The next morning, Shuu arrived at school early.
He wasn't usually a morning person, but today he had a mission.
He stood at the front gate, casually leaning against a pillar, scanning each student who walked by.
His target hadn't arrived yet.
"She usually comes early to avoid crowds," he recalled.
Sure enough, five minutes later, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of the schoolyard—quiet, reserved, with long black hair swaying gently behind her.
Kouno Sakura.
She walked slowly, head slightly lowered, hands gripping her bag tightly.
But as she approached the gate and spotted Shuu, her steps faltered.
Their eyes met.
Shuu gave her a smile and raised a hand. "Morning!"
Sakura blinked. Then—almost imperceptibly—nodded. "...Morning."
They entered together.
And that should've been the perfect start to his day.
But fate, as always, had a flair for drama.
"Yo! Shuu!"
A voice called out from behind him—bright, familiar, and... slightly dangerous.
Shuu turned around to see Yoshikawa Yuki jogging toward him, her cardigan sleeves flapping, a juice box in hand.
"Walking in with a girl? That's new," she teased, raising an eyebrow.
Shuu chuckled. "We just happened to meet at the gate."
Yuki looked at Sakura. "Morning, Kouno-san!"
Sakura gave a polite nod. "Good morning."
Yuki smiled cheerfully, then turned back to Shuu with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"So, you're getting cozy with the quiet type now?"
Shuu shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Can't help it. I'm drawn to mystery."
Yuki rolled her eyes. "Since when do huskies chase mysteries?"
Then she walked off toward her group of friends.
But not before throwing Shuu one last look.
One that said: I'm watching you.
Shuu's smile faded slightly.
"…She's sharper than she lets on."
Sakura glanced at him. "You two… are close?"
"Hm? Me and Yuki?"
Shuu scratched his cheek. "Well, we've known each other for a while. She likes to mess with me."
Sakura nodded but said nothing more.
Still, something about her expression changed—just a flicker.
Not jealousy.
But awareness.
The game had officially begun.
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