White Leaf Academy felt different now.
Every step Muzan took across its polished floors sent ripples through the crowd of students. Where once there were whispers of admiration, now there was only fear—eyes darting away, conversations halting as he passed.
His silver irises flicked across them, cold, disinterested. The system's soft hum echoed at the edge of his mind:
> [Sovereign Points: 500]
[Skill: Lightning Step (E-Rank) Acquired]
[Pending Mission…]
He ignored it for now. Let them whisper. Let them fear.
It was better than being invisible.
He stepped into the training yard, intending to test Lightning Step under open skies. The air was cool, clouds drifting across the morning sun, the world deceptively peaceful.
"...Muzan."
The voice froze him.
Soft, trembling, yet trying to hold firm.
He turned.
There, near the cherry blossom trees, stood Alice White. Her white hair was tied loosely, pale blue eyes glistening under the morning light, a notebook hugged tightly to her chest as if it were a shield.
A gust of wind caught her hair, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms, but Muzan's cold gaze did not soften.
"Alice."
She swallowed, her fingers tightening on the notebook. "Can we talk?"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Talk?"
She stepped closer, each step hesitant but determined. "About that day. About… about everything."
Muzan's mind flickered with memories he did not want to revisit: the Awakening Ceremony, the pity in her eyes, the way she turned away when he was on the ground, bleeding.
"There's nothing to talk about," he said, turning away.
"Muzan, please!" Her voice cracked, raw and desperate. "I—I never hated you. I never thought you were worthless."
His steps halted.
The wind rustled the blossoms above them, petals drifting between them like fragile memories.
"I was scared," Alice whispered. "Not of you. Of losing you. Of seeing you break, and not being able to help."
Muzan closed his eyes, the memory of the system's cold voice in his mind:
> [Emotional distractions will hinder your ascension.]
She took another step. "I know you've changed. Everyone says you've become something else. But I see you, Muzan. I see the person who used to smile under these trees. I see the person who protected others even when he was powerless."
He turned, silver irises locking onto her tearful eyes. "That Muzan is dead."
Alice flinched, tears rolling down her cheeks, but she did not look away.
"Maybe… but even if you've changed, I won't leave you again."
His aura, cold and heavy, seeped out unconsciously, making the air vibrate. Alice's knees trembled, but she stood her ground, clutching her notebook like a lifeline.
"Why?" Muzan asked quietly.
"Because I still believe in you," she whispered.
The system's window flickered at the edge of his vision:
> [Warning: Emotional variable detected.]
He blinked it away, staring at Alice, the world narrowing to the space between them.
He should walk away.
He should cut this tie before it became a chain.
But her eyes, shimmering with stubborn light, rooted him there.
"Don't follow me, Alice," he said, his voice low, each word edged with cold finality. "This world… it will destroy you."
She shook her head, tears falling freely now. "Then let it try."
Silence.
The cherry blossoms fell around them, the petals catching the morning light like dying embers.
Muzan turned, activating Lightning Step.
In a burst of blue sparks, he vanished, leaving only the swirling petals and Alice's quiet sobs beneath the trees where he once dreamed of a peaceful future.
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