Morning light filtered through the curtains of Souta's dorm room, painting faint stripes across the floor. Birds chirped outside—a contrast to the sterile silence of the White Room. Souta sat on the edge of his bed, already dressed in his school uniform, posture perfect, mind running at a pace few could ever hope to follow.
Most students would wake up groggy, still adjusting to the independence offered by the Advanced Nurturing High School.
Souta had already reviewed every class schedule, analyzed every faculty member, memorized campus blueprints, and predicted the sequence of events for the day.
He didn't need an alarm.His brain was already one.
As he left his room, he felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. Students in the hallway stared a second too long; whispers lingered a moment too noticeably.
"Is that him…?""The white-haired guy from Class D…""Is he the one who beat up three Class C students?""No way… he doesn't look violent."
Souta didn't react. People's perceptions were tools—nothing more. If rumors spread, then so be it. Rumors brought attention. And attention brought entertainment.
He walked forward, steps quiet and controlled.
___
Descending the dorm stairs, he found Kushida Kikyou waiting by the lobby couch, dressed neatly and holding a small bag of snacks. When she saw him, her face brightened instantly.
"Souta-kun! Good morning!" she said with a cheerful wave. "You're early, as expected."
"You seem early as well," he noted.
"Ahaha, well… I like being prepared!" she said. Then, with a soft tilt of her head: "I was actually hoping to walk to school with someone from class. And since you're here… wanna walk together?"
Warm. Friendly. Almost too friendly.
Souta recognized it immediately—the persona she crafted. So perfect it would fool anyone.
Anyone but him.
Yet he didn't expose it.Not yet.
"That's fine," he replied.
Her smile grew. "Great! Then let's go!"
They stepped outside into the crisp morning air. Kushida hummed lightly as she walked beside him, adjusting her bag and sneaking glances at his face.
"You're really popular already, you know," she said playfully. "Everyone's talking about you."
"I noticed."
"And… about the fight yesterday," she added, lowering her voice.
"I see."
Kushida watched him closely. "You don't deny it?"
"There's no reason to."
Her eyes widened slightly. Most people would at least deny involvement, pretend innocence, or make excuses. But Souta's calm acceptance only deepened the aura around him.
"You're strange, Souta-kun," she said with a light laugh. "Mysterious, but… cool."
Souta didn't respond.
Kushida's expression softened, perhaps unintentionally. "I feel like… you're someone I want to understand."
That line would fluster someone else. It would send most boys into a spiral of overexcitement.
But Souta merely looked ahead, eyes uninterested yet sharp.
"You can try," he said. "You won't succeed."
Kushida's steps faltered—just slightly. Then she giggled again, masking everything flawlessly.
"We'll see about that."
___
As they reached the school gate, a familiar figure stood waiting, arms crossed and an annoyed expression plastered on her face.
Horikita Suzune.
The moment she saw Kushida walking beside Souta, her eyebrow twitched.
"You're early," Horikita said to Souta, ignoring Kushida entirely.
"I always am."
Horikita nodded, satisfied. Then she shot a sharp look at Kushida. "I didn't expect you to be with him."
"What's that supposed to mean, Horikita-chan?" Kushida smiled sweetly.
"It means what it sounds like."
Souta watched silently. The tension between them was faint but unmistakable. Horikita found Kushida's openness suspicious. Kushida found Horikita's aloofness irritating. And both girls instinctively gravitated toward the same gravitational center—him.
"Souta-kun is very easy to talk to," Kushida said. "Unlike someone who shuts down every attempt at conversation."
"I don't shut people down," Horikita muttered defensively. "I just don't engage in meaningless chatter."
"That's the definition of shutting—"
"Kushida. Horikita." Souta interrupted quietly.
Both froze.
"Your argument is pointless."
They blinked. Before either could respond, Souta continued:
"If you want to follow me, then walk. If not, leave."
The two girls exchanged a look—half irritation, half something else.
Then, without another word, both followed him.
And behind them, silently observing from a distance, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka sighed in resignation.
"…He attracted them even faster than expected," he murmured.
___
The classroom buzzed with chatter. Students compared last night's points spending, talked about shops in the Keyaki Mall, and complained about overpriced snacks. Souta entered the room, instantly drawing eyes again.
Kushida greeted everyone brightly. Horikita returned to her seat stiffly.
Souta sat near the window. Calm. Cold. Observing.
Ayanokouji sat behind him, slouching slightly.
"You already made the class noisy," Ayanokouji said without looking up.
"It was inevitable," Souta replied.
"And the fight?"
"Necessary."
Silence.
Then Ayanokouji said, "You're stronger than you look."
"You're stronger than you pretend to be."
Ayanokouji's hand paused mid-flip of a page.
Souta didn't turn around. He simply continued reading the room.
"…I see," Ayanokouji murmured. "So you noticed."
"Obviously."
The corners of Ayanokouji's lips twitched—as if annoyed or perhaps impressed.
"You're troublesome."
"So I've been told."
Before Ayanokouji could respond, Hirata approached with a friendly smile.
"Good morning, Yagami-kun! I heard some strange rumors about a fight yesterday. Are you okay?"
Souta looked at him quietly. Hirata Yukimura—kind-hearted, the class's natural leader. An important piece.
"I'm fine," Souta said. "And rumors are just rumors."
Hirata relaxed. "I'm glad! If you ever need anything, just tell me."
"I will."
Hirata smiled warmly and walked away.
Ayanokouji leaned forward slightly. "You lied."
"I redirected."
"…Same thing."
"No," Souta said with a faint smirk. "A lie creates suspicion. Redirection creates comfort."
Ayanokouji stared at him, expression unreadable.
"You're worse than I thought."
"And you're hiding more than you pretend."
Class began. And the day unfolded exactly as Souta predicted.
Except for one thing.
___
During lunch, as Souta walked toward the courtyard to eat alone, he sensed movement—a sharp, calculated presence.
Then someone stepped in front of him.
A girl.
Tall. Dramatically beautiful. Long black hair tied to the side. A refined posture that screamed nobility.
Ichinose Honami? No.Kamuro Masumi? No.
This was someone else entirely.
"Yagami Souta," she said in a low, confident voice. "You caused quite the disturbance yesterday."
Souta tilted his head, examining her.
"And you are?"
"Someone from Class A who dislikes disruptions," she said with a soft smirk. "But more importantly… someone who finds you intriguing."
She stepped closer.
"White hair. Blue eyes. Distinct aura. You're not a normal student. And the way you took down three boys? Impressive."
Her face approached his slightly—too close for most people. But Souta didn't move.
"So tell me," she whispered, "what exactly do you intend to do in this school?"
Souta's eyes gleamed.
"Entertainment," he said simply.
The girl blinked—then laughed.
"I like that answer."
She stepped back and bowed slightly.
"My name is Nanase Yui. Remember it. I'll be watching you from now on."
"Do what you want."
Nanase smiled. "Oh, I will."
With that, she walked away, her long hair swaying behind her like a raven's wing.
Souta watched her go.
Another piece joins the board.
___
After classes ended, the sun dipped low, turning the sky orange.
Souta took the path behind the dorms—a quiet place, good for thinking. He planned to walk alone.
But Horikita appeared again.
"You're avoiding everyone," she said.
"I prefer quiet."
"…Me too."
Silence stretched between them. But unlike yesterday, Horikita wasn't stiff. She wasn't irritated.
She was… curious.
"Souta," she said suddenly, "why are you here? At this school?"
"For entertainment."
She frowned. "Don't joke."
"I'm not joking."
"Then what kind of entertainment? Academic? Social? Physical?"
"Yes."
"That's not an answer."
"It is for me."
Horikita clicked her tongue in frustration. Then—
"…You're impossible."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"It wasn't an insult either."
Horikita looked at him, cheeks slightly pink.
"…You irritate me."
"And yet," Souta said, meeting her gaze calmly, "you keep coming to talk to me."
She froze.
He wasn't teasing. He wasn't mocking. He was stating a fact. And Horikita hated how accurate it was.
"I just…" she muttered, "want to understand what kind of person you are."
"Then keep trying."
Horikita's breath caught.
And Souta…walked past her, hands in his pockets, expression calm as always.
___
Back in his dorm, Souta lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Today's events replayed in his mind.
Kushida's warmth.Horikita's confusion.Ayanokouji's scrutiny.Nanase's boldness.
Interesting personalities.Interesting reactions.Interesting potential.
This school was a battlefield of intellect, ego, and emotion.
A perfect stage.
For someone like him.
Souta closed his eyes.
Tomorrow would bring new moves.And he was ready to play.