A new game..

Scene: Yukinobi High — Next Morning

The snow has stopped. The sky is clear, crisp, and empty. Everything looks normal. Too normal.

But something is off. They can feel it in the air — like the school is holding its breath.

---

Class 2-A — Homeroom

The morning bell rings. Students file in, half-awake, yawning, brushing snow off their jackets.

But when Mirei enters the room…

She looks perfect.

Hair tied with a soft pink ribbon. Eyes wide. Smile flawless. Not a single sign of last night. She hums faintly as she walks to her seat, the picture of grace.

As if nothing happened.

As if nothing ever happens.

Shibata Minoru (leaning over again, grinning):

“Yo, Mirei-chan! Still stalking Ren from the shadows, or did you finally drug him and make him yours in a basement somewhere?”

(He laughs. Loud. Stupid.)

Mirei (still smiling, tilting her head):

“You shouldn’t joke like that, Minoru-kun.”

(Her voice is sweet. But her eyes—those don’t match. Those are the eyes of a girl who knows something.)

Mirei (whispers):

“People who disappear usually make a joke right before it.”

> Minoru blinks. Uneasy now. Chuckles awkwardly. Looks away.

Ren isn’t at his seat yet.

The teacher arrives.

The bell rings.

Still… no Ren.

---

Teacher:

“Hm? Where’s Matsumoto-kun? He’s never late.”

> Whispers stir.

Mirei keeps smiling. But her fingers twitch once under her desk, where no one can see.

Suddenly—

The door opens.

And Ren walks in.

But not to his desk.

He walks to hers.

Without asking. Without speaking.

And sits next to her again. In that desk. The one from yesterday.

Ren:

“Good morning, Mirei.”

Mirei (without missing a beat):

“Good morning, Ren-chan.”

> Their voices are soft. Like a ritual. Like a vow.

Everyone stares. But neither of them notice. Or care.

Teacher (confused):

“Matsumoto-kun, that’s not your seat.”

Ren (without turning around):

“It is now.”

> Scene: Yukinobi High – After School

The world outside the windows burns gold with sunset. Inside, the classroom is emptying. Laughter echoes from the hallway.

But not from Class 2-A.

Not from them.

---

Ren remains seated beside Mirei, even after the final bell. He's doodling absentmindedly in the margin of a notebook, as if time is just another thing he controls.

Mirei sits still, hands folded on her desk, eyes fixed ahead. That perfect posture, that serene expression. But her legs are trembling slightly beneath her skirt.

Ren (without looking at her):

“You broke the rules again.”

Mirei (softly):

“I didn’t. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t touch you. I didn’t cry…”

Ren:

“But you wanted to.”

> He closes his notebook. Gently. Precisely. Then turns to face her. Eyes gleaming.

Ren:

“That’s enough. Wanting is cheating now.”

---

Mirei looks at him. And something in her cracks.

Mirei (quietly):

“Then I’ll change the rules.”

Ren:

“Oh?”

Mirei (leaning closer, eyes wide with something feral):

“No more watching. No more waiting. I want a new game, Ren-chan.”

Ren:

“I’m listening.”

---

> The classroom is silent.

Outside, the snow begins to fall again — like ash.

---

Mirei:

“If I can keep it together for one week — no touches, no tears, no slipping — you tell me a secret.”

Ren (grinning):

“And if you lose?”

Mirei:

“Then you win completely. You get everything. My heart. My future. My blood.”

> She smiles sweetly.

Too sweet. Like poisoned sugar.

---

Ren (after a pause):

“…Deal.”

> He stands. Puts on his coat. Walks toward the door.

Stops, hand on the knob.

Then, over his shoulder—

Ren:

“But just so you know, Mirei…

I don’t plan on waiting a week.”

---

> The Game Has Evolved.

Seven Days.

Control or Collapse.

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