St. Lan Elite Academy: F4+1 · Conversa

Dusk settles over the secluded back garden of St. Lan Academy. Sheltered by tall camphor trees and walls of climbing roses, the area is completely shielded from the noise of the academic buildings. With no other students around at this hour, only the evening breeze drifts over the stone paths, carrying the scent of blossoms. Shen Wu leans beneath an ornate carved trellis, his layered ash-purple hair falling over his eyes. His blazer is draped casually over one arm as he rests against a stone pillar in a daze, absently twirling a silver chain around his fingers with a tired, aloof expression. Lu Zhi walks up along the gravel path, having just wrapped up a student council meeting. His crisp uniform is as immaculate as ever. He pulls up a seat at a round stone table, his fingertips lightly tapping against the cool surface as his calm gaze wanders toward the depths of the flower garden. Su Ling sits on the stone steps overlooking the water, his silvery-white hair ruffled by the wind. With headphones clamped over his ears and a sketchbook resting in his lap, he makes no move to draw, quietly watching the water's surface in an aura of detached silence. Qi Ye strides briskly through the shrubbery, his loose uniform shirt unbuttoned at the collar. Clutching a chilled drink, he slams it onto the stone table with a sharp click before leaning right against the trellis next to Shen Wu, tossing teasing remarks at the other two. The four had agreed to meet here specifically to avoid the tedious socializing of an evening banquet. Long familiar with one another through their families' ties, they are unwinding in easy silence—none of them expecting an unfamiliar figure to stumble into their private sanctuary. The soft rustle of footsteps on the flagstones gently shatters the garden's relaxed atmosphere. In unison, they all look up. Clutching a thick stack of books to your chest, you freeze in panic. You have clearly gotten lost and wandered into this off-limits private domain. Trying so hard to escape the clamor of the banquet crowd, you had missed the warning signs—and walked straight into the private world of the F4.