Chapter 4 – A Mind Sharper Than Silence
The knock at my door came at 8:12 a.m.
Sharp. Unapologetic. Two quick raps.
I was already half-dressed — white button-down shirt, slacks, sleeves rolled just past my elbows. I hadn't expected visitors, especially not before homeroom.
I opened the door and stared directly into Horikita Suzune's expressionless eyes.
Her arms were crossed. Her school bag hung neatly over one shoulder.
"You're awake. Good," she said.
"Was that in doubt?"
"I wouldn't have knocked if it was."
Fair enough.
I stepped aside. "You wanna come in, or are we doing this intimidation session in the hallway?"
She walked past me with the grace of someone used to controlling her space. She didn't even glance at the sparse furniture — just moved to stand in front of my desk, posture perfectly straight.
"This class is falling apart," she said without any preamble.
"I know. I watched it happen. Front row seats."
"You saw it coming."
"I noticed the cracks."
"And yet you did nothing."
"I wasn't aware I was Class D's designated savior."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're not. But you're not average. And people who aren't average have a responsibility to avoid dragging the rest of us down."
I leaned back against the wall near my bed and crossed my arms. "Is that what you think I'm doing? Dragging us down?"
"I think," she said slowly, "that you know things. You're always watching. Listening. You don't act like a normal student."
"Neither do you."
She didn't argue. Instead, she reached into her bag and pulled out a printed spreadsheet.
"I compiled a list of our classmates. Names. Notable behavior. Point spending patterns. Club interest, if any."
I took it and glanced over it. Thorough. Structured. Exactly what I'd expect from Horikita Suzune.
"You're building a profile on everyone?"
"I'm building leverage," she corrected. "If we're going to climb the class rankings, we need control. Strategy. And accountability."
"Bold move for someone who barely talks to anyone."
She met my gaze. "That's why I'm talking to you now."
Chronos ticked once in my palm.
"New variable engagement detected. Behavioral modeling in progress."
"Horikita," I said quietly, "I'm not here to be part of your chessboard."
"Neither am I," she replied. "But whether you admit it or not, you're a piece already in play. I'd rather use you than be surprised by you."
I gave a half-smile. "You know, you're way more forward than I expected. Almost charming."
She looked at me flatly. "Flattery is unnecessary. I don't intend to form emotional connections."
I laughed once, softly. "Yeah. That tracks."
She turned to leave, but paused at the door.
"Kazuki."
"Hm?"
"Don't waste your intelligence hiding. People like us don't get to be invisible."
And then she was gone.
Homeroom
The atmosphere in Class 1-D had officially shifted.
Desks were more spread out now — small, unspoken barriers forming between students. The casual laughter from the first week was gone. Most kids were hunched over their phones or notebooks, quiet, guarded.
A few were clearly panicking.
One kid — Yamada, I think — was asking three different people to borrow supplies. He was met with polite refusals and one flat-out "Didn't you blow your points on a gaming keyboard?" from a girl near the back.
Yamada didn't deny it.
When Chabashira walked in, she didn't even bother with the usual greetings. She glanced at the classroom once and said, "You're free after classes today. Try not to waste the time."
Translation: You're failing, and I'm not going to stop you.
After Class – Rooftop
Ichika was waiting for me when I reached the top step. She leaned against the railing, a can of peach soda in her hand, hair caught lazily in the wind.
"Took you long enough," she said. "Was starting to think I'd have to be friendless out here."
"You could've texted."
"Where's the fun in that?"
I joined her at the railing. From this height, the campus looked too serene — long tree-lined walkways, sunlight reflecting off glass buildings. You'd never guess the social warfare happening under the surface.
"You talk to Horikita this morning?" she asked casually.
"Yeah."
"Let me guess. She gave you the 'we must restore order to the class' speech?"
"She had spreadsheets."
Ichika laughed. "Of course she did."
I glanced sideways at her. "What's your read on her?"
"She's smart. Cold. Thinks she's the only one who sees the big picture." She sipped from her can. "She probably underestimates people."
"Like you?"
Ichika grinned. "Especially me."
There was a pause, and her expression softened just slightly.
"I hate watching people unravel. This class is full of kids who just… didn't see it coming."
"I know."
"Some of them are already giving up," she said. "You can feel it."
"You don't strike me as the 'give up' type."
"I'm not. But I'm not gonna sit here and act like this school isn't messed up."
She turned to look at me more directly.
"I want to do something about it. I just don't know what yet."
I exhaled. "Maybe that's enough for now. Wanting to do something."
She studied me for a second. "You're hard to figure out, Kaz."
"Try living in here," I said, tapping the side of my head. "It's not exactly sorted either."
We shared a quiet laugh.
Then, more seriously, she asked, "Why do you hide it?"
"Hide what?"
"How smart you are. How aware you are."
I was silent for a few seconds.
"Because once people know, they either expect too much… or want something from you."
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment. Then she said softly, "Well… I won't ask you for anything."
I looked at her. "You sure?"
"Unless you're hiding secret blackmail folders. Then we'll talk."
Night – Dorm Room
I sat cross-legged on my bed, lights dimmed, the glow from my tablet lighting my face.
Chronos pulsed lightly in my palm.
"Horikita wants strategy. Ichika wants change. Ayanokouji wants to be left alone. Kushida wants... something else entirely."
"Your classmates are all engaged in self-preservation. You must choose your alignment carefully."
"I'm not interested in serving anyone's plan."
"You'll need allies. Chaos may create opportunities, but it also invites consequences."
I thought about that.
The class had already started splitting. Factions were beginning to form, even if no one said it out loud.
If I stayed passive, I'd get swept into someone else's narrative.
But if I moved too early, I'd draw attention — or worse, suspicion.
Then again…
Maybe the trick wasn't to avoid the spotlight.
Maybe it was to control when it landed.
My phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
[Sender ID Unverified]
"I know what you are."
I stared at it.
"Chronos."
"Analyzing encryption… source untraceable. Signal bounced. Message likely not a prank."
"Yeah," I muttered, heart now suddenly louder than the ticking in my palm. "That's what I was afraid of."