Wednesday Morning – Tenkaichi Elite Academy
By the time Aeron walked through the school gates, whispers had already reached every hallway.
"Did you hear?"
"He drives a supercar—at night!"
"They say it's faster than anything in the country!"
"And his mother's the Himari Kael?"
"No way—Asagiri Mirei was there too!"
In a world where men were rare, protected, and mostly hidden from public life, a high school boy racing through mountains in a rare black hypercar?
It was more than gossip.
It was a phenomenon.
And he?
Still didn't care.
---
Class 1-B – The Calm Before Chaos
Aeron entered class and took his usual seat behind Tatsuki.
Tatsuki turned around with a grin. "Dude. You went from 'quiet guy who likes cake' to 'dark horse supercar demon' in one night."
"Don't exaggerate," Aeron replied.
"Are you serious? The girls in Class 3-A are planning a field trip just to watch you leave school!"
"…I'll wear a hoodie."
---
Class 2-A – Ayaka's POV
Ayaka sat at her desk, arms crossed, ignoring the whispers. She was already known for being close to Aeron, but the rumors were changing.
They weren't just curious.
They were hungry.
> "They want him now… like prey they suddenly noticed."
She tapped her pen against the desk.
Misora leaned over. "You okay?"
"No. I'm pissed."
"Because of the idol girl?"
"Because all of them are looking at him like he's a prize."
Misora smirked. "Isn't he?"
Ayaka's grip tightened.
> "No one gets to take him. Because they don't know how hard it was to see him smile."
---
School Garden – Hiyori's Move
Hiyori sat beside Aeron under the cherry blossom trees during lunch. Their fans peeked from behind bushes. A few even recorded quietly.
"I saw the online forums," she said softly.
Aeron looked up. "You read those?"
"I have to." She leaned closer. "They're already calling you the 'Black Phantom.'"
"Catchy."
"You don't care, do you?"
"No."
She smiled. "Good. Because I do. I'm not letting them near you."
Aeron gave her a look, but Hiyori only sipped her tea, lips curving sweetly.
> "You saved me once, Aeron. Now I'll guard you… even from the world."
---
Meanwhile – Yume's Corner
Yume peeked from the music room, her fingers twitching nervously.
She watched Aeron laugh faintly—just for a second—at something Tatsuki said.
> "He's changing."
More alive. More confident. More distant.
> "And they're all closing in."
She turned, gripping the door frame.
> "If I don't move soon… I'll be left behind."
---
After School – Parking Lot Edge
As Aeron left the school gates, something strange happened.
A girl from Class 3 ran toward him, a bouquet in hand.
"Aeron-sama! Please accept this—"
"No," he said flatly, walking past her without breaking stride.
The bouquet dropped to the ground.
Dozens witnessed it.
The cold rejection.
The message was clear.
> "I'm not playing your game."
And the girls?
They didn't retreat.
They wanted him more.
---
Side Story – Arisa Minato, the Strategist
Arisa Minato adjusted her glasses in the library.
Jet-black hair. Ice-cold intellect.
She watched the forum pages refresh.
> "He's interesting."
Not because of his speed, or mystery, or even silence.
But because she didn't understand him.
> "A variable no one controls."
She closed her laptop.
> "Let's test him."