Introduction

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Introduction

At Clover Colleges, prestige masks secrets, and quiet hallways echo with rumors no one dares to confirm. On the surface, it’s a typical elite university: students in uniform, academic ambition in the air, and social circles that rule the school like royalty. But beneath the polished exterior lies a darker undercurrent—one tied to whispers of mafia connections and silent power struggles that go far beyond grades or popularity.

For most students, those stories are nothing more than campus myths. They laugh, they speculate, but they never dig too deep.

Akira, however, isn't like most students.

A calm, observant second-year with a reputation for keeping to himself, Akira prefers staying invisible. Haunted by a quiet past and uninterested in campus politics, his only goal is to graduate in peace. But everything changes the day he encounters *Black X*, the infamous student group whose influence and mystery stretch far beyond the campus walls.

And at the center of Black X stands *Zedd*—a fourth-year student who exudes danger with every glance. Arrogant, sharp-tongued, and effortlessly intimidating, Zedd is the kind of person who walks into a room and owns it. With rumors of mafia ties surrounding him, most students stay out of his path.

Akira would’ve done the same.

If only he hadn’t looked up.

If only Zedd’s eyes hadn’t lingered.

If only curiosity hadn’t felt a little too much like fate.

What begins as an uncomfortable run-in slowly evolves into something far more complicated. An unspoken tension brews—one that neither of them understands at first. As Akira is pulled deeper into Zedd’s world, he discovers that nothing about Black X is as simple as it seems. There are unspoken rules, invisible threats, and dangerous loyalty codes—and somehow, he’s caught in the middle of it.

Zedd doesn’t do feelings. He doesn’t trust people, and he doesn’t open doors that should stay shut. But there’s something about Akira that challenges his composure and chips away at his walls—something Zedd can’t afford to feel, yet finds impossible to ignore.

As the bond between them deepens, both Akira and Zedd must confront not only the truths they hide from others but the truths they hide from themselves. Between school responsibilities and underground power plays, emotional vulnerability might just be the riskiest move of all.

In a world where pride is armor and love is a liability, can two opposites find a way to trust each other—before the shadows close in?

It’s a journey of discovery, identity, and silent battles fought behind cold stares and heated glances. Each chapter uncovers the cost of loyalty, the ache of forbidden feelings, and the burning question—can something real grow in a world built on secrets?

Welcome to *Crimson Shadows*, where romance walks a tightrope between danger and desire…

…and sometimes, the most powerful weapon is the heart.

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...CHARACTERS...

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AKIRA IZUMI

Nickname: Kira

Date of Birth: March 21, 2003

Age: 22

Height: 175 cm (5'9")

Haircut: Mullet/Wolf cut

Hair Color: Black

Skin Tone: Pale

Build: Slim, Slightly toned

Occupation: 2nd Year Engineering Student at Clover Colleges, Part-time crew at a Cafe

Personality: Kind, generous, hardworking, soft-spoken but determined

Likes: Sweetened black coffee, peaceful environment

Hidden Talent: Singing

Family:

 * Brother: Iruka Izumi (former Ground Zero Mafia)

  * Mother: Sakura Izumi

Notable Features: Gentle aura, subtle but strong emotional depth

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DENZUKA KIRIN

Nickname: Denzuo

Date of Birth: November 2, 2003

Age: 21

Height: 172 cm (5'8")

Haircut: Two-block with bangs

Hair Color: Brown

Skin Tone: Pale

Build: Slender

Occupation: 2nd Year Education Student at Clover Colleges

Personality: Kind, energetic, overdramatic at times, emotional support friend

Likes: All things milk-flavored (drinks, snacks, etc.)

Family:

  * Father: Denziki Kirin

Notable Features: Expressive face, always moving, comedic timing

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ZEDD HARAKE (BLACK X MAFIA)

Nickname: Z (rarely used)

Date of Birth: January 5, 2000

Age: 25

Height: 185 cm (6'1")

Haircut: Natural flow, slightly long (to neckline) often tied

Hair Color: Deep black

Skin Tone: Light brown

Build: Muscular, athletic

Occupation: 4th Year Social Science Student at Clover Colleges

Position: Founder and Leader of Black X

Personality: Cold, intimidating, cool-headed, reserved

Likes: Wine, unsweetened black coffee

Skills: Physical Combat, expert gun user, sharp instincts

Build: Muscular, athletic

Family: Unknown

Notable Features: Sharp eyes, powerful presence, commanding aura,

SHAUN SAZAKI (BLACK X MAFIA)

Nickname: None

Date of Birth: February 14, 2001

Age: 24

Height: 182 cm (5'11½")

Haircut: 60-40 perm down

Hair Color: Brown-golden

Skin Tone: Fair

Build: Tall, average athletic build

Occupation: 4th Year Science & Technology Student at Clover Colleges

Position: Black X Hacker, Surveillance Team Leader

Personality: Calm, logical, subtly witty

Likes: Hot milk, digital games

Skills: Hacking, Kung Fu, Firearms

Family: Unknown

Notable Features: Thoughtful eyes, debates often with Brixton

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BRIXTON UHERA (BLACK X MAFIA)

Nickname: Brix

Date of Birth: July 30, 2001

Age: 24

Height: 179 cm (5'10½")

Haircut: Straight long hair down to lower spine, Often ponytailed

Hair Color: Black

Skin Tone: Fair

Build: Normal, toned

Occupation: 4th Year Literature Student at Clover Colleges

Position: Ninja Tactics Specialist

Personality: Sarcastic, sometimes arrogant, witty, occasionally loud and playful

Likes: Tea, manga

Skills: Swordsmanship, stealth tactics, strong fighter

Family: Parents abroad

Notable Features: Long flowing hair, sharp-tongued humor, fast reflexes

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BRYAN RINTARO (BLACK X MAFIA)

Nickname: None

Date of Birth: August 17, 2000

Age: 25

Height: 185 cm (6'1")

Haircut: Long curtain style

Hair Color: Black

Skin Tone: Pale

Build: Tall, slender

Occupation: 4th Year Engineering Student at Clover Colleges

Position: Spy Squad Leader

Personality: Energetic, loud, joker, loyal, slightly annoying

Likes: Sleeping, teasing others

Skills: Stealth, combat, infiltration

Special Role: Mansion keykeeper

Notable Features: Goofy charm, surprisingly sharp when serious

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ALPHA (BLACK X MAFIA)

Nickname: Alpha

Age: Unknown

Official Code: Spy Code 01

Position: Spy Squad Member

Skills: Top Information Extractor

Personality: hard working, loyalist

Other Features: Always wear a plain black masquerade mask. There are rumors from his squad that he's so handsome that couldn't compare to Zedd's face (Well, we will never know)

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DOCTOR XIAO LING (BLACK X MAFIA)

Background: Chinese Immigrant

Age: 55

Hair color: Black with white hairs

Occupation: Small clinic owner at the suburbs, Charity Doctor

Position: Black X Unofficial Doctor (semi-retired)

Skills: Kung Fu

Personality: Compassionate, always smiling, loves to help the poor,

Other Features: Cares Zedd like his own kid

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RAZE NEZUKUO (GROUND ZERO MAFIA)

Nickname: None

Date of Birth: December 4, 1993

Age: 31

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

Haircut: Semi-mullet/semi wolf-cut

Hair Color: Black

Skin Tone: Brown

Build: Muscular

Personality: Cold, fearless, authoritative,has a hidden protective side

Occupation/Position: Ground Zero Mafia Founder & Leader

Likes: His gun, cigarettes

Skills: Gunfighting, physical combat

Family: Brother – Zach Nezukuo; Deceased mother; Father unknown

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ZACH NEZUKUO (GROUND ZERO MAFIA)

Nickname: Z (rarely used)

Date of Birth: August 22, 1999

Age: 25

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Haircut: Wavy mash

Hair Color: Black

Skin Tone: Fair

Build: Muscular, athletic build

Personality: Smart, charming, calm, but serious when provoked

Occupation: Business Administration Student Lotus University, Tea Shop Owner

Position: Ground Zero Upper Rank 1

Skills:Martial arts, physical combat

Features: Seductive eyes, friendly aura

Family: Brother – Raze Nezukuo; Deceased mother, Father unknown

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KEISHIN SEZIMI (GROUND ZERO MAFIA)

Nickname: Kei

Date of Birth: September 18, 2000

Age: 24

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Haircut: Silky comma

Hair Color: Pure gray

Skin Tone: Pale

Build: Medium, toned

Personality: Thoughtful, low-key humorous, friendly

Occupation: 4th year Medicine Student, Lotus University

Position: Ground Zero Upper Rank 2

Skills: Digital hacking, hand-to-hand combat

Likes: Cakes, pastries

Features: Goofy charm, kind aura

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IRUKA IZUMI (FORMER GROUND ZERO MAFIA)

Nickname (Akira only): Irue

Date of Birth: January 29, 1990

Age: 35

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

Haircut: Modern mullet

Hair Color: Dark brown

Skin Tone: Fair

Build: Medium, Toned

Personality: Kind, protective, deeply loyal

Occupation: Living abroad, ex-member of Ground Zero

Skills: Shuriken and blade master, instinctual fighter

Features: Lost one eye

Family: Younger brother – Akira Izumi; Mother – Sakura Izumi

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NOTE: Any characters added as the story goes will be updated here. (Except for Extra Characters)

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SWIPE FOR CHAPTER 1

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