Alinea

In Japan, the school year was very unique. Classes started in April and ended in March, and were divided into three semesters. The first one began the first week of April, until mid- July where students had their end of term exams right before the summer vacation. Classes resumed in September until December before the winter break. The third and last semester opened on the second week of January until the end of term in March.

Technically, Ara had missed the term end exam last December, because she was in a coma. But she already took the special exam at the hospital, and her results still topped, so her class rank didn't change.

Now, it's the second week of the last term, and graduating students were busy with their exams. By this time, they already knew where they would be studying after graduation. But, before the grueling days of examinations, there's an activity that most students look forward to: the four day school trip.

Suzuki Ara walked the familiar corridor to her classroom. It was still a little bit early, so the class hadn't started yet. Before she came into the room, her classmates were abuzz about the school trip. But, as soon as she stepped in, the room fell silent as they stared at her.

Since she's the top student in her grade, her seat was placed in front, next to the window. Just like what the original always did, she just remained quiet after murmuring her greetings to the others.

Normally, people were wary of her because of her status. But due to the last rumor, there were some brave souls who didn't care gossiping about her in her presence.

"Look at her. She's so brave to come back after what happened."

"Well, that's a true heiress for you. She could kill someone without even blinking like offing with insects."

"I wonder why the school would let someone like that here."

"She should have just died in the accident. Why did she have to come back?" another one said with a voice loud enough to travel across the room and everybody gasped, afraid that Ara would do something.

"Shhhh… quiet Nanako, she might hear you," another scolded the loud girl, but the latter just became braver, seeing as Ara had no reaction.

"So what if she does? What could she do – try to kill us?" the girl declared dramatically, then paused and placed her hands on her bosom. "Oh I forgot – she already did try killing someone. Isn't that why she got into the accident?"

At this point, more of their classmates had arrived including the student council president, Miyahara.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Thinking that the president would take her side, the girl, Nanako told him everything, and seeing the frown that marred his face, she felt smug.

"Yashiro-san," the student council president called the girl, Yashiro Nanako softly. "It's not good to speak badly of people, most especially without any proof," he reprimanded the girl.

"What?" The girl was surprised.

When the accident happened, everyone talked badly of Suzuki Ara, and the seitokaicho let them. It gave her the impression that he also thought the same.

"All of you should know better than talk about things without basis." Miyahara gave their gossiping classmates a warning look which made all of them shut up.

Afterwards, the student council president walked towards Ara, so she turned to look at him, her eyes wondering what he'd do, and was surprised when he bowed.

"I'm so sorry about that Suzukisan. We haven't really explained about your accident to everyone properly. Because of that you were put into a bad position."

Ah, so that's why.

Ara was thinking for the rumors to have lessened a bit after their visit, and after she took her missed exams since she had to submit her medical records and certificates to the school, but it didn't. But it's okay. It's not like she hadn't anticipated this scenario as well. Besides…

"It's alright seitokaicho. The gossips of plebeians don't really affect me,"Ara said with a saccharine sweet smile that almost blinded everyone. Even with her spectacles, her beauty could still make people halt. In fact, the black rimmed glasses even added to her charms.

"And in case I do get offended,"Ara shrugged her elegant shoulders nonchalantly. "I have my lawyers to deal with them."

Another collective gasps echoed in the room. But Ara was not yet finished. She lazily transferred her gaze from one person to another in the room.

"In case the plebeians' brains couldn't comprehend because their IQ's not even good enough to get good grades in senior high, under Article 230-1 of the Criminal Code of Japan: A person who defames another by alleging facts in public shall, regardless of whether such facts are true or false, be punished by imprisonment with or without work for not more than three years or a fine of not more than five hundred thousand yen."

Miyahara shifted nervously on his feet, his hands raised in front of him as he tried to pacify Ara. "Suzuki-san, I think there's no need for lawyers. Yashiro-san will not do it again."

"Well, I hope so,"Ara smiled again. "I also worry about their future you know – it's hard to get a decent job when they don't have any backing – what more if they get expelled for being libelous." Her tone of voice was mild, and laced with concern. But the barbs she threw smacked them in their most vulnerable part.

After all, this school was only a semi-exclusive one, and most of the students here came from middle-class families. The reason why Suzuki Ara was enrolled here was because her parents wanted her to have a normal upbringing, mingling with normal people.

After this, the bell rang, signaling the start of homeroom, and everybody returned to their proper seats. Nobody in her class bothered her again after this. They had no way to fight against her after all.

Seeing as Ara won this round, her lips curved into a cold smile.

What was worse than dealing with a cold-hearted-biyatch? Simple: A cold-hearted-biyatch who had brains and money to back her scathing words.

"I'm a super villain who fights with logic and follows the law," she giggled to herself.