"Careful."

Faced with the man who’d suddenly appeared, Yueci Porcelain reacted instantly. She hooked an arm around the waist of the girl in front and yanked her close.

A faint floral scent filled her senses.

Their posture was undeniably intimate—Yueci held Hachisu Inori’s slender waist, her back pressed against Yueci’s chest. The sudden closeness sent strands of Inori’s pale gold hair drifting through the air. A few nearly invisible wisps brushed against Yueci’s nose, tickling it slightly.

The man stumbled as his lunge missed, but he didn’t fall. He whirled around, bloodshot eyes burning with fury at the two clinging together. Veins bulged on his knife-wielding hand from the strain.

Without warning, he raised the blade and charged again, faster than lightning.

A flicker of eerie crimson flashed in Yueci’s eyes. She twisted, shielding Inori behind her. Her gaze stayed locked on the madman—she didn’t notice Inori’s expression or movements.

The blade whistled toward her head.

But to Yueci, his movements seemed to slow. She ducked effortlessly. The knife sliced empty air.

"Damn it! You’re just another one of that bitch’s dogs!"

They stood inches apart now.

The man lifted his knife for a downward slash.

Yueci was faster. Her foot slammed into his shin.

After all, she wasn’t entirely human anymore.

The force knocked him off balance. He crashed to the ground with a thud.

Dazed by the fall, the man barely registered Yueci stepping forward. Her next kick sent the knife spinning from his grip. It tumbled through the air and landed in a nearby flowerbed.

"Hands on your head! Don’t move!"

Just in time, a group of students arrived with uniformed police officers. Seeing the scene, the officers rushed forward, pinned the man down, and cuffed him.

"All non-essential personnel, clear the area!"

An officer dispersed the curious onlookers. The second bell for class rang, and the students reluctantly drifted toward the school building.

As the police hauled the man away, Yueci finally got a good look at him.

His face was sallow and gaunt, skin cracked and dry. At first glance, he seemed middle-aged—but he wore Light Private High School’s uniform. Dust and dirt stained the fabric, and several holes gaped where it had torn. He couldn’t be over twenty, yet his entire demeanor reeked of decay, utterly devoid of youthful vigor.

Even as he was dragged off, his bloodshot, clouded eyes remained fixed on Yueci and Inori behind her—as if he wanted to devour them whole. Muttered curses and venomous threats spilled from his lips, his behavior bordering on madness.

Yueci adjusted her glasses and smoothed her hair with mild exasperation. *Light High really needs better security.*

She turned to check if Inori was shaken—only to find the girl squinting at her DSLR camera with keen interest. When Inori noticed Yueci’s gaze, she lowered the camera casually, her smile as angelic as ever.

"Thanks to you, Yueci-san, I didn’t know what I’d have done…" She pressed her palms together over her heart, radiating gratitude.

But that smile sent a chill down Yueci’s spine. She kept her expression neutral. "You’re welcome."

Watching the police disappear, Yueci opened her mouth to question Inori—when a girl came sprinting from the school building.

Breathless, hair disheveled from running, she skidded to a halt before Inori.

"I’m so sorry, Inori-chan… They said that bastard Yamada Ichigo attacked you?" Her voice trembled. "Are you hurt?"

Panic flooded her face as she stared at Inori.

Inori simply stood there, smiling gently, saying nothing.

"I already told him clearly… I broke up because we weren’t right for each other! It had nothing to do with you, Inori-chan…" Her words tumbled out in a frantic rush. "But that idiot kept blaming you!"

"Just because my family’s company absorbed his father’s business right after I dumped him… That wasn’t something you could control!"

Seeing Inori’s warm yet distant smile, the girl’s thoughts spiraled. Her tongue tied itself in knots.

"And he got expelled because of his own actions! He gambled his family’s money trying to make a comeback and lost everything, but—"

"Now, now…"

Inori’s voice was a soft spring breeze—warm, soothing, each syllable a gentle caress.

"An-san, really. Don’t let your hair get so messy next time… It’s not proper for a young lady."

She gently tucked stray strands behind the girl’s ear, then smoothed her crooked collar. The picture of a caring older sister.

An stared, dazed—then beamed with relief. *Did Inori-chan forgive me?*

When she’d dated Yamada, Inori had sweetly supported her choice. But she’d felt her friends slowly drift away as she spent more time with him. How could she bear that? She’d ended it with Yamada without hesitation.

*Between Yamada and Inori-chan… I’d always choose Inori!*

If Inori ever ignored her… she didn’t know how she’d go on living.

"Go back to class now, An-san. Don’t trouble the teachers."

After fixing An’s hair and uniform, Inori withdrew her hands, still smiling. "I need to take my new underclassman to the teacher’s office. If you still want to talk… find me after school."

An nodded reluctantly and turned toward the building. Before leaving, she shot Yueci—who was spacing out—a venomous glare.

Yueci shrugged, unfazed. *These people’s thought processes are… unique.*

"So," she asked, "why are there so many police on campus?"

According to Nishikino An, Light High’s administration had barred police from further investigations. All officers should have withdrawn by now. If they hadn’t arrived, Yueci would’ve called security herself.

"Hmm…" Inori paused, turning to face her. "I didn’t want to worry you on your first day."

"Rumors like this… aren’t pleasant to hear right away."

Yueci saw her own reflection in Inori’s smiling, pale eyes.

"Well…" Inori’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Just a few nights ago… someone died on campus."

"A teacher who stayed late found the body…"