Miyako
I arrived earlier than usual.
Most likely to take the seat next to Kurume again.
Not because I was jealous.
But because trust is something you have to guard.
The classroom was almost empty.
But on Kurume's desk—
A rose. And a note.
> "You will be mine.
First — your soul.
Then — your body."
I stared at those words like they were shards.
Not in my heart—
In my mind.
Cutting through logic.
Only one person could've left it.
And she wasn't stupid.
She wanted me to find it.
Symbolic. Daring. On the edge.
Kurume
When I walked in, Miyako was standing by my desk.
The note in her hands.
One second—
And I knew what it was.
"Miyako, that's not—"
"I know it's not you."
But her voice was cold.
Strangely cold.
"She's playing dirty," she added. "The question is, how much longer will you let her keep making moves?"
I said nothing.
Then Miyako slowly tore the note in half.
And tossed it into the trash.
"I'm not walking away this time. Like before. I'm staying. But only because I want to win."
"This isn't a competition," I said quietly.
She looked me straight in the eyes:
"She thinks it is.
So I'll make sure she loses."
After school
Sayo tried to approach me again.
But I took a step back.
Just—half a meter.
It was enough.
In her eyes—a flash.
Just a second.
Then back to that sweet, perfect smile.
"Looks like Miyako found my little gift, huh?"
"You knew she would?"
"Of course. You don't really think I do anything… without a reason?"
I looked at her calmly.
"Then get ready."
"For what?"
"For defeat.
From both of us."