Yueci Porcelain tried calling Nishikino An twice, but the line wouldn’t connect.

Her private phone was probably off during work hours…

Sighing, she handed the phone back to Hiru Kawakami with a quiet thanks.

Hiru had been biting her lip since earlier, trying to suppress a smile.

Learning Yueci didn’t know how to use a smartphone suddenly made her feel closer to her.

If before she’d seen Yueci as a detached wanderer from another world, now she glimpsed a down-to-earth side of her.

Yueci felt helpless too—it wasn’t her fault she couldn’t handle smartphones.

In her memory, "phones" were still chunky black bricks…

Who knew twenty-three years of sleep would transform the world? She felt like an old lady out of touch, wide-eyed at every novelty.

The colorful icons on Hiru’s screen left her utterly lost. Only after Hiru dialed for her did she grasp how smartphone calls worked.

*Technology really has leaped forward,* she mused. *When I get back, I’ll ask Nishikino An to…*

Wait—was she becoming too reliant on her? A strange feeling prickled her chest.

Students trickled out of the school gates in small groups. Outside, luxury cars idled, chauffeurs waiting for their young masters and misses.

They were still buzzing about the noon incident.

Suicides weren’t rare at Wright Academy.

But not every jumper was a wealthy heiress.

This would fuel dinner table gossip for weeks.

Yueci and Hiru walked out side by side.

"Well then, Yueci-san… see you this afternoon…"

Hiru’s cheeks flushed pink. She tugged at her shirt hem, still shy.

"See you," Yueci nodded, waving briefly.

After Hiru left, Yueci pondered how to get home.

Nishikino An’s phone was dead. She’d just walk back—she remembered the route from this morning.

"Ah! It’s Doi-senpai!"

"Hachisu-senpai’s with her too!"

"Rare to see them leave together!"

Two girls nearby gasped. Yueci glanced up at the gate.

The crowd slowed as two girls walked out side by side, drawing every eye.

One had an angelic face—sunlight glinted off her pale gold hair. A warm smile crinkled the corners of her eyes.

Student Council President Hachisu Inori.

Beside her walked another stunning girl. Where Inori’s beauty radiated like holy light, this one’s was subtle—delicate features softened by a poised smile. But her cat-like eyes sparkled with mischief, like a harmless kitten’s. Her eyes, though, were still red-rimmed.

*So that’s the "Doi-senpai" they mentioned.*

If Yueci noticed her red eyes, others did too.

"Ah—I thought it was just rumors! Doi-senpai really was crying!"

"She’s so kind… no wonder she’s Yukiho Doi…"

"Rumor has it Sato Yako spread those lies about her…"

The girls chattered excitedly near the gate.

Suddenly, Inori looked over.

Yueci locked eyes with her—awkwardly.

"Ah! Hachisu-senpai’s looking this way!"

"She’s smiling! She’s smiling!"

Clearly mistaking Inori’s gaze for theirs, the girls squealed.

"Yueci-san," Inori called warmly. "Fancy meeting you again."

"Uh… what a coincidence?"

Yueci had hoped to slip past unnoticed, but Inori’s greeting forced a reply.

Yukiho Doi followed Inori’s gaze. Seeing Yueci, she froze.

Yueci still wore her emo hairstyle and thick black glasses—nothing like her electronic records photo.

"Who’s this?" Doi murmured to Inori as Yueci approached.

"This is Yueci Porcelain, our new underclassman."

"And this is your senior, Yukiho Doi."

Inori beamed, introducing them.

"Hello," Doi recovered quickly, offering a polite nod.

"Pleased to meet you," Yueci bowed slightly.

Inori watched Yueci, eyes glinting with genuine delight.

Few people smiled constantly.

When someone always wore a smile, it was either true joy—or a mask.

Inori was the former.

"You look lovely in the uniform, Yueci-san~"

"At first glance, I thought you were some noble lady’s daughter~"

She covered her mouth, smile deepening.

"Uh… thanks?" Yueci tilted her head, unsure how to take the compliment.

Doi observed them, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.

From the shadows, a venomous gaze locked onto Yueci.

—

Nakamura Haruhiko seethed.

As boss of Sei Ryu Group—the biggest gang in the West District—when had he last crawled like a whipped dog?

Days ago, Oyama—a bloodhound from the Crimson Shadow Syndicate—had stormed into the West District, crushing every gang.

Especially his Sei Ryu. They’d bled half their treasury dry to that extortion…

Just remembering Crimson Shadow’s smug faces made his yellowed teeth grind.

*Call it protection money…*

He swallowed his rage. Who in their world dared defy Crimson Shadow’s methods?

Their recent alliance with legitimate corporations had been too flashy—they’d left traces.

Crimson Shadow’s rule was clear: no gang could partner with big enterprises. Early rebels had been crushed between police raids and syndicate hits…

Soon, everyone knew Crimson Shadow had cops in their pockets. Gangs kept their tails between their legs, rejecting corporate offers left and right.

Sei Ryu’s territory had shrunk, but his foresight saved him—he’d secretly backed the Tanaka family. Once they rose, he’d reap the benefits.

But lately, their operations had gotten sloppy. Whispers were spreading…

He glared at the photo Tanaka Kenta had sent, comparing it to the girl nearby.

*If that Tanaka brat hadn’t promised a fat payout, I wouldn’t waste time on this child’s play.*

Ugly as she was, she’d still serve to vent his fury.

*Heh heh heh… Blame yourself for crossing the wrong people!*