Admittedly, as a modern school, Fiers Hero Academy had everything you could ask for.
Gymnasiums, training rooms, combat arenas, and a cafeteria brimming with cuisines from nations past.
On the way to the cafeteria, Night Zero pointed out many famous spots around campus.
But hand-in-hand, the pair drew quite the buzz along the path.
"Look, look! Isn’t that Teacher Night Zero?"
"Eh? Teacher Night Zero’s back? Wait—who’s that guy holding her hand?!"
"Dunno..."
"Hold up—that’s the homeroom teacher for Class C, second year. The new guy. I remember Teacher Hamlet ranting about him nonstop in class."
*Heh, sorry for hogging Hamlet’s thoughts all day.*
Hearing this, Empty City grinned inwardly.
Students were students—making a fuss over a simple romance.
Though Empty City himself was barely twenty... and utterly inexperienced in love.
This was his first relationship. He felt shy deep down. Like earlier, when he’d impulsively grabbed Night Zero’s hand—it was pure instinct, no thought involved. Later regrets? He wouldn’t let go anyway. That soft, smooth warmth had seared into his mind. He just couldn’t release it.
Plus, a selfish streak kept his fingers laced with hers.
Claiming territory probably started right here.
Empty City shot a cold glare at the gossiping students. They scattered instantly.
He’d expected Night Zero to blush furiously under the stares. But he’d overthought it. After his confession, she knew exactly who he loved. Her worries had vanished. To her, this was just normal couple stuff... the ordinary life she craved.
The school was huge. The cafeteria lay a ten-minute walk from the classrooms. Yet to Empty City, the stroll flew by—lost in casual chatter with Night Zero.
"Ugh... so crowded..."
Students packed the cafeteria. At noon, arriving late meant no seats or food. For teachers, only seating was a worry—the place had no staff-only zones, promoting "equality."
This left the pair stuck in a dilemma.
"How about I grab the food while you save us a spot?"
Empty City couldn’t bear making Night Zero queue.
"Mhm, I’ll wait over there then."
Spotting the sole empty seat, Night Zero smirked.
She dashed off, glancing back now and then to check on him.
Truth was, lunchtime queues were brutal. As a former day student, Empty City had never faced this mass food scramble. Seeing his own class nearby, he silently pitied their daily struggle.
After ten minutes of waiting, some students passed by—but avoided eye contact. Empty City felt awkward, yet brushed it off. *My fault. I’ll fix it in afternoon class.*
For lunch, he’d ordered a "couple’s set"—basically a regular two-person meal with a sappy label. But for his next move, he’d grabbed extra cake.
Finally reaching Night Zero’s spot, he found an unwelcome guest.
Night Zero stared blankly out the window, giving curt "hmms" to the man before her. She clearly couldn’t care less—or found his topic unbearably dull.
His name was Hamlet: a lanky, bespectacled teacher from another class. He harbored a crush on Night Zero.
He droned on about last night’s celebrity gossip—stuff that flooded phone headlines daily. Knowing Night Zero, she’d skimmed it that morning.
*Clack!*
Empty City slammed their utensils onto the table, cutting Hamlet off with a cheerful grin.
"Hey, Hamlet—you know, Shakespeare’s tragic hero—mind giving up your seat?"
He’d meant it kindly. *Night Zero must’ve warned him already. How shameless to still sit here.* He regretted the words instantly.
"Huh? Teacher Empty City? I’m chatting with Teacher Night Zero. Can’t you see we’re having a great time?"
*Great time?* Night Zero’s face lit up at his arrival—then dimmed to exasperation after Hamlet’s remark. Empty City weighed his options.
"Well... I’ve got two solutions. Wanna hear ’em?"
"Hm?"
"First: I knock your teeth loose right now and kick you out."
Empty City grinned wickedly, his tone dripping threat.
"Hah! This is public space—you wouldn’t dare!"
Hamlet’s voice trembled, recalling office humiliations. But he puffed his chest. *Losing face in front of Teacher Night Zero? Unthinkable!*
Night Zero watched Empty City worriedly. A fight here was unwise.
"True, I won’t. So option two: Night Zero eats on my lap. Win-win for me. And I’ll spare poor, overworked Teacher Hamlet. Right, Night Zero?"
"R-right my foot!"
Her voice climbed—flustered, not opposed to the idea, but mortified at public PDA. *How could anyone do that here?!*
Hamlet froze. *She... agreed at first?* Seeing Night Zero’s flushed, flustered face—not anger, but shyness—something shattered inside him.
"Calm down. I’m not *that* shameless. Doing that here would stress me out too."
"You mean... being with *me* stresses you out?"
*Women’s logic baffles men.* Empty City finally got it. He’d refused the lap idea, yet she was upset.
*Scary girls, indeed...*
He shook his head, charmed despite himself.
"Since Night Zero said that, here’s option three. Watching us flirt must torture you."
A roguish smirk curled Empty City’s lips.
Night Zero recognized that grin. Whenever he wore it, his opponent always lost the verbal duel.
"I used to be a B Rank Hero. Though my quirk? Easily A-tier."
"What quirk?"
Hamlet’s mind blanked from "flirt," his reply weak.
"Space creation. Roughly."
"Roughly?"
"Y’know—making a blank zone. We’re still here, but you can’t see us. That sort of thing."
His simple explanation twisted the knife: the despair of knowing they’d flaunt affection right before him—unseen.
But Hamlet proved tougher than expected. Outmatched yet stubborn, he dug in.
"D-don’t push it!"
"Huh?"
"I challenge you! This afternoon! One-on-one! Loser vanishes from Teacher Night Zero’s life!"
Veins bulged on Hamlet’s gaunt, twisted face. He leapt up, jabbing a finger at Empty City.
"Sure... but thanks for the seat."
Empty City chuckled, sidling up to Hamlet. He nudged him aside with an elbow and slid into Night Zero’s spot.
"You—you’re too cocky! I’ll ruin you this afternoon!"
"I’ve got no reputation here. You? Stop ruining my meal."
Ignored and humiliated, Hamlet ranted his way out. The duel rumor, however, spread like wildfire.
