The morning light fell over the school's entrance.
Haru Shimizu paused for a moment before crossing the large front portico. He adjusted the strap of his bag as he watched the flow of students coming and going. Laughter, trivial conversations, hurried footsteps. Everything seemed to follow its usual course, as if the previous night had never existed.
However, he could still clearly remember everything that had happened.
The monster, those girls, and how they had been overwhelmed by the sudden evolution of that Echo.
He recalled how he had to intervene to keep the situation from escalating.
'It must be a newly formed group', he thought as he resumed walking. 'Otherwise, they would have known how to react to an Echo's evolution.'
A vibration against his waist pulled him from his thoughts.
Hidden beneath his uniform, a black device with red patterns remained silent, completely inert at first glance.
"Not today", he murmured to himself. "At least today…"
The device vibrated again, as the
"Understood", a low, controlled voice said. "Passive mode activated."
Haru let out his breath slowly.
From the outside, anyone would have thought it was some kind of electronic assistant. Just another smart device, designed to organize schedules or monitor vital signs.
"If you ask me, you should be proud of your performance", the voice added, with an almost mocking undertone. "The gallant act came naturally to you."
"Shut up", Haru whispered, without moving his lips.
"As you wish", the voice replied. "Just remember that you're doing this to avoid repeating the last results."
Haru clenched his jaw and moved forward.
The murmur of the classroom faded when the teacher cleared his throat.
"Alright, everyone. Before we continue, we have a transfer student."
Haru entered the classroom naturally. It wasn't the first time he had gone through this, and it probably wouldn't be the last. Even so, he felt several gazes settle on him with open curiosity.
"My name is Haru Shimizu ", he said calmly. "I hope we get along."
A few whispers, a couple of stifled laughs. Nothing out of the ordinary.
"Drawing attention as always", the voice commented in his ear.
The teacher nodded, satisfied, and checked the seating chart.
"You can sit next to Kanzaki."
Haru lifted his gaze.
Near the window, a pink-haired girl was watching him attentively. She didn't look surprised, just… open. When he approached, she smiled at him with a warmth that caught him off guard.
"Hi", she said. "I'm Aoi Kanzaki."
"Nice to meet you."
He sat beside her, aware of a strange sensation in his chest. Not discomfort. Nor nervousness.
'It's her', he thought, recalling their encounter the night before.
"Kanzaki is the class representative", the teacher explained to Haru. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to go to her."
Aoi nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Looks like it's your lucky day", the voice murmured.
During the class, it didn't take long for him to notice that Aoi wasn't an ordinary student. She answered confidently when the teacher asked questions, organized materials, remembered dates. All of it with a naturalness that didn't seem forced.
At the end of the explanation, the teacher added:
"During the break, Kanzaki, could you show Shimizu around the school?"
"Of course", she replied without hesitation. "No problem."
Haru blinked, surprised.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome", she said with a smile. "It'll help me clear my head a bit too."
"Assignment accepted", the voice commented, adopting a mechanical tone. "Prolonged contact with subject of high importance."
"Did you say something?", Aoi asked, slightly confused.
Haru tensed for a moment.
"It's nothing. Just this dumb digital assistant. I still don't know how it works."
The bell signaled the start of the break, and the classroom emptied quickly. Aoi waited for Haru near the door before beginning the tour.
"The school is big, but you get used to it fast", she said as they walked down the hallway. "These are the second-year classrooms, and further ahead is the library."
"It seems like a nice school", Haru said.
"It is… most of the time", Aoi replied, letting out a small nervous laugh.
There was something comforting in the way she spoke. She didn't seem to be trying to impress him, nor to force conversation to fill the silences.
"If you like being alone, the library is usually empty at this hour", she added. "I come sometimes."
"Sounds good."
"Preference detected: quiet spaces", the voice said. "Matches the user profile."
Haru ignored the comment.
Halfway down the corridor, Aoi suddenly stopped.
"Ah… there they are."
She raised her hand and waved enthusiastically.
"Reina! Mio!"
Haru's world seemed to shrink to a single point.
Reina Moriyama turned when she heard her name. Her expression was the same as always: lively, confident, full of energy. Even without her magical girl outfit, it was impossible not to notice her.
Beside her, Mio Takahashi observed silently, with an analytical gaze that didn't seem to miss a thing.
Haru recognized Reina immediately.
Not as a magical girl.
But as someone he hadn't seen in a very long time.
A living memory that had never gone away.
Aoi made the introductions naturally.
"This is Haru Shimizu. He transferred today."
Reina smiled and stepped forward.
"Reina Moriyama. Nice to meet you."
Haru waited.
One second.
Two.
Nothing. No sign of recognition.
"Nice to meet you", Haru replied, keeping his tone steady out of pure habit.
Something tightened in his chest.
Mio inclined her head slightly.
"There aren't usually transfer students at this time of year", she commented. "I hope you're not troublesome."
Reina laughed.
"As long as he's not weird, everything will be fine."
"Reina", Aoi scolded her, though she was smiling.
They walked together for a few more minutes. Trivial conversations, soft laughter. Aoi moved comfortably between the two of them.
Haru walked behind them, listening, but his attention returned again and again to Reina.
"It was to be expected that she wouldn't remember you", the voice said in a more serious tone. "Considering what you told me, you should be glad she's still alive."
"No need to say it…", Haru murmured, letting out a light sigh.
Finally, the bell rang again.
"See you later, Aoi", Reina said, saying goodbye with a carefree gesture before leaving with Mio.
Haru followed her with his eyes until she disappeared.
"Sorry", Aoi said. "They've been friends of mine for a long time."
"It shows", he replied. "They seem very close."
"We are."
They resumed the tour, though there was little left to show.
Haru lowered his gaze slightly.
It was ironic.
The three girls who had fought together the night before were now walking together under the daylight.
And none of them knew who he really was.
The device vibrated once.
"Provisional conclusion", the voice said. "This situation is… complicated."
Haru closed his eyes for a moment.
"I know, Nyx. I know."