The next morning, Ariana woke up in the same state she had fallen asleep in the night before. The early light streamed through the curtains, illuminating the room with a soft glow.

She quickly got up, careful not to make too much noise, and headed to the bathroom to shower before Day could wake up. The warm water washed over her as she tried to collect her thoughts, the events of last night still fresh in her mind.

Once dressed, Ariana stepped back into the room, only to find Day awake. He was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling with an unreadable expression.

"Day?" she called softly, catching his attention.

He turned his head toward her, letting out a long stretch before sitting up. His movements were slow, deliberate as if he were lost in thought.

Ariana hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "About last night..." she began, her tone uncertain.

Day glanced at her, then stood, running a hand through his messy hair. "I didn't like my spot," he said, his voice calm but distant.

Ariana crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Day as he casually stretched, his hair tousled from sleep. He looked too relaxed for someone who had been stewing about something all night.

"You didn't like your place on the list?" she repeated, her voice carrying a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. "Seriously, Day? That's what's been bothering you?"

Day ran a hand through his messy hair, giving her a half-hearted shrug. "Yeah, I didn't like my spot. It felt... off." His tone was casual, but Ariana could see the faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Off?" Ariana echoed, her irritation growing. "You weren't even ranked low! Mina and I were just—"

"Doesn't matter," Day interrupted, standing and walking over to her. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms in a mirrored stance. "I think I should've been number one."

Ariana blinked, caught off guard by his boldness. "Number one?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You're serious right now?"

Day tilted his head, his smirk growing into a playful grin. "Dead serious. If I'm not number one on your list, who is? And don't tell me it's one of those upperclassmen. They've got nothing on me."

Ariana groaned, rubbing her temples. "Day, it was just a stupid list. It wasn't meant to be serious. Mina and I were just goofing around!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "Maybe. But now you've got me curious. If it's not serious, then it should be easy for you to say I'm number one, right?"

Ariana shot him a glare, feeling her face heat up. "Why do you care so much about a dumb ranking?"

Day leaned closer, his grin softening into something more genuine. "Because, Ariana, it's you. Your opinion matters to me."

Her breath caught at his words, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't expected him to say something so... sincere. For a moment, she couldn't find the words to respond.

"I... didn't think it would matter," she said finally, her voice quieter now.

Day shrugged again, his expression still light but his eyes holding an unmistakable seriousness. "Well, it does. So, what's it gonna be? Am I number one, or do I need to prove it?"

Ariana rolled her eyes, trying to regain her composure. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Maybe," Day said with a chuckle. "But you still haven't answered the question."

Ariana sighed, feeling cornered but also strangely amused. "Fine. You're number one. Happy now?"

Day grinned, his eyes lighting up with triumph. "Very."

She shook her head, unable to suppress a small smile. "You're such a pain."

"And yet, you tolerate me," he teased, stepping back and grabbing a shirt from the nearby chair. "Now, let's get going. We've got class, and I'd hate to keep my number one fan waiting."

Ariana groaned, following him out of the room, but she couldn't deny the warmth spreading through her chest. Day might be a pain, but he had a way of making her feel... special.

Ariana stifled a laugh as she skimmed Mina's message on her phone. Mina had detailed Scrap's over-the-top reaction to the list, describing how he'd dramatically declared, "How could I not even be on it? I'm everyone's favorite!" Mina had ended the message with several laughing emojis and a note: "Good luck explaining this one to everyone else!"

Lowering her phone, Ariana's attention shifted to the group of boys gathered in the dorm hallway. The infamous list was in their hands, and their reactions ranged from amused to outraged. Her eyes landed on Kai, who looked particularly furious. His brows were furrowed, his jaw clenched, and his eyes were practically boring a hole into the paper.

"Number seven?" he muttered, his voice rising with indignation. "SEVEN?! Are they blind or just stupid?"

One of the boys beside him tried—and failed—to hide a snicker. "Hey, seven isn't that bad, Kai. Could've been worse."

Kai shot him a glare that could have melted steel. "Worse? You're number four! What does that even mean? Who made this list?!"

Ariana quickly ducked her head, pretending to be engrossed in her phone, but she couldn't stop the small smirk tugging at her lips. Of course, Kai would take this as some sort of personal affront. His competitive nature wouldn't let him see it as just a joke.

As the boys continued to bicker, Kai crumpled the list in his hands. "This is ridiculous. I'm fixing this. Where's Mina? I know she's behind this."

Ariana couldn't help herself; she looked up and met Kai's fiery gaze. His eyes narrowed slightly as recognition dawned.

"You," he said, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "You're part of this, aren't you? What the hell is this ranking even based on?!"

Ariana raised her hands in mock surrender, her smirk turning into a sheepish grin. "Relax, Kai. It's just a joke. Mina and I didn't think anyone would take it so seriously."

Kai's scowl deepened, but a hint of uncertainty crept into his expression. "A joke? You ranked people based on what—looks? Popularity? Aura? How do I even end up at seven?"

"It's not scientific, okay?" Ariana replied, trying not to laugh. "Mina and I were just messing around. It's not a big deal."

Kai didn't seem convinced. "Not a big deal? You basically declared war with this thing!"

Another boy snickered. "Hey, at least you're on the list. Imagine being number twelve."

Kai groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I don't care. I'm still talking to Mina about this."

Ariana let out a soft giggle, shaking her head as she walked past Kai and the other group of boys lingering in the hallway. Their stares lingered, but she paid them no mind, her confidence shining through.

Day followed close behind, his usual nonchalant expression in place, though his eyes briefly flicked toward the boys. Ariana didn't have to look back to know he was keeping an eye on her, his presence steady and protective.

By the time they reached the classroom, Ariana and Mina sat at their usual spot in the back of the classroom, their heads close together as they stifled laughter. Mina was practically in tears as Ariana recounted Kai's indignant outburst about being ranked number seven.

"And then he goes, 'How do I even end up at seven?!'" Ariana whispered, mimicking his tone and expression perfectly.

Mina clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, her shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. "I can't believe he's so worked up about it! It's just a list!"

"Apparently not to him," Ariana said, smirking. "It's like we shattered his whole worldview. He's probably still hunting for you right now."

Mina leaned back in her seat, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Let him try. Honestly, the fact that this has gotten such a reaction is making it even funnier."

As their giggles subsided slightly, Day, sitting in front of them, turned around and gave Ariana a pointed look. "You two do realize you've thrown half the dorms into chaos, right?" he said in a low voice, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Ariana grinned at him. "It's harmless fun. Besides, you weren't that upset about your rank, were you?"

Day rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smirk tugging at his lips. "I have better things to worry about. But you might want to keep an eye out for Kai. He looked like he was ready to tear that list apart—and anyone associated with it."

Mina waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, please. Kai's all bark and no bite. He'll get over it."

The classroom began to quiet down as Leon entered, his imposing presence immediately commanding attention. Ariana and Mina quickly straightened in their seats, though Mina leaned over one last time to whisper, "Still, we should totally make a new list next week."

Ariana stifled another laugh, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

The lesson started, but the two of them exchanged occasional glances and stifled grins, their little prank still the highlight of their day.

As Leon began his lecture on the biology of weapons and meisters, the class was filled with a mix of curiosity and low murmurs. His explanation of how weapon and meister abilities could appear seemingly at random within families sparked jokes and side conversations among the students.

"...So, while it's common for abilities to be inherited, there's no guarantee," Leon said, pacing the front of the room with his usual air of authority. "A family of weapons might produce a meister, or vice versa, depending on genetic factors and—"

Before he could finish, one of the students at the front muttered something under their breath, earning a ripple of laughter throughout the room.

Mina leaned over to Ariana with a mischievous grin. "So basically, someone's parents had to get really close for this to work, huh?" she whispered, her tone dripping with mock scandal.

Ariana tensed, her face heating up. She bit her lip and avoided Mina's gaze, staring intently at her notebook as if she were taking the most diligent notes of her life. The memory of her conversation with Day—along with the lingering marks Mina had pointed out the day before—flashed through her mind. She swallowed hard, trying to push the thought away.

Mina nudged her. "Come on, you've got to admit that's funny," she teased, clearly enjoying Ariana's uncharacteristic silence.

Ariana finally managed a weak chuckle, though her face remained red. "Y-Yeah, hilarious," she muttered, glued to the page in front of her.

Day, sitting next to her glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Mina's whisper. His gaze briefly met Ariana's before he turned back to face Leon, though not without a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

Leon, seemingly unfazed by the classroom's energy, continued his lecture. "This unpredictability is why understanding the bond between a weapon and a meister is critical. It's not just about compatibility but trust, synchronization, and a shared purpose."

The class gradually settled back into focus, but Mina leaned closer to Ariana one last time. "You're blushing so hard right now," she whispered, her grin widening.

Ariana shot her a look that could kill, muttering under her breath, "I'm going to strangle you after class."

Mina just laughed, completely unfazed.

The classroom buzzed with chatter as Leon stood at the front, preparing to start his lesson. His voice carried over the noise, commanding attention as he spoke about the day's topic.

In the middle of his explanation, one of the boys in the center of the room raised his hand with a sly grin. "Hey, Leon," he called out, leaning back in his chair, "what's your ranking on the list?"

The room went dead silent as Leon stopped mid-sentence, his piercing gaze locking onto the boy who had dared to speak up. The air in the classroom shifted a mix of dread and stifled laughter bubbling beneath the surface.

"What list?" Leon asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge that promised he wouldn't let this slide easily.

The boy, clearly regretting his decision, fidgeted in his seat. "Uh... it's nothing, sir. Just, um... a silly thing going around the dorms."

Leon arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "If it's so 'silly,' then why bring it up in my class? Care to explain?"

The boy swallowed hard, looking around for backup, but no one came to his rescue. A few students stifled giggles, while others exchanged wide-eyed glances, silently pleading for Leon to move on.

Mina leaned over to Ariana, whispering, "This is about to be so good."

Ariana, already feeling her cheeks heat up, groaned softly. "I knew this would come back to bite us."

Leon scanned the room, his gaze sharp. "I'll ask one more time: What list?"

From somewhere in the back, a bold but misguided student muttered, "It's a ranking... of the boys at school."

A ripple of suppressed laughter moved through the class as Leon's expression remained unreadable. He adjusted his glasses, the room falling silent once again.

"A ranking, you say?" he repeated, his tone dry. "And am I to assume that my name is also on this list?"

The room erupted in nervous laughter, some students turning red with the effort of holding it back. Mina covered her mouth to hide her grin, while Ariana sank lower in her seat, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

Leon let the laughter simmer for a moment before speaking again. "Well, if my name is on this list, I suppose I'll need to see it for myself. Bring me a copy after class."

The boy in the middle stammered, "I-I don't have it, sir! It's just, uh, floating around."

Leon's gaze didn't waver. "Then I suggest you find it."

The room stayed silent, the tension palpable, as Leon returned to the chalkboard. "Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Synchronization and trust." He resumed his lecture as though nothing had happened, but the class remained on edge, many glancing nervously at one another.

Mina leaned over again, whispering to Ariana, "We are so busted."

Ariana sighed, her hand covering her face. "I hate you so much right now."