---
*Nao's Room*
Nao sat on the edge of her bed, head in her hands. Her voice trembled with frustration.
*"He's playing with me... he's playing with me,"* she whispered repeatedly, hitting her face lightly as if trying to wake herself up from a nightmare.
*"You can't... do this again,"* she muttered, trying to convince herself.
*"No... no... he's playing with me."*
She finally collapsed back onto the bed, tears threatening to spill.
*"I hate you... Kaze,"* she breathed out, her voice barely audible.
---
*Next Day – Imperial High, Hallway Murmurs*
Two students leaned against lockers, whispering eagerly.
*"Mira dropped out..."* one said.
*"I heard it's because she got kicked out of Celestrix,"* the other replied, eyes wide with shock.
*"Crazy... dropping out of Imperial is wild,"* the first said, shaking their head.
---
*Floor 5 – Club Meeting Room*
Mrs. Marion stood at the front, her sharp eyes scanning the restless students seated before her.
*"As I mentioned before, only eight participants are needed,"* she stated firmly. *"And with the review just days away, we have to impress the Executives. Obviously."*
Tammy from D-X raised her hand. *"I was thinking maybe a model showcase?"*
Mrs. Marion blinked in confusion. *"Modeling?"* she repeated. *"That has nothing to do with music."*
*"Drama then?"* Shiwa, also from D-X, suggested tentatively.
*"Lame,"* Konan scoffed, hands shoved deep into his pockets. *"Impressing the Executives is like the competition itself. We need to surprise them... something new. Intense."*
Mrs. Marion raised an eyebrow. *"And you have an idea for this 'new' thing?"*
Kaze nodded confidently. *"A musical illustrating a heart-touching drama. Our voices singing required... just... stuff."*
*"Sweet,"* Mrs. Marion leaned toward him approvingly. *"Like that."*
Ria hissed under her breath. *"Get away, bitch."*
---
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Nao stumbled inside, breathing heavily, clutching her knees as she tried to calm herself.
*"Finally..."* she muttered, relieved to be inside.
Mrs. Marion narrowed her eyes. *"Who... are you?"*
Nao blinked, uncertain.
*"N..."*
Mrs. Marion gasped, her eyes widening. *"W-what? Viki?"*
Viki didn't turn to face them. *"No... a less glamorous version of me,"* she said coldly.
Tashiba whispered to the others.
*"She's Viki look-alike, the new student."*
*"How come I never heard of her?"* Mrs. Marion asked, amazed as she studied Nao.
*"Honestly, I think she's cuter,"* Tashiba added with a smirk.
*"Mother of Zeus... she is,"* Shiwa breathed, eyes fixed on Nao.
Viki slammed her hand down on the table. *"Isn't this supposed to be a meeting—?"*
Mrs. Marion cleared her throat sharply. *"Indeed."*
Viki's voice grew sharp. *"And I believe this meeting is for last year's top three. I think she's a new member of Celestrix, not supposed to be here."*
Ria stood, eyes gleaming with quiet authority. *"As long as the team leaders accept it, it's fine."*
Mrs. Marion raised a hand, silencing the room. *"Okay, everyone, shut the f*** up. Nao, come in."*
Viki's brows furrowed deeply in confusion and irritation.
Tashiba glanced around nervously. *"Hold up... where's Nathan?"*
---
*Mr. Williams' Office — Late Evening*
The room was dimly lit, the city lights casting faint reflections on the polished glass walls. Mr. Williams stood behind his massive desk, his expression unreadable as he broke the heavy silence.
"I saw the news..." he said quietly, eyes locked on Nathan.
Nathan looked up from where he was leaning against the edge of the desk, fingers tapping rhythmically. His tone was casual, almost indifferent. "Yeah… what about it?"
Mr. Williams's gaze hardened. "Mr. Kang is dead. Hit by a car — going fast enough to tear him apart — right in front of his own house."
Nathan's fingers paused their tapping for a moment, then resumed with a little more force. "Hmm. Sad?" His voice was cold, detached.
The older man stood up, his towering figure casting a long shadow across the floor. Slowly, he walked to the huge glass window overlooking the city, pressing a palm against the cold surface.
"Whatever happened," he said, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper, "you better wish you had *no* part in it. Because if you *do*, you know very well what happens next."
Nathan pushed himself away from the desk and stood up, meeting Mr. Williams's glare without flinching."If that's all you wanted to say, I'll take my leave."
Mr. Williams's voice grew sharper, cutting through the silence like a knife. "The competition... I heard you're not participating this year."
Nathan's jaw tightened. He took a breath, eyes flickering with annoyance. "You know why."
"You *should*," Mr. Williams sneered. "No matter how many memorials you attend, it's not like she's coming back to life. No amount of mourning will change that."
Nathan clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, trying to suppress the storm inside him.
Mr. Williams took a step forward, his voice low and venomous. "Besides, you're not going to meet her at the grave. Just some withered flowers and dead grass over a cold stone. That's all she is now."
Suddenly, Nathan slammed his palm down hard on the desk, the sound echoing sharply in the silent room.
"Enough!" he growled, voice thick with rage.
Mr. Williams turned, his eyes cold and calculating. "It seems you're forgetting where you are," he said as he closed the distance between them.
In a swift, shocking motion, a gleaming knife stabbed down on the desk between Nathan's hands, pinning them in place.
"Argh!" Nathan gasped, his body tensing with pain."I wouldn't mind doing the same to your throat," Mr. Williams said, leaning in closer. "You're my son, and that doesn't matter to anyone here. I shouldn't have to say it twice."
He dragged the knife slowly across the wood, sending fresh pain through Nathan's palm.
"F***!" Nathan whispered,blood oozing and dripping onto the polished surface.
Without breaking eye contact, Mr. Williams pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Yes, Melen," he said calmly, voice steady despite the violence. "My son's hand is bleeding. Bring him to the infirmary. Now."
He ended the call and dropped the phone on the desk with a soft thud.
Nathan swallowed hard, his breathing ragged, but his eyes burned with silent fury.
Mr. Williams straightened, smoothing his cuffs as if nothing had happened.
"You *will* participate in that competition, Nathan. No excuses."
Nathan didn't reply. He simply stared, clenched fists trembling at his sides.
The door opened, and Melen stepped in, her expression hard but professional as she approached.
"Let's get you patched up," she said quietly, walking him out.
Nathan allowed himself to be led away, but the glare in his eyes was a promise — this wasn't over.
---