The school year had just begun. It was spring, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom — a truly breathtaking sight.
My name is Akira Fuji, and I'm a first-year student at Higashiyama High School, one of the top schools in the country.
I got in through a scholarship because I was the top student in my middle school.
After all the hardships I went through — especially the constant belittling from my uncle and relatives — it was finally time to live the life I deserved.
When I graduate and get into university, I'll have a bright future. My days of suffering will be over.
Nothing can ruin this moment.
Or so I thought…
Suddenly, students rushed past me, trampling over me like I was invisible.
When I managed to stand back up, I realized they weren't looking at me.
They were all waiting for her.
Kana Takumi.
The most beautiful girl in the entire school.
She's also the granddaughter of the school's founder.
Someone like her is way out of my league...
But I don't care. I've already decided — a quiet life, studying, working out, and nothing else.
So I'll just keep my distance.
The entrance ceremony began, and the principal stepped up to speak:
> "This school has always nurtured the elite. Only those who prove themselves are allowed here.
I hope you carry on that legacy.
Let success be your goal, and raise the name of this school even higher.
Welcome to our academy."
After that, the student council president gave his speech.
Then they called up the first-year class representative...
It was Kana.
The room roared with excitement.
It felt like a celebrity had stepped onto the stage.
She spoke just a few words:
> "I'll be the top student for all three years."
Then she bowed politely to the teachers... and ignored the rest of us completely.
Okay...
Let's see who really ends up on top, Kana.
After the ceremony, we were led to our classrooms.
And to my surprise, Kana was not only in my class...
She sat right next to me.
Now I've really become a target.
The way people were staring... I could tell trouble was coming.
---
Break Time & The First Clash
After class ended, I left the room to buy a drink and escape everyone's stares.
If I had stayed, I would've probably lost my temper and punched someone.
Let's see... How much does this drink cost?
Wait, what? That price would empty my entire school credit card!
Oh, right. I forgot to explain.
This school gives each student a card that parents can charge with money.
Rich kids get a fortune.
Scholarship students like me... get barely enough to survive.
But I only wanted a drink!
What's this? A label under the bottle: "For scholarship students only."
Wow… So even the drinks remind me I'm a second-class citizen.
No problem. I'll survive these three years... and everything will change in college.
Or so I thought…
That's when he showed up.
His name was Ash, a second-year student.
Older than me, sure — but clearly more immature.
He loved showing off.
And unfortunately, today, I was his target.
> "Hey, guys. Didn't they say this school was only for the elite?
Then why do I see commoners walking around?
Having trash like this guy here makes me sick." [Ash]
Those words made my blood boil.
But I held back. I didn't want to get into trouble. I needed to protect my record for college.
> "Oh? Leaving already? I know it hurts, but face the truth.
People like you have no future.
Only the rich do.
You'll never reach where we're headed, garbage." [Ash]
Suddenly, someone grabbed his arm.
It was Kana.
> "If you doubt the school's decisions, that's your opinion.
But we don't tolerate insults here.
That kind of behavior turns us from educated elites... into dumb, worthless trash.
He didn't even respond to your insult — that already makes him better than you." [Kana]
Ash froze. The room filled with laughter.
He shot me a deadly glare, then stormed off.
But I knew... this wasn't over.
---
Ash's Revenge
In Ash's class, his friends wouldn't stop teasing him:
> "Hey Ash, what happened back there?
You froze like a statue! That girl totally roasted you... and even defended that poor kid instead!"
> "Shut up!
If it weren't for that loser, none of this would've happened.
I swear, I'll make him regret ever stepping into this school.
I'll make his life a living hell!" [Ash]
---
The Confrontation
When school ended, I was the last to leave class.
But Ash and his friends were waiting for me by the door.
> "Last one out? You really are a nerd.
Good, makes it easier.
We have some unfinished business, don't you think... Akira?" [Ash]
> "Oh, you know my name?
Did your ego make you stalk me now?
Sorry, but I'm busy. Move." [Akira]
> "That's not happening.
Unless you want this to take long, just kneel, beg for forgiveness, let us rough you up a little...
and we'll let you go. Deal?" [Ash]
> "You want me to kneel? Let you beat me?
Rich kids are disgusting.
You walk around like you earned your status.
But it's your parents who worked hard — not you." [Akira]
> "What did you say? I was only going to hit you once.
But now… you're dead!" [Ash]
> "Then come at me and prove it." [Akira]
> "You bastard—!" [Ash]
He rushed at me.
But I kicked him in the left leg, making him fall.
Then I ran.
His friends tried to grab me, but I broke free.
> "Catch him! Don't let him get away!
I'm going to kill him today!" [Ash]
I kept running until I found an old library in the back of the school.
I stopped in front of it, catching my breath...
And then someone appeared.
It was Kana.
---
A Secret Hidden in the Library
> "Did you hear that screaming?
That little freak must be hiding in the dark, scared.
Doesn't matter.
I'll bring him something worse than darkness." [Ash]
> "Ash? What are you doing here?" [Kana]
> "None of your business.
I was just leaving. I was... waiting for a friend.
That kid I bullied earlier — Akira. I wanted to apologize." [Ash]
> "Really? I don't think he came in here.
And that screaming? Just your imagination.
You should leave before I report you to the student council." [Kana]
> "Fine. But if you see him, tell him I really want to say sorry." [Ash]
> "Sure... but I think he already left school.
You can try again tomorrow.
Now go. I have things to do." [Kana]
After Ash and his gang left...
> "Phew... thank you, Kana.
If you hadn't shown up, they would've chased me all day." [Akira]
> "No need to thank me.
But I suggest you stay here a little longer — I don't think they've left yet." [Kana]
> "Can I take a look around this library? It looks huge." [Akira]
> "Huge? Maybe for you.
This is the smallest library in the school.
Maybe you think it's big because you're a commoner." [Kana]
> "Hah... yeah, maybe.
But there are so many books here about the school's history." [Akira]
> "Of course. Our school has a long legacy.
Not that someone like you would know that." [Kana]
I picked up an old, dusty book.
> "This one's weird.
It's light... and covered in dust.
And look — it only has one page. The rest is torn!" [Akira]
> "Strange. This library hasn't been used in fifty years.
The books should be in perfect condition.
How did this one get torn?" [Kana]
> "I don't know.
But this one page... it tells a story." [Akira]
> "Let's read it." [Kana]
---
The Forgotten Story
> "Long ago, there were two rival kingdoms locked in endless war.
Blood was shed, lives were lost.
But amidst the chaos... a prince and a princess met and fell in love.
The prince, always opposed to the war, secretly crossed the border every week to meet his beloved by a lake between the kingdoms.
Would their love survive the hatred of their families...
or was fate leading them to something else?"
> "The story sounds exciting… but the rest is gone." [Akira]
> "Wait. There's something written inside the cover." [Kana]
> "To whoever finds this book:
This is a story passed down through generations at this school.
We don't know how or why the pages were torn.
All we have is this summary.
But each page is said to contain a clue to the next.
We've left the book here…
hoping someone might complete it.
It is now your responsibility."
We looked at each other.
Something about this book pulled us in...
And in that moment, we made a decision —
We would find the missing pages.