Chapter 2: Is Princess Overly Interested in Me?!

Oh no. Oh no, oh no. This is bad. This is really bad.

I trailed behind Aqua quietly as she led me to our classroom, my head ducked low, trying to avoid the sound of cheerful chatter surrounding us. Everywhere I turned, girls were laughing and talking, the atmosphere feeling like some blooming meadow in spring.

It was the kind of vibe that made someone like me—a former all-boys school student who'd barely ever spoken to a girl—feel totally out of place. And, yeah, before you ask, I did ask why I couldn't just attend a co-ed school.

It's all that stupid drug company's fault. I swear, if I had a wooden bat and their CEO in the same room, it'd take all my willpower not to make a home run out of their smug face.

"Alright, the school we've chosen for you is this one," they'd said.

"Vorapittaya Academy? Wait… Isn't that the top private all-girls school in the entire Thailand? Isn't that, um, overkill?"

"Please don't worry," the suit had replied with a practiced smile. "This is part of our compensation. The tuition fee is nothing compared to what you've lost."

"Sure, but why an all-girls school? I mean, I—uh…"

The man in the suit sighed, his expression growing serious.

"There are critical reasons for this decision. You must understand that, after the incident, the company needs to ensure your utmost safety. This school is renowned for its high level of privacy. Moreover, our researchers associated with the development of the drug have ties here. We believe the information we need to fix this… issue might also be here."

"Researchers? What kind of information?" I'd asked, utterly baffled.

He'd hesitated for a moment before brushing off the question with another practiced smile. "That's confidential. But rest assured, being here increases our chances of finding a solution. Plus, this school is the safest place for you."

"But there are co-ed private schools too! Wouldn't it be easier to blend in there?"

"Blend in?" he'd blurted, then snapped his fingers. One of his female assistants rolled a large mirror in front of me. Reflected back was a face so doll-like and delicate it didn't feel real.

"Take a good look at yourself. That angelic face of yours wouldn't last a day in a co-ed school surrounded by teenage boys. You'd be rizzed before lunchtime!"

"That's dramatic!"

"Not dramatic at all! As our greatest succe—ugh!"

Before he could finish, the assistant elbowed him hard enough to send him flying into a wall. Clearing her throat, she turned back to me with the calmest face imaginable.

"As the chairman mentioned, this is all for your safety."

Yeah, no. This smells fishier than a seafood market.

"By the way," the assistant had added, "your new name is Natcha, and your nickname is Fah. Welcome to your new life."

They'd even sorted out a full identity for me. I would've been impressed if they'd put this much effort into, oh, I don't know, reversing this mess instead.

---

"Fah... um... Fah?"

Aqua's voice pulled me out of the whirlwind of thoughts spinning in my head. I looked up to see the golden-haired girl smiling gently at me. Still unused to talking to girls, I stumbled over my words awkwardly.

"Uh… y-yeah? What's up?" I stammered, trying to sound casual but probably failing miserably. Adjusting to this whole 'girly' vibe.

Aqua didn't seem to notice my awkwardness. Her warm, angelic smile remained firmly in place.

"You seemed kind of out of it. I was worried. Everything okay?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just, um, a little nervous. That's all," I replied, scratching the back of my neck.

"That's understandable. Switching schools can be tough. By the way, what classroom are you in? I can show you the way."

"I'm in, uh… Class Three."

"Oh, 11/3? What a coincidence! I'm in Class Three too," she said, her smile brightening further.

Great. Absolutely fantastic. Getting placed in the same class as her? This has "catastrophe" written all over it.

"Come on, let's go," she chirped, grabbing my hand before I could protest. Her soft touch sent a jolt through me, and my body went rigid as she gently but firmly pulled me along. It wasn't like I wasn't trying to walk, but my legs felt like jelly, and my heart was pounding so hard it might burst out of my chest.

Aqua stopped in front of the classroom door. The school's reputation as a top-tier institution was clear—everything was air-conditioned, the classrooms were spotless, and the whole building screamed "expensive." Not like my old school, where the walls were covered in questionable doodles and graffiti.

"Here we are! Welcome to Class Three," Aqua announced with a flourish.

"Uh, t-thanks," I muttered, trying to pull my hand away from hers discreetly. No dice. Her grip tightened, leaving me no escape.

Seriously, where does she get this strength from?!

She opened the door, and suddenly all eyes were on us. The weight of the attention made my face burn, and I felt like my knees might give out. This… This was way too much.

"Everyone, this is Fah, our new classmate!" Aqua declared with a cheerful voice, radiating confidence I could only dream of.

The murmurs started immediately.

"The new girl?"

"She's so cute!"

"Like a doll, seriously."

"I wanna pinch her cheeks."

The comments made me want to crawl under a desk and hide. Instead, I bowed my head low, avoiding all eye contact.

"N-nice to meet you all," I mumbled.

Alright, Nut, keep it together. You're a man. You can handle this. Just stick to the plan. Stay under the radar, don't get too close to Aqua, and survive.

"Fah, come sit next to me!" Aqua called out cheerfully.

Plan's already falling apart.

She dragged me to a desk beside hers before I could find another seat. I scanned the room desperately, but no luck—her grip was like a vice, and I was like a leaf caught in a hurricane.

"Uh, y-you don't have to… I can find my own seat. I don't want to impose…"

"Don't be silly! This seat's perfect. I can help you out if you have any questions."

I tried every excuse in the book. I tap pens annoyingly. I'm always late. I might fall asleep in class. None of it worked. She countered each one with that same radiant smile.

"It's fine. I don't mind at all. I'll even wake you up if you fall asleep!"

She's unshakable. It's like trying to argue with the sun.

Eventually, I gave up and sank into the seat next to her, utterly defeated. My plan had crumbled like a sandcastle against a tidal wave. And now, sitting this close to her, my heart felt like it was ready to explode.

"I'm glad," she said, finally letting go of my hand. "If you need help with anything, just ask, okay?"

"Y-yeah. Thanks," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

As the whispers around the room continued, I caught snippets about Aqua. Apparently, she had a nickname—"The Princess." Figures. She's practically royalty with that perfect smile and graceful aura.

And so began my first day at this all-girls school. Whether this was good luck or bad luck… Well, that's still up for debate. But one thing's for sure—my life just got a whole lot more complicated.