---
The room fell silent.
Reina slowly closed her book and looked up.
"Why do you want to join, Luna?"
Luna looked down, her voice barely a whisper.
"Because... I need to earn more points."
Reina narrowed her eyes.
"What happened to the ones you had?"
Luna hesitated, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She didn't answer at first. Keiji lazily cracked one eye open and watched the exchange from his seat.
Finally, Luna admitted, "I... spent them all."
Reina scoffed.
"Then that's your own fault. I only accept people who aren't complete idiots."
Luna's lips trembled.
"It wasn't my fault... Someone tricked me. They only pretended to be my friend because I had points. When they were gone... they left like I didn't exist."
Her voice broke. "Now if I don't get more, I'll be expelled. Please... I just want a chance."
Reina looked away coldly.
"Not my problem. Go join another club."
Luna's eyes widened. She looked from Reina to Keiji, her expression crushed. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Keiji sat up and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Let her stay."
Reina blinked.
"Why should I?"
Keiji looked at Luna, then back to Reina.
"Everyone makes mistakes. That's what makes us human. Give her a chance — she might be more useful than you think."
Luna froze, shocked. Her eyes softened.
Reina stared at Keiji for a long moment, silent. Finally, she let out a soft sigh and leaned back in her chair.
"Fine. Do what you want. But she's not my responsibility."
Luna wiped her tears and bowed her head.
"Thank you… thank you so much."
Keiji looked away, expression neutral, but his thoughts stirred.
We still don't know what happens when a student gets expelled from this place... and I don't want to find out.
---
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Keiji stretched and stood up with a yawn.
"Finally."
He walked past Luna, who was still standing by the desk.
"Is school already over?" she asked awkwardly.
Keiji glanced back.
"Uh… yeah. Didn't you hear the bell?"
"Oh! Right," Luna laughed nervously, scratching her cheek.
Reina muttered from behind her book, "Idiot."
Luna's eye twitched. "What did you say?"
"Nothing." Reina replied without looking up.
Luna huffed and stormed out of the room, brushing past Keiji.
Keiji blinked, then glanced at Reina.
"...Did you just call her an idiot?"
Reina didn't answer. She simply turned a page.
Keiji sighed again and walked out after Luna.
Tomorrow's gonna be loud… he thought.
So much for getting any sleep around here.
---
Later that evening…
Keiji arrived home and pulled out his key, but stopped.
The door wasn't locked.
He frowned.
"I know I locked this before I left..."
He hesitated for a second, then shrugged.
"Whatever."
He pushed the door open and stepped inside. It closed behind him with a soft click.
But something was off.
There were shoes lying neatly by the door — women's shoes.
Keiji narrowed his eyes.
"Huh...?"
He walked inside and immediately saw her.
A girl with long black hair sat on the couch, flipping through a thick book. She looked up and smiled.
"How's it going, little brother?"
Keiji sighed and dropped his bag.
"Yuki. Why are you here?"
Yuki closed her book with a soft thump.
"Can't your big sister come see you once in a while?"
Keiji raised an eyebrow.
"You? Dropping in casually? Yeah, right. You could've seen me tomorrow."
Yuki giggled.
"Ugh, you always see through everything."
She placed the book on the table.
"Fine. You caught me. I came to tell you something important."
Keiji slouched onto the couch, rubbing his temples.
"Let me guess… something about the school?"
Yuki's smile faded.
"The first game starts soon."
Keiji blinked.
"Is that all?"
She shook her head.
"No. You must win this game. If you lose..."
She paused.
"You'll be sent back to him."
Keiji's face darkened.
"What...?"
Yuki's voice dropped to a whisper.
"If you lose, you go back to Father. To the black room. You remember, don't you? The Neverending World."
Keiji's hands slowly clenched into fists.
"...Thanks for telling me."
---
A flashback hit him.
A dark room. Endless walls of books. A chessboard with no pieces left.
A tall figure standing in shadow.
"My boy," his father had said. "You'll always be two steps ahead. You are my masterpiece."
---
The memory faded.
Yuki stood up and walked toward the door.
"I'm counting on you, little brother."
She left, closing the door gently behind her.
Keiji sat there alone in silence.
---
The next morning...
Keiji walked through the front gates, the same tired look on his face.
Just ahead, Luna stood waiting, swaying awkwardly.
She waved when she saw him.
"Hey!"
He gave a slow wave back.
"Yo."
"I didn't get your full name yesterday," Luna said as she walked beside him.
Keiji scratched the back of his head.
"Keiji Hazune. And the quiet girl reading all the time? That's Reina Fuyumine."
Luna nodded.
"Got it! I'm Luna Astrielle."
Keiji glanced at her.
"Astrielle?"
She looked surprised.
"Oh… right. I forgot most people don't know that name."
Keiji just sighed and walked on. Luna followed closely behind.
They entered the classroom.
"Morning, Reina," Keiji mumbled.
"Good morning!" Luna chirped.
Reina didn't respond. She just closed her book with a quiet snap and stood up.
"Let's start planning for the first game."
---
Next time… the first game begins.
---