JARED'S POV

Today is Friday, which means I'm in the elite class, and Hyra is sitting next to me. My face heats up, so I cover it with my hand and lay my head on the desk.

FLASHBACK

I was thirteen years old when my father took me to Osaka, where I met a girl my age. She was always in front of a shop selling various masks, dressed in fancy clothes with smooth, glass-like skin.

I couldn't resist my curiosity and approached her one day. "Kon'nichiwa," I greeted her, but instead of responding, she just smiled and walked past me.

"Anata no namae o oshiete?" I asked, hoping for her name.

Ignoring me, she continued walking. I followed her for a while until she stopped and faced me, arms crossed. "Why are you following me? What do you want? Are you after something or someone?"

Taken aback, I stammered, "I just want to know your name."

"Who are you? My dad said not to talk to strangers... Oh wait! I don't have a dad," she chuckled. "I'm Hyra Fukushima," she finally introduced herself with another smile.

There was something intriguing about her smiles that I couldn't quite grasp.

"I'm Jared Monteverde. You can call me Red," I offered, extending my hand. She hesitated at first but then shook it. "I'm sorry to ask, but why are you always here? And who's with you? Where's your family?"

Wanting to know her better, I couldn't help but ask questions, though I sensed her unease.

"Family?" She paused, then continued, "I have a brother in the Philippines. Only a butler accompanies me here."

I wanted to ask more but noticed her growing discomfort, so I changed the subject. "I'm hungry. Do you want to grab something to eat?"

Her face lit up instantly, her smile widening as she clung to my arm. "Yukō!! I want pizza."

"I don't eat pineapple on pizza," I admitted.

"Really? Just give me the pineapple, and I'll give you the mushrooms. I don't like those," she bargained.

It seemed we could agree on many things. From that day on, we often met to play and eat pizza. She explained that she loved heroes, and heroes often wore masks, hence her fascination with the mask shop.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. When her birthday arrived, I woke up early to surprise her, even dressing up to impress. But as I was about to leave, I found Papa at the door.

"Papa," I greeted him with a hug, explaining my plans to see my friend.

"I'm sorry, son, but we must return to the Philippines. You have a duty as a District Leader," he informed me.

Confused and torn, I hesitated. "But what about Hyra? I can't leave her. She's my only friend."

"Go to her, explain, and then prepare to leave," Papa advised gently.

Reluctantly, I approached Hyra, who had been waiting with a pizza box in hand. "I'm coming back to the Philippines," I finally managed to say.

Her expression faltered briefly before she masked it with a smile. "Then go."

That was the last time I heard her voice before we left the next day, leaving Osaka behind.

"Why are your eyes swollen? Didn't you sleep well?" Papa noticed.

"No, I slept fine," I lied, the first lie I'd ever told him.

"Have you said goodbye to your friend? Does she understand?" Papa asked.

I forced a smile. "Of course, she understood and supported me. She's a good friend."

"It's a shame I didn't meet her. I'd like to thank her," Papa said wistfully.

"Don't worry, Papa. I'll be a good leader, and one day, we'll meet again," I promised, determined to bring Hyra to him.

Returning to the Philippines, I assumed my role as one of the thirteen leaders, alongside my brother Jarvis. It was there I met Nathan, who bore a striking resemblance to Hyra. He confirmed she had a sister in Osaka named Hyra Demonise Fukushima, showing me pictures of them together.

They looked like a happy family in those photos.

A year later, equipped with the power and authority of a leader, I returned to Osaka, hoping to find Hyra. Yet, she was nowhere to be found.

END OF FLASHBACK

I was surprised to learn that she was also in the elite class. If she wasn't allowed to be in the elite class, I would find a way to change that.

"Is everyone here yet? That's good because I called Cassy's parents' restaurant and ordered pizza to be delivered here," Umber announced confidently. She seemed to have plans to run for council president. I was sure everyone here would be as conyo as her.

Soon, the pizza arrived, its aroma making my stomach growl.

"Jared, here's yours. It's a special Hawaiian pizza," Cassy handed me a slice, and I stared at it for a moment.

Pineapple? Too much pineapple.

I was about to decline when someone reached for it.

"If I remember correctly, you don't like pineapple, right? Just give it to me," Hyra said as she took the slice, deftly separating the pineapple to her side and the mushrooms to mine. She hadn't forgotten our bonding over food from before.

"Hyra," I called out to her. After finishing her slice, she stepped outside, and I quickly followed. In the garden, before break time when no one could see us, I walked up to her and hugged her tightly.

HYRA's POV

He pulls me into his embrace, his chin resting above my head.

"I miss you. I'm sorry I left before. I came back, but I couldn't find you," his voice breaks, soft sobs escaping him. Who would have thought he'd cry over me?

I turn to him, cupping his cheeks and wiping away tears that manage to escape. Then, I slap him hard.

"I-I totally deserve that," he manages, his voice trembling as he lowers his head.

Ouch, my hand hurts.

"Don't speak to me until I'm the first to talk."

The world is painfully small. People I never wanted to see are slowly reappearing.

This is the difficult part of being beautiful; they can't easily forget you because their brains have memorized your perfect appearance.

Tch! Annoying every single one of them is just plain annoying.

JARED's POV

"Don't talk to me until I'm the first to talk," she said and left.

It's unfair, but at least she's talking to me. That's better than nothing, right?

Now that she's here, and she's also an elite, I'll do whatever it takes to get close to her again. I'll make up for the years we've lost.

Whistling, whistling.

Someone is whistling.

I look around, trying to find the source, but there's no one here except me. Could it be Hyra returning?

Whistling, whistling.

The sound grows louder, approaching me.

"Who's there? Hyra, is that you?"

No response.

"Are you looking for me?"

A woman's voice?

From behind a tree emerges a figure in a white hoodie. She's not in uniform, clearly not from here.

"Hi, Autumn."

I flinch. Who is she, and why does she know me?

I can't see her face; she's bent over, and her voice is altered by a changer.

"Who the hell are you?" I demand.

She clutches her chest dramatically.

"I'm hurt you don't recognize me."

Slowly, she lifts her face, revealing a white mask.

I recall what happened to Cyrus and focus on the woman before me.

"Are you Demon?"

Instead of answering, she shrugs, infuriating me further.

SWOOSH!

A strong wind knocks me off balance. I realize I'm on my knees, not remembering how I got there.

"It's refreshing to see a district leader kneel. I feel powerful," she mocks, giggling.

I try to stand, but she kicks the back of my knee, sending me reeling.

I clench my fists and leap back, creating distance.

After regaining my footing, I launch an attack. My punches rain down, but she effortlessly blocks and dodges, unfazed.

She's skilled, but I didn't become a district leader for nothing.

Feinting a repeated attack, I wait until she anticipates it, then smirk.

Stepping back, I surprise her with a drop kick to the face. Her mask cracks audibly, and she staggers, clutching it.

I want to see the face behind that mask.

Thankfully, Hyra isn't here; she might get hurt. I couldn't forgive myself.

"I underestimated you," she admits, pointing at me. "We'll meet again, Jared Monteverde." In a flash, she disappears. Was that magic? Illusion?

I almost leave when I notice a white card on a tree branch. Picking it up, I read the White Monarchy's insignia. Did they send her to threaten me?

Master needs to know.

Back in the special room, I find it empty, everyone still in class. I sit, picking up Valerie, Stanley's cherished laptop.

I search the White Monarchy, shocked by what I find.

Viper is with them. Two rank ones, plus unknown members. Only their ranks are known—Demon and Viper are rank one, Venom rank two, on par with me.

Frustrating.

"When did you take an interest in the White Monarchy?" Master's voice startles me. He pours tea calmly, seeming regal.

I toss him the card; his eyes widen.

"This changes things," he mutters, sipping his tea. "Alert your district and double vigilance. I'll lend you some of my underlings."

He strides to the window, watching students. Suddenly, his demeanor darkens. He grips the glass tightly, shattering it.

"Prepare for danger," he orders sharply, leaving. I follow, but something unexpected halts me.

"JARED, WATCH OUT!"

Everything goes black.

Jared Monteverde (Autumn)