HYRA's POV

I closed my eyes while walking, battling drowsiness from a sleepless night, thanks to Conan's antics.

"Liar."

(Last Night)

"Conan, open the door. I want to sleep next to you."

"It's my call, not yours. Go back to your room and sleep."

"Noooooo!"

"Yes!"

"Okay, what if I open the door and then go back?"

"I don't trust you."

"What? I'm the woman of your dreams."

"Who told you that?"

"My instinct?"

"Your instinct is wrong. Goodnight."

"I won't sleep until you let me in."

"...Fine."

That's why I'm so sleepy. Conan can be cruel, can't he?

I didn't intend to go to class today, but then I thought about the students who come just to see me. They'd lose all motivation to live. So, reluctantly, I headed to school.

CRASH

My eyes were closed as I walked, and I collided with something-now I'm in heaven, face-to-face with an angel with big ears.

Fuck! What am I thinking? When did I start believing in angels and heaven?

"Miss, are you okay?"

I snapped back to reality, realizing our position: my hand around his neck, his arm supporting my waist to prevent me from falling.

Oh, I can smell his breath; he's so close.

"Are you new here? I just noticed you."

"I transferred last week."

"No wonder I haven't seen you before. I'm Skyler Jackain Salvador, but you can call me Sky."

"Salvador? You're the principal's son?"

He nodded.

Jackpot. I can make friends with him.

"I'm Hyra Demonise Fu-"

"Wow, you're straightforward. But are you tired? How long have we been like this?"

We looked at each other and quickly separated, realizing our compromising position hadn't changed yet.

"Save it for private," Mr. Fonancier said before leaving. Sky and I sighed in relief.

SKY'S POV

"Mr. Fonancier can be strict but kind," I said.

"Yeah, I know."

Wait, she knows?

Only the elite class gets to know Mr. Fonancier.

"Are your ears really that big?"

I was taken aback when she jumped up to touch my ear-it wasn't a good idea. She slipped, and I instinctively caught her, our bodies falling to the ground.

As she lay over me, I couldn't help but notice how sweet she smelled.

"Hey?"

"Ye-s?" Why am I stuttering?

"Do you like being like this? Do you want to stay?"

Facepalm.

I got up, offering my hand to help her up too.

"Are you hurt? Did you land badly?"

I asked with mixed concern.

"I'm fine. Falling on your body cushioned the fall."

Why did that phrase sound so different? This is bad; I have to avoid Jarvis-I'm already catching his influence.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!"

I looked past Hyra and nearly choked when I saw dozens of girls holding banners and photos of me.

The Sky Protection Squad.

"OPPAAAAAAAA SKYYYYYYY!!"

I covered Hyra's ears with both hands.

"Sky, who's that woman?"

They glared at Hyra, who just yawned.

I noticed her shoes were askew, so I knelt down and fixed them.

"OMG!"

"Sky knelt for that woman?"

"We have to get rid of her."

"She can't take Sky from us. We'll protect Sky."

I'd rather stay in my neighborhood than be here.

They wouldn't stop until I answered their question, so I mustered the courage.

"She's my girlfriend."

I turned to Hyra; she didn't react. Did she hear me?

"WHAT?"

"We don't believe you!"

"Blah, blah, blah!"

"If she's really your girlfriend, prove it!"

I gulped. Why are these girls so stubborn?

"Fine!"

Hyra surprised me with her response, pulling me close and kissing me.

Her lips were sweet.

She broke the kiss, facing the girls.

"BACK OFF!"

She grabbed my hand, pulling me away until we reached a secluded spot.

This woman is incredible; she amazes me.

"I'm sorry I kissed you. I didn't know how else to escape."

I cut off her words with another kiss.

"Now we're even," I said, pulling a strand of hair from her face, revealing her beauty.

I started to leave when she pulled me back and kissed me again.

"I'm not into games," she said.

I smirked, pressing her against a tree and kissing her deeply.

Damn, her lips were addictive.

It wasn't my first kiss, but it was the first time it had felt this way.

I pulled back slightly, breathless, my mind reeling from the intensity of our connection. Hyra's lips lingered against mine, leaving a tingling sensation that spread through my entire body.

"Hyra," I whispered, my voice rough with desire. "You're amazing."

She smiled, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. Without a word, she leaned in again, capturing my lips in another kiss. This time, it was slower, deeper, as if she wanted to savor every moment of our newfound closeness.

Her fingers tangled in my hair, sending shivers down my spine. I held her close, lost in the sensation of her body pressed against mine, the warmth of her touch searing through me.

When we finally parted, a soft sigh escaped her lips, and I couldn't help but smile in response. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in our secluded sanctuary.

"I've never felt like this before," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Me neither," she admitted, her gaze locked with mine.

We stood there, caught in a moment that felt suspended in time. I traced the curve of her cheek with my thumb, memorizing every detail of her face.

"I think I'm falling for you," I murmured, my heart pounding in my chest.

Her eyes softened, her lips curving into a tender smile. Without hesitation, she leaned in once more, closing the gap between us in a kiss filled with unspoken promises and newfound emotions.

-

"Welcome back, Sky!" They greeted me warmly as I entered the Special Room.

My smile widened involuntarily, I couldn't help it.

"You look like a pervert with that smile. Did something good happen on your way here?" Jarvis asked, teasingly.

If anyone looks like a pervert, it's him.

"Yeah! Something good happened to me," I replied, taking a seat next to Stanley.

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Cyrus and Nathan weren't present, and Master had informed me why, so I didn't look for them.

My work in my district wasn't finished yet, but when Master called me back, I knew there was trouble. It wasn't like him to call without reason.

"How's your district, Sky?" Master asked, a dark aura surrounding him.

"It's stable right now, thanks to you," I replied.

"That's good," he said calmly, but tension filled the air.

"SKYLER JACKAIN SALVADOR, IS HYRA YOUR GIRLFRIEND?" Joshua suddenly shouted from beside me, frowning at his phone.

"Hyra? You mean Hyra Fukushima?" Brizon asked, disbelief coloring his voice.

Fukushima?

Zeke approached with his phone and showed us an article displaying Hyra and me side by side, declaring her as my girlfriend.

Ah, that one. The news spread fast; it must be the work of the Sky Protection Squad.

What baffled me was why it mattered so much to them.

"Do you know Hyra?" Jared asked anxiously.

"I just met her, and what the article claims isn't true. It was just a coincidence that we were together," I explained, and they sighed in relief simultaneously, except for Master and Carl.

"Do you know her?" I asked in return.

They nodded unanimously, except for Master and Carl.

"HYRA IS NATHAN'S TWIN," they said in unison, except for Master and Carl.

"Nathan? Nathan Demetrius Fukushima?" My head spun.

"Yes, she's Hyra Demonise Fukushima, and she's also part of the Elites," Kevin clarified.

"You can't believe it either, can you? We were the same way," Jarvis laughed.

Huh? I felt betrayed.

It was fortunate Nathan wasn't present; he might've punched me. I needed to delete that article before he saw it.

"If you're here to talk about that woman, do it now. We don't all need to be here," Master said sternly, and we immediately turned serious, facing him.

"You can begin," Jarvis said.

"Cyrus, Jared, and Kevin-the three District leaders-received a card from the White Monarchy. They plan to get the our Mask," Master explained, a serious tone in his voice.

Demon? If I recalled correctly, she owned thirteen masks and led the White Monarchy. She was dangerous and needed to be removed from our path.

"But we only know their names; we don't know them," Stanley commented, shutting his laptop. "We don't know what they're capable of."

"So, we must act before them. We must eliminate Demon before she eliminates us," Master declared.

"BOGSHHHHHH!"

Brizon slammed the table, splitting it in half. Wow, how strong was that?

"It's like committing suicide. Demon is heavily guarded," Brizon said, sounding uneasy.

Was he afraid?

"Are you scared?" Carl asked, echoing my thoughts.

"Yes, I fear we'll all die before we face Demon," Brizon admitted, boldly stating it in front of Master. "Viper sides with Demon, and we both know each could match Master. How will the others fare?"

"We're not alone in opposing Demon. Why not seek aid from the Four Rulers?" Jared suggested.

"We cannot," Master replied shortly.

This, I called... pride!

Ah, it gave me a headache.

I simply bolted out; I didn't want to witness them tearing each other apart over Demon.

But perhaps Brizon had a point. We truly knew nothing about Demon. How could we confront her?

"BOOGSHHH!"

I collided with a student, causing him to fall. I ignored him and kept walking; I couldn't chat. "How rude. What if I was the one you hit? Would you help me too? This is why I despise elite students."

That voice. I immediately searched for her and spotted her on a tree branch. She wore a skirt, so I averted my eyes. What was she doing there?

She jumped down and approached me. I intended to avoid her, being Nathan's sister, but now that she stood before me, I couldn't look away.

"Could you take me home? I'm feeling unwell."

I noticed the redness on her cheek, so I touched her forehead and discovered she had a fever.

"Can you walk? Let's go to the parking lot to fetch my car so I can take you home."

I assisted her to the parking lot, thankfully evading the Sky Protection Squad.

I opened her car door, buckling her seatbelt. I felt her warm breath on my neck and swallowed.

"BANG! BANG!"

Gunshots pierced the air, and I immediately took cover, shielding Hyra who remained safely inside the car.

"Don't get out, no matter what happens," I instructed firmly, our foreheads touching gently as I tried to reassure her amidst the chaos.

"What are you going to do?" Her voice trembled with concern, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.

"I'll handle it. Stay inside and trust me," I said softly, carefully placing earplugs in her ears to shield her from the cacophony outside. Keeping her safe was my priority now.

Closing the car door with a reassuring pat, I scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of the masked woman I suspected was Demon.

"Demon?" I whispered to myself, my heart racing with worry not for myself, but for Hyra. She wasn't just a friend or ally anymore; she had become something more profound to me.

"Hyra is sick. I need to end this quickly," I muttered under my breath, steeling myself as I gripped my gun tightly, ready to confront the danger looming around us.

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

I fired shots, hoping to either subdue or draw out the woman in the white mask, but she vanished like smoke before my eyes, leaving me frustrated and on edge.

"Are you looking for me?"

Inside the car, I knew Hyra was watching intently, her gaze fixed on me with a mixture of concern and trust. Shielded by the earplugs I had given her, she couldn't hear the chaos outside, but her presence anchored me.

"Who the hell are you?" I muttered softly, my frustration evident in my voice as I grappled with the elusive nature of our foe. My thoughts were consumed with protecting Hyra above all else.

Minutes later, the arrival of guards interrupted my thoughts, their questions breaking through the tense atmosphere that surrounded us.

"What happened here? We heard gunshots," one of the guards demanded, his voice cutting through the lingering echoes of gunfire.

The woman in the white mask tossed a white card-the same ominous symbol as those received by the district leaders-before disappearing into thin air.

"Report this to Master. I have something to take care of," I instructed the guards, their compliance immediate as they nodded and quickly departed.

Turning back to Hyra, who had emerged from the car, I felt a rush of relief to see her unharmed, her presence a source of comfort amidst the chaos.

-

"I'll make sure to stay safe," she assured me, her voice filled with unwavering trust and understanding.

"You better," I replied softly, a small smile playing on my lips. "About earlier-"

"Don't worry, I know," she cut in, her smile mirroring my own as gratitude and affection passed between us.

Taking a deep breath, I savored the moment, the warmth of her presence enveloping me. As I started the car, preparing to leave, Hyra surprised me by opening the door again and stepping closer, her eyes meeting mine with a gentle intensity.

In that moment, without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed me. Her lips were soft and warm against mine, a tender affirmation of her feelings and trust in me. I responded instinctively, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close as our kiss deepened.

Time seemed to stand still as we shared that intimate connection, the outside world fading away into insignificance. My heart raced with the intensity of the moment, every touch and sensation amplified by the depth of our emotions.

Finally, reluctantly, we parted, breathless and gazing into each other's eyes. The air between us crackled with unspoken words and shared understanding.

"See you tomorrow," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

"Tomorrow," I echoed, my voice filled with warmth and promise as I watched her disappear into the building.

I sat there for a moment longer, my fingers lingering on my lips where hers had been. A gentle smile played on my face, a mix of contentment and anticipation for what tomorrow might bring.

"I think today turned out alright," I murmured softly to myself, grateful for the unexpected but cherished moment we had shared amidst the chaos and uncertainty.

THIRD PERSON POV

[WHITE MONARCHY HQ]

"So, any idea about the girl who's been tailing the district leaders?" asked the woman seated on her throne, flanked by three men.

"She's quite useful to you, isn't she?" Venom remarked in a lazy tone, his gaze wandering around the room.

"Let's continue using her without her realizing it," Zeus suggested with a smile playing on his lips.

The woman raised an eyebrow, directing her attention to Viper. "And what about you, Viper?"

Viper's jaw clenched slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face as he recounted what he had witnessed earlier. "Just handle it swiftly and get it done," he responded tersely, his voice laced with irritation.

-

FLASHBACK

ELEMENTARY - SKY'S POV

"Can I join your game?" I asked the group of five kids playing outside. They glanced at me and then burst into laughter simultaneously.

"We don't want to play with you. You're too lame. You can't handle this kind of game. Go home and play tea party," one of them taunted, striding over and shoving me until I stumbled and fell. They all joined in the laughter, mocking me.

It didn't stop there. They proceeded to pour their drinks over me, further humiliating me in front of their jeering audience.

Since starting school, I'd always been a target of bullying because of my height and my ears. I was taller than most elementary students, making me an easy target for their mockery.

"Loser!"

"Loser!"

"Loser!"

They kicked me repeatedly until I was lying on the ground, their insults echoing in my ears.

"Loser!"

"Lo- HEYYYYYYYYYY!"

I smiled as he arrived-my hero.

"How many times do I have to tell you guys to stop bullying my cousin, huh?" He walked up to the boys who had been kicking me, grabbing each by the ear one after another. He was cool, even though we were the same age. He could do things I couldn't. He was my superhero.

"Young Master, your father is calling you to the library," the butler announced, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded and made my way to the library, where I found Dad on the phone, looking unusually happy.

He noticed me.

"Okay, Sofie, take care of her. If you need anything, just let me know," Dad said into the phone before hanging up and pulling something out of the cabinet.

He tossed a box to me.

"What's this, Dad?"

"Open it."

I opened the box and found a mask inside.

"What is this?"

"Congratulations, Sky. You've been chosen as one of the Thirteen Masks."

Me? A leader? Why not Christopher?

"You're the heir of the Caribbean, Sky. You need strong people around you. Don't worry, Christopher can take care of himself."

"But why me? Christopher deserves it more."

"He declined and said you'd make a better leader than him. He'll support you."

Since that day, I've been one of the Thirteen Masks. Dad's dream of me becoming a strong leader came true, but his wish for Christopher to always be by my side didn't. When I became a district leader, I drifted apart from Chris. I had guards around me, keeping him away.

I felt lonely. I wanted to take off the mask and be normal again, but I couldn't.

THIRD PERSON POV

PRESENT

As Sky stood on the balcony of his luxurious penthouse, overlooking the city skyline, memories of his childhood flashed through his mind. He recalled the days of being bullied and how Christopher had always been there to defend him.

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the buildings. It reminded him of simpler times when he and Chris would race home from school, laughing all the way.

Now, as one of the elite leaders in the Caribbean, Sky had come a long way from those days. The responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders, yet he was determined to fulfill his role with honor and strength.

He sighed, a mixture of nostalgia and determination filling his heart. Despite the challenges and the distance that had grown between him and Chris, Sky held onto the promise he had made-to be a good leader, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

Turning away from the balcony, Sky walked back into his penthouse. Tonight, he would review the latest reports from his district and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead. But amidst the duties and responsibilities, the memory of his childhood hero-Christopher-remained a guiding light in his journey.

Skyler Jackain Salvador (Sky)