After returning to the classroom, Yueci Porcelain placed the bag holding her freshly changed-out old clothes under her seat.
Catching Yueci’s return in her peripheral vision, Hiru Kawakami looked up.
Yueci was now neatly dressed in Light Academy’s uniform. Noticing Hiru’s gaze, she turned toward her with a puzzled look.
“You look great, Yueci-san.”
Meeting Yueci’s eyes, Hiru shyly averted her gaze and softly praised her.
“Thank you.”
Hearing the compliment, Yueci politely thanked her and sat down.
Sitting at her desk, she uncomfortably pressed her thighs together.
Since she’d changed clothes at school without preparation, a chilly draft under her skirt made her uneasy.
It was hard to imagine how other girls got used to wearing skirts.
Walking became inconvenient; she had to control her stride—too big risked exposure, too small slowed her down.
I should buy some leggings after school today.
Yueci sat propping her head with one hand, her thoughts wandering.
Meanwhile, Hiru kept stealing glances at her.
When Yueci wore her own clothes, it wasn’t obvious, but in Light Academy’s uniform, that jarring aura seemed to vanish.
Though publicly both were special admissions students, Hiru knew Yueci wasn’t as simple as she appeared.
She carried an air of mystery and elegance—not as conspicuous as Light Academy’s young ladies, but not as easily overlooked as herself.
Midnight, graveyard, coffin, blood-red eyes... fragmented images flashed before Hiru’s eyes.
Though from different worlds, Yueci always protected her... Hiru almost wished she had ulterior motives.
Compared to Yueci’s mature composure, Hiru felt like a child who never grew up, constantly seeking protection.
Her heart throbbed painfully in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Was she really worthy of attention?
“Class is about to start—where is everyone?”
A boy who’d returned early glanced at the clock, puzzled. Only five minutes until lunch break ended, yet few classmates were present.
He asked others, but they all shrugged, clueless.
Yueci looked out the window. The noon sun shone brightly. Yesterday, the area would be empty, but today people kept running outside.
The boy couldn’t hold back. He ran to the door and grabbed a boy rushing out.
“Hey, Takahashi! Class is about to start—where are you heading?”
Takahashi stopped reluctantly. He checked his watch, seeming rushed, but answered.
“Someone jumped from the school building—just minutes ago!”
“Hurry! Class starts soon!”
Without waiting, he dashed downstairs.
The boy and classmates quickly followed.
Curiosity was human nature.
Hearing about the jump, Yueci slightly frowned. Jumping from the school building—that must be the rooftop.
She recalled the rooftop argument and the locked door.
She exchanged a glance with Hiru, and both slowly stood to head downstairs.
The spot was already crowded, buzzing with noisy chatter.
Yueci pushed her way in. Ambulances and police were still coming; security guards sealed off the scene.
She looked at the person on the ground. Judging by the uniform, it was a girl.
The building was five stories high. She’d landed headfirst; brain matter and blood mixed on the ground.
Even ambulances couldn’t help—she was clearly dead.
“Go back to class—don’t linger here!”
“Do you still want class? Don’t spread panic!”
News spread fast; administrators sent people to disperse the crowd.
Students reluctantly headed back, still chattering.
Among them were delinquent girls with heavy makeup, lip piercings, and jackets tied at their waists. They looked terrified.
“Sis Yanzhi? How could this be?”
But their voices were drowned out by the crowd.
—
Back in class, students still discussed the incident. The teacher seemed stuck in an emergency meeting.
The well-informed girl from morning burst in with a grave expression. The room fell silent as everyone looked up.
“Hot gossip! The jumper was Sato Yanzhi!”
The quiet classroom erupted.
“Really? She doesn’t seem like someone who’d jump!”
“Yeah, where’d you get this?”
The girl waved to quiet them, then pointed upward.
“This came straight from Sato Yanzhi’s classmate!”
“Domoto-senpai even shed tears hearing this tragic news...”
“Though Sato Yanzhi often opposed her... Domoto-senpai never held a grudge...”
Many classmates were convinced, especially with Domoto-senpai mentioned.
They resumed heated discussion.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. The girl peeked out, then dashed back to her seat.
“Cough... Teacher Shanwu is here!”
The class instantly fell silent, as if the commotion was an illusion.
Yueci kept rubbing her chin. She recalled brushing past a girl from the rooftop direction but hadn’t paid attention.
Was there a connection?
Shanwu Lingsheng walked in—not for Chinese class.
She stepped onto the podium, scanned the room, and began slowly.
“Due to an incident, afternoon classes are canceled. Early dismissal.”
“I’ve contacted your parents. You’ll leave in half an hour...”
“Now, a few important notes...”
Unlike the statue incident, this was witnessed widely, forcing a half-day off.
“Yueci-san...”
Yueci, lost in thought, felt her elbow nudged.
She looked at Hiru, puzzled.
“This afternoon... could you accompany me to the bookstore?”
Gathering all her courage, Hiru asked.
“Of course.”
Yueci nodded. She had free time, and a bookstore visit would show how books evolved over twenty-three years.
“Then... meet at the school gate at three?”
Yueci nodded.
Shanwu was wrapping up.
“Lastly, don’t spread certain details outside.”
“You may pack up and leave.”
Shanwu gently adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. Most students wouldn’t heed this, but she fulfilled school requirements.
After retrieving her phone, Hiru looked at Yueci.
“Yueci-san, are you going home alone?”
Yueci shook her head slightly. She wasn’t sure.
“Could I borrow your phone?”
Nishikino An hadn’t bought her one. Though busy, Yueci thought calling was best.
“Here...”
Hiru handed her outdated smartphone with a cracked screen.
Yueci took it but hesitated.
Hiru looked puzzled.
“Sorry...”
Yueci lowered her head, expression hidden, clearly embarrassed.
“Could you dial the number for me?”
She’d just realized—she didn’t know how to use a smartphone.
