---
*THE NEXT DAY — IMPERIAL'S MUSICAL ADMIN OFFICE*
"What?" Nao's voice trembled, her brows furrowed in disbelief.
"You heard me correctly," the man across from her replied, his tone flat and expression unbothered.
"But... I passed the entrance exam," Nao said, voice rising slightly, more confused than angry.
The man—tall, stiff in posture, and cold in demeanor—folded his hands across his desk. "You seem to misunderstand something," he said, eyes narrowed behind silver-rimmed glasses. "This school is not for everyone. And especially not for the wretched."
Nao's heart sank.
"You didn't think that scribbling a few words on paper and answering a couple of musical theory questions would earn you a place in *Imperial*, did you?" he continued. "If it were that easy, we'd be just another school. And *Imperial* is not *just another school*. It's elite. It's earned."
She opened her mouth to argue, pointing to her application form. "But sir, it's right there. The *Equal System*. It says students who pass both the academic and practical exam get—"He raised a hand and picked up his phone, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Mr. Jakob," he said into the receiver, "escort her out."
Nao stood frozen, a tightness building in her throat. "Please... I'm not asking for a handout," she said softly. "I earned it."
The man gave a rehearsed smile. "And I'm not against your attendance. But if you can't afford the fees... then there's nothing to discuss. This is *Imperial*, Miss Nao. It's called that for a reason."
Mr. Jakob walked in a moment later, opening the door with a subtle nod.
Nao stared at the floor, fists clenched, swallowing the lump rising in her throat. She turned and walked out without another word.
---
*LATER THAT DAY – NAO'S WORKPLACE, CLOSING HOURS*
A cozy café tucked behind a shopping strip. The smell of pastries and warm coffee lingered.
Nao and Michelle sat at the far corner table, surrounded by scattered order slips and empty trays.
"This is so absurd," Nao said for what felt like the tenth time, pressing her pen into the paper in frustration.Michelle looked over with a small smile. "Honestly, I was kind of surprised when you said you'd get in with just a perfect score. I mean… it's *Imperial*. That school isn't for lightweights." She shrugged. "But hey, maybe you can still apply to Kagumei? I could talk to my dad, pull a few strings."
"Thanks, but…" Nao sighed, handing over a snack receipt she'd just finished counting. "Kagumei's all computer studies. I want something more... expressive."
"It's a solid school, though."
Nao leaned back in her seat, resting her head in her hands. "Michelle…"
Michelle tilted her head. "Hungry?"
Nao gave a weak chuckle. "Always."
---
*LATER THAT NIGHT – NAO'S HOUSE*
"I'm back," Nao called quietly as she stepped into their small home—barely more than three rooms, with fading wallpaper and a dining area no bigger than a closet.
Her mother was at the stove, stirring something in a battered pot. "Just in time," she said cheerfully. "We're having mushroom soup."
"Again?" Nao mumbled under her breath, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm not really hungry. I'll be in my room."
She walked past the table and slipped into her room, the door creaking slightly as it shut.The moment she hit her bed, the world seemed heavier. The springs of the mattress squeaked beneath her as she curled into herself, staring at the cracked ceiling.
"What am I going to do now?" she whispered. "The admissions list comes out Friday... and I need *two million yen* in four days. Even if I worked overtime for a month, I wouldn't reach a hundred thousand."
She closed her eyes, lips pressed tightly together.
"I was stupid to think it'd be easy. Just get good grades and everything would fall into place."
Her thoughts swirled with disappointment and panic. Outside, the quiet hum of the city faded into the night, but inside her mind, everything screamed.
---
*SATURDAY NIGHT*
*ICEBERG DISTRICT — OUTSKIRTS*
The week had vanished like smoke—blurred between exhaustion, panic, and desperation. By Saturday, Nao had taken on five different part-time jobs, juggling shifts like puzzle pieces. Waitressing in the morning, cleaning offices in the afternoon, handing out flyers, tutoring kids, and now—delivering promo posters house to house deep into the night.
Her feet dragged as she climbed another hill, arms sore from the rolled-up posters hanging from her bag.
---
*BRIDGE — 9:00 PM*
The city lights shimmered in the distance like a dream she couldn't afford.
Nao exhaled heavily, crossing the long bridge that overlooked the quiet highway. She paused halfway, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the day caught up with her.
"I can't feel my legs anymore... ugh," she muttered, her voice hoarse.
She collapsed gently against the side wall, sitting on the cold concrete near the edge. Her head leaned back against a pillar, the wind brushing her tired cheeks.
"Hungry too," she whispered with a soft laugh, barely awake. "Just gonna rest for a second and... then we continue."She let her eyes close for what she swore was only a blink.
---
*MOMENTS LATER... OR SO SHE THOUGHT*
A chill brushed her face. Nao stirred, eyes fluttering open.
The silence was too deep.
She sat up sharply, instinctively reaching for her phone. The screen lit up—*2:46 AM.*
"Shit," she gasped, her heart thudding. "I overslept—no, no, no..."
She stood quickly, nearly stumbling as her numb legs protested. Throwing her delivery bag over her shoulder, she glanced around the empty street. The bridge looked eerie in the moonlight, deserted and cold.
"I'm screwed," she muttered.
She broke into a light jog, heading toward the familiar route home—same alleys, same cracked sidewalks—but now cloaked in uneasy stillness.
---
*FEW MINUTES LATER — FRONT OF IMPERIAL'S MUSICAL GATES*
Nao's legs burned as she took the last turn from the alleyway, clutching the final delivery post. Her eyes lifted—and she froze in place.
There, towering before her in the moonlight, were the *iron gates of Imperial's Musical Academy*. Elegant and intimidating, the academy's crest glistened gold on the steel surface. Behind it, shadows of buildings and faint lights flickered through the trees.
"What...?" she whispered, blinking in confusion.
She quickly pulled the flyer from her bag and checked the address. *Block 12. Street 38. Imperial Grounds.* It matched.
"This can't be right…" she murmured. She wasn't even supposed to be able to step near the gates, much less deliver to someone here.
She took a hesitant step closer, still staring at the majestic architecture like a dream she once held—now physically in front of her.
Suddenly—*THUD!*
A sickening sound echoed behind her.
She flinched, whipping around fast.
Her eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat.
*A student—dressed in Imperial's black uniform—was lying motionless on the pavement.*
Blood seeped out beneath his head. His limbs sprawled at unnatural angles.Nao's hand flew to her mouth.
"No… no, no, no—" she whispered, taking a shaky step back, eyes locked on the lifeless body.
Her heart pounded violently. The silence of the night now felt deafening.
She didn't know whether to run, scream, or hide.