Location: Tenkaichi Elite Academy – Morning Assembly
The grand assembly hall of the academy was rarely used—only during the beginning of terms or when something big happened.
Today was one of those days.
Hundreds of students stood in uniformed rows. Murmurs buzzed through the crowd like static.
Aeron stood in his usual place among the first-years, hands in his pockets, face blank.
Next to him, Tatsuki leaned in. "Heard the rumors?"
Aeron didn't answer.
Tatsuki continued anyway. "The Mei Takanashi is coming. CEO of Shadow Edge Security. She's even scarier than Mirei. And apparently—super hot."
Aeron blinked. "...Scarier than Mirei?"
Tatsuki nodded. "The kind of woman who looks at a missile and says: 'I've seen worse.'"
---
Arrival – Red Carpet Silence
A black bulletproof luxury SUV rolled into the courtyard, escorted by three armored bikes.
The door opened.
Heels touched pavement.
And silence fell.
Mei Takanashi — in a dark gray blazer, hair in a half-braid, and a thin blade-like necklace — walked like she owned the ground she stood on.
Her eyes didn't wander. She wasn't here for the academy.
She was here for something… someone.
> "She looks like she came from another world," someone whispered.
She took the stage with the principal by her side.
"This is Ms. Takanashi, our new donor," the principal said nervously. "Her company will be overseeing security upgrades and offering a new elite mentorship program."
Mei took the mic.
"I'm not here for speeches," she said bluntly. "I'm here to see if any of you are worth investing in. That's all."
Her sharp gaze swept the crowd.
And paused.
Right on Aeron.
> She smirked — just slightly.
Then walked away.
---
Hallway – Later That Day
Ayaka was furious.
"Did you see her? She stared at Aeron like a cat staring at prey."
Yume said nothing, but her fists were clenched.
Even Hiyori had gone silent, chewing on her lip thoughtfully.
> "Another one… And she's older."
Tatsuki leaned back. "So now we've got: rich CEO, idol, student council girl, cake-shop sweetheart… and now a corporate assassin?"
He looked at Aeron.
"How does it feel being the main prize in a dating sim set in a reverse-gender world?"
Aeron muttered, "I didn't ask for any of this."
Tatsuki grinned. "But they all asked for you."
---
Mei's Private Office – On Campus
She sat alone at her temporary office in the east wing of the academy.
A digital file glowed on the screen.
Student: Kael Aeron
Step-son of Lucent Corp President
Mother deceased
IQ: High
Combat training: None
Psychological profile: Emotionally closed
Threat level: Low
Interest level: Extremely high
Mei closed the file.
> "He's broken," she whispered. "But unshattered." "I want to know what happens if he cracks."
---
Side Story – Ayaka's Inner Battle
Ayaka sat in the changing room after gym class, staring into her locker mirror.
> "I'm losing."
First Mirei. Then Hiyori. Now this woman?
> "How can I compete? I'm just a girl who fell for her brother…"
But she smiled bitterly.
> "Then again… I'm the one who kissed him first."
She pulled her hoodie over her head.
> "I'll make him love me. Even if I have to rip every other girl away from him."
---
Chapter End – Rooftop Scene
That evening, Aeron stood alone on the rooftop, watching the wind scatter the petals of the cherry trees below.
The door opened.
Mei stood there, arms crossed.
"I'm not here to flirt," she said. "I'm here to study you."
Aeron looked at her, unimpressed. "What if I don't care?"
She smiled faintly.
"Then I'll enjoy the challenge."