Hina's Perspective
Something felt… off.
Not dangerous.
Not like yesterday.
But wrong in a completely different way.
The moment I stepped through the school gates, I stopped.
"…What?"
Ryuna stirred slightly within my mind.
"What is it?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I was staring.
At the walls.
At the windows.
At the front entrance—
Covered in paint.
Bright, chaotic splashes of color were spread across nearly every visible surface. Crimson streaks ran across the glass doors, neon blue spirals twisted along the walls, and bold, jagged patterns in yellow and black clashed violently against each other.
It wasn't random.
It was intentional.
Deliberate.
Almost… artistic.
"…Is this a joke?" someone muttered nearby.
"No way… who would do this?"
"Did this happen overnight?!"
Students gathered around, phones already out, capturing pictures and videos.
Yuki appeared beside me, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Whoa…"
"…This is vandalism," I said flatly.
"This is cool vandalism."
"…It's still vandalism."
She tilted her head.
"…You don't think it looks kind of amazing?"
I stared at the chaotic explosion of color again.
"…No."
"Liar."
"…I'm not lying."
"…You hesitated."
I crossed my arms.
"…That's not the point."
But even as I said that—
I couldn't deny it.
There was something strange about it.
The patterns weren't messy.
They were controlled.
Precise.
Like someone had painted exactly what they wanted—
And knew exactly how to do it.
"…Ryuna."
"Yes?"
"…Do you feel anything from this?"
A pause.
"…No corruption."
"…So this isn't related?"
"…It does not appear so."
I exhaled quietly.
"…Then this is just…"
"A human action."
"…Great."
Hanato's Perspective
I noticed it before I even entered the gate.
The colors.
Too bold.
Too intentional.
"…That's new."
Students crowded around the entrance, blocking part of the path as they reacted.
"…Someone went all out," I muttered.
It lacks malicious energy, Ryuhou noted.
"…Yeah."
I walked forward, slipping past the crowd.
"…But it's still interesting."
Because this wasn't random.
Not even close.
The strokes.
The spacing.
The layering of colors.
"…Whoever did this…"
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"…knew what they were doing."
Then—
Something caught my attention.
A faint trace.
Not of corruption.
But presence.
Recent.
I turned my head slightly.
"…Someone's still nearby."
You sense it?
"…Barely."
I stepped away from the crowd.
"…Let's take a look."
Behind the School – Moments Later
The noise faded as I moved further from the main area.
Quieter.
Empty.
Then—
A flicker.
Movement.
On the rooftop edge of the back building.
I stopped.
"…There."
A figure stood there.
Slim.
Still.
Wearing a mask that completely covered their face.
But the most noticeable thing—
Their eyes.
Even from this distance—
I could see them.
Two different colors.
One glowing faintly gold.
The other—
A deep, unnatural violet.
"…Heterochromia," I murmured.
Unusual, Ryuhou said.
"…Yeah."
The figure tilted their head slightly.
Looking directly at me.
Then—
They laughed.
A soft, almost playful sound.
"…A girl," I noted.
Her voice confirms it.
"…Interesting."
Before I could move—
She stepped back.
And vanished.
Not like me.
Not into shadows.
Just—
Gone.
"…Huh."
I stared at the empty space.
"…Now that's suspicious."
School Assembly – Gymnasium
The entire student body had been gathered.
The atmosphere was tense.
Uneasy.
The principal stood at the front, his expression far more serious than usual.
"This act of vandalism is unacceptable."
His voice echoed across the gym.
"We are currently investigating the incident and will identify those responsible."
Murmurs spread among the students.
"We ask that anyone with information come forward immediately."
Silence followed.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
"…Figures," I muttered quietly from my spot.
Across the room, I spotted Hina standing with her class.
She looked normal.
Calm.
Composed.
But I noticed the slight tension in her posture.
She is observant, Ryuhou said.
"…Yeah."
The principal continued.
"Until further notice, security will be increased."
Another pause.
"If the individual responsible is found—disciplinary action will be taken immediately."
Still—
Nothing.
No leads.
No answers.
Eventually—
The assembly was dismissed.
Hallway – After Assembly
Students poured back into the hallways, conversations immediately picking up again.
"Do you think they'll actually catch them?"
"No way."
"Whoever did that must've planned it."
"Yeah, there's no way that was random."
Yuki walked beside me, already deep in thought.
"…Okay, but seriously—who do you think did it?" she asked.
"…No idea."
"Come on, you have to have a guess."
"…I really don't."
She frowned slightly.
"…It has to be someone from the school."
"Probably."
"Someone with talent."
"…Definitely."
She crossed her arms.
"…What if it's someone we know?"
"…That's not comforting."
"Right?"
Behind us—
A voice cut in.
"Maybe it's you."
I froze.
Slowly turning.
Hanato walked casually beside us, hands in his pockets, expression completely relaxed.
"…What?"
He shrugged slightly.
"You're always so quiet."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It could."
"…It doesn't."
Yuki looked between us, clearly entertained.
"Ooooh…"
I narrowed my eyes.
"…That's a stupid assumption."
Hanato smirked slightly.
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"Sounds like something a culprit would say."
"…You're unbelievable."
Yuki laughed.
"He's kinda right though—"
"You're not helping!"
Hanato tilted his head slightly.
"Or maybe…"
His smirk widened.
"…it's just the troublemaker next to you."
I blinked.
Then—
My expression darkened.
"…Excuse me?"
Yuki immediately stepped back.
"…Oh no."
I turned fully toward him.
"…You think I'm the culprit?"
"I'm just saying it's possible."
"…It's not possible."
"Sure."
I clenched my fists slightly.
"…Then maybe it's you."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Me?"
"Yes. You seem suspicious enough."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"That's harsh."
"Not harsh enough."
He chuckled.
"You're getting defensive."
"I'm getting annoyed."
"Same thing."
"…No, it's not!"
Yuki covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"You two are actually arguing over this…"
"We're not arguing," I snapped.
"We are," Hanato said calmly.
"…You're the worst."
"I've been told."
"…Multiple times, I'm guessing."
"Frequently."
I exhaled sharply.
"…Unbelievable."
And just like that—
We continued walking.
Arguing.
Back toward the classroom.
On the rooftop—
A figure sat quietly at the edge.
Watching.
Listening.
The mask hid her face.
But her mismatched eyes glowed faintly.
Gold.
And violet.
"…Interesting…"
Her voice was soft.
Amused.
"They noticed."
She swung her legs slightly over the edge.
"…Especially him."
A faint smile formed beneath the mask.
"…This is going to be fun."
The wind picked up slightly.
Carrying her quiet laughter into the sky.
And far away—
Unseen—
The next disturbance was already waiting.
Not chaos.
Not destruction.
But something else entirely.
Something unpredictable.
Something that neither Light—
Nor Shadow—
Had prepared for.
Hanato's Perspective
The paint hadn't been random.
That was the first conclusion I came to.
The second—
The culprit was still around.
"…So," I muttered under my breath as I walked through the hallway, hands casually in my pockets, "female, masked, different-colored eyes… and fast."
You intend to investigate? Ryuhou asked.
"…Obviously."
Your method?
I smirked slightly.
"…Simple."
I glanced down the hallway as groups of students passed by.
"…I'll check everyone."
Everyone?
"…Well."
My gaze shifted toward a group of girls laughing near the lockers.
"…Everyone that fits the profile."
That is inefficient.
"…It's effective enough."
Hallways – Midday
I walked slowly.
Not aimlessly.
But not suspiciously either.
Just another student passing through the halls.
But my eyes—
Were working.
Observing.
Analyzing.
Hair color.
Eye color.
Behavior.
Movement.
"…Too loud."
"…Too obvious."
"…Not her."
Group after group, I filtered them out.
Some girls had dyed hair.
Some wore colored contacts.
Some laughed too loudly.
Some tried too hard to stand out.
None of them matched.
"…She wasn't trying to be seen," I murmured.
Correct.
"…She stayed just long enough to be noticed… then disappeared."
Calculated.
"…Exactly."
I turned the corner toward the classroom wing.
"…So she's not careless."
No.
"…Which means she won't make this easy."
Classroom – Midday
The room was quieter than usual.
Students were still talking about the vandalism, but the energy had dulled slightly compared to earlier.
I stepped inside.
Scanning.
Automatically.
Then—
I noticed her.
Sitting by the window.
Selena.
Her posture was relaxed, one arm resting lightly on the desk as she gazed outside, seemingly uninterested in everything happening around her.
"…That's Selena," I muttered quietly.
You know her?
"…Not really."
I leaned slightly against the doorframe.
"…Quiet."
"…Keeps to herself."
"…Doesn't get involved."
My eyes lingered on her for a moment.
Her eyes.
Soft.
Calm.
The same color as—
"…Hina."
You are comparing her to the Hina?.
"…Yeah."
But something didn't match.
"…She's too calm."
Explain.
"…The girl I saw…"
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"…She had presence."
"…Confidence."
"…Like she enjoyed being watched."
Selena didn't give off that feeling.
Not even close.
She looked like she'd rather not be noticed at all.
"…She can't be the culprit."
You are certain?
"…Yeah."
I pushed off the wall.
"…Wrong type."
Without another glance, I turned and walked away.
"…Next."
Cafeteria – Later
The cafeteria buzzed with noise.
Students filled the space, conversations overlapping as trays clattered and chairs scraped across the floor.
I stepped inside.
Paused.
Then—
Focused.
"…Crowded."
Which makes observation harder.
"…Or easier."
I moved through the space casually, grabbing a drink I had no intention of finishing.
Just to blend in.
Then—
I saw it.
A flicker.
Near the far exit.
A girl.
Standing slightly apart from the others.
Her face partially turned away.
But—
Her eyes.
For a brief moment—
They caught the light.
Gold.
And violet.
"…Found you."
Confirmed.
"…Yeah."
The moment stretched.
Just long enough.
Then—
She noticed me.
Her body stiffened slightly.
Then turned—
And ran.
"…Knew it."
Chase
I moved instantly.
No hesitation.
The drink in my hand hit the table as I pushed forward, slipping through the crowd with practiced ease.
"Hey—!"
Someone shouted as I passed.
Ignored.
The girl darted through the exit doors, her movements quick and precise.
Not panicked.
Calculated.
"…She's fast."
As expected.
I burst through the doors into the hallway.
Just in time to see her turn the corner.
"…Not getting away that easily."
I accelerated.
My footsteps echoed against the floor as I closed the distance.
She moved like she knew the building.
Sharp turns.
No wasted movement.
"…Definitely planned this."
Or familiar with the layout.
"…Same difference."
She glanced back—
Just once.
Those mismatched eyes locked onto mine.
Then—
She pushed harder.
"…Yeah."
I smirked slightly.
"…You're not just some random student."
Stairwell
She dashed through the stairwell door.
I followed immediately.
The sound of footsteps echoed upward.
She was going up.
"…Rooftop?"
Likely.
"…Good."
I took the steps two at a time.
Faster.
Closer.
The distance between us shrinking with every second.
She reached the top—
Burst through the door—
And disappeared onto the rooftop.
I followed.
Rooftop
The wind hit instantly.
Strong.
Cold.
The city stretched out beyond the edge, endless and distant.
She stood near the center.
Waiting.
Not running anymore.
"…You stopped."
I stepped forward slowly.
"…That saves me the trouble."
She tilted her head slightly.
The mask still covered her face.
But her eyes—
Watched me carefully.
"…You're persistent," she said.
Her voice was light.
Almost amused.
"…You're suspicious."
"That hurts."
"Not really."
She laughed softly.
"…Fair."
I stopped a few meters away.
"…Who are you?"
She placed a finger against her lips.
"…That's a secret."
"…Figures."
A brief silence passed.
The wind moved around us, carrying the distant noise of the city far below.
Then—
She stepped back slightly.
"…You're interesting."
"…And you're running again."
"Of course."
Before I could react—
She moved.
Not toward the stairs.
Not toward the door.
But—
Toward the edge.
"…Wait—"
She jumped.
I rushed forward—
Reaching the edge just in time—
To see—
Nothing.
No fall.
No body.
No trace.
Just empty air.
"…What?"
I scanned below.
Nothing.
"…She didn't fall."
No.
"…Then where—"
A faint sound echoed behind me.
I turned—
But the rooftop was empty.
Completely.
"…She vanished."
Without shadow.
"…Yeah."
I exhaled slowly.
Then smirked.
"…Now that's interesting."
Final Scene
From a nearby rooftop—
Hidden from view—
The masked girl watched.
Her mismatched eyes gleaming softly.
"…He's sharp."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Much sharper than the others."
A quiet laugh escaped her lips.
"…This is going to be fun."
She turned—
And disappeared into the city.
Leaving behind—
Only questions.
And the feeling—
That something new had just entered the game.