The sunlight slanted across the classroom floor, warm and golden, spilling through the tall windows of the lecture hall.
Outside, the campus gardens buzzed with life—students laughing on the paths, birds darting above the cherry trees, the sky stretching endlessly blue. Inside, however, the air was heavy with silence.
Every seat in the room was filled. Dozens of students leaned forward, pens scratching notes furiously as the professor's steady voice carried across the hall.
"So that," the professor concluded, pausing to emphasize his words, "is how the War of Romanno finally ended." He set his chalk down and faced the class with a grave expression. "Remember, history is not just dates and battles. It is sacrifice, ambition, and the weight of choices. You must learn these lessons well."
His eyes scanned the rows, sharp behind his glasses. "Your exams are approaching. I expect every one of you to study thoroughly. Do not waste this opportunity."
The students nodded obediently, some murmuring in agreement.
"Especially you, Kenji."
At the sound of his name, a boy sitting near the middle row stirred from his thoughts. Kenji lifted his gaze from the window where he had been staring absently at the swaying branches outside. His expression was calm, almost detached, but when he spoke, his voice carried an easy warmth.
"Yes, sir," he said with a faint smile. "We won't fail your expectations. We'll be ready for the exams—and the finals."
A ripple of quiet chuckles moved through the room. The professor's stern face softened as he adjusted his glasses. "Good. I know you will, Kenji. After all, you were the top scorer in your high school exams. The highest in your entire class."
Kenji inclined his head politely, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
The professor straightened again, addressing the room. "All of you should feel grateful to be here. This campus is among the finest in Japan—built and maintained by the government itself. Few receive such an opportunity. Do not waste it. Seize it."
The bell rang, sharp and final.
The students rose in unison, bowing respectfully before gathering their things. Laughter and chatter filled the space that had been so silent minutes before. A young couple sitting just behind Kenji lingered, their hands brushing before intertwining as they stepped into the aisle.
"Are you free today?" the boy named Mahori, asked the girl, his tone eager but shy. "I heard a new café opened near campus yesterday. Want to go check it out?"
"Sure," the girl named Shuzen, said brightly. "I don't have much waiting at home. If I go too early, I'll just get stuck doing chores with my mom. Better to spend time here." She gave him a playful grin. "We could even go somewhere after, if you don't mind."
The boy flushed. "Wouldn't your parents worry if you stay out that late?"
"Oh, don't worry about that," she replied, her smile turning mischievous. "I already told them I had a seminar tonight. They won't bother me."
"O-oh, I see." He laughed nervously, clearly enchanted by her boldness.
The two disappeared into the corridor, still hand in hand, voices fading into the tide of departing students.
Kenji remained at his desk, quietly watching them go. His fingers drummed once against the wooden surface, then stilled.
"Hey, Kenji!"
A friendly slap landed on his shoulder. He turned to see Suichiro, his closest friend on campus, grinning at him with the usual boundless energy.
"You spaced out again today, huh?" Suichiro teased. "Didn't look like you cared much for the War of Romanno. Not your favorite chapter?" He laughed loudly, drawing a glance or two.
Kenji shrugged lightly. "That's not it."
"Then what? You looked like you were miles away."
"I'm fine," Kenji said, standing and slinging his bag over one shoulder. "Just a little headache."
"Ah, that explains it." Suichiro tilted his head. "But hey, forget that. You heard about the new café, right? Everyone's heading there after class. You should come! It'll be fun."
Kenji hesitated, his polite smile slipping just slightly. "I'm not really feeling up to it today. I'm Sorry."
"Come on," Suichiro urged, almost pouting. "It won't be the same without you."
"I appreciate it, but I really can't today. Please try to understand."
Suichiro's grin faltered. For a moment, disappointment shadowed his face. "You're impossible to figure out, you know that?"
Kenji only gave a quiet sigh. "I'm sorry, Suichiro."
His friend waved him off with a forced laugh. "Don't worry about it. But don't blame me later for not inviting you!" With that, he jogged toward the door, already calling out to the others waiting outside.
The classroom was nearly empty now. Only the sunlight remained, stretching longer across the polished floors.
Kenji lingered by the doorway, watching Suichiro's figure vanish into the crowd beyond. For a heartbeat, a strange weight pressed against his chest—something between loneliness and inevitability.
Then he exhaled softly and stepped into the hall.
Kenji walked out of the lecture hall, the sound of chatter and laughter trailing behind him. His classmates had already grouped together, heading toward the much-talked-about café near campus.
It'll be crowded today, he thought as he descended the stairs alone. First day of its opening—everyone wants to be part of it. Everyone except me.
His steps were steady, unhurried, until his gaze caught something unusual.
Halfway down the stairwell stood a man—tall, rigid, entirely cloaked in a black suit. His face was concealed by shadow, his features unreadable. No tie, student badge, or expression—just an unsettling stillness.
Kenji slowed. The man's presence was wrong. Too formal, too deliberate, too… out of place. He wasn't a professor. He wasn't staff. And he certainly wasn't a student.
Though the stranger's eyes weren't visible, Kenji felt them—fixed, unblinking, watching him.
Before Kenji could speak, the man turned abruptly and began descending the stairs. His stride was brisk, almost urgent, shoes striking the steps with a rhythmic finality.
"Hey," Kenji called out.
The man didn't pause, didn't even acknowledge him. He vanished down the stairwell with unsettling speed.
Kenji frowned, his gaze shifting to the door the stranger had emerged from.
The library?
He hesitated.
How did he get in here dressed like that? And why the library, of all places?