Chapter 7: Monday Mayhem
920 Words
Lee Arden Santos woke to the sun streaming through his window, birds chirping, and a faint-but distinctly judgmental-glare from his mother.
He blinked, stretched, and… realized something miraculous: he was no longer grounded. One full week of exile in his room, surviving mud, milk tea, mafia threats, and his mother's lectures had finally ended.
“Freedom!” Arden yelled dramatically, flinging the blanket up in the air as if a hero revealing a cape. Milk tea was already on his desk, safe and intact. “I… I SURVIVED… again!”
Mom crossed her arms, sighing from the doorway. "Survived… barely. But congratulations. You are officially free to… continue making poor life choices."
Arden ignored her. Today was Monday. School. His chance to walk into the halls like nothing had happened. To act completely normal.
To casually exist after nearly being dragged into mafia chaos, escaping in mud, and almost dying a few times over. Yes… totally normal.
He swaggered his way to school, screaming, "I survived the underworld, and I have milk tea to prove it." In real life, he slightly wobbled because of the still-damp shoes, but nobody noticed. He passed his friends, nodded nonchalantly, and muttered under his breath: "No one can fathom my genius. My legend grows in silence…"
Then, the universe decided to ruin everything.
"Transfer student," the principal announced over the loudspeaker. Arden froze mid-step. "Please welcome… Kaito Sakamura."
The silence overwhelmed the hallway like a cold wind. Arden squinted toward the front of the school, and there he was: tall, impossibly sharp-looking, and radiating danger like a walking thunderstorm.
Hair black as midnight, coat neatly pressed, shoulders wide enough to block the sun, and a face that could make even the bravest teachers reconsider grading papers today.
A quiet murmur spread through the students. Whispers of cold, dangerous, cruel and probably owns the school rippled like wildfire.
Arden gulped. Something in his very core screamed: This… is bad. Very, very bad.
Kaito’s eyes scanned the room, sharp as knives, until they landed somewhere near Arden. Arden immediately ducked behind his locker.
“Why is he looking at me?!” Arden said, whispering to himself. “I… I haven’t done anything! I mean, except survive mafia men, escape alleys, become a hero… and, well… mud. But other than that, totally normal!”
The bell rang, and Arden shuffled towards class, her head down to avoid sticking out. Kaito Sakamura strode down the hall, managing a casual air of “I could crush you with a thought” without even seeming to try.
Arden’s friend, Milo, leaned into him. “Uh… Arden… that’s the new transfer student. Everyone says he’s… terrifying. Cold. Rumor has it he’s like… the ruler of the school or something.”
"Ruler of the school?" Arden breathed, eyes wide. "Like… principal? Head of a secret mafia? Or… secret overlord?"
Milo shrugged. "Nobody knows. Just… don't get on his bad side. Or you might… disappear."
Arden’s eyes widened. Cease.
Arden attempted to act casual in class, taking notes, doodling little "I survived mafia" trophies in the margins, and humming softly.
That was until he noticed Kaito was standing by the door. Quiet. Still. Dangerous. Scanning. Judging.
Kaito Sakamura.
The teacher cleared her throat. “Um… everyone, please settle down. We have a new student, Kaito Sakamura.”
Kaito didn't smile. He didn't even blink noticeably. He simply walked to the front, eyes scanning the room like he could see right through your soul.
Arden wanted to disappear. Or maybe curl under the desk. Preferably both.
Milo whispered once more: "Be careful, Arden. He. seems to know things."
Arden swallowed hard. Things. Like… “I survived mafia mud alley?” Or “milk tea preservation”? He hoped not.
Kaito’s eyes landed on Arden and stopped for a fraction of a second too long. Arden felt a flush rise to his cheeks. "Don't look at me. I'm normal. I am boring. I'm… just a student… with milk tea… please go away…"
The bell rang again, and he silently sat down. Complete silence fell over the classroom. Arden noticed that the students were glancing at him nervously. Why are they looking at me?
Lunchtime promptly arrived. Arden ducked into the cafeteria, mud-stained clothes and all, in hopes of blending in with the chaos of school chaos.
Then he saw Kaito sitting alone at a table, eyes focused on a single point on the floor. Nobody dared approach him, nobody dared sit near him.
Arden gulped. He thought of one thing: this boy was a new apex predator of the school. Everyone feared him, even the bullies.
Arden's brain clicked into overdrive. Plan A: survive. Plan B: survive. Plan C: do not spill milk tea in front of the apex predator. Check, check, check.
As Arden edged closer and closer to his own table, he accidently knocked his lunch tray over. Salad went flying. Milk tea wobbled precariously. Chaos ensued.
And Kaito… looked up.
Arden froze. The world slowed. Milk tea teetered on the edge of the tray… Arden's heart hammered…
Kaito’s gaze clashed with Arden’s. He didn’t flinch, didn’t smirk, didn’t even blink. For a heartbeat, Arden would have sworn the very air itself seemed to recoil.
Then, slowly… Kaito Sakamura tilted his head. Just slightly.
“Interesting,” he murmured. Arden shrieked inside. No. No. Not again. This cannot be happening again.
The apex predator of the school had officially taken notice of him. And Arden knew-he was in for another legendary Monday.
- Writer
