As always, these idiots were at it again.

Why couldn’t they just sit still for a second?

What was the point of yelling and screaming as if they had just been declared the Ambani heirs?

And why in the world was the PE teacher talking with the English ma’am, smiling foolishly while his entire class behaved like monkeys?

Hah! He was sick of this world!!

These inner thoughts belonged to Aryan. Aryan Singh was his full name.

He sat at the very first bench, from where the podium stood far too close for anyone’s liking.

Right now, he was reading a book—the only person doing so in PE class—while everyone else stood around excitedly, talking among themselves about which game they’d play or what they would do, enjoying their little moments of peace between countless classes.

And he was annoyed as hell by their loud noise.

For God’s sake, they were still in the classroom. Could they act like proper students for once?

He was seething inside. He wanted to study, to finish the chapter ahead; otherwise, he’d have to make time for it at home when he could be doing something far more productive.

“Aryan, can you come here?” the PE teacher asked suddenly.

Aryan was stunned. He had just been minding his own business. What had he done?

Startled but obliged to follow his teacher’s orders, he scraped the bench slightly back, stood up, and walked toward the door where the teacher stood talking to the English ma’am.

Just looking at them put him in a sour mood. It had been ten minutes since the bell for the new period rang, yet there they were, smiling and chatting while wasting the students’ precious time, as if they wouldn’t get another chance to talk later.

Reaching them, he asked, “Yes, Sir?” His tone was polite and curious.

“Help Miss Sanvi carry the notebooks to her classroom,” the teacher said.

No—he ordered.

Aryan’s eyes rolled at the order as he glanced at Miss Sanvi’s hands. At least forty books. His lips twitched as he cursed the bald teacher in his heart.

Fortunately, his face was lowered, looking at the floor—a habit he had developed while speaking to seniors or teachers to leave a good impression.

Raising his head, he beamed, smiled warmly, and said, “Yes, of course, Sir!”

Then he walked up to Miss Sanvi and said, “Please, Miss.”

“Ahh~ There’s no need. I can carry them on my own~ but thank you!” Miss Sanvi’s voice was polite and sweet. He could see her fingers twitching under the heavy load of notebooks, yet she still refused the help.

And he could tell she was genuine about it; she wasn’t faking.

“How can that be? Let him take the books. Don’t worry about him—he’s strong, right, Aryan?” the bald teacher barked from behind.

Aryan took a deep breath. He knew why this bald man was targeting him. Wasn’t it simply because he always brought a book to study during PE classes?

Aryan could swear he wanted to punch the bald teacher’s face, but sighing, he turned to Miss Sanvi and said, “Miss, please let me carry these books for you. As a student, let me help you. And don’t worry about me missing out on PE class—I don’t like it anyway!”

Aryan could feel the aura behind him shift. Shit! He should have controlled his mouth.

But that was his problem. Sometimes, when he was under too much stress, he couldn’t stop himself from speaking his mind.

Miss Sanvi was perceptive. She could sense the rising tension between the teacher and the student. So she quickly turned to Aryan, held out the books, and said, “Then thank you for your help.”

Aryan quickly took the books. The massive stack rested against his chest and stomach.

“Then we’ll meet again, Sir Gautam. And thank you for your help!” Miss Sanvi said as she started walking ahead, followed by Aryan.

After a few more steps, Aryan heard a voice—gentle yet teasing. “You’re quite bold.”

“I just spoke the truth,” he replied, his tone flat.

“That’s not the way to talk to a teacher,” she said while walking ahead.

Aryan was walking just two steps behind her, so he heard her clearly. For a moment he said nothing, then spoke in a calm, flat voice, “Are you talking about yourself or that bald Gautam Sir?” He stuttered slightly as the nickname he had privately given his PE teacher slipped out.

Sanvi halted, forcing Aryan to stop mid-step. She turned over her shoulder and looked at him more closely than she had intended.

She took in his face—smooth cheeks with a sharp jawline, clear black eyes holding no deceit as he looked at her with pure intensity and no hidden desire. His gaze met hers directly and never wandered where it shouldn’t. His silky black hair fell smoothly to his shoulders.

“You know, you’re quite brave,” her lips curved as she spoke teasingly.

“I know,” Aryan’s voice remained flat. He was simply stating the truth. He knew he was brave.

“Hah! Quite a daring one, I see!” She nodded to herself, as if agreeing with something Aryan didn’t understand.

“What?!” he asked, confused.

“Hmm~ Nothing. Just follow me!” Twirling around, she beckoned him with a little finger. He followed, not minding her private nodding.

Maybe she was a psycho.

Anyway, why should he care? And it was good that she focused more on walking than talking to him—his hands were already straining. The notebooks were heavy as hell.

“Come closer,” she said.

“Hm?!” Aryan asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.

“Walk beside me!” Hearing her again, he took two quick steps to reach her side and asked, “Yes?” turning toward her.

“Nothing. Just walk side by side. I look like a mafia boss with you following me around!” she said carelessly. That sentence halted him mid-step as he stared at her with widened eyes.

Feeling him stop, she turned back—she had taken two extra steps ahead—and asked, “What happened? Why did you stop?”

Her voice pulled him out of his stupor. His eyes darted to her lips and then her expression. It was nothing but a careless remark. Only after confirming that did he continue walking and reply, “Nothing. Just thought of something.”

Walking side by side now, Sanvi shook her head and said, “And here I thought you belonged to the mafia or something? Hahaha!” Her tone was light and joking, but it made Aryan turn and stare at her with ice-cold intensity, his fingers curling around the notebooks as if he might snap them and tear them apart.

Sanvi didn’t catch his expression as she continued walking forward, unaware that she had stepped into something she shouldn’t have.

This was just a casual meeting—almost too casual. But this meeting set the precedent for something far greater and darker than either of them was ready for.