second row of the third group—Evie and Vivian were sitting there, quietly chatting.
"Eh? Evie? So this is where you're sitting~" Serena walked over with a cheerful smile.
Evie turned around, her eyes gentle. "Yeah, I like this spot. It's pretty nice."
Vivian nodded beside her and added warmly, "Your window seats are nice too."
"No~ Strictly speaking, yours are closer to the door. I'd love to have this spot if I could~"
Serena responded casually, but a ripple stirred in her heart. She stared at the two, slightly dazed—
...So they were in this row... Why don't I remember that at all?
Her memories of her previous life were foggy, especially anything from her first year. Were these people and events the same as before? Or had this life already started veering off course?
She furrowed her brow slightly, but quickly smiled again and continued chatting.
Just as Serena was about to ask Evie about her grades—
"Ahhh!! Serena, I can't stop myself!!"
BANG!
Before she could finish her sentence, a figure barreled toward her like an out-of-control horse, slamming right into her.
The impact hit the exact spot where Elvin had injured her earlier. She nearly coughed up blood.
Serena stumbled back several steps, almost falling, and barely stayed upright thanks to her excellent balance.
Clutching her waist, she dusted off her skirt. When she looked up, her smile was dangerously sweet, and her eyes were icy cold.
"...Aiden Green, you're dead."
"Eh? No no no, wait Serena, let's talk this out—ahhh don't chase me!!"
The next moment, chaos broke out in the classroom. The two of them ran around the desks, kicking up a storm.
They ran circle after circle, almost lighting sparks on the floor.
"Enough! Are you two planning to have class or not?!"
Lucien finally snapped. He stood up and shouted, glaring sternly at the pair.
Serena and Aiden, deflated like punctured balloons, sheepishly returned to their seats.
However—
The moment they sat down, Serena suddenly raised her hand and gave Aiden a hard smack on the arm.
"Ow ow ow!! Serena, you really hold a grudge!!" Aiden yelped.
"Hmph, you should be glad you ran fast. Otherwise, you'd be..."
"Alright, alright! I was just kidding~ Sister Serena~"
Serena ignored him and turned to gaze out the window. But her eyes still held a faint trace of that earlier confusion.
——
On the day of the sports festival, the sun was bright and warm. The wide school field was filled with outstanding representatives from every grade.
Since Serena and the others were first-year students, they didn't have any events that year. They were free to roam the grounds and could even visit the cafeteria anytime for snacks.
"We're way too lucky," Aiden said while munching on a pastry. "Watching games and eating snacks—this isn't a sports festival, it's a picnic day."
Serena laughed and nodded, strolling alongside him as they stopped to watch the runners on the track.
"This is the 100-meter dash? That means high jump and long jump are next, right?" Aiden said while flipping through the program.
"Yep. But what we're waiting for is the tug-of-war match~" Serena said, tiptoeing in excitement.
"Looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer. Want to rest at the cafeteria for a while?"
"Sounds good to me!"
They chatted casually as they made their way toward the cafeteria.
But halfway there, Serena suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on the distant lawn.
Under the shade of a tree stood Arthur, warming up with a focused expression. He seemed to be preparing for his next event.
His handsome face and golden hair shone under the sunlight.
"Ah! It's my brother!" Serena's eyes lit up, and she excitedly prepared to run over—
Just then, a long, lazy arm extended from the trees and draped over Arthur's shoulder.
That person had fiery red hair that gleamed brightly in the sun.
It was Prince Ault.
His movements were so natural, as if he and Arthur had long been close. His tone was light, with a faint smile, saying something Serena couldn't hear. Arthur didn't push him away, only turned slightly with a mildly awkward expression and replied.
Serena froze in place, her smile stiffening.
Her brows furrowed as she locked eyes on that familiar yet distant figure.
—Why is Arthur with Ault? And why do they seem so close?
A strange unease stirred in her. There was something dangerous and complicated emanating from that red-haired boy.
"Who's that…?" Aiden noticed too and leaned over, whispering.
Serena snapped out of it and shook her head, her voice low but steady: "One is my brother. The other... is not someone simple."
Aiden's expression changed as he turned to get a better look. The boy had striking red hair, shining like fire in the sunlight.
"Red hair... Wait—red?!" Aiden's eyes widened in recognition.
"That's Prince Ault?! The Crown Prince?!"
He couldn't hide his shock. "OMG... Serena, your brother is close with the Crown Prince? Why didn't you tell me?!"
"...That's not exactly something to be happy about."