#student au

I looked around the building, excited for a fresh start. I nudged the nervous boy beside me. “Come on Rio. We just got accepted for the exchange program for a famous and rich school! You’re acting like someone will eat you.” I teased, making a biting motion with my mouth.

“Yea Ri-Ri~ loosen up would you? You’ve been shaking since we got on the plane.” Tsunjael comments, nudging his shoulder.

Rio rolled his eyes, nudging him back. “You’re right. Nothing is as scary as you.”

We all burst into laughter, Tsunjael pretending to snap his teeth at Rio’s arm as if he might actually bite him.

Who knew I would get lost on the first day. Well, Orientation Day.

I was with the rest of the group just a moment ago. One trip to the bathroom and everyone vanished. I couldn’t even call anyone because I gave Rio my bag and phone when I went to the bathroom!

By the fifth wrong turn I thought about just ending it and jumping out the window when a student appeared. It A student stood near the corridor’s end, posture relaxed, expression unreadable. A silver badge glinted on his chest—student council. Relief rushed through me.

I hurried over and grabbed his arm without thinking, squinting to read the name engraved on the badge.

Naomi.

“H-Hey—! I’m kinda lost…” I muttered. “You think you can help me?”

That was when I really looked at him.

Pink hair, soft but sharp at the edges. Blue eyes kissed with gold, like sunlight trapped beneath ice. Beautiful in a way that felt… dangerous.

The boy looked down at me like I was a puzzle he’d already solved—and was enjoying anyway. A slow smile tugged at his lips, all mischief and secrets.

“Oh?” he murmured, tilting his head. “A lost little birdie wandering into forbidden halls on her first day?” His blue eyes flickered with something warm—golden—before he leaned just a bit closer. “How rare...”

His gaze swept over me, unhurried, deliberate, like he was savoring the moment. “You really should be more careful,” he added softly, amusement lacing every word. “Someone might take advantage of how… helpless you look.”

Then, as if remembering himself, he straightened and tapped his badge. “Naomi,” he said. “And if you’re very nice, I might guide you back to your flock.”

His smile widened. “Or,” he shrugged lightly, “I could lead you somewhere far more interesting.”

I blinked momentarily at him. “…Just guiding me back is good enough..” I said, a bit taken aback by his words.

It didn’t take long for me to spot the group of exchange students all heading into the auditorium. I turned back around to him.

“Thank you. Appreciate it.” I said with a curt nod. As I turned to leave, he caught my wrist.

“Sit with me.”

Before I could protest, he steered me through a side entrance and up the stairs—higher and higher—until we reached the very top row of the hall.

“…Can I really sit here?” I asked, caution fogging my head.

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear, his voice a velvet whisper.

“Wait and find out.”

The auditorium slowly emptied, students filing out in neat clusters as the echo of footsteps filled the grand hall. At the front, a line of students remained behind—distinct from the rest by their posture alone.

The student council.

They stood like they owned the building. Maybe they did. Naomi—The Student Council Presiden;I should’ve read the badge more carefully;stopped before the group of exchange students, his gaze sweeping over them.

And lingering—briefly—on me.

“Welcome,” he said, voice smooth, pleasant enough to sound sincere. “You’ll be split into groups. Each of us will guide you through a portion of the campus.”

Murmurs of excitement rippled through the exchange students.

“Think of this as a… courtesy,” a sharp-eyed girl added. “You’re guests here, after all.”

Naomi smiled at that. “Yes. Guests.”

He stepped closer and clasped his hands behind his back. “Now—names will be called. When you hear yours, come forward.”

As names were read, students were pulled into different groups, guided away by council members who already seemed to be judging them.

I felt a strange knot in my chest as Naomi’s eyes flicked to me again.

“—And you,” he said suddenly, pausing mid-list.

My head snapped up.

“You’ll be with me.”

I spent most of the tour texting Rio and Tsunjael, frantically recounting my encounter with Naomi. They were with Lennox, the Vice President—apparently far friendlier, which felt wildly unfair.

“Oh is that so?” A whisper fannned my ear, making me tense.

I shivered, covering my ears. “It is not nice to look at other’s screens.” I protest, pressing the phone to my chest.

He only smirked.

He walked away slowly, hands in his pockets, allowing the group to trail behind him once more. The other council members’ voices echoed faintly from distant corridors.

“This wing houses advanced classrooms,” Naomi said casually. “Restricted access after hours. If you’re caught wandering here without permission…” He glanced back, smile faint. “The consequences are unpleasant.”

A nervous laugh rippled through the group. Naomi didn’t laugh.

We stopped near a tall arched window overlooking the inner courtyard.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked. “Most students never see it from this angle.”

His gaze drifted to me again. “Some views are reserved.”

One of the exchange students raised a hand. “Um—are there any rules we should know about?”

Naomi hummed thoughtfully. “Rules?” He tilted his head. “Of course.”

He stepped closer to the group, lowering his voice just enough that everyone leaned in.

“Don’t lie to the council,” he said softly. “Don’t embarrass us. And don’t assume kindness is the same as safety.”

His eyes met mine as he finished, gold glinting beneath blue.

“If you’re favored,” he added, almost gently, “you’ll thrive here.”

A pause.

“If not—” His smile returned, sharp and beautiful. “Well. This school has a way of reminding people where they stand.”

He straightened, clapping his hands once. “Tour continues. Try to keep up.”

By the end of it, he slowed enough to walk beside me.

“Still think I’m not friendly?” he asked lightly. “I brought the lost birdie back to her flock.” His tone scoffed—his smile didn’t. “And not even a thank you.”

“You seem awfully invested,” I muttered.

“I don’t usually pay this much attention to others,” he admitted, eyes glinting. “Consider yourself… exceptional.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Is that supposed to make me feel lucky?”

He hummed, gaze drifting ahead.

“It will,” he said softly. “Eventually.”

When the tour ended, the teachers announced that all of us would be separated into houses…? Like we were in Harry Potter or something. Apparently our houses didn’t matter for the most part, just that we would use it for events. (Guess rich schools can’t be normal and just call it Sport Houses.)

The hall was quiet in the way only expensive places ever were—hushed, reverent, waiting.

We stood in rows beneath a vaulted ceiling painted with winged figures in gold leaf. At the front loomed four banners, each one heavy with embroidery and history. They shimmered faintly, as if alive.

🦢 AURELION–Gold & Ivory — “To Be Chosen Is to Rule”

🦅 CAELUM–Blue & Silver — “See All. Say Little.”

🐍 VIREX–Emerald & Black — “Endure. Adapt. Survive.”

🕊️ LUCEN–White & Rose-Gold — “To Be Good Is to Be Safe”

A woman in ivory robes stepped forward, her voice carrying without effort.

“Today,” she announced, “you are not judged by what you’ve done—but by what you will endure.”

One by one, names were called.

Students stepped onto the dais and pressed their palms to a thin, gilded plate etched with feathers. The metal glowed, flared—and chose.

“Aurelion.”

Cheers, polite and sharp.

“Caelum.”

Applause, restrained.

“Virex.”

Murmurs. Curiosity. Wariness.

When my name echoed through the hall, my pulse thundered in my ears. I stepped forward, the floor cold beneath my shoes, and placed my hand on the plate.

It was warm.

Too warm.

The gold light spread slowly, like hesitation.

Then the banner unfurled.

🕊️ LUCEN.

A soft ripple passed through the room—not disappointment, not excitement. Something quieter.

Expectation.

I exhaled, unsure why my chest felt both lighter and heavier at once.

From the front row, I felt eyes on me.

Watching.

Naomi didn’t react immediately.

He remained seated, chin resting against his knuckles, blue-and-gold eyes fixed on the Lucen banner as it settled back into place.

Lucen.

Interesting.

A smile tugged faintly at his mouth—not amused, not pleased. Curious. Like he’d just watched a card flip he hadn’t expected, but very much intended to keep.

Beside him, Lennox glanced over. “Lucen,” he murmured. “That surprises you?”

Naomi hummed. “No.”

A pause.

“It disappoints me.”

Lennox raised an eyebrow. “You sound invested.”

Naomi’s gaze flicked back to me, still standing beneath the banner, still trying to look composed.

“She’s exactly where this school likes to put things it wants to use,” he said lightly. “Kind. Visible. Replaceable.”

He stood, smoothing his jacket.

“But,” he added, eyes glinting, “not where I would’ve placed her.”

As the Lucen students were guided to their section, my eyes met his for half a second.

His smile returned—slow, deliberate.

Not welcoming.