prologue

Azeria Kisaki De Leon. The name was engraved on the name tag on her blazer. Everyone were stopping on their tracks once they saw the letters engraved on the tag, only standing at their places and looking at the young lady in awe. Some were whispering comments here and there, some of which the girl heard, but she continued walking proudly without care, not minding whatever she heard. She was striding with pride as her long black hair flowed down her back and her brown, cat-like eyes glimmering under the sun.

When she entered one of the buildings of the Academy, the scene that happened earlier replayed as she walked through the corridors. Everyone stopped and remained in their places, like a greeting to someone higher than their standing. Even the teachers halted for a moment to glance at the girl. "Welcome back, queen!" A male voice said, the words echoing through the halls. She curiously stared at the boy walking towards her. There were two more males at his back following him and one at his side, all of them greeting her with a smile. All of the the four, she knew them since she was a child. The one who shouted through the halls looked like a prince out of the movies, his dark brown hair curled finely while still being mess, that made him look majestic. Leroy Osho Fuertez, future owner of the best hospital in the country. The one beside him was Eos Kakai Coron, already helping his family manage their racing car company. His fine muscles still could be seen even through his blazer. The twin brothers, Primo and Aki Kamisaki, walking behind the two. Everything were identical between them except the radiant smile that was plastered on Aki's face and the lazy hooded eyes Primo wore. Their family owned the whole Academy. "Finally, normal beings. Well, sorta." She sighed and walked to him, hugging the male when she finally reached him. The boy hugged her back and laughed at her comment. "You've been here for years, aren't you used to it?" Primo asked as the two pulled away. "Does it look like I'm used to it?" She sassed, eyeing around the halls. The students were still there and they've never left their places. "King, please tell them to leave. It's pathetic sight to look at." She said, walking away from the scene. "Well, at least she said please." The boy shrugged as he ushered the other students to go away.

After the awkward occurrence, everyone continued by their day like normal, except for those who were in the same class as Azeria. Every now and then, everyone was stealing glances at her while she glared at them for it, feeling extremely irritated and uncomfortable. It continued throughout their first and second period, with Leroy snickering now and then at how annoyed the girl looked.

The two periods ended as Azeria almost scowled at everyone in their class. She remained seated while everyone was gone, her brows furrowing in irritation. "Hard first day huh?" Leroy asked as he approached her. She gave a small 'tch' before answering, "If Eos was here, I would at least have someone to glare at them for me." She sighed, standing up from her seat and making her way to the cafeteria. "He'd rather spend his day with the two idiots rather than scaring people away for you." Leroy said with a chuckle following at the end, following the girl to where she was headed. Azeria sighed, knowing that what he said was accurate. "You sure you wanna go there?" Leroy asked when realized where they were going. Azeria looked at him as she tilted her head to show her confusion. "People will stare and talk, that feels creepy." The girl looked stopped walking, thinking of a place for them to eat. "Are we still allowed to get out of school?" She asked. "Yes, but it isn't like you to eat outside." They continued walking again, but changed their trajectory to where the gates were designated. "Oh please, you know there's one place I would eat at any day." She said, placing her hands inside her blazer's pockets by habit. "Text the three, tell them we'll meet at the gates." Leroy muttered a small 'yes ma'am' before doing what he was asked to.

They continued their way while talking about things that happened while they were disconnected, making and taking insults at each other here and there.

"So, they stared at you like a zoo animal?" Primo asked as they approached the two. "Yeah, the only thing that was missing was them throwing peanuts at her to do tricks." Leroy answered for her, making her look at him with a sharp glare. "Let's just go, before I'm the one throwing peanuts at you." Eos said with a gruff, walking ahead of the group. "If killing was legal, the world would've had it's population in half by now, all done by him." Azeria commented, looking at Eos' back as he walked away.

The four followed the stiff boy as they went to the little bakery they frequented since they were young. The place where they spent their birthdays rather than having them at the fancy restaurants others adored. This is where they went whenever they weren't at their family's company, finding comfort in the sweets offered to them by the sweet old lady while complaining how they don't want to take over their family business. They saw it as a home, since the ambiance of that place was more homely than of their own.

"Auntie!" Leroy greeted cheerfully, running through the doors of the bakery. "Oh my gosh. Ze-ze, honey, is that you?" The old baker passed by the boy and walked straight to Azeria, engulfing her in an embrace that the girl happily returned. "That's mean, auntie!" Leroy whined, taking a piece of his favorite cake from the kitchen. "I haven't seen her in a year Leroy! I see you everyday. And get out of my kitchen!" The old lady said, pulling away from the hug. "I missed you, auntie." The girl said softly, making the woman's heart feel warmth. "You know, I missed you more, honey." The lady held her hand, leading her to the table they always sat at since they first came there. "Is strawberry still your favorite?" The lady asked her sweetly, in par with her baked goods. "Nothing in the world could replace my love for it auntie, you know that." She said with a laugh, enjoying the scent of the bakery. "How about your love for the fella you brought here once?" The woman asked, excited to hear about what Azeria had to say. The girl's breath got caught up on your throat, surprised at the sudden question. "Hey, auntie, can you get the strawberry macaroons in the kitchen? I think Azeria would love that." Primo cut off their conversation. "Oh right! I forgot about those! Oh, silly me! You'd love them honey." Azeria nodded to her while smiling and ushering her to go.

"You're a life savior." She said to Primo as soon as she saw the lady get inside the kitchen. "Why didn't you tell her? You met her before you left, didn't you?" Leroy asked, going to the table with his hands full of sweets he could carry. "How could I? She looked ecstatic talking about apps that would help for long-distance relationships." She sighed, taking a cupcake from the stack that Leroy had put on the table. "Well, you can't have her expecting forever that you'll bring him here again." Eos said, sitting beside the girl and taking his own sweet out of the stash.