Today is a very important day.
I looked at myself in the mirror with a determined expression.
Cecilia was beaming as she gazed at the large class assignment list posted at the main building’s front gate. She looked absolutely thrilled to have been assigned to the same class as me, her face shining so much that a few boys nearby were sneaking glances at her profile.
Yes, it was an utterly lovely expression. Normally, I would also have been watching Cecilia, thinking, ‘She’s so pretty,’ while observing the faces of the boys stealing glances at her. But right now, that’s not where my focus lies. I’ve already realized that such feelings or envy are pointless!
What matters most to me is… escaping the supporting role.
“Isn’t that her?”
“Who? She’s really pretty.”
“The one who was top of the Academy’s entrance this year…”
“Oh! Wasn’t her name Cecilia?”
Already, her name could be heard among the crowd. But as always, Cecilia remained blissfully unaware that people were talking about her, scanning the class assignments with an innocent face—while holding tightly onto my hand.
Cecilia! I’m not running away just yet. I will someday, but for now, could you let go of my hand?
“What’s so special about that…”
“I mean, her family’s not much, so she must have just studied really hard.”
I heard the clicking of tongues, too.
Gossip is bad, but I understand where their inferiority complex comes from, so it pained me a little. But that’s not what matters!
How pointless and pitiful it is to imitate someone you envy, or to erase yourself just to give off a different charm! As someone who’s lived a supporting role, I know this better than anyone.
So what’s important is me. That’s why I was looking into the mirror.
Today is the first day of classes.
The day to greet classmates who were assigned to the same class. The first day of anything is the most important.
First impression, first class, first friend!
I know just how much of an impact ‘the first’ can have. That’s why I can’t just be Cecilia’s best friend—I have to be just me, ‘Riana’.
My golden-blond hair seemed to shine even without sunlight. I braided it and tied it with a navy ribbon. Eyes: gentle, gentle. I lowered the naturally sharp corners of my eyes and smiled softly.
Hm. Good. This smile is familiar.
Haah. What am I even doing? I told myself I’d live as my true self, yet here I am, forcing on a mask-like smile.
But I can’t help it. I need to give a friendly impression. People have always said my face is too fierce, making it hard to approach me first. So all I can do is smile. Who would spit at a smiling face?
“Riana, what are you doing?”
Cecilia tugged on my arm.
Ah, she’s beautiful today too. Honestly, Cecilia couldn’t help but draw attention. That mysterious blue hair, those moist, watery blue eyes. When she spoke, even more gazes gathered. I gently slipped my arm from her grasp.
“It’s hot. Let’s go.”
She looked longingly at my arm.
No! Cecilia, let’s stop linking arms now. Let’s slowly, secretly drift apart so no one notices, okay?
“Okay, where do we go?”
When Cecilia tilted her head, a few boys cleared their throats as if eager to offer directions.
“This way.”
“You know the way?”
“Yeah.”
Behind her surprised face, several boys looked disappointed. Faces that seemed somewhat familiar, but also not.
Ah, was I really that unsociable? It’s not like I’m new to the Academy, yet there’s not a single familiar face. Get it together, Riana.
Muttering a vow to myself, I led Cecilia toward the first-year building.
There were two long white buildings facing each other like the number 11, both called the main building. The left one was called Building A, the right, Building B. Next to the main building were the professors’ research wings, which were connected.
Building A housed the lower grades, first and second years, while Building B was for upper grades, third through sixth years. Normally, students graduated after fourth year, but certain advanced courses required up to six years. Building B had expensive equipment for the upper grades, so occasionally, underclassmen had classes there too.
Thinking about it, that meant Evan went out of his way to come to Building A just to see Cecilia before class. The buildings were long, and there was a huge athletic field between them, so it took at least ten minutes to get from one to the other. Yet he visited her, not caring about being late.
It really showed just how curious he was about Cecilia. Did he fall for her at first sight after meeting her up close? Lost in these thoughts, we soon arrived at Building A.
There were four doors to the main building: the front entrance, side doors at each end, and a back door at the rear. Our classroom was Room 2111.
As I led her confidently, I felt some people following behind us.
“Riana, did you check everything out here yesterday?”
“Hm? Yeah.”
Maybe I acted too familiar with the place. I should pretend to get lost now and then.
Seeing Cecilia’s surprised face, I thought I needed to be more careful. Everything was supposed to feel new and unfamiliar, but it was all second nature to me.
The classroom door was open.
“Someone’s here.”
Cecilia, full of curiosity and warmth, looked toward the person sitting at the front.
Who was that again?
Light brown hair, small round back of the head, gentle profile.
A familiar face, but I couldn’t recall the name. Not a striking face, one that would be forgotten as soon as they turned away. At Cecilia’s lively voice, she turned to look our way.
She had rather fair skin.
But it was instantly clear: she was one of the few commoner students.
Her uniform was made to fit, but looked rough. The fabric was sturdy, unlikely to wear out soon. The buttons, the collar, the red tie indicating first year—all of it looked mass-produced and shoddily finished.
Perhaps I stared at her clothes too long; she blushed and lowered her head.
Ah, my mistake. I shouldn’t have been so blatant… I just wanted to recall who she was. No, but does it really matter who she is?
All I really need is a new friend, right?
No, more than that… I just want to make friends and get along with people as myself, not as a supporting character. So why am I so hung up on who’s who?
I approached the girl who had her head bowed. Cecilia followed behind, giving me a puzzled look.
“Hello.”
“…Me?”
She blinked in surprise, obviously nervous. She swallowed, eyes wide, and pointed to her own chest with a finger.
“Yes.”
I replied calmly, smiling.
She still looked flustered. Honestly, that was understandable. Even if the Academy claimed to disregard status, we all subconsciously recognized the differences in rank.
So students with similar backgrounds tended to stick together, making this kind of scene unusual.
She glanced around nervously.
At some point, the once-empty classroom had filled with students, all staring our way as if witnessing something unusual.
Nobles generally knew each other’s faces.
Depending on how well-known or sociable they were, but most importantly, based on status. Faces of high-ranking nobles had to be memorized. Even if you didn’t know them, you could guess by the quality of their custom-tailored uniforms; side by side, the contrast was obvious. The rough fabric of the girl I addressed, compared to the expensive silk I wore.
“Isn’t that Lady Credere?”
“Yeah. What’s a commoner doing here…”
“Shh. Let’s watch and see.”
As whispers filled the air, the classroom grew quiet. She wore a troubled expression.
‘Sorry! But I want to be friends!’
When she tried to turn away, I unconsciously grabbed her arm.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Startled, I let go immediately, and she shook her head vigorously. Her fine brown hair fluttered.
“What’s your name?”
Cecilia gave me a strange look.
Yeah, I guess I’m being weird. Maybe my heart got ahead of me—I just started talking with nothing in common.
Maybe it was a sense of kinship. Maybe that’s presumptuous of me. But seeing her sitting alone at the front of the classroom, buried in a book, she looked just like me.
I was always with someone, but my heart was always standing somewhere on the sidelines. That loneliness was truly hard to bear.
She blinked rapidly, glancing furtively at my face and clothes.
It might be presumptuous to approach her because I felt we were similar, but my desire to become friends with her was genuine.
“Riana, really. Asking her name right away would obviously make her flustered.”
Just then.
Cecilia poked me with a finger and stepped in front. She lightly scolded me, but with a smile you couldn’t resent. With a gentle, soothing voice, she spoke to the girl as if it were the most natural thing. I had no choice but to be pushed aside.
“Nice to meet you!”
It was a friendly voice. For someone she’d just met, her warmth was almost excessive.
“Uh? Yes…”
With a clear laugh, Cecilia introduced both herself and me.
“Feel free to call us by name. What’s yours?”
“Daisy… my name’s Daisy.”
Daisy’s voice trembled nervously. With a delighted sound, Cecilia clasped her hands together.
“That’s a beautiful name. Isn’t that a wildflower?”
“Yes! …Thank you.”
The awkwardness and discomfort from earlier had vanished, replaced by Daisy’s bright, excited face.
That was Cecilia’s special talent. Her ability to immediately put people at ease.
A talent only she possessed, impossible to imitate.
‘I hated this feeling.’
Before I knew it, the two of them had formed their own little world, chatting intimately.
With laughter and words flowing between Daisy and Cecilia, it was as if they’d completely forgotten I had spoken first.
Once again, I was left to stand there, staring at them.
“Can I sit next to you?”
“Of course! Please, sit here!”
Daisy beamed, patting the seat beside her, even dusting off the chair as if urging Cecilia to sit.
‘So proactive!’
Where did the prickly girl from before go? I couldn’t help feeling wronged.
Cecilia naturally settled into the seat beside Daisy.
And me? Once again! I ended up standing there alone, looking dumb.
Damn it.
I told you, I’m not being a supporting character anymore.
Cecilia’s clear, sparkling voice was so pure it sounded like music. Really, it’s not your fault. If you make a new friend, that’s something to celebrate.
As I scanned the room for an empty seat, Cecilia suddenly stopped talking, lifted her head, and looked at me.
“Riana! Why are you standing? Sit back here!”
As if she’d never forgotten me—speaking like she’d just assumed I was already nearby—Cecilia patted the seat behind her.
“Ye-yes! Please, sit here!”
Her transparent, watery blue eyes sparkled innocently, not a trace of guilt. Daisy, apparently emboldened by Cecilia, also nodded energetically, pointing at the seat behind.
Well then.
But sitting behind them, I doubted I could join their natural flow of conversation.
Yeah, I was sure of it.
I shook my head and smiled gently. Is my face twitching? Ha. Ha. Ha.
“Actually, I think I’ll sit over here.”
I shook my head, pulling out a chair a little farther away and sitting down—only to realize someone was already there.
Oh my goodness!
The moment I pulled out the chair and sat down, I was startled, my body jerking violently. The desk rattled loudly.
The boy, who shot me a prickly glance, immediately slumped back over the desk in the same posture. I glimpsed his name badge—it seemed to start with ‘Ma’. Was there a noble family with a name starting with ‘Ma’?
Did we have anyone like that in our class in first year? He was unfamiliar.
His skin was translucent, his hair pitch black. Such dark hair was rare, so I should have remembered him.
What was it? I searched my memory for noble families whose names began with ‘Ma’, staring at the back of his head.
As I puzzled over it, a murmur rose in the classroom.