[Music Recommendation: "Usui Takumi" theme (Kaichou wa Maid-sama OST)-available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[Please note: This chapter is written in Kaiden's POV - back on the morning of July 7th, after he dropped Senara to her classroom]

As I walked towards our department together with Callan, my phone suddenly rang.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

Taking my phone from the inside pocket of my blazer, I checked who it was.

"News Guy," was what it flashed.

"Ah, about damn time," I mumbled.

"Hm? Who's that?" the ever curious Callan asked me but I didn't answer him. Instead, I talked to the person over the phone.

"H-Hello, Mr. Kaiden," the guy from the other line greeted me with a trembling voice.

"Yes. What is it?"

"W-we have finished what you asked for. I already published the article on the school's website, all the forums, even the paper copies handed out, they're everywhere now. I made sure everyone received notifications on their phones as well and emails. S-So it shouldn't be long until the news spreads."

"Good. Only took you five days. So slow as always."

"W-we're very sorry! W-we needed to write and edit, and get approvals from—"

"Excuses."

"Y-Yes. We will work faster next time."

"There won't be a next time."

"Ack! Y-you're not suspending us, right?"

"No. I meant, there would be no more reason to give warnings, unless there's someone crazy enough to fight me."

"A-Ah! Of course. That's right," he sounded relieved.

"Anyway, good job. I'll send the payment later and increase the budget for your club."

"T-Thank you so much, Mr. Kaiden!" his voice suddenly turned bright and happy.

It was only fair to pay them for their services. I didn't understand what he's so thankful about. Was he expecting me not to pay? Ugh. Whatever.

"O-Oh. And also, we will need the Student Council President's approval for the i-increased budget," he mumbled.

'I can't believe he's worrying about petty approvals. I'm someone higher than any Student Council President or whoever. It's so easy to get those approvals. I just tell them to approve this and that and they do it.'

"That's already done. Unlike you, I work fast."

"R-right! Of course! I'm sorry for even saying it. T-thank you very much again."

"Uhm. If that's all, bye."

"Yes! T-thank y—"

Ah. I hung up too early. That should be fine. He was just gonna say thank you again and maybe follow it by an endless amount of thanks like others.

"It really IS out!" Callan exclaimed, while he browsed on his phone. "Man, that glasses guy works fast!"

Raising my eyebrows, I disagreed, "It took him FIVE days. That's not fast."

"Huh? But two of those days are Sat and Sun. Approvals don't move on weekends."

"Still slow."

"Heck, boss! You're a monster! Not everyone works as efficiently and fast as you, you know."

"Ugh. Whatever. Let's go."

And so, we walked towards our classroom for the first period. Along the way, I made sure to check the articles real quick to see if everything written was accurate. Satisfied by it, I put my phone back in my coat.

Our department was mostly made of male students. Just looking at the people inside the classroom, 90% of them were male. I suddenly remembered Senara asking me before if she could visit our department during free periods. Looking at this horrid scene—some of them were not even dressed properly and playing around—there was NO way I would allow her to.

Brushing that thought aside, I walked towards my usual seat at the center, with Callan behind me. The sea of people parted ways as we walked past them. They knew I hated being touched.

After the incident in my first year of college, where they looked down on me because I was too young compared to them and dared try to bully me but I ended up subduing them all in a fist fight, their attitude towards me changed. Since I'm taking a masteral course now, most of them were familiar with that incident. Unless someone wished for another fist fight with me, they wouldn't dare mess with me again. There were rare occasions when someone stupid like that pops up every now and then, but it was easy to shut them up with a couple of punches.

That's right. I'm not only smart, but I also excelled in most physical sports or activities, though I'm too lazy to do them most of the time. But I had to master a couple of martial arts for self defense—in any case we're kidnapped or anything. Despite the kidnap insurance, and all the bodyguards, we could never be 100% complacent.

Anyway, classes started afterwards, and after a couple of hours, it was already lunch time. I ran to the door as soon as the bell rang and headed over to Senara's department. It didn't take me long to arrive there, thanks to my long legs—one of my features I really liked.

Not long after, Senara went out of her classroom and waved her hands goodbye to Marie. Then, she ran towards us smiling. Ahhh… she's really so cute.

"Hey, princess," Callan greeted her when she got near, interrupting her words. She looked like she was about to say something but this stupid guy didn't notice it. Tsk.

"Princess?" Senara asked, bewildered by the greeting.

Who wouldn't? That was so lame. And who gave him permission to call her princess? Ugh. He's getting on my nerves.

"Oh wait, they said 'queen' in the article," Callan pondered, caressing his chin. "But sorry, I only call Crystal queen, so that's 'princess' for you."

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha! Yes, loverboy. But I prefer being called by my name, thank you."

"But Kaiden is a boss—like a BIG BOSS. And you're his—"

"Shut it, Callan," I snapped, shutting him up. Turning to Senara, I asked, "You were gonna say something?"

Senara nodded her head. Then, she smiled… her smiles were always perfect and beautiful but this time, it was really captivating. It was one of those special smiles she did from time to time.

Because of that smile… I felt my heart melt and squeeze at the same time.

Before I knew it, my face was already drawing near hers.

Unable to stop myself, I caught her lips in a deep kiss.

Ahhh… I messed up. She told me many times not to kiss her in public.

But… How could I possibly do that when she's being so lovely?