The sound of the school bell echoed across the courtyard, signaling the end of another long day. Students began pouring out from the building, their chatter filling the air with energy and plans for the weekend. Mark left the classroom with Rhein, Jake, and Gale by his side, their conversation still alive with jokes and laughter.
"I'm telling you," Rhein said between giggles, "if I beat you at that DDR machine tomorrow, you owe me lunch!"
Jake rolled his eyes. "You couldn't beat me at DDR if the machine played itself."
Mark chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll believe it when I see it. And Gale, you better not just stand there like a shadow. We need you to at least pretend you're having fun."
Gale gave a half-smile, eyes still as unreadable as ever. "I'll be there."
As they reached the school gate, the group gradually split off to head home in their separate directions. Mark gave them a wave and turned toward his usual route—through the back path near the gym, a quieter walk that gave him a bit of time to think.
The sun was hanging low, casting long shadows across the pavement. His footsteps echoed softly against the building walls as he walked past the old gym, his mind drifting toward thoughts of the weekend. Maybe Saturday would be a good distraction from everything—Miwa, Chizuru's absence, and whatever weird tension had been hanging over him all week.
Then, a faint sound caught his attention.
A voice.
He paused mid-step, his eyes narrowing as he heard it more clearly. Someone was talking behind the gym, near the equipment storage area. At first, he figured it might be a couple of students finishing club activities—but something about the voice made him stop.
It was familiar.
Female. Sharp, yet composed.
Akane Nanao.
Mark leaned quietly against the corner of the gym wall, his curiosity piqued. Akane was one of the most popular girls in school. Strong, smart, and respected. She led the student council with an iron grip, always poised, always in control. But now—her voice sounded... different.
Softer. Anxious.
"I told you already, this can't keep happening," Akane said, her tone low but intense. "If anyone finds out, everything I've worked for will be ruined."
There was a pause. Mark couldn't hear the other person speaking—either they were too quiet or facing away from him. But whatever they said, it clearly didn't sit well with her.
"I don't care if you think it's not a big deal," she snapped. "You promised me this would be the last time."
Mark's brow furrowed. This didn't sound like the cool-headed Akane Nanao he saw walking through the halls like a queen. This was someone worried, maybe even scared.
"I'm serious," she continued, her voice softening but still sharp with urgency. "I covered for you again, but if they start asking questions…"
The voice trailed off. Then came the sound of a footstep—closer. Mark quickly stepped back and ducked behind a vending machine, heart pounding. He wasn't trying to spy, but now he was in too deep to walk away unnoticed.
Akane's voice returned, quieter now. "You need to get your act together. I can't keep cleaning up your messes."
Silence followed. A long moment passed before Mark heard footsteps moving away from the gym, fading in the direction of the back entrance. He waited a few seconds longer, just to be sure, before peeking out from his hiding spot.
The area behind the gym was empty now.
Mark stepped forward, his mind spinning. What the hell was that about? Akane—usually flawless and untouchable—was clearly covering for someone. Someone who had messed up more than once. Someone who could get her in serious trouble if word got out.
He wasn't sure what bothered him more: the fact that she was hiding something so serious, or that he now knew about it.
He adjusted his bag over his shoulder and resumed his walk home, this time at a slower pace. His thoughts kept circling back to Akane's voice, the way she sounded nothing like her usual self. That edge of desperation. The emotion in her words.
Mark knew he had stumbled into something he probably shouldn't have. But part of him—the same part that made him stop and listen—couldn't let it go. There was something going on beneath the surface of this school, and Akane Nanao was involved.
And now... so was he.