The Bell

Her soft smile and gentle voice calmly guided Kim U-Ri. They went back and forth, rapping to each other as they went through song, after song.

"You're perfect! I knew you'd pick it up quickly! I am so glad I got a chance to help you."

Her satisfied voice and little fist pumps made Kim Haru laugh.

"Gotta go! Bye-bye!"

Throwing back a light-hearted wave, she ran out of the room, leaving a stunned Kim U-Ri.

"Dude, empress made you sound so much better."

Yun Kwang's loud, taunting voice filled the previously quiet room. His hands were placed behind his head and, a cocky grin hung on his lips.

"Hyung, Hyung! Isn't my mom amazing!"

Cho HaYun's bubbly voice was much more pleasant as he jumped on Kim U-Ri.

"Mom? You work fast. She must be the empress. The empress is the only girl allowed on campus."

Although his face seemed calm, Kim U-Ri was still very shy from being with Kyo SeolJu. Gok DoHyun noticed how the three younger boys had already accepted Kyo SeolJu. Even if Yun Kwang didn't want to admit it, he had given his loyalty to Kyo SeolJu. Hearing multiple people approaching, the boys looked to the door. With Kang SeoMin leading the group, the boys made an anime-style entrance. Sitting on the couch, Kang SeoMin visibly sulked when he saw that Kyo SeolJu was not in the room. The twins went to the window to see if she was outside.

"Where did my noona go!"

Kang SeoJun whined, plopping on the ottoman, and slouching against Cho HaYun.

"Mom left before I could go with her."

Pouting, Cho HaYun shared Kang SeoJun's feelings.

"Mom! Why are you calling my precious twin sister mom!"

Before anyone could explain, Kang SeoJun exploded.

"What do you mean, twin sister! She is my mom!"

Cho HaYun was seething as both boys grabbed each other's collars.

"Of course, she is my twin! We were born at the exact same time, on the same day, in the same hospital, and the room next to each other."

The smug look on Kang SeoJun's face was unbearable, but Cho HaYun couldn't say anything to refute it.

"Empress said I was her son! I am not giving up my mom! Even against you, I would fight for her with my life!"

The blood lust radiating off of Cho HaYun was nothing to laugh at as his cold voice resonated with every person in the room. The boys were momentarily surprised by his outburst. The normally bright and bubbly Cho HaYun, who never fully accepted anyone, but the boy the boys in the room, had accepted Kyo SeolJu faster than he had anyone else. After his parents died, Cho HaYun didn't let anyone close to him. It took months to get him to open up to Kang SeoMin, then Kang SeoJun. Slowly he opened up to all the boys in the room, however, anyone else was kept at arm's length. Despite his sunshine-like personality, Cho HaYun would be uncomfortable around people and was always seen with one of the boys. Kang SeoJun grinned like a devil as the challenging tone in his voice rang out in the quiet room.

"Then prove it."

The atmosphere changed instantly, and Cho HaYun grinned with his cute little canines showing. Humming his reply, Cho HaYun tackled Kang SeoJun in a hug. The two boys wrestled on the ground for a while before Kang SeoMin's worried voice was heard,

"JuJu could be lost."

All of the boys looked at Kang SeoMin's furrowed eyebrows and frowning lips. Shaking their heads, the boys were used to how differently he treated Kyo SeolJu.

"Come on, Mr. Twitterpated."

Gok DoHyun laughed as he slung his arm over Kang SeoMin's shoulders. The nine boys walked down the hall with Kang SeoMin in the lead and four boys on either side of him. They were quite eyecatching, and being the stars of the school, the students cheered as they passed by.

"Hey, Hyung. The bell's about to ring. Do you think big sis could already be in the classroom?"

Kang SeoJun asked right before the bell rang.

"This is empress Kyo SeolJu. Please get to your assigned classes. If you have trouble finding your classroom, you may ask an attendant at the end of the hall. I hope you enjoy your time at Legacy Elitle. Thank you for your participation."

Her clear angelic voice was heard over the loudspeakers and entranced all the boys in the school. As if possessed, the nine boys practically ran to their classroom and in their seats.

"You're here before me. I wonder what devil possessed all of you?"

The teacher, Park JaeGeun, glanced at them quizzically. The rest of the boys filled in as quickly as they could.

"It must be the empress's morning announcement."

General Park mumbled under his breath before his loud voice caught the attention of the boys,

"Class, we have a new student. She has just transferred and will need your full support. Please come in, little doe."

Standing behind Secretary Lee just outside the door, Kyo SeolJu observed the old man. He was tall with the body of a young soldier but the face of a kind old man. His white beard, hair, and kind eyes made him feel familiar, but she could find out why.

"Thank you, grandpa."

Her soft mewling voice and tiny frame seemed small as the old man looked down at her with his heart melted.