The Knight and the Countdown

The hallway was alive with the faint hum of chatter and the shuffle of students finding their way to their respective classrooms. As they neared the door to Class B, Aiden glanced casually at his watch. His lips curved into a playful smirk, and he held up his wrist for Ichinose to see.

"Well, would you look at that," he drawled, his tone as light as the twinkle in his electric-blue eyes.

Curiosity sparked, Ichinose leaned in to peek at the time displayed on his watch: 8:55 AM. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized how close it was to the start of class.

"Time sure flies when you're having fun," Aiden said, the smirk widening into a full grin.

Ichinose chuckled softly, her laughter chiming like a delicate bell. "Oh, is that what this was? Fun?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of playful skepticism.

"Absolutely," Aiden replied, placing a hand over his heart with mock sincerity. "How often does one get the honor of spending quality time with Ms. Angel herself?"

The words landed like a soft breeze, and Ichinose's cheeks flushed faintly. She looked away, a little flustered, but her lips curled into a small, amused smile. "T-Takahashi-kun, stop with that already! You're going to make people misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?" Aiden teased, tilting his head. "There's nothing to misunderstand. I'm simply stating the truth."

Ichinose sighed, the exasperation in her expression undercut by the faint curve of her lips. "Well, truth or not, you should get going. You only have three minutes left to find your class."

Aiden straightened dramatically, giving her a mock bow that was somehow both exaggerated and graceful. His cap tilted slightly as he moved, adding an extra flair to the performance. "Aye, aye, princess. Your loyal knight shall heed your command."

Ichinose laughed despite herself, her hand lightly pushing against his arm. "Just go already, Takahashi-kun! You're going to be late!"

Aiden took a step back, his grin unwavering as he saluted her. "Don't miss me too much, Ichinose-san. I promise we'll cross paths again soon—I'll make sure of it."

Ichinose watched as he turned and jogged down the hallway, his silver hair catching the light with each step. She stood there for a moment, her heart unexpectedly lighter. Shaking her head with a small, fond smile, she finally turned toward the door to Class B.

As Aiden rounded the corner, his playful grin melted away like morning dew under the sun. The relaxed air he had exuded moments ago was replaced by a focused intensity. His sharp gaze locked onto the path ahead, calculating the shortest route to Class D.

Without missing a beat, he broke into a full sprint. His movements were fluid and controlled, his stride long and powerful. The muscles in his legs tensed and relaxed rhythmically, visible beneath the fabric of his trousers as he moved with precision. Each step echoed softly in the empty corridor, the sound a metronome for his calculated speed.

The door to Class D finally came into view, and Aiden calculated his next move on the fly. With a practiced maneuver, he skidded to a halt just short of crashing into the frame, his sneakers screeching faintly against the polished floor.

Just as he adjusted his footing, he caught movement from the corner of his eye.

Approaching from the opposite direction was a woman—a striking figure who exuded authority with every measured step. Her sharp black suit fit her perfectly, her single ponytail swinging faintly as she walked. In one hand, she held a sleek notebook, her other hand relaxed at her side.

Aiden's electric-blue eyes met hers for a brief moment. Her gaze was calm, but piercing, the kind of look that stripped away facades and laid everything bare.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Aiden's lips. Without breaking stride, he tipped the brim of his red cap in a smooth, almost theatrical motion.

For the briefest moment, the woman's stoic expression shifted—her lips twitching as though she fought back a smirk of her own. Then, as quickly as the flicker of amusement had appeared, it was gone, and she continued toward the classroom with the same composed grace.

Aiden turned his attention back to the door and slipped inside through the back entrance.

The sound of the back door closing drew immediate attention. Heads turned in unison, curious eyes locking onto the silver-haired boy who had just stepped into the room.

Aiden's entrance wasn't flashy, yet it commanded attention. The click of his shoes against the floor, the faint tilt of his cap that matched his jacket perfectly, the effortless confidence in his stride—it all worked in concert to create an aura that was impossible to ignore.

He paused briefly, scanning the room with a sharp, assessing gaze. Rows of unfamiliar faces stared back at him, some curious, some amused, others attempting to mask their intrigue behind indifferent expressions.

Aiden's lips curved into a charming smile, his electric-blue eyes gleaming with mischief. He tipped his cap slightly, acknowledging the silent attention with the kind of self-assured flair that made it seem as though he belonged anywhere.

Just as a few students began to whisper among themselves, the piercing chime of the homeroom bell rang out, silencing any murmurs before they could fully form.

Aiden turned his head toward the front of the room, where a figure had just entered—a figure he recognized immediately.

It was the same woman he had encountered moments ago. Her commanding presence filled the room effortlessly as she stepped to the front, her sharp eyes sweeping over the students.

For a moment, the room was steeped in silence, the tension almost palpable. Aiden leaned back slightly, his smirk deepening. This is going to be interesting.