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*CLUB 1 – VICKI LOG ROOM*
(The private elite room reserved for Viki and her inner circle)
"Don't worry—he's gonna come," Tashiba had said earlier.
Nao's voice replayed in Viki's head.
That subtle smile.
That undeserved attention.
That growing popularity.
It was enough to make her want to scream.
Viki paced back and forth like a caged queen in heels, her eyes burning with rage.
"Did you *f*cking* see that?!" she barked.
"Not only was I *equinized*, but they had the *nerve* to place my group under hers. *Group B?!*"
Her nails dug into her palms.
"And they took Nathan."
Takumi, half-seated on the window ledge, gave a shrug, bored. "I think you're overreacting. It's just a debate—it's going to be over in two days."
She whipped around. "*Sure, Takumi*. Not like the b*tch is going to win anyway... she's supporting her *nightmares*."
Takumi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He was used to Viki's riddled insults and cryptic phrases. Sometimes they meant nothing… sometimes, they meant too much.
Just then, the door creaked open.
*Kaze* walked in casually, two plastic bags swinging in his hands."Ice cream for everyone!" he said with mock cheer.
Takumi scoffed. "What are you, *five*? And what are you even doing here? This is *our* club."
"Takumi."
Viki's voice came out smooth but commanding.
A silencing tone.
Takumi narrowed his eyes at Kaze, then exhaled with a frustrated shake of the head. He stood and left, muttering something about *kids with frozen sugar and too much time*.
The door clicked shut behind him.
"*So?*" Viki asked, arms crossed now, her posture tight with anticipation.
Kaze set the bags down, his playful tone replaced with a sharp one.
He sat casually, legs crossed.
"Mr. Kang. Dead. Four days ago."
He said it flatly, like he was reading headlines.
Viki blinked, but didn't speak.
Kaze continued.
"Mira arrested. Apparently accused of killing a police officer who was investigating her father's case. She claims the accusations are false—that there *was no evidence*, and she was being set up."
Viki's eyes narrowed.
"But," Kaze added, "the media's been scrubbed. Nothing on the networks. Kang's death? *Erased*. Just like Vince."
He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table, voice quieter.
"It's like a perfect pattern. Someone is cleaning up the system with polished gloves. One witness disappears, one suspect arrested, and the rest... forgotten."Viki leaned back against the velvet armchair, laughing softly.
"This is almost insane... yet *thrilling*."
She closed her eyes. "Dad might just be doing too much."
She stood slowly, moving behind Kaze.
Her hands wrapped around his shoulders, her head lowering till it brushed lightly against his neck.
"But... I want something else looked into."
Her voice softened. Seductive. Cold.
"*Nathan.* He's been ignoring me."
Kaze chuckled, but barely. "Probably cause he's been—"
"*Shut the f*ck up, cutie.*"
Her voice snapped like silk on fire.
"You know nothing about Nathan."
He tilted his head slightly. "Right."
She leaned in closer, her breath brushing his ear.
"But you *will* find out, won't you? For me?"
Kaze sighed.."sure "
She smiled. Her grip on his shoulders tightened briefly before releasing.
"Good."
She walked toward the mirror and checked her reflection.
"Because if anyone's going to break her... it's going to be me."
She dabbed at her lips with gloss.
"And I want to be front row when the world realizes Nao's just another *desperate imposter* with a tragic past and a pretty voice."
Kaze stood, pulling out an ice cream cone from the bag.
"Want one?"
She didn't turn.
"No thanks. I already have my dessert planned."
---
*Later That Night*
Nao lay sprawled across her bed, her blanket kicked halfway off, her phone held just inches above her face.
"Oh wow... they actually made a group chat," she said with a sleepy laugh, tapping the screen.
*"Group A Fighters?"*
She blinked at the name and laughed again.
"Yeah, that's totally Ria."
*Group Chat - 'Group A Fighters *
*- Ria:*
Good night fighters ( > , < )/
*- Katherine:*
Wait... who are we fighting exactly? :( lol
*- Sato:*
The whole of Group B if necessary.
*- Blue:*
I call dibs on being the strategist. I watched 5 debate battles in a row.
Nao chuckled, scrolling through the friendly chaos.
"Oh... Nathan's in it too."
She tapped on his profile out of habit.
*Profile Pic:* A candid photo of Nathan and Viki, taken at some school event. Both were posing, though Viki was smiling brighter than Nathan.
Nao stared at it, her expression unreadable.
"…Do I really look like her?" she muttered. "She's... almost too pretty."
Her thumb hovered over the back button, then she sighed and tossed the phone beside her."Still... she's my rival," she said to the ceiling, lips tightening slightly. "A mad b*tch on my tail."
Her eyes flicked toward the nightstand where Michelle's bracelet sat.
"Michelle still hasn't called," she thought. "Hope she's doing okay…"
*Ding!*
Her phone vibrated against the blanket.
*Sender: Kaze♡*
1 unread message
Nao blinked and snatched it up quickly, heart skipping.
*Kaze♡:*
*"Want to match outfits like old days on the trip?"*
Nao's eyes widened.
"…Huh?"
She re-read the message, her cheeks slowly turning pink.
An image popped into her mind: the two of them wearing matching oversized hoodies like back in middle school, him laughing, her trying to look mad.
She kicked her legs under the blanket.
"Agh—why's he wanna pair with me??" she said aloud, flustered.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror nearby.
"What am I even gonna say…?"
She bit her lip, then slowly started typing.
*Nao:*
"Match? Like full match-match or just colors? "
She stared at it for a moment, then deleted it.
Typed again.
*Nao:*
"Ha, like those cringey couples from old days?"
Deleted again.
She groaned, flopping onto the bed, phone resting on her face.
After a deep breath, she finally typed:
*Nao:*
"Hmm... only if I get to choose the outfit "
She sent it.Then quickly tossed the phone away like it burned her.
"Why did I put the smirk emoji??"
Her phone buzzed almost instantly.
*Kaze♡:*
"Deal. But I get veto rights if it's a dress full of glitter again >.< "
Nao hugged her pillow and smiled softly.
"…This trip might actually be fun."
The night slowly zoomed out from her window, the night settling in over Imperials Academy…