Ch-196 meeting with Alya/Alisa

The following week at Seiren Private Academy was unusually quiet. The incident at Ai's apartment lingered in Raghav's mind, sharpening his awareness of his surroundings. His instincts were on edge, but outwardly, he maintained the same calm and composed demeanor in front of his students.

It was early afternoon when Raghav finished his last acting class for the day. He adjusted his tie and gathered his materials before stepping into the hallway. The sound of distant chatter filled the air as students moved between classes.

That's when he sensed it—an unfamiliar presence.

Elegant footsteps echoed down the marble hallway, growing louder with each step. A soft floral scent drifted through the air, followed by the gentle rustle of fabric.

When Raghav turned toward the sound, his gaze sharpened.

A girl with long, silver-white hair and pale blue eyes stood at the edge of the corridor. Her fair skin seemed almost porcelain beneath the soft light filtering through the tall windows. She wore the standard Seiren Academy uniform, but on her, it seemed to take on a regal quality.

Her gaze locked onto Raghav's, a quiet intensity simmering beneath her cool expression.

"Alya Kujo." (アリヤ・九条) Raghav's tone was neutral. "I don't believe you're in any of my classes." (君は私の授業にはいないはずだが)

Alya's eyes softened, a hint of amusement curving her lips. "Not yet." (まだね)

Before Raghav could respond, she stepped closer. Her gaze lingered on him with quiet scrutiny, as if measuring something unseen.

"You're different from the other teachers," (他の教師とは違うわね) Alya said, her voice low and even.

Raghav's eyes narrowed. "And you're unusually bold for a student." (そして君は生徒にしてはずいぶん大胆だ)

Alya's smile deepened. "Maybe." (かもね)

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a softer tone. Then, to Raghav's surprise, she spoke in fluent Russian:

"Ты опасный человек, не так ли?"

("You're a dangerous man, aren't you?")

Raghav's gaze sharpened. His Russian was impeccable—he had learned it during his early years abroad—but hearing it from Alya's lips added a strange weight to the words.

He answered in Russian, his tone as sharp as ice.

"Возможно. Но ты ведь тоже не так проста, верно?"

("Perhaps. But you're not so simple either, are you?")

Alya's eyes glinted with faint amusement. "Interesting." (面白いわね)

Before Raghav could press further, Alya suddenly took a step closer—so close that the subtle warmth of her breath brushed his skin. Her gaze flicked toward the faint scar on his hand from the attack earlier that week. Her delicate fingers brushed over it lightly.

"Whoever tried to harm you…" (あなたを襲った相手…) Alya's voice dropped into a near-whisper. "It wasn't random, was it?" (偶然じゃないわね?)

Raghav's expression darkened. "You seem to know more than you should." (知りすぎてるんじゃないか?)

Alya smiled faintly. "Perhaps." (そうかもね)

She turned to walk away but paused after a few steps, glancing over her shoulder.

"I've decided," (決めたわ) Alya said with quiet certainty. "I want you to teach me." (あなたに教わりたいの)

Raghav arched a brow. "In what?" (何を?)

"Everything." (全部) Alya's gaze was steady. "Language, acting… even sports." (語学も,演技も…スポーツも)

"And why would I agree to that?" (なぜ私がそれを受けると思う?)

Alya's gaze turned faintly playful. "Because I think you know I'm worth the trouble." (私がその価値があると,あなたも分かっているから)

With that, Alya disappeared down the hallway, her silver hair catching the sunlight as she turned the corner.

Raghav stood still for a moment, his mind processing the brief but layered encounter. There was more to Alya than her reputation suggested—and her sudden interest in him wasn't mere coincidence.

"She's dangerous," (彼女は危険だ) Raghav muttered under his breath.

But a faint smile tugged at his lips.

So am I. (俺も,な)

---

Later that evening, Raghav found himself seated at Ai's apartment once more. Ai sat beside him on the couch, Ruby and Aqua curled up nearby watching a movie. Ai leaned her head against Raghav's shoulder, her eyes closed in quiet comfort.

"You seem distracted," (何か考え事?) Ai murmured.

Raghav exhaled slowly. "There's a new student at the academy. Alya Mihailovna Kujo." (新しい生徒が来たんだ.アリヤ・ミハイロヴナ・九条)

Ai's eyes opened. "Alya? The Russian prodigy?" (アリヤ?あのロシアの天才?)

"That's the one." (そうだ)

Ai's brow furrowed. "Be careful with her, Raghav. Her family… they're not ordinary." (気をつけて,ラガヴ.彼女の家族は…普通じゃないわ)

Raghav's gaze sharpened. "What do you know?" (何か知っているのか?)

"Only rumors." (噂だけ) Ai's expression turned serious. "But it's said that her father is tied to the Russian underworld. Powerful, dangerous." (でも,彼女の父親はロシアの闇社会と繋がりがあるって話よ.強大で…危険な存在)

Raghav's gaze darkened. Of course.

"Are you going to refuse her request?" (彼女の頼みを断るの?) Ai asked.

Raghav's smile was faint, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "No." (いや)

Ai raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" (なぜ?)

Raghav's eyes glinted with quiet resolve. "Because if Alya Kujo wants to play a game…" (アリヤ・九条がゲームを仕掛けてくるなら…)

He leaned back, his arm resting around Ai's shoulders.

"Then I'll make sure I'm the one holding the board." (盤を握るのは…俺だ)