The First Move

The note burned in Yuuto's pocket as he sat through his morning classes, the words looping endlessly in his mind: "The first move is yours."

What did Eva want? What was this game she was playing? Every minute he spent in uncertainty felt like a victory for her.

By lunchtime, Yuuto's patience had worn thin. He needed answers.

---

The Rooftop Decision

Rika was waiting for him on the rooftop, her usual place by the railing. She glanced over as Yuuto approached, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly when she noticed the tension in his shoulders.

"What happened now?" she asked, her tone clipped.

Yuuto pulled the note from his pocket and handed it to her. She read it quickly, her expression hardening.

"She's escalating," Rika said, folding the note neatly and slipping it into her bag. "What are you going to do?"

Yuuto leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. If I ignore her, she'll keep pushing. But if I engage, I'm playing right into her hands."

Rika smirked faintly. "Maybe. But sometimes the best way to beat someone at their own game is to play better."

Yuuto looked at her, a small spark of hope igniting in his chest. "Do you really think we can beat her?"

Her smirk widened, her confidence unshakable. "I know we can. The question is—are you willing to fight back?"

Yuuto took a deep breath, the weight of his fear slowly lifting. "Yeah. I'm ready."

---

A Meeting in Shadows

That evening, Yuuto received another message from Eva:

Meet me at the old library. Midnight.

He stared at the screen, a mix of apprehension and determination churning in his gut. He showed the message to Rika after school, and her reaction was exactly what he expected.

"She's baiting you," Rika said, crossing her arms. "She wants to control the narrative, to make you dance to her tune."

"I know," Yuuto said. "But if I don't go, she'll keep doing this. At least if I meet her, I can figure out what she wants."

Rika frowned, clearly unhappy with the plan, but she didn't argue. Instead, she pulled out her phone.

"Fine. But you're not going alone."

---

The Library Confrontation

At midnight, Yuuto and Rika stood outside the old library, its once-grand façade now crumbling with age. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made every shadow feel alive.

"You sure about this?" Rika asked, her voice low.

"No," Yuuto admitted. "But I have to do it."

She nodded, stepping back to give him space but staying close enough to intervene if needed.

Yuuto pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside. The air was musty, the faint scent of mildew mingling with the cold. Moonlight streamed through broken windows, casting eerie patterns on the floor.

Eva was waiting for him near the center of the room, her silhouette framed by the pale light.

"Right on time," she said, her voice smooth and unhurried.

"What do you want, Eva?" Yuuto asked, his voice firm despite the unease gnawing at him.

She smiled, the expression equal parts charming and chilling. "Straight to the point. I like that."

She took a step closer, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his. "I want to understand you, Yuuto. You're fascinating. Most people break so easily, but you… you're different."

Yuuto clenched his fists. "I'm not some experiment for you to analyze."

"Oh, but you are," Eva said, her tone almost playful. "You're a puzzle, and I can't resist puzzles."

"Why are you doing this?" he demanded. "What's the point?"

Eva tilted her head, her smile fading slightly. "The point, Yuuto, is control. Everyone is a piece on the board, and I like knowing how the game will play out."

"Then you've already lost," Yuuto said, his voice steady. "Because I'm not playing."

Eva laughed softly, the sound echoing through the empty library. "Oh, you're playing, whether you realize it or not. The moment you walked in here, you made your first move."

---

The Trap Unfolds

Before Yuuto could respond, the door creaked open behind him. He turned, his heart sinking as Reina stepped into the room.

"Reina?" he said, his voice filled with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"I got a message," Reina said, her expression troubled. "It said you needed help."

Yuuto's blood ran cold. He looked back at Eva, who was watching with a satisfied smirk.

"Did you plan this?" he asked, his voice low.

Eva shrugged. "I simply gave her an invitation. What she did with it was her choice."

Reina stepped closer, her eyes darting between Yuuto and Eva. "What's going on here? Yuuto, who is she?"

"It doesn't matter," Yuuto said, trying to keep his voice calm. "You shouldn't be here, Reina. Go home."

"No," Eva said sharply, her smile turning icy. "Let her stay. She deserves to hear the truth, don't you think?"

"What truth?" Reina asked, her voice rising.

"Stop it, Eva," Yuuto said, his anger boiling over.

Eva ignored him, her gaze fixed on Reina. "Did Yuuto ever tell you why he's so cautious around people? Why he hesitates to trust anyone?"

Reina frowned, confusion and concern etched on her face.

"Stop," Yuuto repeated, his voice breaking.

"Because he's been hurt," Eva continued, her tone almost mocking. "And do you know who hurt him the most?"

Reina's face paled. "Eva, that's enough!" Yuuto shouted, stepping forward.

Eva smiled faintly. "She knows, doesn't she? Deep down, she knows."

Reina took a step back, her expression crumbling. "Yuuto, is that true? Was it… because of me?"

Yuuto felt like the air had been knocked out of him. He looked at Reina, the pain in her eyes cutting deeper than any of Eva's games.

"I…" he began, but the words wouldn't come.

Eva clapped her hands once, the sound echoing through the room. "And there it is," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

---

A Stand Together

Before Eva could say anything more, Rika stormed into the room, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Enough!" she snapped, marching straight up to Eva.

Eva raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "And here comes the knight in shining armor."

"Shut up," Rika growled. "You think you're so clever, playing with people's lives like they're toys. But you're just a coward hiding behind mind games."

Eva's smile faltered for the first time, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her eyes.

Rika turned to Yuuto, her voice softening. "You don't owe her anything, Yuuto. Let's go."

Yuuto hesitated, glancing at Reina. She looked lost, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

"We all go," he said firmly, stepping toward Reina and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Reina. Let's get out of here."

Reina looked at him, tears brimming in her eyes, but she nodded.

The three of them walked toward the door, leaving Eva standing alone in the moonlit room.

---

Eva's Warning

As they stepped outside, Eva's voice called after them.

"You think this is over?" she said, her tone sharp and cold. "The game is just beginning."

Yuuto didn't look back, his resolve stronger than ever. He didn't know what Eva had planned, but he knew one thing: he wasn't going to let her win.

For the first time, he felt like he had allies—people he could trust. And no matter what Eva threw at them, they would face it together.