The night before his first day at a new school, Keon stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his uniform collar for the tenth time. White shirt, navy blazer, tie slightly loosened. He looked... normal. That was the goal.
He glanced at his reflection and said flatly, "You're just another student. Nothing special. Keep your head down. No drama."
Buzz. Incoming video call: Mai.
Keon sighed before answering. "Yes, Uncle—"
The screen lit up with Mai, lounging in a velvet robe, a green clay mask covering his face, and a cat curled in his lap like some low-budget Bond villain. A wine glass twirled between his fingers.
"Keon! My beautiful, brooding nephew! Ready for the best years of your life?" he said with a wide grin.
"You look like a skincare commercial gone wrong," Keon muttered.
"It's called hydration, dear boy. Mafia boss or not, pores are important."
Keon raised a brow. "Aren't you supposed to take me to school tomorrow?"
"Ahh, about that…" Mai's tone shifted slightly. The grin stayed, but his eyes darkened. "Minor inconvenience. One of my associates thought it would be fun to smuggle weapons in frozen tuna. I have to fix it."
Keon blinked. "That's... oddly specific."
Mai waved it off. "Don't worry. I'm sending someone to take you."
"Oh god—"
"Nova."
Keon groaned, already flopping backward onto his bed. "She doesn't even talk, Mai."
"She doesn't need to. She protects. She's punctual. She won't let you get stabbed. Win-win."
"Why would anyone stab me at a school?"
"People are unpredictable. Like acne. Goodnight, Keon."
Click. Call ended.
---
The Next Morning
Keon stood on the curb, yawning. He barely had time to curse Mai again before a sleek black car rolled up, windows tinted. The back door popped open on its own.
Nova stood beside it in a tailored suit and tinted shades, expression unreadable. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Her presence screamed "I will snap your spine if required."
Keon sighed and slid in. "Couldn't even get dropped off in a basic taxi…"
The ride was silent. Keon stared at her through the mirror.
"Seriously, how do you never talk? It's creepy."
Nova glanced at him briefly, then looked away again.
Keon pulled out his phone and texted Mai: You sent a hitwoman to take me to math class.
Mai replied with a selfie. Pink robe. Cat hat. Thumbs up.
And you're welcome. Be good. Or don't. Either way, have fun.
---
Arrival: Shinkai High
The car slid to a stop in front of Shinkai High. Students gathered outside turned immediately, whispering. Some pulled out phones. Others just stared.
Keon stepped out like he was walking onto a crime scene. Nova stood behind him, stone-faced.
"Fantastic," he muttered. "Exactly how I wanted to start. Like a celebrity or a corpse."
---
Up on the rooftop, a boy with black-and-red hair leaned against the railing, watching the scene below.
Fuyu. The school's problem child.
"That him?" he said aloud, chewing a toothpick.
Beside him, Aki nodded. "New kid. Transfer. No one knows much yet."
Fuyu smirked. "He's either rich or cursed. I already don't like him."
---
Inside, a golden-haired student slammed open a classroom window and leaned out with a huge grin.
Kira. Chaos incarnate.
"Oho? New meat? I love new meat."
Someone behind him muttered, "You're not allowed to call people that."
Kira waved it off. "Look at him! He's got the 'tragic past' look. I must befriend him."
---
Classroom 2-B.
The teacher adjusted his glasses. "Everyone, we have a transfer today. Please welcome—"
"Keon," he said flatly, bowing with barely any enthusiasm.
Whispers buzzed immediately.
"He's hot."
"He looks scary."
"Did he get out of a mafia limo?"
"Who's the woman in the suit?!"
Keon ignored all of it and sat in the last row by the window. Classic brooding protagonist position. He glanced out to see Nova still standing outside, arms crossed.
This is gonna be hell, he thought.
---
Across the room, a tall boy smiled from his desk.
Leo. All teeth. No warmth.
He tapped his pen and stared at Keon. The kind of stare you'd give a puzzle you couldn't wait to take apart.
---
Keon let out a sigh and slumped forward.
"Just one day. Let me have one normal—"
"HEY! YOU'RE IN MY SEAT!"
...Day ruined.
---