A Strange Encounter

Shirone quickly pressed himself against the shadow of a nearby tree, narrowing his eyes.

A figure stood before the student—a woman, clad in an elegant deep-blue dress that hugged her frame like woven moonlight.

Her red hair cascaded down her back, and her crimson lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

Even from this distance, Shirone could tell she wasn't ordinary.

There was something unnatural about her presence.

A stillness.

The student bowed slightly, his movements stiff with nervousness.

He spoke in a low voice, but Shirone's sharp ears caught a few words.

"…No one suspects anything… The others haven't noticed yet…"

The woman nodded, amused.

Her hand reached forward, delicately lifting the student's chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

Whatever she said next was too quiet for Shirone to hear, but the way the student shuddered told him it wasn't anything comforting.

Shirone clenched his jaw.