Chapter 61 Tell him, he'll be proud of you!
João almost choked. His calm gaze gave way to genuine confusion. “What?”
With a raised eyebrow, Katherine tapped her empty glass with a touch of disdain. “Thanks for the meal,” she said, getting up quickly.
João put down his fork forcefully, his face suddenly darker.
He had been caught in his own contradiction, and Katherine, as always, had made a point of making that clear before leaving.
With the monthly exam coming up the next day, the college was plunged into a tense silence, devoted entirely to individual study. However, while everyone else was devouring textbooks and summaries, Katherine Lutz was immersed in another universe: that of her manga.
She had just devoured the last chapter of her current series and moved on to a complete work by the same author. The stories were known for their electrifying mysteries and enigmas so complex that they challenged the reader's logic—the perfect pastime for someone with Katherine's mind.
She was exactly halfway through a mystery when she was interrupted. “Katherine Lutz? Principal Marta wants to see you in the office now.”
Katherine let out an imperceptible sigh. What a disappointment. With a slight trace of irritation in her eyes, she lazily got up and walked slowly toward the office.
Upon entering the quiet office, where teachers were reviewing stacks of tests, Katherine noticed an immediate change in the atmosphere. Marta, who had previously treated her with disdain, now wore an almost obsequious smile.
“Please sit down, Katherine!” Marta rose hastily, pouring a glass of water for the student. “The reason I called you here is to talk about your future. Actually, about a change of class.”
Katherine just stared silently at the plastic cup on the table.
“I spoke with the board,” Marta continued, with forced kindness. "Although your current performance is... average, the school has always prioritized student performance. Therefore, we have decided to make an exception and transfer you to the Main Class today.
There, your high-level classmates will be able to help you. It's a golden opportunity!“
At the next table, a student from the study committee of one of the main classes stopped what she was doing. Her face turned pale with indignation. How could someone like Katherine, who only slept in class, receive an ”invitation" to the elite group without any merit? Furious, the student grabbed her papers and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Marta ignored the scene and continued, “In the past, I admit I was a little insensitive. I said things without considering your feelings, and we even made that... silly bet. Please don't take it the wrong way. The bet is off. You can pack your things and move to the main classroom this afternoon.”
Katherine paused dramatically for two seconds. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous smile. “But, principal...” She let out a long, ironic “oh~.” “I like you so much. I can't imagine being away from your class.”
Marta almost choked with horror. “No, no, no! I don't deserve such an honor!” I'm sure Mr. Arbex would be very happy to know that you're in the elite class. Tell him, he'll be proud of you!“
Marta was desperate to get rid of the ”hot potato." If Katherine stayed in her class and did poorly on the test, João Pedro could blame her. But if she was in the main class, the responsibility would lie with someone else.
Katherine stood up, adjusting her backpack with supreme disdain. “You know, principal... I really like to take risks.”
With that sentence, she rejected the offer outright. The bet was still on. Katherine didn't need anyone to open doors for her because of João Pedro; she intended to break down the door herself.
When she returned to the classroom, the buzz was deafening. The rumor of the “transfer offer” had already spread through the hallways. All eyes were on her—some with envy, others with pure contempt.
As soon as Katherine sat down, the member of the Literary Committee in front of her immediately turned around, her face lit up with gossip: “Hey, Katherine, is it true? I heard the principal wants to transfer you to the Main Class right now. How did you manage that?”
The girl lowered her voice, looking concerned: "The best students in the school are already furious.
They're dying of envy and saying it's pure favoritism. Be careful.“
Katherine felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. As she checked the message, she replied with her usual indifference: ”I didn't transfer.“
”Huh? Why? The news on the school forum is blowing up!" Her classmate's round face overflowed with surprise.
Katherine didn't bother to explain. She just picked up her math book and started leafing through it. Between the pages were two pieces of paper that she had carefully glued in. They were the notes João Pedro had made for her. The content was so precise and detailed that it saved her hours of study.
She tore out the papers and walked to the back door of the classroom. Outside, Gabriel Park was waiting for her with an eager smile. “I'll treat you to dinner after class as a thank you!” he said, taking the papers as if they were treasure.
Katherine, with a vague and distant look, simply said, “Give them back after you finish reading them.”
“Sure! I'll return them this afternoon. But... are you sure you don't need them to review?”
“I don't need them,” she replied, before turning around and returning to her seat.
Gabriel Park ran back to his classroom, Class 25, on the first floor. The atmosphere there was the opposite of calm; the noise was deafening, and few took the day of individual study seriously. In the center of the room, a group surrounded someone.
Dandara Arbex and Nísia Oliveira were there, explaining content to Cauan Laser under the admiring glances of their classmates. “Why are they here?” Gabriel asked a classmate.
“The teacher asked them to help Cauan. He needs to move up a level in the next grouping. Actually, they only called Dandara, but Nísia found a way to sneak in,” whispered the boy.
Nísia Oliveira, noticing Gabriel's arrival, smiled kindly: “Gabriel, would you like to join us? We're reviewing the main points.”
Gabriel sat down at his own desk, looking mysterious. “No, thanks. I have a secret weapon. You guys study, don't worry about me.”
“Secret weapon?” Dandara raised an eyebrow skeptically.
Gabriel waved the two pieces of paper proudly. “My goddess lent me these.” With this material, I'm sure I'll pass with flying colors.
“Goddess?” One of the boys burst out laughing. “I didn't know you had a goddess, Park.”
Cauan Laser, with his impassive expression, interjected: “It's Katherine Lutz, isn't it?”