One Night Stand With The Mafia Prince

The Underground Sector

I sat nervously in the large auditorium, with the principal beside me, typing away on his phone. He assured me that the heads of each sector would arrive soon, and I would be admitted into my destined wing.

"Don't look so nervous," he said. "These kids may be a bit wild and crazy, but they're just kids after all."

"I'm not nervous, just tired," I grumbled. What was there to be nervous about? I would simply get selected and move on with my life.

Suddenly, the large auditorium doors swung open, capturing my attention. I heard the clicking of shoes and murmurs as figures approached. The first person I could make out was a boy with pink hair, pale white skin, and silver piercings adorning both ears. He held up his falling bangs with silver hairpins. He was beautiful, and though I was somewhat confused about his clothing, I kept my mouth shut, fighting the urge to laugh. This was something I had never encountered during my time in Queens.

Following closely behind him were a girl and a boy dressed in a similar fashion, exuding an air of authority. I immediately guessed that they were from the so-called Noble Wing.

I watched as they took their seats farther ahead, down the rows of chairs that filled the auditorium. Sitting on a chair in the middle of the stage, with the principal beside me, it felt like I was looking down on them, and that felt surprisingly good.

"Good day, Principal," the girl among them, with black hair, greeted cheerfully. The principal offered only a half-smile, probably not even acknowledging their presence. He was right when he said he thought they were spoiled. The girl's face morphed into one of displeasure at the principal's behavior, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. I felt a pair of eyes burning into me, and when I looked up, I was met with deep blue orbs. It was the boy with the pink hair once more. I wondered why he was staring at me so intently.

Not more than a minute later, the doors to the auditorium opened again, and a handsome boy stepped in, followed closely by a beautiful girl. I wondered if everyone in Japan was this good-looking. If I cared more, it might have made me envious.

The boy yawned, seeming tired, and made his way to a seat far away from the Noble Wing. The girl sat beside him, not even bothering to greet the principal. Once again, I felt those burning eyes on me. Why did they all keep staring at me? It was making me even more anxious.

"Alright, since we are all here, let's get this over with," the principal announced, shoving his phone into his back pocket.

I was confused. "Didn't you say there were three wings? I can only see two."

"Don't bother with the Underground sector. They rarely come to these meetings. They only accept troublesome male students. I suppose it's easier to avoid them that way," he explained. "So, everyone, this year we have a new student. Her name is Jade Winterfest, and she's from Queens. Isn't that exciting?"

Such a lame introduction, I thought inwardly.

"Such a lame introduction," someone echoed, not so quietly.

I couldn't help but bite back a chuckle.

The principal looked very offended. "Do you think you could have done any better, Travis?"

Travis, whom I guessed was the head of the Average Wing, just rolled his eyes. "Why don't you let her introduce herself? Maybe she can make it more interesting than your boring speech."

With a sigh, the principal turned to me. "Do you feel like talking to these kids? Because if you don't, no one can make you."

Once again, I stifled laughter. I didn't know principals could be this funny. Maybe it was just in Japan; who knows?

"Okay," I said, turning to the small audience. "As he mentioned before, my name is Jade Winterfest, and I just moved here about two weeks ago. My dad got transferred here from Queens, so I guess that's all."

"Well, I guess that's actually better than my introduction," the principal mumbled.

"How would you like to join the Noble Wing, Jade?" the boy with pink hair asked, wearing a charming smile as his eyes glinted with an emotion I couldn't decipher. I noticed his friends exchanging surprised glances. I guessed he didn’t often let people join his sector.

"Well?" he pressed.

"What makes you think she would want to join your gang of hooligans, Ethan?" Travis interjected.

"Oh, you think she’d rather join your gang of rogues, Travis?" Ethan shot back.

Travis snorted. "Rogues, you say? At least we don’t force our members to wear skimpy outfits from the '90s."

"You i***t," Ethan began, but was interrupted by the principal, who had clearly had enough of their bickering.

"Be quiet, both of you! This isn't your decision to make. Jade will decide which sector she wants to join," the principal said, raising his voice. Both boys fell silent. "Now tell us, Jade, where do you want to be?" he asked as all eyes turned to me expectantly.

I bit my lip as I considered it. Although I felt a bit flattered that both boys were vying for my attention, I didn't want to go to a sector where I felt out of place. I wanted to associate with others and not feel inferior. I decided the Average Wing was the best choice for that. I turned to the principal and said, "I've made up my mind. I want to join the—"

Before I could finish my sentence, the auditorium doors burst open. Two boys, dressed in black with dyed hair and mischievous smiles, stood at the doorway. "Erh? So it's true. They're holding a meeting and nobody bothered to invite us. How very hurtful," one with red-tinted hair muttered with amusement.

"The boss will not be pleased," the other one, with greyish-blue hair chuckled, sporting piercings above his left eyebrow and on both ears.

Although both were incredibly good-looking, I couldn't help but shiver at the dangerous vibe they radiated. Their eyes met mine, and a grin stretched across their faces. "Is that her?" the red-haired boy pointed.

"Sure is," the other confirmed.

I was confused. Were they pointing at me? But that couldn't be possible; I didn’t even know them. "What the hell is the meaning of this? You better have a good explanation for this, you two," the principal said, clearly unamused.

"Calm down, Principal. We're only here to attend a meeting, after all."

"Hahaha. Since when did the Underground start attending meetings?" Travis asked, raising a dubious brow, though he seemed unconcerned.

"Watch your mouth, trash. Who are you to defy the boss's orders?" the red-haired boy growled, his expression menacing.

"What orders are those? For all I know, the Underground doesn't accept women," Ethan chimed in.

The situation was getting eerie, and I couldn't understand if I was being admitted or not. I looked up at the principal and asked, "What's going on?"

He sighed and said, "This isn't going to end well."

"What's the delay for?" a familiar voice spoke up, causing a drastic shift in the atmosphere. I tried to remember where I had heard that voice before.

"They're making things difficult," the red-haired boy said, suggesting they forcefully take me, but the only response was a sigh and a low growl. Suddenly, the air filled with the heavy smoke of cigarettes. That smell triggered a memory, but before I could fully process it, a figure emerged behind the two boys.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw him. Silky charcoal black hair tied in a ponytail, forest green eyes staring into mine, and lips wrapped around a cigarette. The familiarity hit me, and I felt like I was going to pass out. It felt like the moment I died. Or my heart died—neither outcome was favorable.

He declared, "We'll be taking her," his voice laced with cold authority. The auditorium fell into absolute silence. Even the principal’s complaints vanished. The atmosphere became suffocatingly tense.

I couldn't believe this was happening. I muttered under my breath, "No, no, no, no." I can't go to the Underground sector. I can't be close to him again. Anyone but him.

"Reconsider this, Shane. She's not even a man," the principal tried to convince him not to take me. Shane shot him a look that suggested nothing the man said would change his mind.

"Do I look like I care? I have things to do, so hurry it up." He took a drag from the cigarette and casually tossed it away. I worried it might start a fire. As he turned to leave, he mouthed to his followers, "Get her stuff."

They obediently replied, "Yes, boss."

Feeling helpless, I looked at the principal, who met my gaze sympathetically. He apologized, saying he hadn’t seen this coming.

"That's it? Can't you do anything else?" I asked desperately.

He sadly replied, "There's not much I can do. But try to stay away from him, and I promise to check up on you regularly."

I felt like a soldier being sent to war, sensing that survival would be difficult. I wondered what it would be like in the Underground sector. Travis commented with a bored look, "Good luck making it out of there alive."

Before leaving, the principal gave me a reassuring pat on the head. Then, the red-haired boy impatiently held my suitcase and called out, "Oi, princess, we don't have all day "

I sighed. God help me.