"Good morning, Yueci."

When Hiru Kawakami entered the classroom, she spotted Yueci Porcelain sitting cold-faced at her seat. She was first surprised Yueci had come so early, then greeted her.

Noticing someone settle into the neighboring seat from the corner of her eye, Yueci snapped out of her daze and nodded.

"Good morning."

Since jolting awake before dawn, she hadn’t slept again. She’d stared blankly at the ceiling until the sky outside began to lighten slightly.

After Nishikino An woke and saw her state, she’d asked if Yueci hadn’t slept.

Then she’d come straight to Light Private High School…

Being in the empty morning campus was actually quite peaceful.

The clock’s hands ticked steadily as time slipped by. Classmates gradually filed in.

Hiru sat quietly at her desk, previewing textbook pages and occasionally circling notes with her pen.

Yueci watched her sideways, inwardly sighing. Without all that mess, she too could’ve had a bright future.

"Hey, did you know? The dance competition results are out! Senior Domoto only got sixth place!"

Hearing the voice, Yueci looked up.

A girl had entered and leaned against the desk by the door—a spot guaranteeing most of the class would notice her.

Seated students turned in surprise, as if hearing something unbelievable.

"What? Senior Domoto only got sixth? Seriously?"

"Everyone knows she’s won dance gold medals. How could she rank sixth?"

"Hey, I was there. Senior Domoto seemed off—worse than usual…"

The class immediately burst into chatter.

Listening, Yueci pondered. From their tone, this Senior Domoto must be famous here.

"Ahem…"

The girl at the door cleared her throat, signaling she had more to say.

The chatter died down respectfully.

"Rumor is, Senior Domoto injured her leg during the competition."

"But she still finished her dance. Truly worthy of her… I’d have quit if it were me."

"I don’t know how those rumors started—they’re pure nonsense!"

She stamped her foot indignantly.

Classmates murmured agreement.

Yueci, uninterested, propped her chin on her hand and stared blankly. She never cared for gossip.

Her front-desk neighbor, Miki Komori, suddenly turned around. Yueci had realized this girl just loved chatting.

"Yueci, have you met Senior Domoto?"

Unlike Yueci’s distraction, Miki was enthusiastic.

"She’s one of Light’s top three beauties, hands down."

"Who’d believe rumors she was poor before, adopted as a child bride by some rich family? So stupid!"

"Elegant, kind, perfectly mannered—Senior Domoto’s clearly well-bred… and close to President Hachiya too…"

Miki’s eyes shone with longing.

Yueci stayed silent. She hadn’t met this Senior Domoto and didn’t know what to say.

"Sato Yenzi got seventh this time… tsk. Even injured, Senior Domoto’s way better."

The class chatter shifted to another name.

Hearing "Yenzi Sato," Hiru, head bent over her notebook, paused her pen. Her expression turned subtle.

"What’s wrong?"

Yueci, sensing the shift, leaned close and whispered in her ear.

Startled by the sudden warmth, Hiru’s ears flushed crimson.

"Yenzi Sato… is Tanaka Kenta’s girlfriend…" she whispered back.

Yueci nodded in understanding.

Hiru didn’t mention how Yenzi Sato tormented her over Tanaka Kenta—accusing her of flirting.

Verbal abuse, shoves, even getting her fired from her part-time job…

Lately, Yenzi Sato had been too busy feuding with Senior Domoto to focus on her.

"It’s no secret Tanaka Kenta’s chasing Senior Domoto…"

Hiru looked away helplessly, glancing at her pencil case.

Yueci noticed seven or eight erasers inside.

Puzzled but silent, she wondered why Hiru carried so many.

Noticing Yueci’s gaze, Hiru lifted the case and dumped the erasers out.

Most were plain rectangles, but a few had carved shapes with knife marks.

Yueci spotted one shaped like a rabbit, holding a carrot in its mouth—lively and cute.

"Did you carve this? It’s adorable."

Yueci meant it.

Hiru blushed, lacking confidence. She didn’t think her doodles were special.

"My dad was a stonemason before he passed. I watched him work as a kid…"

Those were memories she’d cherish forever.

"I didn’t inherit his skill. I just carve erasers now…"

Her voice faded.

"No, it’s really cute."

Yueci looked at her earnestly.

"If… if you like it, take it…"

Flustered by the sincerity, Hiru handed her the rabbit eraser.

Yueci accepted it gratefully and tucked it into her pocket.

"Ding-ding-ding—"

The class bell rang.

Time had flown. The room filled with students.

Except Tanaka Kenta.

He was probably still in bed.

Yueci thought dryly to herself.

—

Morning classes ended quickly. At the lunch bell, classmates streamed out, leaving only a few eating homemade lunches at their desks.

After yesterday’s lunchtime incident, Tanaka Kenta’s lackeys avoided them—fearing Yueci’s "crazy" rep. They’d wait for their boss to return.

"Yueci Porcelain here?"

Nearly alone in the classroom, a boy with a student council armband appeared at the door. His eyes locked on Yueci in the corner.

"Your uniform. Keep it safe."

Yueci took it and thanked him.

Seeing the uniform, Hiru’s eyes lit up.

"Going to change now, Yueci?"

Yueci thought, then nodded. Better to wear it at school.

—

Changed into the uniform, Yueci stepped out of the restroom.

Her first real skirt since waking—her legs felt chilly, unfamiliar.

As she headed back, muffled arguing reached her ears.

One voice sharp, one calm—words indistinct.

She followed the sound to a rusty iron door.

This should lead to the rooftop…

She pushed gently. Locked from inside.

The argument behind it grew fiercer—one voice rising, the other steady.

Yueci turned away. If they saw her, they might think she was eavesdropping.

Halfway to class, she realized the rabbit eraser—moved to her uniform pocket—was gone.

She backtracked and found it near the restroom door.

This time, she held it in her hand.

"Creak—"

"Bang—"

The old door opened and shut.

Yueci ignored it, heading back with the eraser.

A beautiful, elegant girl passed her, biting her lower lip. Her cat-like eyes held a trace of coldness.