deep, mechanical beep echoed through the sterile room.

The massive screen flickered, displaying a single message:

"THE PHANTOM'S GAMBIT HAS BEGUN."

Yukian exhaled slowly, her fingers clenching into fists.

There were twelve players.

Two were Phantoms.

And the first night would begin soon.

A moment of silence hung in the air. No one moved.

Then—

A sudden rustling sound.

Itsuki—the nervous-looking boy with dark green hair—shifted on his feet.

His eyes darted around frantically, his fingers twitching as he pulled at the hem of his sleeve. Sweat dripped down his forehead.

Haruka, the girl with light brown hair and warm amber eyes, furrowed her brow.

"...Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Itsuki flinched. "O-Of course!"

But his voice was too high-pitched. Too forced.

Mikio adjusted his glasses, raising an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

"I'm fine!" Itsuki snapped, stepping back.

Everyone stared.

Yukian's pulse steadied.

He's acting guilty.

Was it because he was a Phantom? Or was he just terrified?

Renji crossed his arms, his scarred biceps flexing. "You look like you're about to puke."

Sayaka, ever the cold strategist, narrowed her eyes. "Maybe he knows something we don't."

Itsuki swallowed hard. "I—I just don't wanna die, okay?"

"None of us do," Emiko muttered, her dark purple hair slicked back.

Souta, the light-blue-haired guy, let out a slow yawn. "Should we just vote him out now?"

The air turned heavy.

Itsuki's face paled. "W-What?! I didn't do anything!"

Yukian exhaled sharply.

Was he truly suspicious?

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Itsuki's breath came in quick gasps, his body trembling under the weight of everyone's stares.

Renji cracked his knuckles. "We could just get rid of him. Better safe than sorry."

Mikio smirked. "Yeah, let's vote now. The more we wait, the higher the risk."

Ami shifted uncomfortably, wringing her hands. "But... we don't know anything yet."

Sayaka scoffed. "He's the only one acting weird."

Haruka's voice was softer. "Maybe he's just scared."

The group murmured, exchanging glances.

Then—

A sharp voice cut through the noise.

"He didn't do anything."

Everyone turned.

Yukian stepped forward, crossing her arms.

Her voice was firm, steady.

"The game just fucking started. We haven't even done our tasks yet."

Itsuki looked at her, his wide green eyes filled with relief.

Yukian narrowed her gaze at the others.

"If we start making baseless accusations now, we're only making it easier for the Phantoms to win."

Silence.

Then—

A chuckle.

Shuntaro.

The blue-hooded troublemaker smirked from the sidelines, tilting his head.

"Well, well," he mused, his sharp blue eyes glinting. "Didn't expect you to be so protective, sweetheart."

Yukian ignored him.

She turned back to the group.

"Let's actually play the game before we start pointing fingers."

Sayaka exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "Fine."

Renji grunted but didn't argue.

Mikio pushed up his glasses, smirking. "Alright, Overseer. Lead the way."

Yukian felt a chill.

How did he know my role?

No one else seemed to react.

Which meant—only she had heard him say it.

Her fingers curled into a fist.

But before she could respond—

A slow, mocking clap interrupted the moment.

Shuntaro.

Leaning lazily against the metal railing, his blue hood still casting a shadow over his sharp blue eyes, he grinned.

"Well, sweetheart," he drawled, tilting his head, "you sure are eager to protect people. A little too eager, don't you think?"

Yukian's brow twitched. "What?"

Shuntaro pushed off the railing, stretching his arms.

"I dunno," he mused. "The game just started, and you're already playing the hero. Sticking your neck out. Defending the weak. Pretty suspicious if you ask me."

The room shifted.

A few players glanced at each other.

Renji narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying she's a Phantom?"

Shuntaro shrugged. "Just throwing it out there."

Haruka frowned. "But she made a good point—accusing someone this early is dangerous."

Souta yawned, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, but steering the game in one direction early on is kinda Phantom behavior."

Sayaka sighed, crossing her arms. "So we're just accusing people for no reason now?"

Shuntaro smirked. "Isn't that the fun part?"

Yukian gritted her teeth.

He didn't actually suspect her.

He was just messing with her.

Just stirring chaos to see what would happen.

And it was working.