---
*IMPERIAL ACADEMY – CLASS 4 RESIDENCE, MUSIC LAB*
The air inside the room felt charged—like something unsaid had just passed between two people.
"Hmm… y'all know each other?"
Ria tilted her head, eyes shifting from *Nao* to *Kaze*, catching the quiet yet electric tension.
"Um…"
Kaze broke the silence, his voice low as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Just… my ex's best friend's sister."
Nao looked away, lips tightening.
The room went quiet for a second.
*Ryan* blinked, confused.
"Wait, what now?"
*Sato*, ever the peacemaker, cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Anyway, so… what are we doing for reviewing this year?"
"Reviewing?" Nao echoed, pulling herself back into the present.
"Yeah," Sato explained, adjusting his watch.
"The executive board does a *School Worthiness Review* before the national competitions. They check if we're still 'worthy' of participation. Even though Imperial's on top, we're not exempt."
Nao nodded slowly.
"Oh… tough crowd."
She stole a quick glance at Kaze, who now avoided her eyes too.
---
*MINUTES LATER – GIRLS' BATHROOM*
Nao stood at the sink, staring into the mirror. Her fingers gripped the porcelain edge, knuckles pale. Her reflection looked tired—eyes clouded, shoulders slumped.
Suddenly—
*~Flashback~*
A younger Nao stood in a bright living room.
"Oh no, it's nothing! Lessons got postponed," Kaze said casually.
"What… why?" young Nao asked, confused.
Kaze grinned wide.
"Happy birthday."
She blinked, heart skipping.
"Mom's been on your cake since morning," he added, ruffling her hair.
Nao's eyes had sparkled then—pure joy, surprise, warmth.
*~End Flashback~*
Back in the bathroom, present-day Nao sighed, whispering to herself:
"I thought… I had no more emotions tied to this."
She closed her eyes, shaking her head.
"I really thought I let it go."
---
*5:45 PM – OUTSIDE THE MUSIC ROOM*
"Alright guys, we meet tomorrow same time," Ria said cheerfully, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Don't forget~!"
Everyone started packing up.
"Nao," Ria winked, grinning.
"Don't forget what I told you earlier, okay?"
Nao offered a small wave.
"S-Sure. Goodnight."
As they all exited in different directions, *Nao headed back toward the dorms*—the corridors long and empty now, dimly lit by evening light filtering through the arched windows.
Then—
"You shouldn't be walking alone in these halls," a familiar voice said beside her, calmly.
She stopped in her tracks.
"Seriously?"
Kaze walked beside her, hands in his pockets.
"As an upperclassman, I'm just… giving precautions. You *did* hear someone died recently, right?"
Nao rolled her eyes, but a part of her chest fluttered.
"Of course. But thanks for pretending you care."
Kaze was silent for a moment.
"How have you been?" he asked softly, as if the question itself hurt to say.
Nao clenched her jaw.
"Just great. Great enough to finally accept that you—"
She turned to him, eyes flashing.
"—don't exist in my world anymore."
She quickened her pace, disappearing down the hallway before he could respond.
Kaze stood frozen, watching her back disappear like a ghost.
---
*NAO'S DORM ROOM*
Nao slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it, chest rising and falling. She kicked a small foam chair across the room.
"F***!"
She clutched her face with both hands, cheeks burning.
"Why did he have to speak so close to my damn ear…"
She groaned, pacing the room.
"It's been YEARS—why does his voice still make my chest twist?"
She dropped onto the bed, face first.
---
*SCHOOL FIELD – SAME TIME*
Kaze sat crouched near the soccer goalpost, elbows on knees, hands tangled in his hair.
"Damn… I really screwed up."
The cool breeze brushed past him, but it didn't cool his burning mind.
"I never thought I'd see her again… and of all places—Imperial."
His phone buzzed.
*DING!*
He looked down.
*Text from Ria:*
> Sleep well, Kaze-kun ♡
> (\_/)
> (^ •^)
He sighed.
*FLOOR 7 – IMPERIAL ACADEMY ADMIN BLOCK*
*(Pre-Executives Launch)*
The office smelled of aged mahogany and tension. Outside the windows, the golden Imperial crest swayed on the flagpole, proudly dancing to a breeze that didn't reach the cold, charged air inside.
Mr. Kang, a man in his 60s with deep lines of experience carved into his face, stood firm despite the tremor in his fingers. He stared down the young man across the room with eyes hardened by years of compromise.
"I will expose you," he said, voice thick with suppressed rage.
"The world will know who you truly are, Nathan."
Nathan chuckled under his breath. He was leaned against the dark-paneled wall, one hand in his pocket, the other twirling a silver pen between his fingers. His expression was unreadable, save for the glint of something sharp in his eyes.
"Lah? That's surprising," he said smoothly, stepping forward.
"Are you... threatening me, Mr. Kang?"
"You think I'm scared of you?" the old man said, though the way he clutched the edge of the desk betrayed something else.
"I've known you for years—long enough to know what you are. I'm not afraid of you anymore."
Nathan raised a brow and gave a slow, mocking clap.
"And yet... you ate from my hand like a mutt for how long? What was it again—tuition for your granddaughter? A rebuilt wing for your precious dormitory? You gladly took my money, Kang."
"That was before I knew your intentions."
"No," Nathan corrected him. "It was before I rejected your little weasel. Don't think I didn't see the shift when your granddaughter wasn't picked for my club."
Mr. Kang's jaw tightened.
"You know why she wasn't picked," Nathan continued coldly, stepping forward.
"If she's so good... why doesn't she have a solo in the entire district? Maybe it's not me that's the problem."
"You—"
Mr. Kang's voice cracked as Nathan suddenly grabbed him by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.
"You can't hurt me," Kang wheezed, though the fear now crept into his voice.
"If you kill me now, your ass will be busted up—" he gave a weak chuckle, even as he coughed,
"—and we both know what you're hiding is more important than your life itself."
Nathan stared into his eyes, unblinking.
Then, he dropped the man like a sack of paper onto the floor.
Kang gasped, coughing as he pushed himself upright.
"You won't win. Not forever. These walls were built by better men than you."
Nathan smirked.
"These walls belong to whoever holds the leash."
Kang took a staggering step toward him, not backing down.
"You have no power over my death, boy. This school is a cage for fools like you. Your dark days... they're numbered."
He turned, coughing still, and left.
Nathan stood in silence, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Farewell," he said quietly, his voice dark.
---
*THREE DAYS LATER — IMPERIAL GROUND, CLASS 4 FLOOR, ELEVATOR*
*Ding.*
The elevator doors slid open with a soft mechanical hum. *Nao* stepped out, hair slightly ruffled from a long day of lectures. Her arms cradled a thick hardcover book.
"Ugh... these classes are so intense..." she mumbled, rubbing her temple.
She looked down at the book.
"But worth it... this is amazing. I can't wait to read it."
Just then—
"What's it about?"
"Ack!"
Nao jumped, nearly dropping the book.
She turned sharply to see *Kaze*, leaning against the hallway wall with his signature laid-back demeanor.
"Missed me?" he smirked.
Nao narrowed her eyes but said nothing. She clutched the book a little tighter.
"Can we... talk?" he asked, stepping forward.
"No. I have nothing to say to—"
She paused.
Down the hallway, *Viki* was approaching—flanked by *Tashiba* and *Konan*, the infamous trio. Their laughter echoed lightly through the corridor. Nao's heart skipped.
Without thinking, she *grabbed Kaze's arm*, pulling him in front of her like a shield.
She hid behind him, peeking around his tall frame. As Viki and her crew passed without noticing, Nao let out a shaky breath.
"Phew..." she sighed in relief.
Then realization struck her.
She was *clutching his sleeve*, practically *pressed* against him.
"Oh my—"
She pushed him away instinctively, cheeks glowing pink.
Kaze tilted his head slightly, amused.
"What... are you hiding from? Or should I ask—*who*?"
"None of your business," Nao muttered, storming off.
Kaze remained behind, watching her.
His smirk slowly faded.
"Still the same... but different," he whispered, then ran a hand through his hair.
---