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Morning, Imperial Academy - Student Council Room
The air in the student council room was thick with tension. It was the kind of atmosphere that made most students either stand at attention or take a careful step back. The towering windows overlooked the sprawling academy campus, bathed in sunlight. Yet inside, there was only the quiet, calculated stillness that surrounded Kaguya Shinomiya.
Sitting across from her at the long council table, Miyuki Shirogane, the Student Council President, meticulously arranged his papers, his expression a mask of cool confidence. The two had been at odds for as long as anyone could remember. He with his straightforwardness, her with her calculating, superior intellect. The very air crackled with unspoken challenges between them.
"Shirogane," Kaguya said, her voice cutting through the silence like a razor. "Have you considered what happens if Lancaster turns out to be a threat to the peace of this academy?"
Miyuki glanced up, a sharp glint in his eyes. He had noticed Kaguya's interest in the new transfer student, Kuro Lancaster. Though he'd never admit it outright, something about the man's calm demeanor unsettled him.
"I've been watching him closely," Miyuki replied, his voice even. "There's something strange about him. He doesn't fit in with this world. But for now, he's just a transfer student."
Kaguya's lips curled slightly. "Just a transfer student? You're too soft, Shirogane. He could be playing us."
Miyuki leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "You've always been a little paranoid, haven't you?"
---
Imperial Academy - Courtyard
Kuro Lancaster strolled through the garden, his footsteps as quiet as the whispers of the breeze. His cold, indifferent eyes swept over the students in their pastel uniforms, as if none of them could ever touch him. Despite his status as a transfer student, he had quickly become the talk of the academy.
His long, dark hair swayed gently as he moved, and every step he took seemed to draw attention without him needing to try. He didn't speak much, never smiled, but the way he carried himself made every student feel like they were beneath him.
He was still getting used to this world—a peaceful world, far removed from the life he had led as an assassin. It was a strange feeling, being normal. But it wouldn't last. There were whispers of a dangerous force slowly making its way into this world—forces he could recognize, even in a peaceful environment like this. He had learned that his missions, set by the mysterious system, were no longer about eliminating targets. Instead, he had to prevent a looming catastrophe.
The system's messages came sporadically, but it always made him feel like the quiet storm in a sea of tranquility.
[Mission Update: Monitor key figures—Hikaru Tsukishima, Amaya Hoshizora, Kaguya Shinomiya, and Miyuki Shirogane.]
[New Directive: Uncover the leak of dangerous entities into this peaceful world.]
Kuro's eyes narrowed. The names were no accident. These were the figures he'd be interacting with most, and perhaps, the ones most at risk.
Just then, a voice broke through his thoughts.
"Excuse me, are you… Kuro Lancaster?"
Kuro turned to see a girl standing in front of him, her bright green eyes wide with curiosity. She was shorter than most girls, but her presence was commanding—like she was used to getting attention, and used to people responding to her. Her uniform was impeccable, and her posture straight, as if she expected respect by default.
"I am," Kuro answered simply, his voice as cool as ever.
The girl smiled, though it was a smile that seemed to have both sharpness and sweetness. "I'm Chika Fujiwara. I'm part of the Student Council. Kaguya-sama asked me to come and make sure you feel... welcome."
Kuro raised an eyebrow. Kaguya Shinomiya was already watching him. Interesting. "I don't need a welcome."
Chika's smile only widened. "Oh, I know. But Kaguya-sama insisted. She's... very particular about who joins this school. And you? You're quite intriguing. Not at all like the other boys."
Kuro tilted his head, noting the small glint of mischief in Chika's eyes. "I don't wish to be like anyone."
"Good!" Chika exclaimed, clearly unbothered by his aloofness. "That's the spirit. Kaguya-sama will have to come up with something interesting for you. Maybe a game of wits?" She bounced slightly on her feet, as though the thought excited her.
"I'm not interested in games," Kuro replied flatly.
"Oh, I think you will be," Chika said, her voice dripping with a knowing playfulness. "You'll have plenty of chances to challenge Kaguya-sama and Shirogane. They're both so... competitive." She winked and scampered off before Kuro could respond.
Kuro watched her disappear into the crowd, his thoughts turning over what little he had learned. Kaguya and Miyuki—two names from the System's directive. Both were influential in their own right, each representing the kind of power struggle he had no interest in.
---
Later, Student Council Room
Kaguya was seated at the head of the council table, her expression serene but calculating. Miyuki stood beside her, his posture rigid, eyes scanning the room.
"I've invited him to join the next student council meeting," Kaguya said, her voice low but clear. "We'll see just how 'special' he really is."
Miyuki didn't look at her. "You know that's risky. He's not like other students. You've seen how he is. If he's playing us, we'll have to be careful."
"He won't play me," Kaguya replied with a quiet confidence that bordered on arrogance. "Not unless he's prepared to face me."
---
The Next Day – Imperial Academy Grounds
The bell rang, signaling the start of the day's classes. Kuro had already moved through the halls, silent as always. He was about to enter his first classroom when he spotted a familiar face.
Hikaru Tsukishima, the academy's crown prince, stood leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, staring directly at Kuro. His cerulean eyes held a challenge, but it was a polite one, as if he had already assessed Kuro as a potential rival.
"Kuro Lancaster," Hikaru said, his voice smooth, with a hint of intrigue. "I've heard a lot about you."
Kuro's gaze was steady, his expression impassive. "I'm sure you have."
Hikaru smirked. "You're different. I don't think you'll last long in this school if you continue being so... cold."
"I'm not here to make friends," Kuro replied quietly.
Hikaru's smile grew. "That's exactly what makes you interesting."
As the two stood there, the tension between them thickened. Kuro didn't know what games Hikaru was playing, but he would have to be careful. These two—Kaguya and Miyuki, Hikaru and Amaya—they weren't just students. They were part of a hidden world of influence and power. And Kuro was right in the center of it, whether he wanted to be or not.
---
To Be Continued...