"Look at him grinning."

"Not gonna lie, he looks quite handsome."

"Tch... Handsome bastard!"

Lyon was lounging at the back of the classroom, arms relaxed behind his head, a broad grin on his face. He seemed unfazed by the mixed whispers that floated around him—whispers of admiration from some and jealousy from others. But none of that mattered to him at the moment.

He was in high spirits, unusually cheerful.

Why, you might ask?

'I made a friend. On the first day! Nailed it with my priorities,' he thought proudly.

Suddenly energized, he sprang to his feet, sending his chair clattering backward with the force of his movement. The sudden action silenced the classroom, and all eyes were fixed on him, a blend of curiosity and concern in their gaze.

The boys seemed annoyed by the presence of this tall, exotic-looking newcomer, while the girls whispered among themselves.

One girl commented, amused, "For a so-called 'delinquent,' he sure doesn't act that aggressive."

Her friend responded, "Yeah, it's only the first day, and he seems really happy... though his behavior is a bit strange."

Lyon stood in the center of the room, arms spread wide and head tilted back, his laughter filling the air.

"Hehehe..."

His chuckling grew louder, morphing into a hearty laugh that made more than a few classmates uneasy.

"Hehe... HAHAHAHAHA!"

A prim-looking student couldn't hide his irritation. "We should call the teacher. He's lost it!"

Another student, pushing up his glasses, agreed, "Definitely. Someone needs to get this joker under control."

But Lyon continued, his laughter echoing around the classroom.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

It wasn't long before a teacher, a woman in her mid-thirties, entered the room. She paused at the doorway, taking in the scene with a weary sigh. She had seen her share of eccentric students, but this one seemed to top them all.

She cleared her throat authoritatively. "Alright, class, let's settle down. And you, with the white hair, sit down, please. Class is about to start, and I won't tolerate any disruptions."

Lyon ceased his laughter and took a deep, calming breath, his chest rising and falling conspicuously.

Obediently, he sank back into his chair with a thud and offered a sheepish apology, "Sorry, I was just... feeling it."

The teacher raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Feeling... it?"

Lyon adjusted his sunglasses with a nonchalant smirk, settling into a silence that left the teacher with a misunderstanding. She assumed he was overwhelmed by the stress of school and perhaps cracking under the pressure.

Little did she know, Lyon was actually reveling in a rare moment of genuine joy.

As he sat quietly, he pondered, 'Now, what do friends talk about? I need to think of something to chat about with Mei while this lesson drags on.'

---

Mei was seated at the center of her classroom, her attention fixed intently on the teacher, who was busy writing on the blackboard. The scraping of chalk was oddly satisfying as the teacher outlined key points and sketched diagrams to elucidate the lesson.

She was deeply engrossed in the lesson, eager to absorb knowledge that might shape her undefined future ambitions. Whatever her path might be, she believed what she learned here would be beneficial.

However, despite her focus, she couldn't help noticing the frequent stares from her classmates.

"I can't believe Ms. Raiden is in this classroom. She's even more beautiful in person than what was shown in the media."

"She's like the poster child for the perfect student—great looks, disciplined, and se—"

"Calm down, man, keep it classy."

The comments were a mix of admiration and something else she couldn't quite pinpoint—there was a vulgarity in their undertones.

She wasn't pleased that the boys were so bold in their remarks, but there was a certain transparency in their honesty.

And on the topic of honesty...

Even amidst her diligent note-taking, Mei's thoughts drifted to her new friend. Her father had always encouraged her to make friends with other girls to expand her social network during her formative years, but she had been too shy, and the other girls too forward.

She regretted not making those connections, aware that the social elite could harbor long grudges. 'Perhaps I can make amends somehow,' she hoped.

Yet now, her mind was occupied with thoughts of Lyon, the white-haired boy who was quite the extrovert—her complete opposite.

"I wonder how he's managing with his reputation here..."

They had spoken briefly during lunch, discussing trivial things like the number of windows they could see or the birds that flitted past the giant tree behind them. These simple conversations were soothing, a welcome distraction from the pressures of her legacy.

"Raiden Mei?"

Mei was jolted from her reverie by the teacher standing right in front of her, a questioning look on her face as all eyes in the classroom turned towards them.

Caught off guard, Mei stumbled over her words, "Ah! I'm sorry, I was just preoccupied with thinking about tonight's event with my father..."

It was a fabrication, a convenient excuse, but it felt necessary.

The teacher's face softened in understanding. "Oh, being the heiress of a major corporation mustn't be easy for you, huh? If you need a moment to yourself, feel free to visit the nurse's office to clear your thoughts."

Mei was grateful for the teacher's flexibility and empathy. With a relieved sigh, she nodded her thanks and refocused on her notes, eagerly awaiting the end of the school day so she could perhaps find a moment of peace—and maybe another quiet chat with Lyon.

---

Hours later, as the final bell rang, students eagerly vacated the classroom, relieved that the school day was over. Some left in groups, having already formed new friendships, while others, particularly the wealthier students, met their private drivers and headed home alone.

Lyon lingered in the classroom, lost in thought and seemingly oblivious to the students around him who were still gathering their belongings. His expression was one of deep focus, almost as if he was unraveling some complex problem in his mind.

Curiosity got the better of one of the students, a girl nudged forward by her giggling friends. She approached Lyon hesitantly. "Umm... Excuse me?" she ventured.

Lyon's attention snapped to her. "Wassup?" he replied casually.

The girl faltered, struggling to find the right words as her friends snickered behind her. Lyon noticed her discomfort and guessed she was trying to communicate something important.

'I wonder what she's going to say to me,' he mused internally.

Taking a deep breath, the girl finally spoke. "I don't know why, but I just want to say that we're sorry for saying rude things to you earlier today."

Lyon raised an eyebrow, not expecting an apology, especially not from someone who seemed pushed into it by peers. "Huh... didn't think you'd be the one apologizing on behalf of your... friends?" he questioned, sensing her unease.

Her hesitation seemed to resonate with him, hinting at her sincerity.

Just then, one of her friends interjected, clearly annoyed by Lyon's skepticism. "Hey, what do you mean by that? Are you implying we're not being honest with our apology?"

Another chimed in aggressively, "Yeah, we're just trying to make amends, and you're rejecting it? What gives, huh?"

Lyon now understood the dynamic. This was a facade of contrition, a superficial attempt to repair their image rather than genuine remorse. He sighed internally, recognizing the false sincerity.

His mood soured further, and he decided to cut through the pretense. "Tsk, is this some kind of new bullying tactic? Cowards, the lot of you."

The accusatory tone angered the two interjecting students, who bristled at his words. Before they could retort, Lyon dismissed them sharply. "Screw off, bastards. I don't want to hear a single word from you."

Stung by his rebuff, they quickly exited the classroom, their departure marked by frustration. However, the original girl lingered, a sad frown crossing her face.

Lyon noted her genuine discomfort. "Aren't you upset that your 'friends' tried to start something against me?" he asked, curious about her reaction.

She sighed, a mix of frustration and disappointment in her tone. "I don't know... I'm more disappointed that they acted like that, even though I didn't see how they were antagonizing you."

Lyon gazed out the window as the sunset bathed the classroom in orange light. "They jumped in after I questioned your intentions. If they wanted to apologize, they should've done it themselves."

The girl tilted her head, considering his words. "But maybe they were just shy?"

Lyon exhaled slowly. This girl seemed naive, a common trait among the sheltered rich. "Maybe, but their actions spoke louder than words. Look, the world is bigger than you think, and not everyone will act kindly toward you."

She hummed thoughtfully, taking in his advice. "So there's more to people than what's on the surface..."

"Correct," Lyon smiled slightly, appreciating her willingness to learn. "Now shoo, go home. It's getting late and your parents must be worried."

She smiled gratefully and bowed slightly. "Ah, thank you. I'm not sure if I've resolved anything, but I hope you find something worthwhile here."

Lyon chuckled as she waved goodbye and left the room. He couldn't help but overhear her friends outside, still misunderstanding his nature.

"He acts tough, but why should we be nice to him?"

"He's just confident, and everyone communicates differently."

"Yeah, well, not like a jerk!"

Lyon shook his head, resigned. 'They're the real jerks, except for her,' he thought, recognizing the lone friend's effort to bridge the gap.

It's alarming how quickly people's opinions can shift. It really reinforces the idea that first impressions are crucial.

Lyon had believed his initial introduction at school had been positive, but reality often defied expectations.

"I can't seem to understand what they think. What more do they want for them to accept me?"

That's just how life is, he mused. You can't please everyone. Yet, he recognized a glimmer of sincerity in one of his classmates, overshadowed by the overwhelming negativity that seemed pervasive here.

Glancing around, he noted the empty classroom. "Guess it's just me and the world for now."

He rose from his seat and exited the classroom, indifferent to its condition as he assumed everything was in order.

Exiting the classroom, he hadn't expected to run into anyone significant, but there she was.

His expression shifted into a mischievous smirk as he spotted his new friend.

"Yo, Mei!"

Mei, who had been walking slowly down the hallway, paused when she heard his familiar voice.

"Lyon!"

She quickened her pace towards him, visibly pleased to see him before the day ended.

Unexpectedly, Lyon flicked her forehead as she approached, causing her to yelp in surprise.

"Ouch... what was that for?" Mei rubbed her forehead, surprised by the sting of the flick, especially given her rigorous kenjutsu training.

Lyon shrugged nonchalantly. "You were moving a bit too fast, and I thought I'd slow you down with a flick."

Mei pouted. "You could have just stopped me normally, like a hand on the shoulder?"

Lyon's mouth fell open at her suggestion. "You do realize how that sounds, right? Ah, well, it's not my style. I prefer to give a little reminder of the consequences if someone's actions might hurt them."

"And that's by hitting me...?" Mei asked, her tone tinged with hesitation.

He shrugged again, glancing down the empty hallway. "It's a sort of cautionary measure. You'll thank me one day."

She huffed. "I'll trust you on this one, just give me a warning next time, okay?"

Lyon deadpanned. "That makes it sound like you're into that kind of thing—are you saying you like being warned before you get hurt?"

Mei blinked rapidly. "No! No, that's not what I meant."

Lyon laughed, and Mei playfully smacked his arm in response.

The two fell into a brief silence. Lyon noticed Mei shuffling her feet, seemingly anxious.

"You heading home? Your parents must be worried if you're out this late," he observed.

That was the second time he had expressed such a concern today, showing a softer side for those he deemed deserving.

Mei sighed, a mix of frustration and impatience. "I'm waiting for my driver. He's unusually late today."

She peered outside toward the school yard and the gate, Lyon joining her gaze.

"Well, why not let me keep you company while you wait? I don't have much going on later, so I might as well spend time with you," Lyon offered, his tone casual yet considerate.

Mei blushed at the prospect of spending time alone with a boy so late in the day. Lyon noticed her flush and grew concerned. "Oi, are you okay?"

"I'm fine... Thank you for worrying about me," Mei responded, reassuring him that it was just the evening glow coloring her cheeks.

Lyon grinned, misinterpreting her blush as consent. "Well, I take that as a yes, then. Let's walk out of here."

Mei nodded affirmatively, "Mm, let's go. I think we're the last ones here."

Side by side, they began to leave the school. Lyon strutted with the confident swagger of someone who had watched one too many late-night fashion shows, while Mei maintained the graceful poise characteristic of her refined upbringing.

As they walked in companionable silence, Lyon hummed a tune that seemed to catch Mei's attention, pleasing her.

Despite the peaceful moment, Mei's mind lingered on the troubling rumors she had heard about Lyon earlier in the day. The stories had spread fast and wide across the academy—tales of him dyeing his hair to look like a gangster, or affiliations with the yakuza, even accusations of bullying.

She was taken aback by how quickly such baseless rumors had taken root. How could people fabricate such things about someone who hadn't wronged them?

Observing Lyon, still lost in his tune and seemingly unaffected by the gossip, Mei admired his resilience. He seemed strong, unfazed, and that strength inspired her.

Curious and concerned, she finally broached the subject. "Lyon, how are you doing in your class?"

Lyon's eyes opened, a bit startled by her question. "I'm fine," he replied quickly.

The haste of his response hinted to Mei that perhaps he wasn't as fine as he claimed. Wanting to offer support without prying too deeply, she said, "If... you need any help, you can always come to me, okay?"

Now fully engaged, Lyon looked at her skeptically. "And how are you supposed to help?"

With a confident smile, Mei revealed her plan. "I'll use the power of my surname. The students and perhaps the teachers won't dare touch you."

Lyon grimaced. "That sounds... horrifying."

Mei's resolve firmed. "It is, but I won't stand by while my friend suffers from false accusations."

Lyon blinked, surprised and touched by her declaration. Was this what friends did for each other?

A genuine smile spread across his face. "Huh... it's the first time I've ever heard someone say that. Thanks, Mei."

Her smile mirrored his, warmed by his gratitude. "This is my way of thanking you for being my friend, Lyon."

Their laughter mingled as they reached the school gates, where a sleek black limo awaited Mei. Turning to Lyon, she expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for spending time with me... Can we meet again tomorrow, same place?"

Lyon's smirk returned. "Sure. Same place, same time."

Mei beamed and climbed into the limo, which swiftly departed.

As Lyon watched the car disappear, Mei settled into the plush seats, a sense of empowerment washing over her. Using her name to shield Lyon felt right—powerful, even.

"So this is what power feels like... It's rather nice," she whispered to herself, already planning to ensure that her friend would have a smoother experience at school from now on.

For him, and for herself.

End of Chapter

---

A/N: Huzzah! Another day, another chapter. This chapter was supposed to be out yesterday, but I noticed some missing lines, so I had to add them in and postpone the release. Otherwise, I am satisfied with it. Hopefully, you all enjoy this one, and I will see you in a few days. Have a good day!