Chapter 5.1: "Thy name unspoken shall be heard at last"

"Put all your things on the floor including your bags, I only want to see a clean piece of lengthwise paper and a ballpen on your desks. If anyone is caught cheating, I will immediately take his or her paper and call that person to the guidance office. Rules are rules everybody. "

"Yes Mrs. Hermandez."

"Sorry! Pardon me! I'm late!" I said breathlessly when I finally reached the door of our classroom. I even ran my way from the gate to our building just to get here as soon as possible.

"Oh, you've just arrived on time, Miss Cortez. We're about to start our first exam this period," Our homeroom adviser said as she looked at me. I sighed in relief.

I bowed at her and to my classmates as well out of courtesy after she motioned for me to sit on my bench. Ma'am Hermandez repeated her instructions earlier and I listened to it. That was a close call, it was good and I didn't get behind schedule, I spend and all-nighter just to study for this event. Today's the mid-term examinations so as much as possible I don't want to ruin it for being late.

It's been two pretty long months since the last time I had a formal talk with Maou when we were in the hospital, although that can't be counted as 'formal' because we still end up bickering during that time. I even asked my servants to repair his motorbike to serve as an indication that I want to end the feud between us, but guess what? It didn't work. He still didn't take his motorcycle back from me because of his pride, which is almost as high as the Earth's atmosphere.

So up until today and counting, we are still mortal enemies. He and his whole crew never stop goofing around me while doing those nasty little antics, although I'm just riding along with his schemes like I wasn't affected at all. Eventually, I learn how to adapt his tactics and how to repel every single negative thing that he does against my accord. Like for an instance, I always walk with an umbrella with me — all the time — just in case he'll throw dirty water or mud to me again. When he destroys my things, I buy new ones or bring an extra. I also check my seat before I sat on it so that I won't fall victim to his 'superglue' scheme again, like the last time. He may be an undefeated bully, but I started to know better. Besides, he and his underdogs usually do it over and over again, nothing changed since then. It seems like this set-up is becoming a "new normal" for me.

When the lunch break started, me and my 'mongrel' friends decided to meet up in our usual leisure area, there at the circular table surrounded by benches in each corner under the shade of a large Acacia tree near the school's wide open field. By the way, ever since I became friends with them, I haven't been gone to the cafeteria for a long while. And speaking of that, I wonder who's owning my table now that I don't eat there anymore.

"I'll be honest guys, the professors who gave us our exams this morning are the worst teachers of all. I even put up with not watching animes last night just to prepare myself for this and then it turns out, none of those things I studied yesterday appeared in the freaking test paper! How cruel is that?" Lyan snorted as she explained her complaints like a child while we were in the middle of a meal. But we can’t hear what she’s saying very well because she stuffs too much food in her mouth every time she speaks.

"Study my ass! You can't lie on us, I've seen you with my own two eyes. I know what kind of necromancy you were doing into your room last night, all you did is nothing but just play games on your console! Your room is even a mess because you don't know how to throw garbage and those empty pizza boxes you ordered!"

"And how come you know all of that, yatz? Did you peek at me or secretly sneak into my room yesterday?" She covered her mouth full of food while looking at Jannie with her tiny eyes almost popping out, as if she realized something unbelievable. "Oh my gosh... Girl, don't ya tell me yer a secret stalker and ya've been watchin' me for a long time not only in the room but when I take a shower as well?"

"Oh come on chubs, are you kidding me? I'm not into you, silly! What are you, a slim, dark and handsome fictional character who's an engineer-slash-lawyer-slash-doctor-slash-CEO-slash-MAFIA with a chopper, palace-like home, and has 8 pack abs with the 12 inches baby dinosaur? Nope, you didn't." She flipped her curly hair dramatically. By the way, they call each other 'Chubs' and 'Yatz', short for chubby and payat, which means skinny in other terms. "One more thing, who told you that I was peeking at you? The door of your room in our apartment is always open, you know? You didn't even have a single idea how you almost destroyed my ear drums last night because of your stupid voice as you sang your extra-terrestrial songs again! Even my celestial beauty couldn't stand your singing, you alien!" she added.

"Hey, I'm not an alien! I'll tell my Uncle Gray about this!"

"Go ahead then, report me! But please if you do so, kindly tell him as well that he's really yummy and yours truly here is still available 24/7, just in case he might want to flirt with me and take me home anytime anywhere. Ohohoho~!" Mongs giggled in a flirtatious manner as the three of us stared at her in unutterable disbelief. Elica, on the other hand, is currently floating in her own world while she's stabbing her foot-long burger in a violent and frightening way.

"S-S-Stop laughing J-Jannie, o-o-our s-s-schoolmates keep l-l-looking at u-us. I-I-It's e-embarrassing..."

"Arlo had a point yatz, stop scaring the shit out of us like Elica. Can you just laugh normally without sounding like a yandere antagonist? Or shall we rather blame it to the laundry powder you inhale everytime you run out of cocaine?" Lyan stated. Jannie glared at her before they started arguing like kids in the kindergarten. Arlo tried to stand up between them while Elica is mindlessly formulating a dark, force field next to them.

I just shook my head as I silently watched them. They are the most eccentric bunch I've ever met indeed. They may differ in other aspects but there are no distinction between them in terms of being a weirdo. But it's fine actually, somehow I've gotten used to this social environment ever since a few weeks of hanging out with them. Their outward behavior didn't really matter anyway because despite of their irregularities, they genuinely considers me as a friend. And at least they don't bite, I guess?

Not so long after, the chatty Jannie started talking to me again while Lyan and Arlo began running in circles around our lunch table, as if they turn into toddlers again while playing tag against each other. Because of that, they accidentally hit Elica and to her unprecedented surprise, she accidentally threw the fork she was holding which flew over some random dude who happened to pass by our table in silence. But what made it even worse is that the fork hits straight to that person's eyes.

Uh-oh.

"Ouch!" The guy moaned as he laid down on the ground, covering his eyes after being hit by a flying fork. My friends and I stared at each other before we approached the poor subject.

We assisted him up and made him sit together with us on our bench.

"You alright?" I sincerely asked, displaying my concern. He slowly removed his hands from his face and stared at me with wide eyes. I wasn't even surprised by her reaction because I knew how well I was known on campus as the QUEEN supposedly because I came from a rich family. But after I recognized his familiar look, my eyes widen in shock as well.

He was that guy! The one who got mercilessly beaten up by Maou on the first week of classes!

"Uh, uh..." His mouth slightly popped open as his words trailed off, as if he didn't know what to say while facing me. I also couldn't speak as well because I had no idea what exactly should I say to him.

Probably because of her pale skin tone, I quickly noticed his cheeks blushing out, in contrary to his body trembling in a subtle motion. His Adam’s apple went up and down as if he's gulping out of nervousness or something.

Is he afraid of me or what?

"Ayy, he's so handsome guys!" Before I could even say something, Mongs suddenly rebuffed me and shoved us off to come closer to this dude with a worried undertone. "Hey hot stuff, are you okay? Is your eyes still painful? Or maybe you're hurt somewhere else? Let me check it for you. And by the way, kindly forgive my friends for this. Elica wouldn't have thrown her fork accidentally at you if only she wasn't pushed by our whale friend here, hehe."

"Wow, how great! So I'm a whale now huh, cyst? I'm just about a size of a piglet you rude skinny jeans!"

"It's sis not a cyst, okay? I'm not a lump. And what on Earth are you talking about? Piglet my ass, you're even bigger than a matured buffalo!"

"At least I'm not as thin as a walking stickman!"

"S-S-Stop, b-both of you, f-f-for Pete's s-s-sake. T-This i-is E-E-Embarrassing..."

"Apology... Apology..." Elica whispered before she also approached the guy to formally apologize for what happened. I, on the other hand, just stepped back and stood on one side while crossing my arms.

"Don't worry, I'm totally fine, it's nothing serious actually. Just be careful next time so it won't happen again. I'll go now," he politely said before standing up. He flashed a broad smile at us which flaunted his perfectly-aligned, white teeth as well as his two deep dimples on each side of his face. And for that moment, I honestly find him cute.

And because I was staring intently at him, I saw his quick glance towards my direction before he look away with flushed cheeks which turns even redder than earlier. Lyan and Jannie screamed afterwards while me and Arlo just shrugged our shoulders.

"Bell... Bell..." Elica suddenly pointed to our building. I look at my wristwatch and realized that the break time is almost over. There were only three minutes left before we were considered late for our afternoon session.

We quickly said good-bye to each other and went to our separate classes. Time flies fast and before I could even notice it, we successfully finished the first half of the exams that is taking place today. Although it wasn’t that challenging enough compared to the assessments I've taken from my previous school due to more advanced lessons of course, still I can call this day strenuous.

When I got home, as usual things are still the same. I greeted my parents and siblings first before I went inside my room, and it was unexpected to see that we are complete now.

Silence saturated across the hall as the five of us dine quietly at the dinner table. Amidst eating, the gentle face of the guy I met at school this morning suddenly popped up to my mind. And as I've said earlier, he's the same guy I saw getting beaten up into a pulp by Maou during the first week of school. From the past three months, this is the only time that I've seen him again. Probably because of how over-populated our school is, we have not been able to meet eye-to-eye, not even once until today. Or perhaps we actually did but maybe I just didn't notice him around.

And come to think of it, a question I had long buried in oblivion came back to my thoughts. What exactly happened that time and why was Maou beating him then? Obviously, the answer might be: first, Maou's just being a jerk like what he normally does or second, that guy did something that could possibly pissed the Monster off.

But based on his appearance, he does not seem to know how to irritate people. He's so gentle like a calm lake, and so formal like a refined soldier. Plus, he emits this unique aura around him, 'cause the way he acts doesn't resemble an ordinary commoner. I can say that not only because of his behavior and actions that seem to indicate that he comes from a wealthy family, but also because I noticed that he's wearing a pair of expensive shoes and a watch that came from a familiar company that sells high-quality watches. I don't know if it's just an imitation brand but I know how to distinguish fake from original items, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the latter.

So, in other words, that dude is also rich — probably a middleclass like us or an upper like the Futagawa’s. And that fact can also be connected to the reason why he got screwed up by Maou before, because doesn't that gorilla hate rich people like me?

But if he is actually rich, then it doesn't make any sense at all. I mean, why is he also studying in our school rather than studying in a prestige academy? Could he possibly had the same reason as mine? He's intriguing...

ANYWAYS, THREE DAYS AFTER that day is the official announcement of scores and grades in San Ignacio High School. I'm not that excited because I know that I'm gonna be on top of the ranks anyway, just like in my previous school. It's not that I'm just being overconfident or whatever, I also don't mean that I'm underestimating my fellow students but I am very sure to myself that I did exquisitely great during the mid-term exams. So, definitely I have nothing to be worried about.

But then, something bad happened instead.

Whenever I'm around, my schoolmates always had this habit to talk about me ever since I stepped inside this campus. I don't really mind it though but this time, it feels different. Yes, they are whispering some rumors about me but it feels different compare before. My gut is telling me something must have gone wrong without me knowing it yet.

Even so, I just shrug it off and just approached the Bulletin board, expecting to see my name at the first column — on topmost part. However, even though I have scrutinized each name listed, I still can't see my name on the board. Like, what the heck?

"Miss Cortez? What are you doing here?" Ma'am Hermandez asked when I barged inside her office with no permission. One of my subject teachers and our school principal, Sir Miñeza, were right inside the room with her. I'm speculating that they are talking about something significant but I don't give an eff. Why would I? I am more important than anything.

"Sorry to intrude you guys but, why is my name not written in the rank board? I may sound so arrogant right now but I know I aced all of the tests during the exams!"

They couldn't speak right away and they looked at each other before looking up and turning their eyes back to me.

"We know, Miss Cortez. In fact, we're talking about that thing right now," I raised an eyebrow when I heard our adviser's response. All of them were just staring at me in a serious face.

Okay? What on bloody Earth is happening?

"Someone reported to me that you were cheating during our exams last Thursday," Ma'am Hermandez's opening statement. My eyes widened even more at what I heard. What? Me? Cheating?

"No! That's not true ma'am! I can never do that!" I defended myself. "Besides, do you have any proof of my dishonesty?"

Ma'am motioned me to come closer to her desk and told me more about the details. According to their source, I used a cheat paper and they had a concrete evidence that it was mine because I even had a signature on it. I don't know how that happened but it's not even my doing! What's even more convincing is that they also find out that I used the same ink color and the ballpen is mine, the one I lost two weeks ago.

"Look Miss Cortez, we really see you as one of the assets in the school but we can't just ignore it. This is still a public school which is supported by the local government, so we can't be biased on one of our students even if it has to be you in this matter. We're actually quite disappointed about this," the Principal explained in dismay which blew a strong impact upon me. "But don't worry, we didn't tell your parents about this yet. This information will be kept hidden as much as possible. We would also allow you to retake the exam."

"Who reported this? WHO IN THIS BLOODY EARTH REPORTED THAT I CHEATED?" I tried my best to sound calm even though I'm fuming mad deep inside. They replied and said they could not say who, so I stormed out. I don't need to make them confess anyway.

‘cause I think I already know the culprit who just stained my name.

"Maou Isidro Montega!!" I screamed his name at the top of my lungs when I saw him eating alone in one of the corners inside the cafeteria He turned to my direction and just timidly raised an eyebrow at me. I scanned my eyes around and ordered all the people to get out of my sight. Probably out of fear, they came out the hall so the only thing left were the two of us, me and this despicable creature.

"Oh? What's the drama now, Stunt?" He grinned foolishly. I went up to his face and violently placed both of my hands on his table to make a loud thud. He got a little surprised when I did that.

"I've been tolerating all of your evil doings for a long time now. I'm already letting you do whatever you want against me, all those pranks and antics. But seriously? Ain't that enough that you even have to screw me up during the examinations last week?"

"Fuck you, I have nothing to do with your allegations. Go away," he rudely claimed as he shooed me away. He was about to bite the burger he was holding but I immediately took it from his hand and threw it somewhere.

"Hey! That's my lunch, you asshole! Do you know I wasted thirty pesos just for that? That's damn gold right there, you should pay for it!"

"Why did you tell the teachers that I cheated during the mid-term exams? And you even gave them an evidence with my forged signature on the cheat sheet, just to further substantiate your lie!"

"Hey you airheaded lady, if they weren't stupid they wouldn't believe what my disciples gave them either! But it looks like they chose to believe those fabrications more than considering your defense. Hmm, do you know what that means?" Then he snickered like a devil. The real culprit has finally came out of the closet. "Maybe they don't trust you enough, don't they? After all, people like you aren't really trustworthy, especially because you had moolah."

"And what does that have to do in not picking my side? Are you telling me that you're doubting my capabilities just because I'm rich, you monster?!"

"Am I? Or do you really have one?" He snorted which annoyed me even more. I took a deep breath to calm myself again.

"Look, for your information you got the wrong impression about me. Even without my wealth, I will still be as capable as I am now. So you can't generally judge a person's potential just because of his or her appearance and status. That's stereotyping!"

"Then prove it!"

"Excuse me?"

He put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. He even lifted a foot and laid it on the table which only manifests his rude, uneducated attitude.

"If you want me to believe you in what you always claim you are. they why don't you try and live as a commoner like me, without depending on the money your parents just throw away at yer face? If you can do that effortlessly, I won't bother you anymore."

"WHAT?!" My mouth popped open. "What's your point for making me do that?"

"Are you stupid? Of course I also want you to experience what life is like for people who have nothing to lean on. I want you to experience the hardships and the suffering that I also bear out of being a commoner. And by that, we will see how far can you really go and prove to me."

"Oh, are you challenging me?"

"Does that look like a challenge to you already? How weak."

"Okay then, whatever that is, I accept it!" I stated with full conviction.

"Ah? Really? I shall hope you're not just putting up some fake front and take those words back later. No offense, but people who are accustomed to luxury such as yourself won't definitely last a day of living in a poor state. Perhaps you'll even give up after less than an hour."

"Let's just see about that," I said before I walked out the cafeteria as if I just won a gamble. So that's what he wanted it, huh? Well then, I'm gonna give it to him right away.