Kael stood by the window, arms folded. "Kairon, join the Student Council."
Kairon didn't even glance his way. "No, thanks," he said calmly. "I hate extra work."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Kairon continued, "The Student Council's serious business. If anyone fits that role, it's Aria. I just want a normal school life."
Kael was silent for a moment… then nodded.
"I'll let you have that for now," he said as he walked past Kairon. Just before stepping out, he stopped. "Kairon… don't let me down."
Kairon turned slightly as Kael left.
The rain tapped softly against the window. Kairon glanced outside.
Aria stood across the courtyard, an umbrella in her hand, staring up at him through the rain.
Their eyes met for a second.
Kairon looked away and walked off.
---
[Outside the Special Annex Building ]
Under umbrellas, Ren stood with four students behind him. Kneeling in the rain were Darian, Draven, and Daiki, bruised and soaked.
Ren's voice was cold. "Who dropped the accusation without my approval?"
Darian, his face already beaten, muttered, "The three of us… decided…"
Ren sighed. "Albert."
A large figure beside him stepped forward. "Yes, boss."
Albert moved without hesitation, slamming his fist into Darian's face.
Darian groaned. "They showed us camera footage from the Special Annex building… if we didn't drop the accusation, we'd be expelled. So they made us a deal… We figured we could double-cross them… not mention the stolen exam papers."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "Fools. Why would they offer a deal if they had real evidence? Why protect the enemy class?"
Darian hesitated. "Because—"
Ren cut in. "What makes you think there were even cameras in that building?"
Darian blinked. "There were… I saw—"
A blue-haired girl behind Ren stepped up. "We checked. There are no cameras."
Darian froze. "T-That… can't be true…"
He gritted his teeth, eyes widening. "We were tricked…"
Albert's boot slammed down on his head, pushing him into the mud.
Ren's voice was filled with disgust. "Because of your stupidity, we're losing class points."
Albert kept his foot there as Ren continued, "I was planning to see how the school reacted to weaklings. Wanted to clear out the trash. You failed the test too. What a waste."
He stepped closer to Draven, crouching beside him.
"Now tell me…" he said, eyes sharp as ice. "Who tricked you?"
---
[ Side of the Building ]
A group approached.
At the front was Arisu, walking with calm grace. Another girl held an umbrella above her, and two boys followed behind.
They stopped.
Ren turned.
Both groups stood face to face under the rain, tension thick in the air.
"Arisu, right?" Ren said, slipping his hands into his pockets.
Arisu smiled. "You're from Class C. The ones who dodged becoming Class D."
Ren scoffed. "You just got here and already act like a queen? How arrogant."
"That's not what I think," Arisu replied sweetly.
Ren stepped forward. "I'll wipe out Class D, then B, then A. I'm heading to Class S."
Arisu's smile sharpened. "Says the guy who just got outplayed by Class D. Your own classmates got expelled. Your points are dropping. If you're not careful, you'll become the new Class D."
Ren's eyes twitched… then he grinned.
"I'm going to crush you."
"I'd like to see you try," Arisu replied, eyes gleaming.
Rain poured as both sides stared each other down like predators ready to pounce.
---
[Academy Streets ]
The red pedestrian light glowed.
The sign flashed: "PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES ONLY."
Kairon and Aria stood side by side under their umbrellas.
A car passed in silence.
Kairon spoke, "The plan went well."
Aria didn't look at him. "You used me, didn't you?"
He stayed silent for a moment. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie," Aria said, her voice calm but sharp. "You told me there weren't cameras in the Special Annex. You led me to come up with the plan. But it was all yours, wasn't it?"
Kairon looked away, eyes on the wet street.
"You knew Class C would double-cross us. You told me to have my brother suggest a test. You predicted the school would agree. You knew the school would reuse the stolen questions."
Her voice trembled—not with fear, but with realization.
"You knew Kei was average. Just like their students. You didn't tell him to study. You wanted his score to blend in. You made it look fair, while trapping them. You used Ivy and Caden to ease suspicions. You used Kael's speech to push them into overconfidence. You… used everyone."
Kairon opened his mouth, but Aria cut him off.
"You promised to help me reach Platinum rank."
Kairon kept calm. "You practically forced me."
He stepped forward to cross the street.
She grabbed his hand.
"Wait. I'm not done."
He turned slowly.
"I want to know what you're really thinking."
Kairon said, "I just want a quiet life."
Aria's voice rose, "You wouldn't have helped me if you didn't care!"
Kairon's voice was barely above a whisper. "Maybe I just wanted to help a friend."
"You're lying," she said. "You don't care about friends. Who are you, really?"
---
[Flashback – Facility of Shadows]
A dim, metallic room.
Children floated in tanks filled with strange liquid.
Surgical trays. Scalpels. Blood.
Kairon stood among children in white gowns.
The boy next to him coughed violently—then vomited blood.
The blood splattered on Kairon's face.
The boy collapsed, dead.
The children gasped and stepped back.
Kairon just stood there. Calm. Unblinking.
Two men dragged the body away.
"Another failed experiment," one muttered, chuckling.
"We'll try the next specimen."
The screen faded red.
Kairon's golden eyes were the last thing visible.
---
[Back to Present – Rain continues]
Kairon's voice was soft. "I'll help you reach Platinum rank."
He turned to face her, golden eyes calm… cold.
"But."
Aria looked at him.
"Respect my privacy."