The Next Morning
Kuzeha slowly awoke from his dreams.
A faint, refreshing fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.
The moment he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a familiar head of silver hair.
Kasugano Sora was curled up in his arms like a spoiled little ragdoll cat, her delicate lashes trembling ever so slightly as she pretended to sleep.
Kuzeha's lips curved helplessly.
Even though he had arranged separate rooms for everyone years ago, Sora still had the habit of sneaking into his bed late at night. And every time, she insisted with a straight face that she "just couldn't sleep alone."
After gently patting the head of the "sleeping" Sora, Kuzeha rose from bed and went to wash up.
By then, Sakura was already in the kitchen, busily preparing today's lunchboxes.
"As expected of you, Sakura. You're always the most reliable."
Every time he saw her like this, Kuzeha felt grateful for the bold decision he had once made to take Sakura in.
After breakfast, Kuzeha left the orphanage together with Sakura, despite Sora's reluctant gaze following them all the way to the door.
Sōbu High School
Sōbu High was one of the most prestigious schools in the area, its entrance exam renowned for its brutal difficulty.
In fact, most of the other girls from the orphanage had ended up failing the exam and had been forced to enroll at different schools.
On the first day of the new term, a large banner wishing good luck to the incoming students hung above the school gate.
First-year uniforms were marked with a thin green ribbon tied at the collar, making them easy to distinguish. But even without the ribbon, the shining expressions of nervous anticipation on their faces would have given them away.
Kuzeha glanced sideways at Sakura.
She wasn't particularly tall, but her figure was slender and striking. The Sōbu High uniform traced her curves in a way that was dangerously eye-catching.
If not for the green ribbon at her collar, no one would have believed she was just a brand-new first-year.
"Sakura, if it weren't for you, I'd never have realized just how good this school's uniform can look."
"With you around, you're definitely going to be the new school idol—the untouchable flower on the high ridge."
Kuzeha's words were sincere.
Sakura's cheeks immediately flushed, her beautiful eyes shining with sweetness she could no longer hide.
"Things like being the 'school flower' don't matter to me…" she whispered softly, her gaze fixed on Kuzeha's profile, filled with shy anticipation.
"As long as I can be in the same school as you, Kuzeha-nii, I'm already… more than happy."
For Sakura, just being with him was the greatest happiness.
Once inside, they parted ways, each heading to their classrooms.
Kuzeha checked the class postings and quickly found his own.
2nd Year, Class A.
Arriving earlier than most, he found the classroom only a fifth full.
"Ah, the throne's still empty…"
Naturally, Kuzeha claimed the rear window seat—the "king's seat."
From there, he could take in nearly the entire school grounds at a glance.
"What a coincidence. Looks like we're in the same class again."
The voice was cool, tinged with just a trace of tsundere pride.
Kuzeha turned to see a silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty with the refined features of a foreigner. Without hesitation, she pulled out the chair beside him and sat down.
"Good morning, Eri-san. Seems we're lucky enough to end up classmates again."
His straightforward words made the half-Russian girl's heart skip.
Lucky? Does that mean he's happy we're in the same class…?
She stole a glance at him, trying to catch any hint of his expression. But Kuzeha's attention was fixed on the doorway.
Following his gaze, she saw the entrance of Yukinoshita Yukino, the girl known as the untouchable flower of the school.
Eri's chest tightened with frustration.
A stream of Russian spilled from her lips before she could stop herself.
"Hmph. I'm a school flower too. Why won't you look at me a little more…?"
Kuzeha blinked, puzzled. "Hmm? What was that, Eri-san?"
Seeing his genuinely confused face, Eri quickly relaxed and smiled inwardly.
Good. He really doesn't understand Russian.
"Hmph, nothing. I just said you're kind of a dummy."
"Calling me a dummy is a bit much…" Kuzeha grumbled, though inwardly he was relieved.
Acting's tough. I almost broke character back there.
After all, his "Russian Mastery" entry had been unlocked thanks to Eri herself. There was no way he didn't understand her words.
But the more Russian she used, the more he enjoyed pretending not to understand.
He was waiting for the right moment—for that perfect kill.
The more her assumptions built up, the more spectacular her reaction would be when she eventually found out the truth.
That expression… it'll be delicious.
By the time most students had arrived, the renowned beauty and teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka, strode into the classroom.
"For the coming year, I'll be your homeroom teacher. Let's start with roll call."
"Yukinoshita Yukino!""Present."
"Kuzeha!""Present."
"Tōsaka Rin!""Here!"
When roll call ended, Hiratsuka-sensei led the students out to the courtyard.
It was time for that universally dreaded, endlessly boring ritual: the opening ceremony.
Standing in line, Kuzeha withdrew his gaze from Yukinoshita Yukino's back.
I didn't expect to end up in the same class as her… Luck's on my side. Still, within the Yukinoshita family, Yukino doesn't have much say, does she? The one being groomed as heir is Haruno.
If I can use this chance to approach Yukinoshita Haruno, all the better.
He had no illusions about the power of such families. In this dangerous world, massive conglomerates like the Yukinoshita Group were not opponents to underestimate.
Kuzeha's eyes scanned the perimeter.
Even here, at something as mundane as a school ceremony, he could sense several presences far beyond ordinary humans. Likely professional heroes hired as security for the day.
"Yeah… must be pros."
The ceremony dragged on. Complaints began to ripple among the students.
"Ugh, why do they have to talk so much? Every year I just wish the school would blow up already…"
The grumbling was cut short by a shrill alarm.
"Warning, warning! Spatial distortion detected! All personnel in the area, evacuate to shelters immediately!"
The crowd instantly fell silent, before bursting into panicked shouts.
"No way—this is real?!"
Even Kuzeha's lips twitched.
He raised his gaze to the sky.
A black sphere had appeared overhead, swelling visibly with each passing second.
Glancing back toward the first-year line, his eyes found Sakura.
"…Guess I've got no choice."
Exhaling slowly, Kuzeha focused inward—on the very first golden entry he had ever obtained.
[Imaginary Space]