"Next time something like this happens, just hit back."

"Don't worry. I've got your back if things go south."

A crimson Ferrari darted between traffic lights. Nishikino An gripped the wheel, eyes on the road but glancing sideways at Yueci Porcelain without missing a beat.

School was out. Yueci had removed her glasses, rearranged her hair, revealing her stunning features.

At a red light, An reached into the car’s side compartment, pulled out a tin of coffee tablets, and popped one into her mouth. Bitterness spread across her tongue, sharpening her focus. She absently bit down on it. *Can’t smoke in front of Yueci. Gotta keep up appearances. This’ll have to do.*

She’d picked Yueci up after class, peppering her with questions about her first day back at school after twenty-three years. Yueci held nothing back, recounting everything—from the madman to Tanaka Kenta. An’s expression grew colder with each detail. *Time to crush some restless gangs again.*

She’d always known about Light Private High’s rot. Decades of the same toxic culture. Sometimes, the seeds of horrific crimes sprouted right inside school walls.

"What about that murder case at Light?" Yueci murmured, gaze drifting to the blur of scenery outside. She remembered Hachisu Inori’s words about the sculpture murder. *That’s why I came back. Is it connected to the copycat killings mimicking my novels?*

"Oh, that one…" An’s expression didn’t flicker, but a thoughtful glint flashed in her eyes. "It’s part of the serial killings. But not the same series as before."

Another red light. An eased off the accelerator, fingers drumming rhythmically on the steering wheel. Yueci watched those slender fingers dance, momentarily reminded of Shanwu Lingsheng’s tapping fingers in the consultation room that afternoon.

"Serial killers like this follow their own twisted rules," An continued, pulling Yueci back to the present. "They rarely break their self-made code. No scientific proof, but case files back it up." The light turned green. She slammed the accelerator. The car shot forward like an arrow.

Yueci pressed back into her seat from the force. "Right… I don’t recall the senior mentioning roses," she said, mentally replaying Hachisu’s description. No roses. Definitely.

"Like the Rose Killer—who leaves roses after every murder, no matter the method—the Sculpture Killer turns each victim into minced meat for his art." An’s voice stayed casual, as if discussing groceries. "So they’re separate case files. Different perpetrators."

Yueci rubbed her temples. *One serial killer in peacetime is shocking enough. Two? In this tiny place?*

"If I remember right, that was the third sculpture murder this month." An’s tone remained conversational, as if the details were common knowledge.

Yueci stroked her chin, faces from today flashing in her mind. Threads connected them all—but the pattern remained just out of reach.

"About the Rose series," An added, her eyes sharpening with barely concealed disgust. "The victims—dean, security guard, homeroom teacher—shared more than just working at Light."

"The dean: cheated on his wife, sexually harassed female teachers and students from poor families, threatened them with evaluations."

"The guard: beat his wife for years. She jumped off a building. They called it an accident."

"The teacher: covered up bullies, drove impoverished students to suicide—"

*While digging graves for others, they dug their own.*

Silence filled the car. If this was the killer’s "code," the case suddenly made sense. All victims had dark secrets. Only the motive remained unclear.

"The Sculpture killings started recently," An continued. "Victims are teens. Bodies are too mangled to determine cause of death…"

A sharp turn. Yueci lurched sideways, her head bumping against An’s shoulder.

"Uh…"

"Sorry…" She straightened up, rubbing her head.

"It’s fine." An’s lips curled faintly, warmth lingering where Yueci’s head had rested. "The tricky part? The victims’ social circles don’t overlap. No clear selection pattern. Could be random—but unlikely."

"The Light murder stands out. Only one inside a school." An’s gaze locked onto Yueci, eyes narrowing playfully. "So the killer might be at Light too…"

A chill ran down Yueci’s spine at that look.

"Keep your eyes open for anything unusual around campus, Yueci." An’s smile turned sly. "If you spot something—or have a theory—tell me."

The car screeched to a halt. Yueci jerked forward, barely missing the dashboard.

*Great driving. Don’t do it again.*

"We’re here."

Dazed, Yueci stepped out and looked up. The gilded sign nearly blinded her.

"You don’t remember this place?" An tossed her keys to an attendant.

Yueci blinked, squinting at the dazzling sign. *Wait…*

"You used to love this restaurant." An chuckled, guiding her inside.

Vague memories surfaced—but this place hadn’t been so… blindingly gilded.

"Welcome, Ms. Nishikino. Your private room for two is ready. This way, please." A well-dressed host gestured politely.

An ushered the bewildered Yueci toward the reserved room.

As they passed, another guest arrived. The same scripted greeting echoed:

"Welcome, Miss Domoto. Your private room for two is ready. This way, please."

An elegant girl in Light Private High’s uniform turned, smiling at the distinguished woman behind her.

"Mom, let’s go in."