The End of the first month

"I'm sorry, Kozue."

The words tasted foreign, a distortion of the carefully constructed persona I upheld.

A necessary lie.

I kept my gaze fixed on the swirling ripples in my coffee, watching how the liquid danced, shifting in reaction to every subtle movement.

"But sometimes," I continued, voice measured, detached, "I close off any trace of emotion. It's a defense mechanism, I suppose."

It had been two days since I had… intervened. Two days since Kozue was cornered and brutalized by Osamu Wakura's lackeys. Two days since I had to course correct before my plans unraveled.

The attack itself had been a predictable outcome. A necessary step in a sequence of carefully placed triggers.

A week prior, I had planted the idea of point lenders during a casual conversation with Sayo Ando. As expected, Sayo spread the information. I knew she would. Some people can't resist the urge to share "exclusive" knowledge.

And Kozue?

She was the perfect mark.

Her impulsive spending, her need to keep up appearances, her short-sighted judgment—it all made her an inevitable target.

Osamu Wakura, the second-year from Class C, was merely a pawn.

I had already anticipated her methods. Ruthless, efficient, with just enough arrogance to make her predictable. When Kozue took the bait and borrowed points, I knew it was only a matter of time before Osamu came to collect.

That's where I introduced the next variable.

A fabricated school savings account, presented as a "secure" way to store points—conveniently suggested by a few seniors I had… incentivized.

Kozue had walked straight into the trap.

And when she realized she had been played? When she couldn't repay her debt?

Fear took hold.

It was fascinating. Watching her desperately check her phone, trying to piece together how she had been deceived. Her mind scrambled for solutions, but it was already too late.

She was trapped.

Then came Osamu's retaliation. Expected. Brutal. More violent than I had initially calculated.

That's when I stepped in.

Not out of compassion. Not out of moral obligation.

But because an unstable pawn is a liability.

Now, Kozue was indebted to me. Owing me more than just points—she owed me her trust.

But despite this victory, something gnawed at me.

Ichinose.

My mind replayed our previous interactions. Her gaze had lingered too long when she saw Kozue's withdrawn state. The way she had studied my expression, almost as if… analyzing me.

She was too perceptive.

Too unpredictable.

I miscalculated.

"I made a grave mistake."

I stirred my coffee, watching the ripples fade into stillness.

This was only the first move.

The game was just beginning.

---

Ichinose's POV

Class carried on as usual.

Except… Kozue wasn't herself.

She had barely spoken all morning. Usually, she was engaged, vibrant, even a little dramatic. But now?

She just sat there.

Eyes unfocused. Shoulders tense.

But the strangest thing?

She kept staring at Lloyd.

At first, I didn't think much of it. But when I followed her gaze, I saw Lloyd seated by the window, unmoving, lost in thought. His silver hair caught the sunlight, his face as unreadable as ever.

Then, as if sensing my stare, his ashen pupils snapped to mine.

My breath hitched.

His eyes were eerily… empty.

I turned away, forcing my attention back to my notebook.

Something felt off.

---

Class ended. I packed my bag as a few classmates approached me.

"Ichinose, wanna grab something from the mall?"

"Not today," I said with a polite smile. "I have plans."

As I turned, I caught a glimpse of Kozue.

She had started to stand, but when Lloyd didn't move, she hesitated—then sat back down.

Strange.

I approached her.

"Hey, Kozue. Wanna walk to the library with me?"

She flinched slightly, her expression unreadable.

"...I don't feel like going out today."

Her voice was distant.

I frowned but didn't push her. "Alright. If you ever wanna talk, you have my number."

She nodded but said nothing.

Before leaving, I decided to tease her.

"You know, you've been staring at Lloyd a lot today." I smirked. "Falling for him?"

Kozue's face burned red.

"Ichinose-san, what's that supposed to mean?!?"

I laughed. "Just kidding."

But as I walked away, the uneasy feeling lingered.

Something wasn't right.

And I intended to find out why.