"𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆"

𝚂𝚆𝙴𝙴𝚃 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙺𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂 𝚄𝙽𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙺𝙴𝙳✨

Arc’s decision to enroll at Celestia University shocked everyone. For years, he had been tutored privately at home, shielded from the world by his parents and bodyguards. But now, he insisted on sitting in classrooms, walking through crowded halls, and living like a normal student.

His father had warned, “Arc, you are the heir. This is not advisable.”

His mother had pleaded, “Anak, your health… Aurora Syndrome is unpredictable.”

But Arc only smiled. “I want to live. I want to study. And I want to be with people who see me as ordinary.”

---

On his first day, Arc walked into a lecture hall, his presence drawing whispers. Students stared, some in awe, others in envy. Yet Arc ignored them, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Darcy.

She was seated near the window, her books neatly stacked, her posture straight while staring outside the window her hair caresses by the wind. Arc’s heart skipped. Fate, it seemed, had placed him right beside her.

The professor gestured. “Mr. Arcabal, you may take the seat next to Ms. Luezaga.”

Arc grinned, sliding into the desk beside Darcy. “Looks like we’re classmates now.”

Darcy stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “Seriously? You enrolled?”

Arc chuckled. “Surprise. I wanted to try being normal.”

Darcy muttered, “Normal? With bodyguards outside the gate and everyone staring? That’s not normal.”

Arc leaned closer, whispering, “But sitting beside you feels normal.”

Darcy rolled her eyes, turning back to her notes. “Nakakainis.”

---

Days passed, and Arc adjusted quickly. He joined discussions, scribbled notes, and even laughed at the professor’s jokes. Darcy remained distant, but Arc grew fonder of her quiet strength. He teased her often, enjoying her awkward reactions.

One afternoon, Celestine joined them in the library. She dropped her bag on the table, smirking. “So, Darcy… what’s your relationship with Arc?”

Darcy nearly choked on her water. “What? Relationship? Wala!” while wiping the water in her mound and Arc wipe the table.

Arc raised his brows, amused. “Interesting question, Celestine.”

Celestine grinned. “You two are always together. Deskmates, library partners, cleaning punishment buddies. Sounds suspicious.”

Darcy groaned. “Suspicious? He’s just… annoying, ewan ko ba sa taong yan.”

Arc laughed. “Annoying? That’s harsh.”

Darcy crossed her arms. “It’s true. You’re impossible. You keep showing up everywhere.”

Arc leaned back, smiling. “Maybe I just like being near you.”

Darcy’s cheeks flushed, but she quickly looked away. “Don’t say things like that.”

Celestine chuckled, enjoying the tension. “Darcy, you’re blushing.”

“I’m not!” Darcy snapped, hiding her face behind a book.

Arc teased, “You are. And it’s cute.”

Darcy pouted. “Stop it, masusuntok na talaga kita wag mo akong subukan! ”

---

Later, during class, Arc tapped Darcy’s desk. “Hey, can I borrow a pen?”

Darcy sighed, handing him one. “You’re unprepared again?”

Arc grinned. “I just like borrowing from you.”

Darcy muttered, “Mayaman pero tamad magdala ng gamit...”

Celestine, seated behind them, whispered loudly, “Couple behavior.”

Darcy turned, glaring. “Celestine!”

Arc laughed, whispering, “She’s not wrong.”

Darcy groaned, burying her face in her notes. “Nakakainis talaga.”

---

Despite her annoyance, Darcy couldn’t deny that Arc was persistent. He studied like a normal student, laughed with classmates, and even struggled through group projects. Yet whenever he was beside her, he seemed lighter, freer.

Arc whispered one evening as they packed their bags, “You know, Darcy, you make this place feel less heavy.”

Darcy frowned. “What does that even mean?”

Arc smiled softly. “It means… you make me forget I’m the heir. You make me feel ordinary.”

Darcy’s heart skipped, but she quickly shook her head. “You’re impossible.” while emotion is fixed with no reaction.

Arc chuckled. “Then I’ll keep being impossible, until you get used to me.”

Celestine, passing by, smirked. “Darcy, you’re doomed. He’s not giving up, the prince will fight for you! ”

Darcy sighed, muttering under her breath, “Why me? Wala ka bang ibang pwedeng sirain ang araw? ”

Arc heard, smiling to himself. “Because you’re different.”