Chapter 2: Most and Least Popular

Leonel Grey Montero, a cool and well-known student, was peacefully walking alone in the school hallway until—

“Leon!”

Someone interrupted his quiet time from behind.

“Not again, please,” he mumbled to himself, immediately recognizing the voice and already anticipating the unavoidable disturbance to his peaceful walk. To avoid getting dragged into another troublesome conversation, he intentionally ignored her call and kept walking as if he heard nothing at all.

Unfortunately for him, it was already too late.

The girl quickly caught up to him and casually walked beside him as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Leon slightly averted his gaze, clearly showing that he had no interest in entertaining her.

“Hey, why didn’t you look back at me?” she asked while trying to peek at his face. “Are you still upset about yesterday? I’m sorry.”

“Nope, that’s not it,” Leon answered flatly.

“Then what is it?”

He merely shrugged and continued walking without giving a proper answer.

The hallway around them slowly became noisier.

“Guys, look! Leon and Clara are together again.”

“They really look close, huh? Like an old married couple.”

“Ah, I envy Leon so much.”

“Same with Clara!”

As they walked past the students, whispers and murmurs followed them nonstop. It happened almost every day whenever the two most popular students in school were seen together. Even though people tried to whisper quietly, their voices were still loud enough for both Leon and Clara to hear.

Clara clicked her tongue softly before leaning closer to Leon.

“We should hurry,” she whispered.

“Yeah. Same thoughts,” Leon replied immediately.

Even Leon, who usually ignored everything around him, was starting to feel uncomfortable under everyone’s stares and gossip. Thankfully, their classroom was only a few steps away.

The moment they entered the room, both of them silently sighed in relief.

“Hey, Rosie, we’re back!” Clara greeted cheerfully as she walked toward their seat.

Rosie, their seatmate, looked up from the book she was reading.

“You’re looking cheerful today, Clarina,” Rosie said with a small smile. “Did something good happen?”

Clara shook her head.

“Nope! Just a normal day.”

Leon quietly sat on the chair beside Clara while Rosie remained seated on the other side.

For a brief moment, the classroom became peaceful.

Then Clara suddenly turned toward Rosie with sparkling eyes.

“Ah! I have a question for you, Rosie.”

“What is it?”

“Which of us two is the most popular and the least popular?” Clara asked while pointing toward Leon.

Rosie frowned immediately.

“Really? Are you mocking me because I’m just an average student?”

Rosie’s appearance was plain compared to most students in their school. Her hairstyle was simple, her glasses gave her a nerdy atmosphere, and her calm personality often caused people to overlook her presence.

“No! That’s not what I meant!” Clara hurriedly clarified while waving both hands.

“Then what do you mean by ‘most’ and ‘least’ popular?”

“Well…” Clara leaned back on her chair. “Earlier, people were talking about us again while we were walking through the hallway. Since everyone always talks about us because of popularity, I suddenly got curious about who’s actually more popular between me and Leon.”

“I can’t believe this…” Leon muttered in disappointment after hearing Clara’s reasoning.

Rosie adjusted her glasses thoughtfully.

“In terms of personality, I’d say it’s definitely you, Clara.”

“Yes!” Clara clenched her fists victoriously.

“But in sports,” Rosie continued calmly, “I’d choose Leon.”

“E-eh?”

Clara’s happy expression instantly froze.

Leon, on the other hand, smirked slightly after seeing her reaction.

“But when it comes to being a role model, Clara wins again,” Rosie added.

“All right!” Clara proudly flipped her hair.

“However, in academics and intelligence…” Rosie paused dramatically. “Leon takes that one.”

“What?!”

Leon could not help but let out a quiet chuckle while Clara looked completely betrayed.

The debate continued for several more minutes.

“In social skills, Clara.”

“In coolness, Leon.”

“In energy, Clara.”

“In mysterious aura, Leon.”

“In being troublesome…” Rosie paused while staring at Clara.

“H-hey!”

“Clara.”

“Oi!”

Leon laughed quietly at the side while Clara pouted in annoyance.

Eventually, Clara slammed both hands onto the desk dramatically.

“Rosie, can you just tell us already who’s the MOST popular overall?”

Rosie crossed her arms and closed her eyes seriously.

“Very well. Give me a moment to properly analyze this complicated situation.”

“What is she doing?” Leon whispered toward Clara.

“I honestly don’t know either,” Clara whispered back.

Rosie then turned around dramatically, as though she were some great detective solving a difficult case. She even took out a pen and paper for no reason at all.

Leon and Clara stared at her silently.

A few nearby classmates also began watching out of curiosity.

After nearly an entire minute of unnecessary “computation,” Rosie finally turned back toward them with a serious expression.

“After my fully processed analysis and careful observation…” Rosie began.

The tension between Leon and Clara immediately rose.

“Who will it be?” Clara wondered nervously.

“Please just finish this already,” Leon thought tiredly.

Rosie lifted one finger.

“The most popular person in this school is…”

Silence filled the room.

“…Clara!”

“Yes—!” Clara was already about to celebrate.

“And Leon!”

“Eh?”

Both of them froze in confusion.

Rosie proudly nodded.

“And for the least popular person…” she continued with a smile, “it’s also the two of you.”

“What kind of answer is that?!” Clara immediately protested.

“It means you’re both the most and least popular students in school,” Rosie explained confidently. “Amazing, right?”

“That explanation makes no sense,” Leon said flatly.

Rosie only laughed proudly as though she had solved the greatest mystery in history.

Clara and Leon exchanged disappointed looks.

At that moment, they both realized they had completely wasted their time listening to Rosie’s nonsense.

Clara slowly cracked her fingers.

“Hey, Leon,” she said with a dangerous smile, “should we teach her a lesson?”

Leon immediately understood what she meant.

“Yeah,” he replied calmly while standing up. “Let’s do it.”

Rosie’s smile instantly disappeared.

“G-guys?” she asked nervously while slowly backing away. “Why are you both staring at me like that…?”

Without warning, Clara attacked first and began tickling Rosie’s waist mercilessly while Leon held both of her arms in place.

“H-hey! Wait! Stop! Tchahaha—!”

Rosie burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“I-I’m sorry! Hahahaha! Please stop already—!”

“You brought this upon yourself,” Leon said calmly while trying not to laugh.

“Mercy?” Clara grinned mischievously. “Denied.”

“Tchahaha!! Leon! Help me—wait, you’re part of this too?!”

Several classmates nearby could not help but laugh while watching the chaotic scene unfold.

Meanwhile, at the front of the classroom, their class president quietly watched the three of them with a tired expression.

“Haah…” he sighed deeply. “Look at them again.”

He rested his chin on his palm before muttering helplessly,

“A happy family indeed.”