---
Kiro took a seat inside the quiet clubroom, his eyes scanning the empty space. Yuki sat in the corner, as usual, her face buried in a thick book. She didn't glance up.
He sighed, resting his head on his arms atop the desk.
"…Nothing ever changes," he muttered to himself, closing his eyes.
Yuki flipped another page. But her gaze had gone distant. Her fingers froze over the paper.
---
Flashback.
A younger Yuki stood in a dark hallway, clutching her teddy bear.
Smack.
The bear hit the ground, thrown from her brother's hand.
"I can't believe someone like you is my sister," he spat coldly, his voice dripping with disgust. "You're just dead weight."
He turned and walked off with his group of laughing friends, their footsteps echoing in the distance. Yuki didn't cry. She just stood there, staring at the bear on the floor.
---
Brrring!
The school bell snapped her back to reality. She blinked, shaking her head quickly.
Kiro yawned and lifted his head, his hair a mess. He looked over at her, but Yuki had already stood and was walking out the door.
Kiro sighed and followed shortly after, quietly shutting the door behind him.
---
Outside, Yuki walked alone, her head down. The afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the path.
Unseen by her, Kiro stopped and leaned quietly behind a wall. Just ahead, he saw her bump into someone.
She took a step back, shocked.
"…Brother…" she whispered.
Kiro's eyes narrowed. That's her brother?
The boy adjusted his glasses, smirking. "Class D, huh? The lowest of the low…"
Yuki didn't respond.
"I'll make it to Class A," she said softly. "I promise."
He stepped closer and suddenly—slap!
Her eyes widened. Kiro flinched but stayed hidden.
"Stop saying that," her brother hissed. "You'll always be a burden. Father already gave up on you."
He walked past her without another word.
A tear rolled down Yuki's cheek. She quickly wiped it away and kept walking, her back straight but trembling.
Kiro stepped away, hands in his pockets. He didn't say anything—but he saw everything.
---
The next morning, Kiro walked the same path to the school.
Inside the clubroom, Yuki was already seated, reading like nothing had happened. Kiro sat down across from her and pulled out a book. They said nothing.
Time passed. The silence between them was deep... but not uncomfortable.
The bell rang. Kiro stood and glanced at her.
Yuki stood too. "You don't have to wait for me," she said without looking.
"I wasn't," Kiro muttered, turning away.
---
Later, in class, students were in a panic.
"My points didn't go up!" one shouted.
"Same here! What's going on?" another added.
Reiji entered the room with a smirk. "Take your seats."
"Teacher! Our points didn't increase!" a student cried.
Reiji pushed up his glasses and grinned. "Oh, did I forget to mention? The government only gives you free points on the first day. After that… you have to earn them."
Gasps filled the room.
"If you don't earn enough points, you'll be expelled," he added casually. "So… you better move fast."
Chaos broke out. A boy offered to sell his PlayStation. His friend refused.
Kiro sighed. "Idiots."
Yuki whispered, "Desperate already…"
Riven stood, trying to calm the class. "Everyone! Settle down!"
Reiji just smiled, enjoying the panic. The bell rang again.
---
Outside the classroom, Kiro saw Riven speaking with five other students—forming a group.
Yuki sighed beside him. "They're forming teams… for the first game."
Without saying a word, she began walking toward the clubroom.
Kiro followed.
Back in the room, they took their seats again. Kiro laid his head on the desk. Yuki returned to her book.
The silence returned.
---
Click.
The door opened suddenly.
A girl with blonde hair stood there, out of breath, clutching her bag. Her cheeks were flushed from running.
Both Kiro and Yuki looked up.
"My name is Mia," she said, bowing quickly. "Can I join your club… please?"
---
[To be continued…]
---