The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

Yuki was still stunned by the announcement. They were starting today, with barely enough notice for them to process what was happening, let alone prepare for it.

The Dean continued explaining the arrangements, eventually revealing that the students had been assigned to different institutions based on their academic records. That eased some of Yuki’s concern.

Her record from Xyrus Academy had been good, and although she had only recently transferred to Dravenhall, she had managed to maintain above-decent grades. At least she would not have to worry about being sent somewhere because of poor academic performance.

The HOD stepped forward after the Dean finished speaking. ”Your assignments have already been posted on the school portal, so you can log in and check your placement. The buses will leave at one o’clock, immediately after this class.”

Excitement erupted throughout the lecture hall.

Students immediately reached for their phones, comparing placements and speculating about which hospitals they had been assigned to. Yuki pulled out her own phone and logged into the student portal, curious to see where she had been placed.

The information appeared on her screen. ”Ravencourt Central Hospital,” she read aloud.

The girl beside her immediately turned around. ”You got Central Hospital?” she gasped.

Yuki looked at her. ”Yes. Is that a good thing?”

The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief. ”You don’t know?”

Yuki shook her head.

”That is the biggest medical facility in the entire Ravencourt territory. They have an enormous research facility and some of the most advanced equipment in the region. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a placement there?”

Yuki glanced down at her phone again. ”Apparently not.”

The girl’s expression suggested that Yuki’s lack of enthusiasm was personally offensive. ”That is one of the placements everyone wants.”

”Really?” Yuki asked, genuinely surprised.

”Yes.” The girl sighed heavily before checking her own assignment. Her expression immediately fell. ”I got the School Teaching Hospital.”

Yuki looked at her sympathetically. ”Oh.”

”How depressing,” the girl complained.

A laugh came from a few seats away.

”At least you got a hospital,” a boy said, leaning over his seat and throwing an arm around the shoulders of another student beside him. The boy he had grabbed immediately frowned, his face several shades darker than before. ”Tim here was assigned to the military hospital.”

The boy beside him scowled. ”And what’s wrong with that?”

”Nothing.” His friend grinned. ”I’m sure they will find plenty of work for you to do.”

”Keep talking and I’ll make sure you are the one doing it,” Tim hissed.

The other boy burst out laughing.

”Enough!” The lecturer’s sharp voice cut through the noise, immediately silencing the students.

”The class is not over,” she reminded them sternly. ”You can discuss your placements after I have finished. Put your phones away and pay attention.”

A few students reluctantly lowered their phones. The Dean and the HOD exchanged a brief word with the lecturer before leaving the hall, and the class gradually returned to the lesson.

At least, that was what they were supposed to do. Most of the students were still distracted, their minds clearly occupied by the placements they had just received.

Yuki tried to focus, but she found herself glancing at her phone beneath the desk. Ravencourt Central Hospital. She still did not understand why everyone seemed so impressed by the placement, but she supposed she would find out soon enough.

The lecture eventually ended, and the students gathered according to their assigned institutions. It was only then that Yuki realised exactly how important her placement was.

There were only five spots at Ravencourt Central Hospital. The five highest-ranking students in the class had been selected.

Yuki stared at the list again. She barely made it as fifth.

Her academic record from Xyrus Academy had apparently been enough to push her into the final position, and judging by the expressions around her, not everyone was pleased about it.

Yuki approached the group with her bag hanging from one shoulder and immediately noticed that something was wrong. A girl was crying in the middle of the group, clinging to the front of a tall male student’s shirt while the others tried to comfort her.

Yuki slowed.

She recognised the girl as Celeste. Before Yuki transferred to Dravenhall, Celeste had been the fifth-highest-ranking student in the department. Now that Yuki had taken the final spot at Central Hospital, Celeste had dropped to sixth.

Apparently, she was not taking the news well. ”It’s not fair,” Celeste cried, pressing her face against her boyfriend’s chest. ”I worked so hard for that position.”

Gareth, the second-ranked student in the department, sighed and rubbed her back. ”Celeste, it’s just a placement.”

”Just a placement?” Celeste lifted her tear-streaked face, clearly offended by his words. ”You got Central Hospital. Marie got Central Hospital. The others got Central Hospital. And I’m supposed to be happy about being sent to the teaching hospital?”

”It’s still one of the best teaching hospitals in the region,” one of the other boys pointed out.

”That isn’t the point,” Celeste complained.

Yuki remained a few steps away, unsure whether she should announce herself. She had not intended to overhear their conversation, and judging by how upset Celeste was, she suspected the girl would not appreciate her presence right now.

”We’re all still going to be in the capital,” Gareth reminded her gently.

”I don’t care about that,” Celeste snapped at him. ”We won’t be together.”

”Celeste.” Gareth sighed heavily. Celeste whimpered, burying her face in his chest. ”I wanted to be with all of you,” she whined.

Yuki’s gaze moved between them. It was obvious that the five highest-ranking students were more than classmates. They were close friends, and Celeste was Gareth’s girlfriend. She had probably expected to spend the attachment period with him, which explained why she was so upset about being separated from the group.

Then Celeste spoke again. ”Why did a transfer student have to take my spot?”

Yuki stopped. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.

Celeste still had not noticed her.

Yuki stared at the girl’s back, her expression slowly becoming unreadable. She had not asked to take anyone’s place. She had simply earned the position based on her academic record. Still, she could understand why Celeste was upset, even if hearing herself referred to as the reason for it was uncomfortable.

Before Yuki could decide whether to leave and return later, Marie looked up.

Marie was the first-ranked student in the department and one of the most academically accomplished students at Dravenhall. Yuki had heard about her even before transferring. During her freshman year, Marie had even participated in an academic competition alongside Kieran.

Yuki’s thoughts briefly drifted to him before she pushed them away. Marie noticed Yuki standing behind the group.

Something changed in her expression, but she quickly regained her composure.

”Enough, Celeste,” Marie said calmly. ”We have to leave soon. It’s just a placement. The teaching hospital is also well equipped, so you will be fine.”

There was something deliberate in her tone, but Celeste completely missed it. ”But I want to be in the same hospital with you,” she whined, lifting her head from Gareth’s chest.

Marie stared pointedly over Celeste’s shoulder. Celeste followed her gaze. Her eyes landed on Yuki.

Silence descended over the group.