White stood nervously at the rooftop gate.
'What could the class topper possibly want from me? In her eyes, I'm nothing more than another classmate.'
He steadied himself, pushing the iron gate open. It creaked as he stepped onto the rooftop. A sudden gust of wind whipped against his uniform, tossing his hair.
Scanning the rooftop, his eyes found Shu. She stood near the edge, gazing down.
'She has never spoken to me before. She rarely smiles, rarely speaks, and never joins in class activities… then why ask me here?'
Her long black hair fluttered like a banner against the sky. To him, she seemed like ice—cold, yet unyielding.
She didn't turn until he gathered his courage and spoke.
"I came, just like you asked. May I know what you wanted to talk about?"
Her glare cut sharper than a knife.
"Sorry for the sudden invitation, but could you answer a simple question?"
"If I may, then yes," White replied.
"How did you do that?" Shu stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his, sharp and accusing. "Sorry to ask so directly, but… did you cheat on the exam?"
The accusation stunned him.
'Cheat? Why would she think that?'
'To lose the position she worked so hard to maintain must feel unreal. But why accuse me of something like that?'
"I understand what you're implying… but I assure you, I did not cheat," he said calmly.
"Lie."
Her face lowered, voice trembling.
"Why are you lying? How can you score a perfect hundred when you weren't even in class for a week?"
Her words pierced him.
'She's not wrong. If I were her, I'd think the same.'
But how could he explain something he barely understood himself—that he had wished for it, and it had become real?
"I think… I just got lucky this time," he muttered, forcing a smile. "I reviewed the right questions. Haha…"
Shu's lips trembled, her face paling.
"Coincidence? You expect me to believe that?!"
Her voice cracked, panic rising. That position meant everything to her, and he had taken it away.
"Calm down. It's just a rank. You can work harder and win it back," White said.
Silence fell.
Then her expression broke.
"…You don't understand… If I don't get that position—"
Her eyes widened, glistening with tears she tried to hold back.
"For me, it's not just a simple thing…"
She began shaking and then dropped to her knees, muttering apologies to someone unseen. Concerned, White reached out, but she brushed his hand away. That's when he saw them—red scars. Not just on her hands, but on her neck. They weren't accidental. They looked inflicted.
"Those marks… Shu, what happened to you?"
She recoiled as if struck.
"It's none of your business!" she shouted.
Her pain silenced him. Minutes passed in heavy stillness. Finally, she wiped her eyes, forcing herself back into a cold mask.
"…I'll let this go. But listen, White. If you 'cheat' again tomorrow, I'll expose you. Everyone will know."
He wanted to explain again, but *seeing her like that… I can't.* Shu walked past him, the metal gate slamming shut behind her.
White stood alone, fists clenched, breath uneven.
'Those scars… someone did that to her. Most likely… her parents.'
---
Zen leaned casually against the gate, waving.
"Yo! Took you long enough. Thought you disappeared again."
"…Don't joke like that," White muttered.
*If anyone knows about Shu, it would be Zen. He's popular, connected.*
"I want to ask you something. Do you know anything about Shu?"
Zen grinned. "Eh? Don't tell me—you're starting to like her?"
"Shut up. I'm just curious."
"Oho? Finally interested in girls?" Zen teased, wiping fake tears. "My boy's growing up…"
"Goodbye, Zen."
"H-hey! Fine, fine! Chill." He scratched his head. "Look, I know most people in school—but Shu? Not really. Never even talked to her. So yeah, can't help much."
"I see… What about her family?" White pressed.
Zen frowned. "Never seen her parents. But rumors say they're strict. That's why she only studies, never joins activities."
White's chest tightened.
'It makes sense… her obsession with being first, the scars, the desperation in her voice.'
"…Thanks, Zen. See you later."
He walked home.
---
Bell was sitting on the floor, crayons scattered around her.
"Papa! You're back!" she cried, running to him with a drawing.
White froze.
'Seeing her again feels like seeing a ghost… but somehow, she calms me.'
He smiled weakly and looked at her paper. At first, it was messy lines and colors. Then his blood ran cold.
A building.
A figure in midair.
Falling.
A girl.
The building looked exactly like their school.
"…Bell. What is this supposed to be?"
Bell smiled brightly. "Oh, that's—"
She stopped. Her crayons slipped. Her body swayed—then collapsed.
"Bell!" White rushed forward, panic gripping him.
And then—
That voice.
"Ah… Welcome home, White."
A chill ran down his spine. He turned.
Aisha. Standing in the corner again. Calm. Smiling. Watching.
His teeth clenched.
*Why is she here again?*
"…Why are you here?"
"Mm? Nothing serious." She waved lazily. "I just forgot to mention… an important detail."
"What now?" he snapped.
Her smile widened.
"It seems… the time has come for you to pay the price for your wish."
A chill spread through him.
'Price…?'
"Consequences, White. That's the rule."
"What do you mean?"
Her eyes gleamed.
"Well, I've said what I had to say. All I can tell you is—you have to pay it."
"Pay…?" His mouth went dry.
Her smile turned cruel.
"Or more accurately… suffer. Are you prepared for the consequence of your wish?"
She tilted her head.
"I'll give you a hint… Try to understand Bell's drawing."
Her laughter echoed as her body dissolved into smoke.
Gone.
Leaving White alone, Bell unconscious in his arms, his heart pounding.
"Consequences…?" His voice trembled.
'What price? What did she mean? And what does Bell's drawing have to do with it?'
The image burned in his mind—
A girl, falling from the rooftop of their school.
For the first time since the accident, White wasn't afraid of dying.
'I'm afraid… of what my wish has set into motion.'