The next morning, Ein felt the weight of Sylvanna's stern lecture still lingering as he and Aphmau walked through the school gates. As they entered the bustling courtyard, Ein couldn't shake the sense that all eyes were on them. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and he caught glimpses of students casting curious glances in their direction.

     Aphmau tried to brush it off with a smile, though Ein could sense her unease beneath the facade. She linked her arm with Ein's, offering him a supportive squeeze.

     "Let's just get through the day," Aphmau murmured, her voice tinged with determination.

     Ein nodded in agreement, his gaze flickering over the clusters of students who seemed to part slightly as they passed. The atmosphere was tense, and he couldn't help but feel scrutinized, as though every move they made was under scrutiny.

     As they made their way to their first class, Ein's thoughts churned with a mixture of anxiety and frustration. He hated being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, especially after the incident yesterday. The weight of Sylvanna's disappointment hung heavy on his shoulders, reminding him of the need to tread carefully.

     Inside the classroom, the whispers didn't subside. Ein focused on keeping his head down, burying himself in his books as the teacher started the lesson. He could feel the stares from his classmates, their curiosity palpable.

     Aphmau, sitting beside him, exchanged uneasy glances with Ein from time to time. She reached out to him subtly, offering reassurance through a gentle touch on his arm or a shared look of understanding.

     Throughout the morning, Ein kept to himself, avoiding unnecessary interactions and trying to fade into the background. The stares and whispers persisted, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through, determined not to let the scrutiny get to him.

     During lunch break, Ein and Aphmau found a relatively quiet corner of the cafeteria to sit. Despite their attempts to maintain a low profile, the buzz of conversation around them indicated that their presence hadn't gone unnoticed.

     "It'll blow over eventually," Aphmau said quietly, her voice laced with optimism. "People will move on to the next big thing."

     Ein nodded, though the knot of tension in his stomach remained. He wanted to believe Aphmau's words, but the lingering stares and hushed conversations around them were a constant reminder of their notoriety.

     As they finished their lunch, Ein caught sight of the mysterious man from his werewolf class earlier in the week. He was sitting across the room, his gaze fixed on them with an intensity that sent a chill down Ein's spine.

     "Aphmau," Ein murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "do you see that guy over there?"

     Aphmau followed Ein's gaze discreetly, her brow furrowing slightly.

     "Yeah, I noticed him," she replied quietly. "He seems to be watching us, you specifically."

     Ein nodded, a sense of unease settling over him. "He's in my werewolf class. I don't exactly know much about him asides from the fact that he threw someone out a window on the first day of school. I wonder what his deal is."

     Aphmau shrugged, though her expression betrayed her curiosity. "Maybe he's just curious like everyone else?"

     Before Ein could respond, the bell signaling the end of lunch rang out, dispersing the students back to their afternoon classes. Ein and Aphmau gathered their things, exchanging a brief glance before heading off in separate directions.

     As Ein walked to his next class, the feeling of being watched lingered. He couldn't shake the sense that there was more to the mysterious student's interest in them, and he resolved to keep a cautious eye on him throughout the day.

....

     Ein made his way to his final class of the day, his mind still preoccupied with the unsettling feeling that had followed him throughout the morning. He entered the werewolf class and immediately noticed the seating arrangement was different from previous days. Assigned seats were now posted on the board at the front of the room.

     Scanning the list, Ein found his name and followed the row and column to his seat, only to discover that he was seated next to the mysterious guy who had been watching him and Aphmau earlier. Taking a deep breath, Ein walked over to his new desk and sat down, trying to appear nonchalant despite the tension he felt.

     The mysterious guy glanced up at Ein as he approached. He seemed like your typical delinquent; messy uniform, no tie on, unruly hair, bandages all over his face. Ein could honestly relate to this guy in a way considering he used to be a bit rebellious himself during middle school, which really didn't do him any favors in the end...

     "Stupid fucking bullies."

     "Hey," he greeted, his voice calm and measured. "Looks like we're seat neighbors."

     Ein nodded, unsure of how to respond.

     "Yeah, seems like it," he replied, his tone guarded. He couldn't help but feel a bit wary of this guy, given the intense looks he had received earlier.

     "I'm Aaron, by the way," the guy said, offering a hand.

     "Ein," he replied, shaking Aaron's hand cautiously.

     Aaron's grip was firm, and his eyes seemed to study Ein carefully.

  "I've seen you around," Aaron continued. "You're pretty good at keeping your cool under pressure."

     Ein raised an eyebrow, unsure if this was a compliment or something else.

     "I guess," he said, not wanting to give too much away.
 
     The teacher called the class to order, interrupting their conversation. As the lesson began, Ein found it difficult to focus. He was acutely aware of Aaron's presence beside him, and his mind kept wandering back to the intense stare from earlier.

     Throughout the class, Aaron occasionally glanced at Ein, making small comments here and there. Ein couldn't shake the feeling that Aaron was probing him, trying to figure him out. The tension was palpable, and Ein struggled to stay focused on the lesson.

     As the class drew to a close, the teacher handed out assignments and reminded the students of their homework. Ein quickly packed his things, eager to leave the classroom and the unnerving presence of Aaron.

     "Hey, Ein," Aaron called out as Ein stood up to leave. "If you ever need help with the homework or anything, feel free to ask."

     Ein paused, considering the offer.

  "Thanks," he said after a moment, though he couldn't quite hide the suspicion in his voice. "I'll keep that in mind."

     With that, Ein left the classroom, his thoughts racing. Who was Aaron, really? And why did he seem so interested in Ein? The questions swirled in his mind as he made his way to meet up with Aphmau, the uneasy feeling of being watched still lingering.

....

After school, Ein and Aphmau met up near the front gates. The tension of the day still weighed heavily on Ein as they began their walk home. The afternoon sun cast long shadows on the sidewalk, and the sounds of students chattering filled the air as they all dispersed in different directions.

Aphmau chatted about her day, trying to lighten the mood, but Ein's thoughts kept drifting back to his encounter in werewolf class. Finally, he decided to bring it up.

"Hey, Aphmau," Ein began, his voice tinged with curiosity, "I found out the name of that guy who's been watching us. His name is Aaron, and I'm sitting next to him in werewolf class."

Aphmau stopped in her tracks, staring at Ein in shock.

   "Wait, Aaron? Are you serious?" she asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and concern.

Ein nodded, puzzled by her reaction. "Yeah, why?"

Aphmau took a deep breath, her eyes wide. "Ein, Aaron is the school's new alpha. He's not just any student; he's the leader of the werewolves at Phoenix Drop High. He holds a lot of power and influence."

Ein felt a jolt of surprise and unease. "The alpha? Are you sure?"

Aphmau nodded emphatically. "Positive. Everyone knows who he is by now, especially since he defeated Balto the first day of school. He's usually pretty reserved, but he has a reputation for being very strong and very...temperamental. If he's paying attention to you, there must be a reason."

Ein frowned, his mind racing. "I don't know why he'd be interested in me. I haven't done anything to stand out."

Aphmau shrugged, looking thoughtful. "Maybe he sees something in you that you don't. Alphas are always looking for potential threats or allies. Just be careful, Ein. If he's watching you, it could mean something important."

Ein nodded, feeling a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. "Yeah, I will. Thanks, Aphmau."

As they continued their walk home, Ein couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The revelation that Aaron was the school's alpha added a new layer of complexity to the situation. He resolved to keep his guard up and try to understand what Aaron's interest in him might mean.