Chapter 1: Encounters and First Impressions

Nota: para los que ya leyeron el capítulo 1, este es el mismo pero adaptado al inglés para los de habla inglesa también lo disfruten

It was a bright, sunny day, not a single cloud in the sky above **Celestial Harmony Academy**, a school dedicated to fostering coexistence between students with and without powers, promoting a future free of discrimination for both groups. And now, our attention turns to a student whose beauty charmed everyone who laid eyes on her: **Elara**, the sweetest and seemingly most gentle girl in the entire school.

Elara walked with a natural grace that looked almost rehearsed. Her long, shining hair fell in soft waves around her face, and she wore an elegant pastel-colored dress that accentuated her slender figure. Details such as a delicate ribbon around her waist and perfectly matched shoes completed her look, giving her an air of perfection. With every step, she seemed to radiate light, an effect caused not only by her presence but also by her ability to project happiness and calm onto others.

Behind her walked a group of students, boys and girls alike, following her around and showering her with praise. By her side were her carefully chosen best friends: Mei, with her short, practical hair and immaculate uniform that reflected her sensible personality, and Sakura, whose colorful and cheerful style was highlighted by accessories that matched her vibrant energy.

**Student:** You're as beautiful as ever, Elara.

**Female Student:** It's because you're simply perfect.

**Elara:** *(in a sweet voice)* Oh, it's not that much. I woke up with terrible bed hair today.

**Student:** Don't say that! Your hair looks silky smooth, without a single knot.

**Female Student:** Even with the best shampoos and brushes, mine could never look like that.

The compliments kept flowing one after another, and Elara accepted them all with graceful smiles. But in her mind, her pride and ego swelled with every word.

**Elara (thinking):** *(Another day of everyone praising me like the queen I am. Not a single student or teacher can resist my charms. They all fall at my feet. This is ridiculously easy...)*

**Mei:** *(practically)* Remember we have history class in two minutes.

**Elara:** *(sweetly)* Really? I completely forgot.

*(Turning toward her entourage.)*

Could one of you help me with the homework?

Everyone immediately raised their hand at the same time, insisting that she choose them.

**Elara (thinking):** *(With all these people willing to help me, I don't have to do anything myself. My life is way too easy...)*

**Sakura:** You're so adorable when you ask for help!

**Mei:** *(rolling her eyes)* Don't exaggerate.

**Sakura:** I can't help it. She just looks so cute...

Mei sighed at her friend's response as the group continued walking.

## Meanwhile

In the school hallways, Riku stood near the entrance with his trademark infectious smile. He wore the school uniform, though somewhat carelessly, with his tie loosened and his shoes slightly worn, giving him a laid-back appearance.

Students passing by couldn't help but smile at him. His energy was simply impossible to ignore. Even though he'd only been at the school for a couple of months, he'd already made an impression on everyone around him.

Well, everyone except the teachers, for whom he was more of a headache than anything else.

**Student:** Morning, Riku.

**Riku:** Morning!

**Student:** Can you help me carry these books to the library?

**Riku:** Can't today, sorry. I'm waiting for a friend who's enrolling, and I promised I'd give him a tour.

**Student:** Oh, if he's your friend, then he's probably as cheerful as you are.

**Riku:** *(laughing)* I wouldn't bet on that. Anyway, see you later.

Suddenly, his face lit up as he spotted someone approaching.

It was Kai.

A lean boy with noticeably broad shoulders beneath his shirt, hinting at hidden strength. He wore the school uniform loosely, his jacket poorly buttoned and his pants looking a size too large.

His dark hair fell slightly over his eyes, and his face carried a look of irritation, as though he were carrying the weight of the world.

**Riku:** *(shouting)* KAI! YOU ACTUALLY CAME!

Nearby students turned around, expecting someone as charismatic as Riku.

Instead, they saw a boy approaching with a bored expression and heavy steps, as though every movement required an enormous amount of effort.

**Riku:** *(trying to hug him)* BROTHER OF MY SOUL!

Kai extended one arm and stopped him.

**Kai:** You're still just as loud as ever.

**Riku:** *(laughing)* And you're still the same grump you've always been.

**Kai:** Do you have to shout so much?

**Riku:** *(laughing even harder)* Yup! Yahoo!

*(Grabs his arm.)*

Come on, I need to show you everything.

Meanwhile, Elara and her entourage continued walking through the hallways, surrounded by their usual stream of compliments.

But something caught Elara's attention.

In the distance, she spotted Riku walking alongside someone she didn't recognize.

**Elara:** *(curious)* Who's that?

A nearby student spoke up.

**Student:** Must be Riku's friend. He just enrolled today.

**Elara (thinking):** *(Someone new... another person who's about to fall for my charms.)*

Back with Kai and Riku, the latter cheerfully pointed at the cafeteria and several other landmarks around campus until his gaze landed on Elara.

**Riku:** *(pointing excitedly)* And that, my friend, is Elara! The most popular girl in the entire school. Some people say her smile could cure a whole generation's stress. Oh, and her power lets her make people happy and create cute little kawaii illusions.

**Kai** glanced briefly at Elara, and his expression immediately hardened. Something about the way she interacted with everyone around her rubbed him the wrong way.

**Kai:** *(coldly)* She looks insufferable.

**Riku:** *(surprised)* What? You just insulted this school's national treasure. I can't tell if you're brave or suicidal, but I'll go with the first one.

At that moment, Elara approached them with her usual sweet smile.

**Elara:** *(charmingly)* You're new here, right? Then allow me to welcome you to our wonderful school.

**Student:** How humble!

**Student 2:** There's nobody else quite like her!

**Kai:** *(emotionlessly)* Uh-huh.

*(He walks right past her without even looking at her.)*

**Riku:** *(trying to save the situation)* Excuse him! He's shy.

Elara, meanwhile, was completely dumbfounded.

Someone had actually dared to ignore her entirely?

**Elara (thinking):** *(Impossible... I'm Elara! I'm perfection personified! I won't let some newcomer challenge my beauty! I'll make him fall in love with me, just like everyone else.)*

After classes, Elara and her friends Mei and Sakura walked purposefully through the hallways in search of Riku.

If they wanted Kai to fall head over heels for Elara, they would need as much information as possible.

**Elara:** *(wearing her most charming smile)* Hi, Riku. Do you have a minute?

**Riku:** *(giving a theatrical bow)* For the cutest and sweetest girl in the entire school? Of course. What can your humble servant do for you?

**Elara:** *(innocently)* What can you tell me about your friend Kai?

**Riku:** *(raising an eyebrow)* And why the sudden curiosity?

**Elara:** *(placing a hand on her chest and feigning concern)* Oh, it's nothing special. It's just that he seems so... depressed. I thought maybe I could cheer him up.

**Riku:** *(laughing)* Ah, that. No, he's always like that. Especially because of his power.

**Elara:** *(interested)* What kind of power?

**Riku:** *(relaxing a bit)* He can make people feel depressed and miserable. Even himself. But trust me, he's like that with or without his powers. Twenty-four seven. Believe me.

**Mei:** *(crossing her arms)* And how did someone as cheerful and friendly as you become friends with someone like him? I mean, he doesn't exactly seem like he'd fit into your circle...

While Riku was distracted answering, Mei, as organized as ever, pulled out a small notebook and began scribbling down notes.

If they were going to get Kai interested in Elara, they'd need all the information they could get.

**Riku:** *(shrugging)* Well, that story is... complicated. But if you give him a chance, you'll see he's a good guy.

In his own way.

**Elara:** *(hopeful)* Is there anything he likes in particular?

**Riku:** *(pausing)* Uh... that's a tough one. Let's see...

He doesn't like girls.

**Sakura:** *(wide-eyed)* Wait... is he...?

**Riku:** *(laughing)* No, no, no! Not like that. I mean in general. He doesn't like girls, boys, animals, places with too much sunlight...

He basically hates almost everything.

Well, except for books and history.

Elara, Mei, and Sakura all turned simultaneously toward Kai.

He was sitting beneath a tree, leaning back as he read a book, completely absorbed in its pages.

His relaxed posture and calm expression made him look utterly detached from the rest of the world.

**Riku:** *(pointing at him)* Oh, and one more thing. He really hates being interrupted while he's reading. So...

you probably shouldn't bother him.

*(Looks around.)*

Wait. Where's Elara?

**Sakura:** *(pointing toward Kai)* She went to talk to him.

**Riku:** *(placing a hand on his forehead and making the sign of the cross)* God...

please don't let her start World War III.

Meanwhile, Kai was so engrossed in his book that he didn't notice Elara approaching until she gently lowered it so he would look at her.

**Elara:** *(sweetly smiling)* Hi, Kai. What are you reading?

**Kai:** *(coldly)* Why do you care?

**Elara:** *(nervous laugh)* Ah... well, I just wanted to get to know you better.

**Kai:** *(lifting the book back up)* Well, I don't want to get to know you.

**Elara (thinking):** *(What's wrong with him? Nobody can be this unpleasant...)*

**Elara:** Listen, if I did or said something that bothered you, I'm sorry. How about we start over? I'm Elara—

**Kai:** *(interrupting her)* I didn't ask for your full name.

**Elara:** *(trying to maintain her composure)* Well, I thought it would be more polite to introduce myself if we're going to become friends.

**Elara (thinking):** *(He's so irritating... but I won't lose this easily.)*

Her eyes landed on the cover of Kai's book, and an idea immediately formed in her mind.

**Elara:** *(pointing at the title)* Greek mythology, huh? So you're into stories about the gods. Like Thor, the god of lightning, right?

**Kai:** *(letting out a deep sigh without looking up)* First, Thor is a Norse god, not a Greek one, and he's the god of thunder, not lightning. Second, the god you're thinking of is Zeus, ruler of Olympus and god of lightning.

**Elara:** *(putting on a guilty expression)* Oh wow, that was careless of me. Could you teach me a little history so I don't embarrass myself like that again?

**Elara (thinking):** *(Perfect. This way we'll spend lots of time together. I'll play dumb when it comes to history, make him laugh, and eventually he'll fall in love with me.)*

**Kai:** *(closing his book and standing up)* No thanks.

**Elara:** *(caught off guard, trying to keep smiling)* What?

**Kai:** *(looking directly at her)* Someone who can't be bothered to learn the basics doesn't deserve my time. If you want to learn history that badly, try a library. It won't kill you.

*(He turns around and calmly walks away.)*

The whispers of nearby students filled the air, but Elara remained frozen in place.

Not once in her entire life had anyone spoken to her so bluntly and coldly.

**Elara (thinking):** *(You're a tough nut to crack, I'll give you that. But I won't lose my composure. I'll be the one who breaks that iron will of yours, no matter what it takes... Though now that I think about it, that sounded kinda weird... Whatever! I'm not giving up. I'll make you fall for me.)*

The sound of the bell marked the end of the break, but in Elara's mind, this was only the beginning of her challenge.

**Elara:** *(determined)* After class...

As everyone headed to their respective classrooms, Elara remained the center of attention as always.

She entered the room with her usual grace, and every eye immediately turned toward her.

As usual, she chose the seat in the middle of the classroom, where she could be seen from every corner. Mei sat in the front row so she could be closer to the teacher and take notes, while Sakura chose the desk behind Elara.

Riku, staying true to himself, dropped into a seat at the back, fully prepared to do absolutely nothing.

The teacher entered the classroom wearing a professional smile.

**Teacher:** Good morning, class.

**Everyone:** Good morning, Miss.

**Teacher:** *(looking at Riku)* And yes, I've already seen you, Riku. No slacking off in my classroom.

**Riku:** *(yawning)* Had to give it a shot.

**Teacher:** *(turning to Elara)* And Elara, I absolutely loved your essay. Your handwriting is impeccable.

**Elara:** *(with a charming smile)* Oh, it's really nothing. I just did my best.

**Elara (thinking):** *(Even though I actually got someone else to do it for me... hehehe.)*

**Teacher:** That said, I'd like to introduce a new student. Please welcome Kai.

Riku was the only one who applauded enthusiastically. The rest of the class merely whispered among themselves while sneaking curious glances at the newcomer.

**Teacher:** Well then, Kai? Would you like to introduce yourself?

**Kai:** *(boredly)* Not really.

**Teacher:** *(slightly confused)* You see... introducing yourself to your classmates is mandatory.

**Kai:** *(expressionless)* Kai Nakamura. Seventeen years old. That's it.

The applause that followed was weak and awkward.

**Teacher:** Well, now that you've introduced yourself, you can take a seat. There's an empty desk next to Elara.

The murmuring immediately intensified.

Many students felt jealous knowing Kai would be sitting next to the "queen of the classroom."

Elara, on the other hand, saw this as the perfect opportunity to get on his good side.

**Kai:** *(looking around)* Isn't there another seat available?

The entire classroom fell silent.

For the first time ever, someone had questioned a privilege everyone else wished they had.

**Riku:** *(laughing)* Hahaha! You're never gonna change, are you?

**Teacher:** I'm afraid that's the only seat available.

**Kai:** *(sighing)* Whatever.

With obvious reluctance, he sat beside Elara.

Without even looking at her, he arranged his belongings on the desk and turned his attention toward the teacher.

**Elara:** *(using her kindest tone)* I'm glad they seated us together. If you need help with anything, I'd be happy to assist.

**Kai:** *(without looking up)* If the help is coming from you, then I'm doomed.

Elara kept her expression calm, but internally she was on the verge of exploding.

No one had ever spoken to her so directly and dismissively.

**Elara (thinking):** *(You're still acting indifferent toward me, but before you know it, you'll be eating right out of my hand...)*

To Be Continued...