Chapter 2: The Start of Chaos
1880 Words
The morning bell rang through the hallway of St. Belle’s Middle School, echoing over the noise of chatter, laughter, and footsteps.
Chacha walked quietly with her bag hugged to her chest, her mind still replaying what happened yesterday.
Chacha’s thoughts:
Why… why is he here?
He’s rich, smart, has his own company waiting for him… so why teach in a middle school?
She sighed softly, puffing her cheeks.
Chacha (whispering): “This doesn’t make sense… Mr. Conan, the Marketing teacher—ha! More like Mr. Chaos.”
Her best friend Mia popped out of nowhere, linking her arm with Chacha’s.
Mia: “Chacha! You look tired. Did you not sleep well? You look like you saw a ghost.”
Chacha: “Maybe I did…”
Mia: “Huh?”
Chacha: “N-nothing! Just… marketing nightmares.”
Mia laughed as they walked toward their classroom. But as soon as they entered, something strange was going on.
The whole class was crowded around one table, eyes wide and mouths open.
Mia: “What’s happening here? Did someone bring snacks without me?”
Student 1: “Not snacks look at this!”
Mia and Chacha leaned closer to see a tablet screen showing the morning news headline:
“Heir of Le Grand Corporation Announced to Be Engaged Identity of Bride Still Confidential”
Chacha froze.
Student 2: “Whoa! The Le Grand heir is engaged?!”
Student 3: “Lucky girl! Imagine being engaged to a billionaire!”
Student 4: “But wait, they didn’t show the face of the heir. It says confidential. Even the fiancée’s name is hidden until the founder transfers the company.”
Student 5: “Ugh! So mysterious. I bet the heir is handsome. Rich guys always are!”
The class erupted in giggles and excitement.
Mia leaned on Chacha’s shoulder.
Mia: “If I ever get engaged to a Le Grand heir, I’ll faint. You’d never see me again, girl!”
Chacha: “Y-you don’t say…”
Chacha’s hands were shaking slightly. She could feel her heart pounding so loud she thought everyone could hear it.
Chacha’s thoughts:
They’re talking about him… Mr. Conan. He’s the heir. But no one knows…
She quietly stepped away from the crowd, trying to look normal, but her face said otherwise.
Mia: “Chacha? You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost again.”
Chacha: “No! I mean yes! I mean I’m fine!”
She quickly sat at her desk and buried her face in her notebook.
Her mind was spinning.
He’s really the Le Grand heir…
And that news about the engagement that’s… me.
Her heart jumped at the thought.
If anyone finds out, I’m doomed. Like expelled from life doomed!
Before she could think more, the classroom door opened.
“Good morning, everyone.”
The whole class turned.
And there he was Mr. Conan.
Wearing a crisp white shirt, black slacks, and that same calm smile that could melt any girl in a five-meter radius.
The class instantly went quiet.
Student 1: “Wow, our new teacher is so cool!”
Student 2: “And kinda cute, right?”
Student 3: “I heard he’s really good at marketing. My mom said he worked with a big company before coming here!”
Student 4: “So mysterious. He doesn’t even have a social media account!”
Chacha stared down at her notebook again, praying the floor would open and swallow her whole.
Chacha’s thoughts:
They’re literally talking about the same person from the news. They just don’t know it’s him… and that I’m the girl.
Mr. Conan smiled lightly, setting his things on the teacher’s desk.
Mr. Conan: “Alright, class. Settle down. Today, we’ll talk about market perception how people react to a brand or news.”
The class straightened up, some still sneaking glances at him.
Chacha stayed quiet, scribbling random words in her notebook just to avoid eye contact.
But of course, luck hated her.
Mr. Conan: “Miss Yogiwara, could you read what’s written on the board for us?”
Her pencil dropped.
Chacha: “M-me, sir?”
Mr. Conan: “Yes, you. Don’t be shy now.”
The students giggled as she stood up slowly. Her voice came out soft and shaky.
Chacha: “M-market… perception is… how consumers… u-understand a product’s value?”
Mr. Conan: “Correct. Nicely said.”
He gave her a small, warm smile. And that smile alone made her heart do a flip.
Chacha’s thoughts:
Oh no, stop smiling like that! You’re supposed to be my teacher, not my—
Mia (whispering): “Girl, you’re blushing! What’s going on?!”
Chacha: “I-it’s hot in here!”
The class burst into laughter, and Mr. Conan raised an eyebrow, amused.
Mr. Conan: “Everything okay, Miss Yogiwara?”
Chacha: “Y-yes, sir!”
He nodded, his lips curling slightly into a teasing smile before turning back to the board.
Mr. Conan: “Good. Because I’ll need everyone focused today. We have a group project coming up soon.”
The students cheered and groaned at the same time.
Chacha sat down, covering her red cheeks with her notebook.
Chacha’s thoughts:
This is not good. Not good at all. How am I supposed to survive class when my fiancé is teaching?
She peeked at him again his calm face, his confident stance, the way he explained things smoothly and sighed.
Why does he have to be so good at this?
The lesson continued, but for Chacha, every minute felt like torture.
She tried her best to focus on the board, but her eyes kept wandering to the man standing in front of the class.
He looked so calm. So normal. Like he wasn’t secretly her fiancé or the heir of Le Grand Corporation.
Chacha’s thoughts:
How can he act so chill? Does he even remember we live in the same house?
She peeked again. He caught her looking.
Mr. Conan: “Miss Yogiwara, something wrong?”
Chacha almost jumped from her seat.
Chacha: “N-no! I’m just… checking the board!”
Mr. Conan: “Good. Because I’d hate to think my student is daydreaming about something else.”
The class laughed. Chacha sank lower into her chair, wishing she could disappear.
Mia: “Girl, you’re in trouble! Why does he keep picking on you?”
Chacha: “Because life hates me, that’s why.”
Mr. Conan continued the lesson, writing neatly on the board. His voice was smooth, confident, and somehow gentle at the same time.
Chacha watched quietly, a small part of her admiring how serious he looked when he taught.
Then suddenly, a hand waved in front of her face.
Mia: “Earth to Chacha! You’re staring again!”
Chacha: “I-I’m just listening!”
Mia: “Sure you are. You’re totally in love with his voice.”
Chacha: “Mia!”
Her whisper came out louder than she expected. Everyone turned to her.
Mr. Conan: “Something you want to share with the class, Miss Yogiwara?”
Chacha froze, her face completely red.
Chacha: “N-no, sir!”
Mr. Conan: “Good. Because if you have something interesting to say, maybe we can add it to the lesson.”
The students giggled again, and Chacha hid behind her notebook.
Conan smiled a little, obviously amused.
After a few minutes, he finally said, “Alright. That’s enough for today. But before you go, I’ll explain your group project.”
The class straightened up.
Mr. Conan: “You’ll be divided into groups of five. Each group will choose a company and create a short marketing plan for it. Presentations will be next week.”
Student 1: “Can we pick our own groups, sir?”
Mr. Conan: “Yes, but remember: teamwork is key. Choose wisely.”
As soon as he said that, the room exploded with noise.
Mia: “Chacha! Let’s team up! You, me, Marco, Hana, and Kenji!”
Chacha: “Sure, that’s perfect!”
The group started planning immediately. Everyone was excited except Chacha, who still felt Conan’s eyes on her.
After class, as everyone was preparing to leave, Mr. Conan called out, “Miss Yogiwara, can you stay for a minute?”
The class went “Oooooooh!” all at once.
Mia: “Ohooo, someone’s in trouble again!”
Chacha: “It’s not what you think!”
Student 2: “Yeah right, Chacha! You’re the teacher’s favorite now!”
Student 3: “Teacher’s pet!”
The teasing filled the room. Chacha waved her hands nervously.
Chacha: “Stop it, guys! It’s probably about the project!”
The students finally left, still giggling.
Chacha sighed, then turned to Conan, who was leaning against the desk, clearly enjoying the scene.
Chacha: “You’re not helping!”
Mr. Conan: “What? I didn’t say anything.”
Chacha: “You didn’t have to! That smile of yours already says too much.”
He chuckled softly.
Mr. Conan: “You make it sound like I did something wrong.”
Chacha: “You did. You came here. You ruined my peaceful life!”
Mr. Conan: “Ruined? I thought I made it more exciting.”
Chacha rolled her eyes, trying to hide her blush.
Chacha: “You can’t just say things like that in school! Someone might hear you.”
Mr. Conan: “Then lower your voice. You’re the one panicking.”
She glared at him. He just smiled.
Chacha: “Ugh, you’re impossible.”
Mr. Conan: “And you’re cute when you’re mad.”
Her heart skipped again.
Chacha: “Mr. Conan!”
Mr. Conan: “Yes, Miss Yogiwara?”
Chacha: “Stop teasing me!”
He laughed softly.
Mr. Conan: “Fine, fine. I just wanted to remind you about your project. Don’t forget to submit your topic proposal by tomorrow.”
Chacha: “That’s it?”
Mr. Conan: “For now.”
As she turned to leave, he added quietly, “By the way, you’re doing great pretending not to know me. But try not to look too nervous. It’s suspicious.”
Chacha froze halfway through the door.
Chacha: “You’re unbelievable.”
He smiled again, that same teasing grin that made her knees weak.
Mr. Conan: “See you at home.”
Her eyes widened. She quickly looked around to make sure no one heard.
Chacha (whispering): “Don’t say that here!”
Mr. Conan: “Relax, the room’s empty.”
Chacha: “Still! What if someone hears?!”
He chuckled as she ran out of the classroom, face burning.
Chacha’s thoughts:
Why is he like this?! He’s going to ruin my life! I can’t let anyone find out!
But the moment she stepped into the hallway, Mia was waiting.
Mia: “Sooo… what did Mr. Conan want?”
Chacha: “Project stuff!”
Mia: “You sure? You look red again.”
Chacha: “I’m fine!”
Mia gave her a playful grin.
Mia: “Hmm. You’re acting weird lately, Chacha. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you have a crush on him.”
Chacha: “Wh-what?! No way! He’s my teacher!”
Mia laughed.
Mia: “You don’t have to yell! But honestly, I can’t blame you. He’s handsome.”
Chacha groaned and covered her face.
Chacha’s thoughts:
This is torture. Absolute torture.
- Writer
