Chapter 6: Echoes of a Name

The next days at Nexus felt... different. The fight with Juno had left an imprint, not just on the arena floor but in the halls, in the whispers, in the way people looked at me.

The gossip spread like wildfire.

"Did you hear? That girlie's got bloody hands."

"She's supposed to be the future face of Nexus? Hell, she fights dirtier than the fighters."

"No way she took down Juno fair."

It was all nonsense, but I couldn't shake the weight of it. My name had been making waves, and not just in the beauty class. Fighter class students eyed me with a mix of curiosity and wariness, while those who didn't know me tried to piece together rumors from scraps of truth.

Jax and Daniel, though, didn't treat me any differently. If anything, they seemed to be around more.

Jax, as expected, was a menace. He had a habit of showing up at the worst moments, throwing out taunts that made my blood boil.

"So, princess," he leaned against the lockers one afternoon, smirking, "you win one fight and suddenly you're Nexus' secret weapon? Should I be scared?"

I rolled my eyes, shoving my books into my bag. "Scared? Nah. Annoyed? Definitely."

He chuckled, stepping in front of me before I could walk away. "For real though. That thing with Felix... what the hell was that? A kiss?" His grin was pure mischief. "Didn't peg you for the type to make out in the middle of a fight."

I scowled. "It wasn't a—!"

Daniel, who had been hovering nearby, sighed and grabbed Jax's collar, dragging him back. "Enough, Jax. Give her a break."

Jax just laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, no need to get violent, fashion boy."

Daniel just shook his head, exasperated but amused. "You really don't know when to stop."

"I do," Jax mused, flashing me a sharp grin. "I just don't want to."

It was like this every day. Jax prodding, pushing, teasing—like he was testing how far he could go before I snapped. Daniel, meanwhile, was the opposite. He didn't pry into my past or ask dumb questions. Instead, he just... existed. If Jax was the fire, Daniel was the calm, stepping in before things could explode.

And somehow, without me even realizing, the three of us just started to orbit each other.

But through it all, there was one thing nagging at the back of my mind.

Felix and Rio.

Since that day in the arena, they had both been... quiet. No comments, no teasing, nothing. It was like they were waiting for something.

And I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it.

Before the first class started, I found myself in the Nexus backyard with Jax and Daniel. It wasn't planned—we just sort of ended up there, like gravity had pulled us together. The place was quieter than usual, probably because most students were still inside, catching up on whatever drama had brewed overnight. And there was plenty.

The gossip about me had spread like wildfire. The supposed 'girlie but bloodied hands' contradiction had people whispering in every hallway. I should've expected it. Winning a fight against Juno, of all people, and then getting kissed by Felix? Yeah, that was enough fuel for a semester's worth of rumors.

Jax was the first to bring it up. Of course he was.

"So," he started, rocking back on his heels with an easy smirk. "You really out here breaking hearts and breaking jaws, huh?"

I shot him a look, unimpressed. "You wanna join the list?"

Daniel sighed dramatically. "Can you two go one morning without threatening violence?"

"Not likely," Jax and I said at the same time.

Daniel just shook his head. "Honestly, Collin, you should be careful. Your fight yesterday is all anyone's talking about. And the whole Felix thing—" He hesitated. "It's… a lot."

I crossed my arms, shifting my weight. "I didn't ask for the rumors."

"You also didn't deny them," Jax pointed out, grinning. "Which means I get to assume whatever I want."

"Oh yeah? And what exactly are you assuming?"

Jax tapped his chin, pretending to think. "That you're secretly a lovestruck fool, pining over your first kiss."

I gagged. "Absolutely not."

Daniel chuckled, but his expression remained cautious. "Jokes aside, this could get messy. You're being called the 'future face of Nexus' now, and that means eyes are on you. People are either gonna want to be you or take you down."

I exhaled through my nose. He wasn't wrong. My reputation wasn't just my own anymore—it was something bigger, something that could shift my place in this school. And while I didn't care about being admired, I cared about control. If I wasn't careful, I'd lose it.

Jax stretched his arms behind his head. "Well, whatever happens, at least it won't be boring."

I scoffed. "Nothing ever is with you two around."

The bell rang, cutting through the morning air. Class was starting. And with it, the next chapter of whatever madness Nexus had in store for me.

The moment I stepped into the classroom, all eyes snapped to me. Conversations dipped into hushed murmurs, but I caught enough words to piece things together. My name, Felix, a kiss—wait, what?

Seriously? This school worked faster than a news channel.

I exhaled sharply, dragging myself to my seat like I didn't just become today's headline.

"Well, well, well, look who's here," one of the girls whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. "Did you really kiss Felix? Or did he force himself on you?" Her tone was dripping with faux concern, but the glint in her eyes was all amusement.

I rolled my eyes. "You tell me. Weren't you all watching? Or did your imagination do the heavy lifting?"

Some students stifled laughter, but the damage was done. I could already feel the weight of the rumor settling in, twisting the truth beyond recognition. Forget my fight with Juno—everyone only cared about that damn kiss.

Before anyone could throw another comment, Mrs. Hara walked in, commanding instant silence. Her sharp gaze swept over the class before landing on me for half a second longer than necessary.

Great.

"For those still in the competition, I hope you're not too comfortable," she began, tapping a clipboard against her palm. "The next round will be tougher. No more warm-ups, no more easy wins. This time, we separate the truly skilled from the ones who got lucky."

The atmosphere shifted, murmurs turning serious. Even the students not in the contest looked interested.

"Those still competing will receive their assignments shortly. Prepare early. This round is not just about fighting—it's about strategy, endurance, and adaptability." Mrs. Hara's gaze was sharp. "If you're not ready, you might as well quit now."

She wasn't talking to me specifically, but it sure felt like it.

I leaned back in my chair, expression unreadable. More difficult? Fine. I could handle that. But first, I had to deal with the fact that I was now Nexus' most talked-about student for all the wrong reasons.

After class, I headed straight to the practice room. My station was already set up, a pristine mirror reflecting back my own determined stare. Brushes, palettes, skincare products—every tool lined up, waiting to be wielded.

I rolled up my sleeves. Focus. If combat had footwork, then beauty had technique. Every stroke, every blend, every color choice—it all had to be perfect.

I started with skincare, carefully layering products to create the ideal base. Next came the foundation, blending seamlessly into the skin. Contour, highlight, precision eyeliner—every detail mattered. My hands moved automatically, muscle memory kicking in as I built a flawless look.

This wasn't just about looking good. This was strategy. An artist didn't just throw paint on a canvas; they crafted a masterpiece. And if I wanted to win, I had to make sure my work spoke louder than the rumors.

But when I submitted my first practice look for critique, I got hit with something I didn't expect.

Mrs. Hara scanned my work and frowned. "This isn't bad, but it lacks creativity. It's too… calculated."

I blinked. "Calculated? Isn't precision important?"

"Yes, but beauty isn't just about precision. It's about emotion, about making people feel something. Right now, this is technically flawless, but it doesn't say anything."

I clenched my jaw. That was the problem? I was too technical? My entire life had been about strategy, about outsmarting and outmaneuvering. But now that was a weakness?

I had been so sure of myself. But now, doubt crept in.

If I wanted to win this, I needed to change my approach. And that was going to be harder than I thought.

Mrs. Hara's gaze lingered on me a second too long before she stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Collin K. I know about you, or should I say, Collin Kiryuu."

My whole body went rigid.

Nobody here was supposed to know that name.

I schooled my expression into something neutral, tilting my head slightly. "You must be mistaken, Mrs. Hara."

Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Oh, am I? Then why do you look so tense?"

I forced my muscles to relax. If she really knew, it meant my past was catching up faster than I thought. But why now? And what did she want from me?

"Don't look so alarmed, dear. I won't tell anyone—yet." Mrs. Hara straightened, returning to her usual. "Now, for the second verification. This time, your skills will be tested in ways you don't expect."

I exhaled slowly, forcing my heartbeat to steady. I needed to focus.

"The next challenge isn't about combat. It's about beauty." Mrs. Hara announced, looking directly at me. "True beauty isn't just surface-level. It requires grace, creativity, and an understanding of aesthetic balance. Your task is to create a full transformation—makeup, styling, and presentation."

Mrs. Hara silenced them with a single look. "Your ability to adapt is part of what makes you worthy of Nexus. If you can't handle this, you don't deserve to move forward."

A beauty challenge. Fine. I could do that. My major was beauty, after all. If they wanted perfect, I'd give them perfect.

I smirked, already planning out my approach. Little did I know, this wasn't going to be as easy as I thought.

During lunch break, I made my way to the cafeteria—a space so massive it could fit every department from all years. The energy inside was overwhelming, a mix of voices, laughter, and the occasional tension of rival cliques.

There were unspoken theories about the cafeteria's layout. The VIPs, the upper levels, the elites—they had their own invisible territories. It was a jungle where social status dictated everything.

I grabbed a tray, intending to find a quiet spot. But then, I felt it.

A presence so suffocating, so unnatural, that my body tensed on instinct.

I turned, and there he was.

The S-rank student. The one no one spoke about but everyone feared.

Unlike the others, who reveled in their reputations, he carried himself differently. Controlled. Calculated. His sharp eyes locked onto mine, and for the first time in a long time, a shudder ran down my spine.

What the hell is this feeling?

His level was different. Far beyond anyone I had ever faced.

And worst of all? He knew I had noticed.

I ate in silence, but I couldn't ignore the piercing gaze boring into me. Was he expecting something? No way—that was impossible. We didn't even know each other.

"Mm… mmh~! Collin," Rio mumbled with his mouth full, licking over his lips before tilting his head toward me. "You 'now? I 'een won'drin' somethin'."

I scowled. "Dude, swallow first. You sound like a damn toddler."

I didn't want to admit it, but I was uneasy. My gut told me something was off. If he knew me, then from where? And why was his attention locked onto me like I was his next target?

A shiver ran down my spine. It was the same feeling I got when I faced him.

Rio finally gulped down his food and took a swig of his energy drink. "So, tell me. Where'd ya learn to fight like that? You some ex-fighter? And why the hell you pick beauty class instead of fightin'? What's up with that?"

My fork stopped mid-air.

"Shut. The. Hell. Up."

The entire cafeteria went silent. Even the sound of trays clattering and chatter died down. Rio blinked, then leaned back, putting his hands up in mock surrender. "Damn, alright. No need to bite my head off."

"Yo, isn't that Collin? The supposed 'future face of Nexus'?"

"Heh, her personality's kinda spicy for a beauty rep."

"I heard she kissed Felix. Or he kissed her. Either way, it's drama."

My grip tightened around my fork. I could hear them. Every damn word.

Rio must've noticed the shift in my expression because he suddenly slung an arm over my shoulder, shaking me slightly. "Aw, don't mind those nobodies. They just mad they ain't got nothin' better to do."

Before I could shake him off, a loud voice cut through the tension.

"MOVE IT! Outta my way before I start throwin' hands!"

I didn't even need to look. The distinct mix of arrogance and aggression belonged to only one person.

Jax.

A loud BANG rattled the table as a tray was slammed down in front of me. Jax plopped himself onto the bench beside me, flashing that signature cunning smirk. "Yo, Collin. What a damn coincidence. Didn't think I'd find ya here all alone."

I exhaled sharply through my nose, already annoyed. "What do you want, Jax?"

He leaned forward, tilting his head as if studying me. "What? Can't a guy just enjoy lunch with his favorite girl?"

Rio's expression shifted, his usual lazy smirk faltering. He shot Jax a glare before leaning in close, voice lower but sharp. "Yo, back the hell up. I was here first."

Jax snorted. "And?"

Their eyes locked, a sudden intensity crackling between them. Without warning, Jax shoved his tray aside, leaning even closer toward Rio. "Ya got a problem, loudmouth?"

Rio narrowed his eyes, his easygoing attitude slipping. "Yeah, I do. You breathin' near my lunch table."

They were practically chest-to-chest now, their foreheads nearly touching. The entire cafeteria had tuned in, whispers rippling through the crowd.

I felt my temple throb.

"Enough."

Neither of them backed down.

I slammed my foot down—HARD—against both of theirs. They yelped in unison, nearly toppling off the bench. Jax clutched his shin, hissing. "The hell was that for?!"

Rio winced, rubbing his foot. "Damn, girl, you got bricks in them shoes?"

I rubbed my temples. "You both are giving me a damn headache. Just shut up and eat."

They grumbled but begrudgingly turned back to their trays. But my attention wasn't on them anymore.

I felt it again. That stare.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Slowly, I turned my head.

And there he was.

His presence was suffocating, different from anything I'd felt before. My body stiffened instinctively, my heartbeat spiking.

My fingers curled against the table, cold sweat prickling my neck. This wasn't normal. This wasn't just some high-ranked student sizing me up.

This was something far worse.

My breath hitched.

I needed to get out of here.

Pushing my tray aside, I abruptly stood up. "I'm done."

Jax and Rio barely had time to react before I was already moving.

"Oi—Collin, wait—!" Rio reached out, but I was already walking away.

"Damn, what's her deal?" Jax muttered.

I didn't look back.

But I could feel it.

Even as I left the cafeteria, his eyes never left me.