Chapter 1

Crow’s POV

“Once again, I don’t want to hear any complaints from the head’s office,” I stated firmly during our monthly meeting for the second semester. “To the newly admitted scholars and residents, you are expected to take full responsibility for your duties. Always embody good conduct, integrity, and discipline. I will not tolerate mistakes in your tasks, nor will I accept tardiness, especially during meetings, as some of you did earlier. I don’t want that repeated. Being late is one thing I despise the most.”

I paused, letting my words settle in the room. “We’ve already discussed the rules of this organization, and I expect each of you to follow them without exception.”

As the student president of this academic organization, it’s my responsibility to lead and enforce order among my peers to maintain the welfare of the university. I’ve always been a perfectionist, grounded and disciplined. I’ve been involved in academics since my primary years, and having served as student president over the years, this role is nothing new to me.

“I’m now open for any clarifications or concerns,” I added, sitting on the edge of the table with my arms crossed.

Silence filled the room. No one spoke. They simply stared at me with those familiar, sparkling, attentive expressions.

“I’ll take that as everything being clear,” I continued. “The next meeting schedule will be posted on the bulletin board sometime this week. I’ve been busy preparing for upcoming events, you all know that. If there are no further concerns, this meeting is adjourned.”

“Thank you, Pres.”

“Thank you, Mister President.”

“Thank you, President Crow.”

Their voices overlapped as they began to leave. I returned to my seat at the head of the table, shutting down my laptop and organizing my files. My secretary had been absent for two days due to illness, so I had to handle everything myself. I still needed to finalize documents from today’s meeting to submit to the university’s academic president.

As I sorted through the folders, a group of freshman scholars approached, whispering and giggling among themselves. I frowned at the interruption.

“Hi, Pres,” one of them said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Hi, Pres, we just wanted to ask something,” another added timidly.

“We want to ask if—”

“I thought everything was already clear?” I cut in sharply. “I asked earlier if there were any questions, and none of you spoke up. I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior, especially now that you’re part of this organization.”

They lowered their heads in embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry, Pres.”

“I don’t want this happening again,” I said firmly. “If you had questions, you should have asked earlier. I’m done with my part. Save them for the next meeting. You may leave now.”

Flustered, they quickly walked away.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. I couldn’t stand that kind of behavior. If I’ve already asked something once, I don’t repeat myself. They need to learn and take responsibility. Being new isn’t an excuse. There’s no room for incompetence here. This is an academic organization. If they don’t improve, they’ll have to go.

Still, I couldn’t ignore the fact that I might’ve been too harsh. They were freshmen, after all.

I packed my laptop and left the room, heading toward my next class, a minor subject I’d already decided to sleep through.

“He looks so hot, Lian.”

“I know!”

“No, he looks even hotter.”

“He’s more handsome with his glasses. Omo!”

“Geez, I love him so much!”

“I even had a wet dream about him last night.”

My stomach twisted at the last comment. Were they deliberately speaking loud enough for me to hear? It wasn’t the first time I’d heard things like that; some were even worse.

Hands in my pockets, bag slung over my shoulder, I walked down the hallway with a straight face.

The usual followed: whispers, stares, inappropriate comments, shameless admiration from students, and even staff. Locker rooms, hallways, parking lots, restrooms, even outside campus, it didn’t matter. It all disgusted me.

Still, I’d grown used to it over time. Most of the time, I ignored it. I didn’t have the patience to acknowledge them, much less respond. Their presence alone was irritating.

As I turned a corner, I suddenly bumped into someone.

Not an accident. Clearly, it was carelessness.

Clumsy. Reckless. My irritation flared instantly. I tried to steady myself, but the anger simmered beneath the surface.

I hate stupidity.

I looked down at the person I collided with.

A girl.

“I’m very sorry,” she said quickly, making my brows knit together.

She crouched down, hurriedly gathering the things she had dropped. I simply watched. Don’t expect help from me; this isn’t some cliché scene from a movie.

Her head hit my chest earlier, hard. Serves her right.

Once she finished picking everything up, she stood in front of me, head still lowered.

An attention seeker, no doubt. This had to be intentional.

I towered over her, yet I still couldn’t see her face, and I didn’t particularly want to. It would probably just irritate me more.

“Sorry,” she murmured again, rubbing her forehead. Something about her voice made my chest tighten unexpectedly.

Her scent lingered in the air, distracting me. Standing this close made it strangely difficult to even look at her. For a moment, I found myself at a loss for words.

I frowned deeper.

Then she hurried past me.

Only then did I turn to look back at her.

Damn it.