Chapter Text
A pair of gray-haired twins hurriedly made their way down the winding alleyways. The boy, Caelus, wore a white shirt underneath a black blazer with yellow trimmings. His sister, Stelle, had opted for a similar fit- yellow trimmings that adorned the hem of her black skirt. Their pocket watches created a light, rhythmic jingling sound.
“We wouldn't be late if you didn't choose to admire the trash can!” Stelle scolded, her breathing slightly labored.
Caelus retorted, “How is it my fault, Stelle? You also ‘chose’ to admire them with me!”
“It was truely a legendary can” Her eyes were daydreaming with heart eyes for a moment. Snapping out of her reverie she added, “But we're late now, Caelus, let's hurry before we miss the opening ceremony!”
They ran with great speed, casting admiring glances at the various trash cans lining the alleyway. It was a peculiar habit of theirs, but one they both enjoyed.
"We're finally here!" Caelus exclaimed, pausing to catch his breath as they reached the gates of their new school- Astral High, a place for the stars.
"Right on time too." The other twin was panting lightly and resting her hands on her knees. "We wouldn't want to be late on the first day, now would we?”
He chuckled. “It doesn't matter anyway. You should take it easy sometimes, sis. You always push yourself too hard.”
Stelle shot him a playful nudge, “Let's go.”
The twins entered the grand gates, their eyes searching the courtyard for the information board that would direct them to their respective classes. "I'm in Fortune Academy," Stelle announced with a hint of pride.
“Wow! You actually might be smart.” Caelus teased, “You'll be with a bunch of rich kids. Did the entrance audition go that well?”
“I just gave the best I could... ” She is nervous yet satisfied with the result.
“You make your big brother proud!” He said with a smirk
Smack! You could see his head slightly swollen up from the hit.“Hey!” he rubbed his hand on his head bump.
“Aren't you forgetting who the older one is? Anyway, which academy are you in?”
“Charmony”
“Whoa that's exactly what you wanted” she cheered him.
“Of course! It's prefect for a star like me!” his chest puffed out in pride.
Stelle turned to leave “I'm gonna get to class, you should too. See you during lunch break”
“Don't be surprised if I'm surrounded by girls” He called out with a smug.
Stelle rolled her eyes, a small smile forms on her lips, “Keep on dreaming.” She enters the school building looking for her class.
She passed by a tall, striking figure and then turned around. He seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite remember where she had seen him before. She noticed that every girl around was watching and fangirling over him. Stelle let out a small sigh as she wondered to herself, "I guess he must be the popular guy around here.”
A sudden voice spoke to her, “That's Dan Heng”
Stelle turned in surprise, "Huh?" she responded to being caught off guard.
The girl with short pink fluffy hair spoke, “Are you interested in him? Almost the entire school is”
“…No?” Stelle blinked, not quite understanding the fascination.
“But you were staring at him.” She puts her hand forward “Anyway, I'm March 7th and you are?”
“I'm Stelle from Fortune Academy” She introduces herself.
“Awww, I'm in the Dreamwaver Academy but we should have some classes together regardless. How about we met up for lunch after the opening ceremony?” March offered, a friendly smile on her face.
Stelle politely declined, “I'm sorry but I already have plans with my brother.”
“You have a brother here?” Her curiosity piqued, “Uh- strange question but is he your twin?”
Stelle nodded and confirmed, “Yes, we have the same hair and eye colour”
“So you're Caelus’ sister. No wonder you looked familiar when I saw you across the hallway. He helped me carry the boxes from the storage room to the classes.” Knowing she didn't approach the wrong person calmed her mind. Stelle couldn't help but sweatdrop as she realized her brother had already started to gain popularity among the girls.
March speaks excitedly, “He also said he's got a cute little sister here so I've been eager to meet you”
“That little... He's going around telling everyone that he's the older one. I guess I'll just let him be” she simply sighs.
‘Well, it is nice meeting you too March 7th.” Stelle smiles, “I hope you can get along with my brother.”
“Just March is fine.”
The sound of the bell echoed through the corridors.
“It's almost time for the ceremony. Catch ya later Stelle!”
They wave goodbye to each other. March takes two steps ahead and she is already talking to other students while on her way to the auditorium.
Stelle took a deep breath, mentally preparing her for the long day ahead. As she made her way to her next destination, she couldn't help but wonder what other surprises were in store for her at this new school.
Stelle navigates her way through the crowded auditorium and finds a seat in the designated section for Fortune students. She observes that all dressed in their finest attire, adorned with luxury accessories. Stelle was familiar with the display of wealth having grown up accompanying her mother, Kafka, on her frequent coat shopping excursions.
As Pom pom, the principal, takes the stage, Stelle focuses her attention on the approaching speech. The principal's words are filled with motivational words to uplift the students.
With the event concluded, Stelle glances at her pocket watch and realizes it's almost time for lunch. She makes her way to the promised location, a secluded spot under a cherry tree at the back of the campus. "The weather certainly is warmer today," She fans herself with her hands.
Suddenly, Stelle feels a wave of dizziness. Her vision begins to blur, and she shuts her eyes. Hoping to regain her composure, she placed her hand on the tree trunk. In the hazy moment, a young man with dark hair appears, gently grabbing her and helped her sit leaning against the tree.
He held her wrist, “Weak heart rate and pluse... March, you better do CPR”
“Huh? Hehe... I- I've never done it before! Dan Heng, you do it!”
Dan Heng sighs and reaches for Stelle’s arms. “Pardon the intrusion.”
He leans in with his eyes closed. His breathing could be felt on her lips “….huh” She opens her half shut eyes and blinked a few times so her eyes aren't blurry anymore. As soon as Stelle realized Dan Heng's proximity, her eyes widened in surprise. The sudden realization caused her to flinch, and Dan Heng instinctively pulled away.
Stelle stared at him placing the back of her hand on her lips, dumbfounded and flushed with embarrassment, “What are you...?” She bagan but notices March and Caelus standing behind him.
March wrapped her in a tight hug, “Stelle, you collapsed and Dan Heng caught you. We were so worried!” She voice laced in relief. Caelus stepped forward adding, “So Dan Heng tried give you a CPR.”
Stelle couldn't help but think, “No matter how you look at it, that is NOT how you give CPR.” However, she kept this thought to herself, deciding to put her embarrassment aside. "But you still saved me..." she said softly, looking at Dan Heng with gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“Dan Heng” He introduced himself, "It's nice to meet you again, Stelle.”
“Huh? Have we met before?” Stelle asked, puzzled.
He places his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “Do you recognize me now?”
Realization drew on Stelle's face. “Oh yes! I remember now. No wonder you looked familiar. I didn't know we were in the same school.”
"I noticed you had books from this school the other day," Dan Heng explained, removing his glasses.
"So that's why you helped me. I owe you twice now," Stelle said, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Dan Heng couldn't help but wonder, “Why did I help her?” When he was around Stelle on that day, he felt different, a desire to do something for her, to protect her. It was a feeling he couldn't quite explain, but it drew him to her.
March gave Caelus a puzzled look but he was equally confused. “Don't leave me out. Tell me what happened” March’s curiosity piqued.
“Maybe some other day, March” Stelle promises her.
The group engaged in friendly conversations over lunch. However, Dan Heng couldn't seem to keep his eyes off Stelle, stealing glances at her whenever he could.
Caelus noticed this and decided to tease his sister. "So, how do you and Dan Heng know each other?" He asked March
"Oh, we live together," March replied in an innocent tone, not quite realizing the implications of her statement.
“so they're....” Stelle’s mind racing with various scenarios.
Sensing the potential misunderstanding, Dan Heng quickly coughed and intervened. "March, you're going to give people the wrong idea if you put it like that. You can say she's like a sister to me. I'm just living there temporarily until my apartment is ready" he explained, his voice stern.
Stelle let out a visible sigh of relief, and Caelus, took the opportunity to tease her further, "What was that, my little sister?" he asked playfully.
“Say another word and you'll be eating my bat instead” Stelle threatened, her tone calm but laced with a hint of annoyance. Turning to March, she continued, "I never thought you two were related. You guys are polar opposites of each other.”
“So are you and your idiot brother. I wonder if all the brains are with you” March’s voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
“Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!” exclaimed Caelus at her comment.
They began a small yet playful argument. Their voices made lunch feel lively. Stelle just smiled and took a bite of her food, glancing over at Dan Heng, who she noticed was already looking at her.
“What? Is there something on my face?” She asked in an unamused voice.
"There is," the boy replied calmly, his eyes meeting hers with a gentle gaze.
“Huh? What? Where, where?” she asked, her hands instinctively reaching up to touch her face, searching for it.
Without a moment's hesitation, he leaned in close and delicately plucked a single grain of rice from the corner of her mouth. "Here," he said, in soothing voice as he held the tiny morsel up between his thumb and forefinger.
A tint of blush spread across her cheeks, "Thank you, you've been helping me a lot. I owe you so much…"
His lips curved into a warm, gentle smile, “you don't owe me anything” He had already received his reward – the sight of her smiling face, which, to him, was the most precious thing he could ever ask for.
They wrapped up their little picnic setup. Dan Heng and Caelus stood up, bidding farewell to the girls. As they began walking towards the nearby vending machine, Caelus folding his hands above his head.
He turned to Dan Heng and asked, “Dan Heng, do you have a thing for my sister?” He brings his hands lower giving him an enthusiastic thumbs up, “You have my approval!”
"It's not like that, Caelus," Dan Heng replied, shaking his head slightly. "Our paths just happened to cross, that's all." Sensing Dan Heng's reluctance, Caelus didn't press further.
As they reached the vending machine, Caelus turned to his companion. "Do you want juice? It's on me," he said, already looking for some loose change in his pockets.
On the other side of the campus, Stelle and March were making their way back towards the classrooms. "So, tell me," March began, her curiosity piqued. "How did you two meet?”
Stelle paused for a moment scratching her cheek gently in thought, "Well, it's nothing too exciting, really…"