Music spelled Hue

Arrival

“Why are you frowning?” Violet asked as she noticed Maeve walking toward them.

They were both standing just outside the faculty office, waiting. Violet tilted her head curiously while Henry leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

Maeve slowed down and finally stopped right in front of them. Her expression was a mix of confusion and unease. “I just met a weird guy standing in front of the student council office.”

Henry straightened up immediately, cracking his knuckles like he was ready to fight someone. “What? Did he try anything funny with you?”

Maeve shook her head quickly. “No, nothing like that. He didn’t do anything to me. But…” she hesitated for a moment, recalling the encounter. “When I looked at him closely, I noticed his face was covered in bruises. He even asked me if I was a member of the student council. And when I answered that I’m the president, he looked like he wanted to say something important… but then he stopped. His face turned into a frown, and he just said, ‘Sorry, it’s nothing,’ before walking past me without another word.”

Her brows furrowed deeper. “Isn’t that weird? And a little rude?”

Violet crossed her arms, thoughtful. “Really? If his face was bruised, maybe he was being bullied. He could’ve been trying to report it but felt hesitant at the last second. Some students don’t know how to ask for help.”

“That’s what I thought too.” Maeve sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “But since he already said it was nothing, I guess I can’t do anything more. Still, it bothers me.” She shook her head before suddenly changing the subject. “Anyway, come to think of it—why haven’t you guys gone inside yet?”

“We were waiting for you, obviously,” Violet said with a small smile, as if it should’ve been obvious.

Henry pointed at her. “Yeah, and what exactly did you even grab from the student council room?”

Maeve looked down at the books in her arms and chuckled softly. “Oh, just some of my textbooks. I left them yesterday because I was too busy finishing up reports from the other student organizations. I completely forgot to bring them home.” She shifted the books in her arms and gave a faint smile. “Student council life never really rests, you know?”

“Is that so? Then let’s head inside now. We might’ve kept them waiting too long,” Violet said, fixing her hair one last time before putting her hand on the door handle.

Henry stepped beside Maeve and, without asking, took the books she was holding. Maeve blinked in surprise but then gave him a small smile. “Thank you,” she said softly.

Violet pushed the door open, and the three of them stepped inside the faculty room. Their eyes immediately landed on three figures standing near Mr. Villanueva’s desk. He seemed to be speaking with them, his hands moving animatedly as if explaining something.

Henry leaned closer to his friends, lowering his voice. “I think that’s them. Two boys and one girl, right?”

Maeve and Violet both nodded in agreement, their eyes focused on the group.

Violet, being her usual lively self, waved cheerfully. “Heya! Mr. Villanueva, we’re here!”

Mr. Villanueva gave them a smile and gestured toward the students. “Oh, perfect timing. I was just talking with them.”

At that moment, the three students turned around to face Maeve, Violet, and Henry.

The first one to catch their eyes was a tall guy with striking red hair that fell loosely across his forehead. His confident smile made him look easygoing, maybe even a little mischievous.

Violet immediately clasped her hands together and whispered in an excited voice only Maeve and Henry could hear. “So hot…!” Her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward.

Next to him stood a small girl, noticeably shorter than Maeve and Violet. She had soft, long brown hair with neat bangs that framed her gentle face. Her big brown eyes peeked at them nervously before darting away, and she fidgeted with her fingers like she didn’t know what to do. Just from that one glance, the three could tell she was the shy, quiet type.

Henry nearly lost it. He clenched his fists at his side and whispered through gritted teeth, trying not to yell. “So cute…!” His face turned red as he tried to stop himself from bursting out loud.

Finally, the last one made Maeve freeze in place. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught in her throat. That boy. The tall one with messy black hair and bruises on his face. He was the same guy she had seen earlier outside the student council office. Even he seemed startled to see her again—his eyes flickered for only a moment before he turned his head sharply away, avoiding her gaze entirely.

Maeve narrowed her eyes, muttering under her breath, “So… annoying.”

Her thoughts ran quickly. So he’s one of the students we’re going to tutor, huh? I see. I see. Well… you’re not getting away this time.

She clapped her hands together and put on her usual smile, addressing the teacher. “So these are the students who need our guidance?”

“That is right,” Mr. Villanueva confirmed with a nod. He then stepped aside and motioned for the three students to step forward. “Come on now, introduce yourselves properly to the famous Tria Stella.”

Henry groaned immediately, covering his face with his hand. “Ugh, stop calling us that!”

“What? You’re part of it too!” Mr. Villanueva teased, clearly amused.

“Yes, but…” Henry cringed even harder. “I can’t help but think the name sounds way too girly!”

Violet deadpanned, arms crossed. “But it literally means Three Stars. What’s girly about that?”

Henry pouted like a child. “Still!”

Their little exchange was cut off as the red-haired boy stepped forward confidently. His smile was charming as he said, “Oliver Rivera.”

Next, the small brown-haired girl fiddled with her hands and nervously bowed her head. “Um… L-Layla Zoe Vergara!” she stammered, her cheeks turning red as she spoke too quickly.

And then, finally, the boy with the bruises lifted his head. His dark eyes briefly glanced at Maeve before shifting away again. His voice was low, calm, and almost cold when he spoke.

“…Theron Chase Harper.”

Maeve’s gaze stayed fixed on him, and she felt her lips twitch. So his name is Theron…

“Good,” Mr. Villanueva said with a satisfied nod. “Now that the introductions are done—I’m out of here.”

“Huh? That quick?” Henry blinked.

“Yes.” Mr. Villanueva slipped his phone, wallet, and car keys into his pocket as he stood. “Didn’t I say you only needed to meet each other today? From here on, it’s up to you to schedule your tutoring sessions however you want. I trust you can handle it. Besides…” he patted his stomach with a groan. “I still haven’t had my lunch.”

As he moved toward the door, he waved a hand at them. “If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. But for now, I’ll leave this in your hands.”

And with that, he exited the room, leaving a silence to fall over the two groups.

Maeve noticed how Theron still refused to look at her, his eyes fixed anywhere else but her face. She let out a soft sigh, her patience already thinning. Finally, she cleared her throat loudly to grab everyone’s attention. “Let’s go to the library.”

Without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and began walking out.

The others exchanged glances before following right behind her.

Oliver leaned back slightly in his chair, his soft brown hair falling just over his forehead. He had always been the most popular and approachable among them. He had a warm personality that made it easy for people to like him. Even those meeting him for the first time felt comfortable around him. Despite being friendly to everyone, Oliver had a stubborn streak, especially when it came to friendships. In fact, he had more or less forced Theron to become his friend, refusing to give up even when Theron acted cold and distant. He was intelligent, too—ranked 12th overall in the school, which was a big deal for someone in the Mediocres.

And finally, there was Theron—the outcast. Cold, blunt, and brutally honest, he never sugarcoated anything. If he had an opinion, he said it, no matter how harsh it sounded. He didn’t think twice about whether his words might hurt someone. But beneath that frosty exterior was a sharp mind. Ranked 8th in the school, he was one of the smartest students among the Mediocres. At the same time, he was the tallest in their group, with a neat comma hairstyle that made him look effortlessly cool.