*Outside – Behind the Auditorium, Late Afternoon*
The sun hung low, casting a warm golden hue across the academy grounds. A light breeze rustled the trees, scattering dry leaves across the pavement. The faint echo of rehearsals could still be heard in the distance, but here—beneath the fading sky—it felt like the world had paused.
Nao sat on a bench, her shoulders hunched forward, face buried in her hands. The edges of her dress fluttered softly in the breeze. Her makeup had smudged down her cheeks, painting faint, blackened lines that curved like ink tears on porcelain.
Kaze crouched in front of her, resting on the balls of his feet. His head tilted slightly as he studied her.
He tried to lighten the mood.
"Oh… look," he said, pointing toward the sky. "That cloud—kind of shaped like a bug, right?"
It wasn't.
Just a lazy mass of vapor drifting west, indifferent to his attempt. Nao didn't respond.
He frowned slightly, glancing around for something—*anything*—that might break her silence.
"Ack!" he suddenly shouted, leaning forward. "A spider on you, Nao!!"
He flicked a tiny twig across her leg.
She jumped instinctively, gasping, eyes darting down. "What?! Where?!"
Before she could fully react, he stepped behind her and gently grabbed her hands, locking them softly behind her back. His chin rested lightly on the crown of her head.
"The sky's so beautiful today," he whispered.
Nao didn't struggle. She just stood there, stunned—her breathing uneven, her tears still fresh. The dark streaks on her face made her look ghostlike, haunted.
"I remember…" he said softly, "how much you loved the sky back then. You said it made you feel like you could float. That it was too wide for sadness."
She sniffled. Her breathing slowed.
"But now," he added, "the sky's bright and calm… and you're crying."
A shaky breath escaped her.
"Why?" he asked, voice barely above the breeze.
"N-nothing," she mumbled, her voice so small it nearly dissolved into the wind.
Kaze didn't push. But he didn't let go either.
"You seemed really frightened back there… " he said, tone now gentle, but serious.
Nao's eyes widened, then fell again.
"Was I?" she asked, as if hoping he would read into her words, hear the weight behind them.
He gently turned her to face him. His hands moved up to her face, brushing her dampened cheeks with the backs of his fingers.
You know…" he said, searching her expression, "you can tell me anything, Nao. I've known you for 18 years. That hasn't changed."
She stared at him—longer this time.
"Then why… why did you leave?" she asked, her voice cracking.
He paused. His gaze lowered for a moment, the light in his eyes dimming with something like guilt.
"I didn't leave you," he said, softly. "Stuff happened. We had to leave town suddenly. My family… it was complicated, Nao. I could never just walk away from you. Not like that."
Her gaze dropped to the grass beneath their feet.
Then slowly, she looked up at him again—and for a moment, the past felt so close, she could almost reach it. Her cheeks flushed. She looked away quickly, flustered.
He laughed under his breath.
"Still cute as f***," he muttered.
She froze.
"Sorry?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder.
He leaned in slightly, a half-smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I said," he repeated clearly, "you're still cute as f***."
Her ears turned red instantly. She spun around again to hide her face.
He chuckled. But then, his tone shifted.
"So… what happened back there, really?"
Nao stiffened. Her expression changed. The memory—the guilt—returned like a wave.
She turned to him fully now, her voice cautious, her eyes sincere.
"If I tell you…" she whispered, "can you promise me to keep it only between us?"
Their eyes met.
This time, it was her gaze that didn't waver.
And somewhere in that silence, something old and fragile began to rebuild.
---
And in the middle of it all—Nao, still breathless, heart still heavy, her mind still haunted.
But one thing was different now.
She *wasn't alone*. Not anymore
"Yes… I promise," he said with a reassuring smile, his voice calm, light—almost too light.
She scanned his face, eyes searching for cracks behind that easy expression.
Still smiling. Still... calm.
But she couldn't keep it inside anymore.
"Well… you know…"
She hesitated, her voice faltering as if the words were too heavy for her throat.
"The murder…"
She stole a glance at him—quick, sharp—but his smile didn't waver.
"I was the witness," she finally said, eyes falling to the floor. Her voice was nearly a whisper now, as if confessing a sin to a priest.
There was a pause.
"Oh…"
He tilted his head slightly. "That must explain why you got scared a minute ago. Thought you were going to experience another death?"
He let out a soft chuckle and placed his hands in his pockets.
"Don't worry about it—"
"I stayed silent… to get into Imperials," she interrupted, her voice small but trembling.
Her fingers were nervously fidgeting, twisting over each other like she was trying to wring the guilt out of her skin.
He didn't respond immediately.
She peeked up at him.
The smile… faltered—*just slightly*—barely enough to notice. But she saw it. His jaw stiffened, his eyes blinked a second too long. And in that flicker of silence, something cracked in his calm.
"Mr. Williams made me do it… I swear," she added quickly, like a child defending herself from punishment.
Then he muttered, quiet and cool:
"…But you seem to enjoy it."
Her eyes shot up.
"…Huh?"
"Oh, nothing."
The smile returned, a little too quickly.
"Just surprised. But it's not your fault, okay?"
He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, the way someone might calm a child or comfort a friend.
"Don't let it get to you. The case is dead now too… no need digging it back up."
Dead.
That word sat heavy in her chest.
He gave her a gentle pat on the head—too casual, too smooth—and took a step back.
"Well... I told them I was going to use the bathroom," he said with a light chuckle. "Probably spent way too much time out here. You should reshape yourself and head back in."
And with that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing softly down the corridor.
Nao stood frozen.
Watching him.
"...Oh. Right," she whispered to herself.
Her hands slowly lowered.
Then her brows drew together.
"Wait… did I see his reaction just now?"
The memory replayed in her mind, bit by bit—the tension in his jaw, the way his smile twitched, how his eyes didn't meet hers when she mentioned *Imperials*.
"Why… why did he look kind of… terrified?"
Something twisted in her stomach.
Not guilt this time.
Not fear.
But suspicion.
And for the first time, she wondered—*Was I really the only witness that day?*
---
*Males Bathroom — *
The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, buzzing faintly as water gushed from the tap. Kaze leaned over the sink, cupping his hands under the stream before splashing his face.
He stood upright, eyes locking with his reflection in the mirror.
Water dripped from his jawline.
His expression was hard to read—somewhere between disbelief and guilt. He ran a hand through his damp hair, pushing it back.
"No way..." he whispered, the words barely passing his lips.
He leaned closer to the mirror, staring deeply into his own eyes, as though demanding an explanation from himself.
"She was the one…"
His chest rose and fell slower now—like reality had punched the air out of him.
---
*Later That Night — 8:45 PM*
*Nao's Room – Girls Dorm, Block B*
Nao sat on the edge of her bed, holding a slip of paper between her fingers. The digits on it were neat and deliberate—Kim Joon's number. The same boy who had handed her the note. The same one who might know *everything.*
Her thumb hesitated over the dial button.
Then she pressed it.
*Ring… ring…*
Her heart thumped in her chest.
"Hello?" came the familiar voice on the other end.
Nao exhaled sharply. "Oh… hello. Please… can we meet?"
---
*Room 145 – Viki's Room*
Viki sat cross-legged on her queen-sized bed, the soft sheen of her lavender nightgown catching the dim lighting of the room. A towel wrapped around her head, and white cream dotted her cheeks as she sat in front of her ornate vanity mirror.
She hummed faintly to herself while dabbing moisturizer under her eyes.
"So… what's new?" she asked, casually, without turning.
Behind her, in the shadowed corner of the room, a figure leaned against the wall—his face only partially lit by the bedside lamp.
"It seems… she has a secret," the figure said, voice low, reserved. "Something that got her into Imperials."
Viki stopped mid-stroke.
Then she slowly resumed, a knowing smile curling on her lips. "What kind of secret?"
"She's the witness to Vince's death," he said. "She stayed silent… to earn her place here."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Viki let out a soft, amused laugh—almost like a purr.
"Wow… she's got a heart for that, doesn't she?" she mused. "I guess poor people really are full of surprises. Clawing at any rope they can to escape the dirt." She smiled at her reflection. "A criminal… hiding under the shiny, polished shell of Imperials."
The boy in the shadows shifted uncomfortably.
"I guess," he murmured, tone losing its edge.
"You're good at this, you know," Viki said, turning slightly, one eye catching his reflection in the mirror. "Got all that info in *one day.* Must be that pretty face of yours, huh, Kaze?"
His name hung in the air like a weight.
Kaze forced a smile, though his jaw tightened. "Ha… I *did* say I've known her for 18 years, didn't I?"
Viki smirked. "Seems like she really likes you too. Trusted you enough to pour her heart out, and you…" She turned fully now, her eyes like blades. "You broke that promise like it was nothing."
Kaze hesitated. His voice was quieter now.
"It… was nothing."
He stepped forward into the light, tension etched into his face.
"I should head to my room," he said. "Got some things to do."
"Aww, don't wanna stay the night?" she pouted, teasing. "Nathan's not coming. You gonna leave me lonely too?"
"Maybe tomorrow." He turned toward the door.
She watched him go, that sly smile never leaving her lips.
The door shut with a soft click.
She chuckled under her breath.
"Cute lil doggy," she whispered.
And then, she applied the final dab of cream—like nothing had happened at all.
---
*Courtyard, Floor 4 — Late evening*
The wind curled gently around the courtyard, rustling the leaves that framed the old metal railing. painting light and dark patches along the stone floor.
Nao walked quietly, her steps slow and careful as she approached the far end of the courtyard, where a figure stood, leaning casually against the rail.
"You're fast," the boy said with a chuckle, not looking up right away.
She didn't laugh with him. Her gaze remained sharp.
"So you wanted to meet?" he asked, finally turning to face her.
Nao didn't waste time.
"Who gave you that paper?"
He blinked. "Huh?"
"The one with the number and the name you gave me that day. You didn't write that yourself."
His brow furrowed, the edge of his smirk wavering. "Why would you say that?"
"Rewrite it then," she said, voice firm.
He stared at her for a moment, clearly taken off guard. "What... are you even saying? Are you crazy? You asked me weird stuff back at rehearsal too."
Nao's expression didn't soften.
"Oh well," she said coolly, stepping forward slightly, "I thought you were the one I was looking for, so I looked into you."
*—Hours earlier—*
"Why did you walk off stage like that?" Ria had asked, worry in her voice. "Are you okay? You got sick or something?"
"No... I'm fine," Nao replied quickly, brushing it off with a shaky laugh. "Hey, you're the Class 3 rep, right?"
Ria tilted her head. "Yeah. Not like it means much. Just means I get stuck with roll calls and cleaning duty while Viki plays dictator."
Nao smiled faintly. "Cool... Can you look into a guy for me?"
"A guy?" Ria's interest was instantly piqued. "Wait—*you* already crushing on someone?"
"No—no! It's not like that. His name is Kim Joon."
"Oh…" Ria's face dropped. "You mean the Asian transfer? The quiet nerd?"
Nao nodded.
"Why do you care about him?" Ria asked.
"Please, Ria," Nao said, nearly begging as she shook Ria's arm. "Just show me. Please."
*—Present—*
"I still don't get why you're—"
"Who gave you that note?" Nao asked again, more forcefully this time. The emotion in her voice was clearer now. Anger. Confusion. Fear.
He sighed and scoffed, folding his arms. "Shouldn't your question be *how* I got it… not who?"
Nao tensed.
"This hasn't even *begun,* you know," he added, eyes narrowing slightly. "He hasn't *started* with you yet."
"What are you talking about?"
He smirked. "If you think you're so smart, you should already realize... you've stepped into a trap. One set from different axis. One that's already closing in."
He turned to walk away but paused mid-step.
"Enjoying Vince's death?" he tossed over his shoulder, voice almost too casual.
Nao's heart dropped. Her breath caught painfully in her chest.
He kept walking, disappearing into the corridor.
She stood still for a moment, body frozen by the weight of what he just said.
*"Ugh…"* She exhaled, squeezing her eyes shut. "With that… I know. He has a lead. But why? What's he playing at?"
Her fists clenched. Something was spiraling out of control.
She turned and began to walk back—mind reeling—when—
*BAAM!*
"Ack!" She stumbled back, colliding into someone with force. Her heart already racing.
"So sorry—!" a voice said.
She looked up.
*Nathan.*
He blinked, confused. "Viki?"
Nao didn't answer immediately. Her mind still buzzing from the confrontation.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at him.
*"It's that guy…"* she said in her thoughts, still watching Nathan carefully.
---