The Next Day.


    Mirabe had two morning sses, both core courses for her Computer Science major, which were essentially optional for her.


    So, she spent the ss time working on her Physics assignments from Dr. Elliot.


    Lisa, who was sitting next to her, kept sneaking nces. She wanted to ask if Mirabe was following the lecture but, seeing her seemingly engrossed in taking notes, she held her tongue.


    If the top student in the final exams was paying such close attention, who was she to ck off?


    After the sses, Lisa felt like a genuinely diligent student for the first time in her life.


    Mirabe collected the stack of papers filled with equations and casually slipped them into her book. Lisa caught a glimpse but didn''t see the content, just that the papers were covered in writing. Curiously, she asked, "Why do you have so many notes?"


    Mirabe looked at her, "Notes? What notes?"


    Pointing at the papers Mirabe had tucked into her book, Lisa said, "Isn''t that theputer theory stuff the teacher covered today?"


    Realizing the misunderstanding, Mirabe shook her head without exining, nced at the time, and stuffed her book into her backpack. "Let''s go, it''s lunchtime."


    They still had to head to the Physics department after eating.


    "Oh, sure," Lisa quickly gathered her things, and soon they arrived at the cafeteria.


    The queue wasn''t long, so it only took them a few minutes to get their food.


    Lisa chose a spot on the edge to sit. Being naturally chatty, she kept the conversation going with endless topics. Just a few days into the semester, and she already knew all the major gossip in the department.


    Mirabe gave her a look that was both amused and reminiscent. She reminded her of Jenna.


    As Lisa was talking, she looked up and saw a group of people entering the cafeteria. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the person leading the group. She tapped the table, signaling Mirabe to look, "See that guy? He''s a big deal at our school, a real genius, currently a grad student."


    Mirabe wasn''t particrly interested in geniuses but looked up out of politeness. However, she paused slightly when she saw who Lisa was pointing at.


    "That''s Taylor. He''s taking some electives in our Biology department. There are lots of stories about him on campus. I heard he even won international patents," Lisa shared eagerly.


    "Oh," Mirabe nced briefly, then returned to her meal.


    "The girl on Taylor''s left is also a notable figure, from our Biology department too. She''s only a sophomore but already leading a team on experimental research projects. Quite impressive, and highly supported by the department head and professors," Lisa remarked.


    "Uh-huh," Mirabe responded nomittally, not even bothering to look up.


    Lisa continued, "Let me think, the senior''s name is, uh, Jiang... Jiang... Meg. Yeah, Meg."


    Mirabe gave Lisa a peculiar look upon hearing the name Meg.


    The one with the experimental hypothesis that was aplete mess?


    A notable figure?


    Lisa felt a bit uneasy under Mirabe''s gaze. "...Why are you looking at me like that?"


    Having nearly finished her meal, Mirabe put down her chopsticks and shook her head with a meaningful smile, "Nothing, I just think everyone''s judgment is... um, quite something."


    Lisa sensed a hidden depth in her words.


    A new month has started, and for those with guaranteed monthly votes, now''s the time to cast them-