The scent of fresh coffee filled the air as Kira stirred her cup absentmindedly, her thoughts elsewhere. Across from her, Renn was practically bouncing in his seat, his plate already half-empty.

"The Renn said you were fire last night!" Renn grinned, stuffing another bite of toast into his mouth.

Kira froze mid-stir. Then, without warning, she grabbed his uniform tie, yanking him closer.

Renn’s eyes widened, his lips forming a silent oops. But before he could say anything, he made the fatal move—giving her his puppy eyes.

Kira exhaled sharply.

"Tsk, fine." She let go of his tie, shaking her head.

Renn chuckled, rubbing his neck. "So… did something happen yesterday?"

Kira’s fingers tensed around her coffee cup. "I’m worried about her," she admitted.

Renn blinked. "Who? Hanae?"

She hesitated before asking, "Do you know her?"

Renn scratched his head. "Uh… yes? I mean—no? Not really? But I do know a girl with the same last name at my school, so I thought…"

Kira narrowed her eyes.

Renn smirked, tapping his temple. "I’m a pro detective, you know."

Kira let out a rare chuckle. "She’s in her first year at Keio High School, Class 2."

Renn leaned back, grinning. "As you say Ma'am!"

Kira pushed her cup aside. "Can you check on her? Make sure she’s okay?"

Renn sat up dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.

They both burst into laughter.

But then—

Bzzt.

A message popped up on Kira’s phone.

Unknown Number: "I...... can...... see....... you......."

A chill ran down her spine. Her body stiffened as she turned her head, scanning the café.

Nothing.

The warm, easy atmosphere shattered in an instant.

Renn frowned. "Hey, you okay?"

Kira forced a smile.

Renn studied her face for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, alright. See you later!" He grabbed his bag and walked out.

Kira’s fingers tightened around her phone.

She whispered under her breath:

---

The student council meeting was in full swing.

A girl with short, fluffy brown hair and big pinkish eyes listened attentively as the council president discussed the upcoming sports event.

Hanae Yukimura sat quietly, jotting down notes.

She looked like a perfect honor student—smart, polite, hardworking.

No one in this room knew what she had endured last night.

No one knew the storm raging inside her.

---

The canteen buzzed with the chatter of students as trays clinked and chairs scraped against the floor.

Hanae sat quietly at a corner table, picking at her lunch.

She kept her gaze low, as if trying to disappear into the noise.

A shadow fell across the table as someone slid into the seat beside her.

A boy with circular glasses, short dark blue hair, and a face too cute to be taken seriously grinned at her.

"How are you, Hanae-chan?" he asked, leaning forward.

Hanae blinked. "You should know how I am, right?

"If I knew, then why would I ask?" Renn shot back.

She sighed. "Okay, enough with this silly back-and-forth. What do you want?"

Renn smirked. "Well… someone’s worried about you."

Hanae tilted her head. "Someone? Not you, Senpai?"

Renn immediately turned red.

Hanae raised an eyebrow. "Why are your cheeks so red, Senpai?"

"U-uh, it’s hot today!" he blurted out.

Renn coughed.

Hanae’s expression softened. "Tell that person I’m fine."

Renn hesitated. "You don’t want to know who it is?"

She lowered her gaze.

Renn sighed. "Hey, you wanna go to karaoke after school? My friends and your friends will be there."

Hanae smiled.

Renn's Eyes Sparkled" Ok then meet me at the Karaoke near Shinjuku Station"

---

The hallway was eerily silent as Kira walked through the dimly lit corridor.

She reached a door and pushed it open.

Inside, a figure sat with their back turned toward her.

A laptop screen flickered in the darkness.

Kira leaned against the doorframe, her voice cold.

The figure didn’t move.

The room felt too still.

Something was wrong...

And Kira was about to find out what.

---

To be continued…