Morning sunlight filtered through the school gates as students poured in with the usual Monday groans and chatter.
Haruto walked quietly beside Airi.
The soft crunch of gravel beneath their shoes was oddly comforting — like the calm after a long, violent storm.
It's been a week since I used the watch to save Airi...
Since I got the power back...
But more than that... something between us feels different.
Warm.
He glanced at Airi beside him.
She clutched her bag tightly, cheeks faintly pink.
When she noticed him looking—
"W-what?" Airi stammered, flustered.
Haruto chuckled nervously.
"Nothing... It's just... you look more at ease today."
Airi looked down, a tiny smile playing at her lips.
"It's because... I'm not alone anymore," she said softly.
They shared a shy moment.
Airi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding his gaze.
Suddenly, a group of students rushed past them, whispering excitedly.
"Hey! The new transfer guy's here today!" one student said.
"They say he's fluent in five languages and already finished college-level physics!" another added.
The buzz of conversation thickened — until silence rippled across the courtyard like a sudden chill.
The air sharpened.
Through the school gates stepped a tall, lean boy with piercing dark eyes.
His black hair flowed like shadows across his forehead.
He walked through the crowd without glancing at anyone — until his gaze landed on Airi.
Then Haruto.
He stopped.
Haruto felt his stomach twist.
That stare...
It's like he already knows me...
Their eyes locked.
A shiver raced down Haruto's spine.
The world felt frozen — not by his watch... but by something far deeper.
"...Did you feel that?" Airi whispered.
"Yeah," Haruto muttered. "It's like we've met before... but there's no way."
---
Cut Away — A Black Void
In a swirling black void, tendrils of darkness twisted endlessly.
The transfer student — now revealed as Reiji Kazuki — knelt before an unseen presence.
A voice, deep and malevolent, echoed through the void.
"The Watch has awakened.
The Ring shines again.
End them before the balance is restored."
Reiji bowed his head.
"As you command, my Lord," he said.
---
Elsewhere — A Divine Realm
High above, cloaked in radiant light, an unknown figure with golden eyes watched the scene unfold.
Softly, he spoke to no one.
"It has begun... but not even the Dark One knows what sleeps within the Light's heart."
---
Back in the Classroom
The teacher clapped his hands for attention.
"We have a new student joining us today.
Please welcome Reiji Kazuki."
Reiji bowed slightly, his posture perfect.
"I'm honored to be here," he said smoothly.
As he straightened, his eyes scanned the room.
They paused — first on Airi... then on Haruto.
A faint smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
As Reiji walked past Haruto's desk, he whispered low enough that only Haruto could hear:
"Tick... tock..."
Haruto flinched.
A cold dread coiled around his heart.
What the hell was that...?
---
Rooftop — Lunchtime
Haruto and Airi sat in silence, shoulders almost touching, the breeze brushing gently between them.
Neither spoke of it.
Neither needed to.
"...I think he knows something," Haruto said finally, staring at the sky.
Airi tensed beside him.
"...I think he knows us," she whispered.
Haruto tightened his grip on the watch beneath his sleeve.
"He called me by name," he said. "I never told him."
Airi looked down at her hand — at the silver ring glowing faintly.
"He looked at my hand too," she murmured.
"Like he could see this."
Their eyes met — a quiet understanding passing between them.
Not fear.
Something deeper.
A warning.
"Haruto..." Airi said softly.
"If something ever happens to me again... promise you'll come."
Haruto turned toward her fully.
"I promise," he said, firm and unshakable.
"Always."
---
Schoolyard — Watching From Below
From the shadowed edges of the schoolyard, Reiji watched them.
A faint purple glow flickered in his pocket — a shard of cursed stone humming with dark energy.
Far above, the hidden observer — the Time God — watched as well.
Silent.
Waiting.
Two enemies now stalk the Light... but one remains unseen.
The first crack in fate has appeared.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...