Chapter 3 — The Desk Mate

The second morning at the academy felt different.

For the first time, Shizumi wore the uniform properly, her bag neatly strapped on her shoulder, and a flutter of excitement beating in her chest.

"This is it… my real start. My academy life."

She walked into the classroom as the teacher led her in.

“Class, we have a new student joining us today,” the teacher announced.

“Introduce yourself.”

Shizumi bowed politely.

“Hello everyone, my name is Shizumi. Nice to meet you all. I hope we get along!”

But instead of warm greetings, the room filled with whispers.

> “That’s her… the scholarship girl.”

“She slapped him—the First Heavenly Prince.”

“She’s so dead…”

The air buzzed with curiosity and fear, eyes darting at her as though she was already cursed.

The teacher ignored the mumbling.

“Shizumi, you can take the empty seat by the window.”

Shizumi’s eyes sparkled. A window seat!

Perfect spot for daydreaming, perfect spot to start her new life.

But when she reached the desk, she noticed the boy beside it had his head down, resting on his arms, as if the world didn’t exist.

Still smiling, Shizumi placed her bag down and turned to him.

“Hello! My name is Shizumi. Nice to meet you.”

Slowly, the boy lifted his head.

Messy dark hair fell across his sharp, mischievous eyes — the kind of eyes that hid laughter, but also danger.

A lazy grin spread across his lips.

“Wow… so you’re my desk mate?”

The class went completely silent.

A chill ran down Shizumi’s spine as the boy sat up straight.

He was no ordinary student.

He was Itsuki Hayama.

The Third Heavenly Prince.

And now… he was sitting right next to her.

---

Shizumi forced a trembling smile, though her heart thudded painfully inside her chest.

“Oh no...no...no, The Third Heavenly Prince—Itsuki Hayama…?”

Itsuki rested his chin lazily against his palm, his eyes pinning her in place like a hawk watching prey.

That grin of his curved wider—lazy, yes, but edged sharp, like a blade hidden in velvet.

“So…” his voice was low, smooth, but chilling,

“How does it feel… to slap my dearest friend—the First Heavenly Prince?”

Gasps rippled through the classroom. Some girls pressed their hands to their lips, wide-eyed, while others exchanged glances full of cruel delight.

Shizumi’s fingers clenched tightly in her lap. Her throat went dry.

“I… I feel guilty,” she whispered, voice quivering.

“It wasn’t my intention. I—I didn’t mean to disrespect him. Please… could you tell him I truly regret what happened? I never wanted to hurt him.”

Itsuki chuckled softly. Light and playful on the surface, but underneath… there was a chilling darkness.

“Regret…” he repeated, dragging out the word like he was savoring it.

“Tell me, little desk mate—will your regret erase the sting of your slap from his face? Will it undo the humiliation he suffered… in front of everyone?”

Shizumi’s eyes fell to the desk. Her lips trembled, but no words came out.

Itsuki leaned closer, so close his breath ghosted against her ear.

“You do realize, don’t you? Actions like yours demand payment. And you committed the worst sin of all—not in secret, but in public. You shamed a prince before the entire academy.”

His voice dropped into a whisper, velvet but venomous.

“Scholarship students like you… they never last long here. Most of them break. Most of them vanish. But you…” his grin deepened,

“…you lit a fire on your very first day.”

Whispers spread like wildfire through the class. Laughter bubbled here and there. All eyes were on her—mocking, curious, predatory.

Then suddenly, Itsuki straightened, extending his hand toward her. That same poisonous grin lingered, charming yet suffocating.

“So then… shall we be friends.... Or enemies?”

His eyes narrowed, sharp and glittering.

“Remember—those who are my friends… are untouchable. But my enemies…” his voice dripped like venom,

“…they end in ways so very, very unpleasant.”

Shizumi’s body froze. Her lips parted, but no sound came. Finally, she managed to whisper, her voice shaking—

“I… I don’t want to make any more mistakes.”

Itsuki’s grin widened, eyes gleaming with amusement.