Emilia's silver hair gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and an inexplicable hush swept through the classroom, like a gust of wind that had suddenly decided to linger. My lungs momentarily forgot how to function. Even though we already had a surplus of beauties around—I'm looking at you, Rem, Crusch, Anastasia, Priscilla, and so forth—this girl felt different. She had an otherworldly air, as if she had floated into the room from an ancient fairy tale.

She pressed her lips together, waiting for some kind of reaction from the class. A bit uncertain, she brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. I realized I was still staring. Only when Rem discreetly elbowed me in the side did I break the daze.

"Ah—sorry," I muttered under my breath. "Uh, you're really…um, nice to meet you," I ended lamely.

Her lips formed a sweet, almost hesitant smile. She peered around the room and bowed once more. Up in front, Miss Frederica clapped her hands, bringing the atmosphere back to typical, everyday chaos.

"Well then, everyone, this is Emilia," Miss Frederica said warmly. "It's our responsibility to help her adjust to this school and this class. Let's all do our best to make her feel welcome."

The teacher turned to Emilia, pointing to the unoccupied seat in the back corner—yep, the one I'd been eyeing ever since hearing about the rumored transfer student. "Emilia, you can take that desk in the last row. Natsuki Subaru, you're…one seat over from that spot, correct? Please lend her a hand if she needs any help."

Some of my classmates snickered, but I just scratched my cheek in embarrassment. I wasn't usually singled out by Miss Frederica—she was probably used to me loafing around or half-sleeping on my desk, but maybe she detected some weird energy in how I'd stared at Emilia. Then again, I suppose it made sense that the teacher asked me to help; I was chatty enough and tended to have free time for random tasks.

Emilia walked timidly past the other desks. She flashed me a polite nod. "Thank you in advance," she whispered.

Even her voice had an ethereal quality, gentle like a breeze, but with some quiet steel behind it. She smelled faintly of shampoo—a delicate floral note that drifted through the air. Okay, Subaru, get a grip, I told myself. Stop noticing random details like a weirdo.

"Of course," I murmured back.

At that moment, Rem inhaled softly from her seat to my right. I caught a glimpse of her face. There was a fleeting glimmer in her bright blue eyes—maybe curiosity? Jealousy? Concern? I'm not entirely sure. But before I could dwell on it, Miss Frederica rapped her knuckles on the podium to start homeroom announcements.

"Alright everyone, we have a couple of things to cover: the baseball tournament is coming up in two weeks, so we'll need volunteers for each class team. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the hallway. Also, next Friday we have our Career Guidance Day. Make sure you have your forms signed—don't do it at the last minute, you hear me, Subaru?"

A wave of laughter spread through the classroom. I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly.

"Let's begin first period," Miss Frederica concluded. "Emilia, if you have any questions, feel free to raise your hand or ask your classmates."

And with that, our Monday routine lurched forward—sort of. Because from that moment onward, my routine would never be the same again. Not with Emilia's presence in the seat behind me, and not with the strange, weightless feeling that threatened to swallow me from the inside out.


First period flew by in a blur of words and half-understood equations. I knew better than to appear completely clueless, but, in truth, I had no idea what Miss Frederica's math lecture was about. Every now and then, I found myself glancing over my shoulder at Emilia, just to see if she was okay. She was, of course—sitting neatly with her textbook, pen in hand. Occasionally, she'd catch me looking, which forced me to jerk my head back to the front.

Rem noticed. Each time my gaze shifted behind me, Rem's eyebrows twitched subtly. I mentally prepared for an interrogation once we had a moment alone.

By the time the bell rang, I breathed a sigh of relief. Another typical Monday… except I had absolutely no idea what was taught in class. The moment class ended, people started surrounding Emilia. It was typical: she was new, adorable, and had an innocent vibe that pulled others in. I overheard people asking where she was from and whether she was living alone, or with family, or if she might join any clubs.

Emilia answered graciously, though she looked a bit overwhelmed. Her silver hair caught the morning sunlight from the windows, giving her a soft glow. I tried to stifle a grin at how enthralled everyone was—though I was in the same boat.

At last, there was a break in the deluge. She turned to me, eyes shining.

"Natsuki Subaru… It was Subaru, right?" she asked in a careful voice, testing out my name.

My heart did a weird little stutter. "That's me," I said. "I'm basically the local loudmouth. If you need anything, just holler, okay?"

She nodded, smiling. "I appreciate it. I'm…a bit nervous."

"Aw, you look calm and collected," I said.

"Not at all," Emilia replied quietly. Then, as if remembering something, she tapped her desk. "Sorry, I just realized I don't have the correct textbooks yet. The homeroom teacher said I should talk to you about borrowing them for the day…?"

My lips twitched into a grin. "Yeah, sure thing. I've got a spare old copy. Rem's been bugging me to keep everything together so I'd stop having to borrow other people's stuff. But it's your lucky day—I actually came prepared for once."

I opened my desk, rummaging for the battered math textbook. As I did so, Rem abruptly stood from her seat, her face sporting that usual pleasant expression—a bit too bright.

"Subaru, do you mind if Rem helps too? Since Rem always checks your textbooks in the morning, Rem actually knows exactly where they are," she said sweetly. Her voice had that intangible ring that spelled trouble for me if I rejected her.

"Sure, sure. That'd be great," I agreed, swallowing.

We located the worn textbook, and Rem handed it over to Emilia with a polite bob of her head. "Please use this. And if you need to copy any notes, Rem is happy to share hers. Subaru's notes are…um, they might be a little difficult to read sometimes."

"Hey! I have decent handwriting!" I piped up, though in truth, her "Subaru's notes" remark wasn't entirely off-base.

Emilia giggled, hugging the textbook to her chest. "Thank you very much. I already feel a bit more at ease."

There was a gentle camaraderie forming right before my eyes—a subdued synergy between the radiant new girl and my devoted childhood friend. A swirl of excitement, plus a twinge of something else, tugged at my heart. I chalked it up to good old teenage nerves. But I also noticed the slightest tension in Rem's shoulders when she turned away.

The morning break ended quickly, and soon the second period began. People scurried back to their seats, and the daily grind continued. With each ring of the bell, though, I caught myself checking the clock, feeling a building anticipation for lunch, when I'd see all sorts of chaos break out among my classmates—and also a chance to talk to Emilia again without the formalities of class.


When the midday bell chimed, so many chairs scraped the floor simultaneously that it sounded like the school was about to collapse. Bags rustled, desks were shuffled together, and the typical lunchtime cacophony rose up. I stood, stretching both arms above my head, ignoring the crack in my spine that revealed how stiff I was.

"Yo, Subaru," called Otto from two rows back, "mind if I eat with you guys today? My usual lunch partners are out sick."

"Sure thing," I said. I was in a good mood after making it through the first half of class with no major incidents. Rem, her eyes bright, was already opening the large bento box she'd prepared for me.

One look, and my stomach growled loudly enough that everyone at my table smirked. Rem's eyes turned apologetic. "So sorry, it's a little big, but I made your favorite. It's got an omelet stuffed with a mix of cheese and vegetables, plus I put your usual…um…well, you know." She paused, glancing at me with the timid air of someone saying: mayonnaise.

"Don't worry, I live for mayonnaise," I declared with more pride than necessary. I inhaled the aroma of sweet egg. She and I gently tried to keep from drizzling mayo on literally everything, but it was tough. Our family obsession was borderline unhinged. "Let's dig in!"

Next to me, Otto opened his store-bought sandwich. He shot a longing glance at my bento. "That looks good, Mr. Natsuki. Mind sharing a bit?"

I pursed my lips. "You can have a nibble if you let me have a bite of your sandwich. It looks brand new and, by the looks of it, has no mayonnaise. A new flavor…intriguing."

He reluctantly tore off part of his sandwich for me. I gave him some of the tamagoyaki in return. We were about to delve into that gastronomical exchange, but a new presence approached our desks.

"Um… Subaru?" Emilia's voice was quiet, uncertain.

I lifted my head. There she was, standing a bit away from our clump of desks, a neatly wrapped lunch bag in her hand. I also noticed how half the class was surreptitiously watching, either openly or out of the corners of their eyes—especially the guys who wanted an excuse to talk to her. I guess she'd singled me out after I'd volunteered to help. Well, time to step up.

"Hey, Emilia," I said, injecting some warmth into my tone so she wouldn't feel unwelcome. "Need help finding a seat? Wanna join us?"

I expected her to hesitate, maybe glance around. But she only blinked, relief flooding her expression. "Yes, please. If that's alright…"

Rem, on the opposite side of me, scooted over, patting the adjacent desk. "Yes, sit here, Emilia," she said gently, smiling. "Subaru can be a bit messy while eating, so try to keep your distance."

"Rem, you're making me sound like a barbarian," I complained, crossing my arms. Then I turned to Emilia with a half-serious grin. "I do occasionally fling mayonnaise around by accident."

Emilia's face registered mild panic. "F-fling mayonnaise around…?"

"Joking, joking!" I quickly clarified. "Ignore him," Rem said in unison, giving me a withering look.

Emilia set down her pink-lidded lunch box, carefully peeling away the cloth. I sneaked a peek: inside was a refined, if modest, arrangement of rice and a few simple side dishes. She must've made it by herself—there was an endearing imperfection, like the onigiri lumps were shaped by unsteady hands.

"This is all I could manage… I'm not the best at cooking, but at least I tried," she admitted, almost embarrassed.

"It looks great," I said honestly. Rem nodded. Otto seemed more interested in my bento, but he offered a little thumbs-up in Emilia's direction.

We chatted about small things as we started eating: the weather, the upcoming baseball tournament, the general vibe of the school. I couldn't help noticing that whenever Emilia spoke about her past, she got a bit vague. She mentioned living in an area "far from here," with a caretaker named Puck, but she didn't elaborate. Something about her story was incomplete, like she was reluctant or maybe worried about being grilled by new classmates.

"Anyway," she said, carefully pressing her chopsticks together, "I'm just glad to be here, so…thank you for letting me join you. I was worried I'd be all alone."

Rem and I exchanged a look. Something about Emilia's tone tugged at my chest—like she'd truly been dreading isolation on her first day. If that's how she felt, I wanted to do whatever I could to make her comfortable. I'd been the new kid once, back in elementary school, and it was an ordeal. Being lonely in a room full of strangers is no fun. I swallowed another mouthful of Rem's sweet omelet and felt an odd sense of responsibility.

"You're with us now," I said, trying to sound confident. "You won't be lonely anymore."

Emilia blinked. Then her cheeks turned faintly pink as she gave me a small nod. "Thank you."

From the periphery of my sight, Rem was smiling softly. For a moment, everything felt light and warm, like stepping onto sunlit grass after days of rain.


Of course, in Lugunica High School, tranquility doesn't last long. Just as I was polishing off the last bit of my bento, a swirl of tension coalesced at the front of the classroom. Anastasia stood by the blackboard, and with her were Julius and Ferris. Anastasia tapped the blackboard with a pointer stick shaped like a fox's tail—apparently a school novelty item from the student store.

"All righty, kiddos," she called out, "can I get your attention for a second?"

I glanced at Rem, rolling my eyes. The fact that Anastasia referred to everyone else as "kiddos" told me she was about to lecture us. She saw me and recognized my scornful expression.

"Natsuki Subaru, I see that look in your eyes," she said, tossing her purple hair. "Don't worry, I'll keep this short. We gotta talk about class funds and the baseball tournament budget."

"Baseball budget?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. "It's just a casual school tournament, right? Are we buying matching headbands or something?"

Anastasia smirked. "Maybe if you volunteer to join the cheerleading squad, we'd invest in pretty ribbons, like for you to look all fancy. But actually, I'm just here to mention that all classes are trying to do a fundraiser. There's talk about brand new sports equipment or prizes. So we want some ideas."

Julius nodded, stepping forward. "Since we're the second years, we should maintain a good example for our juniors."

Ferris twirled a strand of hair. "So if any of you have creative suggestions, come talk to us after class. That's all."

I suppressed a groan. It's not that I disliked the idea, but dealing with the student council's big plans usually meant responsibilities fell on the unsuspecting. People like me. Because, well, I suppose I'm sometimes… loud, maybe comedic, so I get roped into all sorts of nonsense.

I raised my hand slightly. "Can I vote for less mandatory participation in general? Just a suggestion."

Anastasia laughed. "Nice try, but no. Let's try to unify the class for once. Didn't you want to use the budget for additional mayonnaise flavors or something?"

I snapped my fingers in mock delight. "Now that's an idea."

Rem stifled a giggle, though her expression also said "No, that's a terrible idea." Emilia, who was still new to everything, blinked in confusion at the mention of mayonnaise mania. She must have heard rumors about the Natsuki family's obsession already—these things spread quickly.

"Well, that's all for now," Anastasia concluded. "We'll be outside in the hallway if anyone wants to follow up."

And just like that, the council trio vanished amid a swirl of instructions and details. The class gradually returned to its buzzing normalcy. Everyone's lunch break was nearing its end. Emilia gently closed her lunch box, cheeks tinted with satisfaction.

"It's quite lively here," she commented softly. "I like it. It's…very different from my old school."

Her words sounded tinted by nostalgia, or possibly some regret. That slightly haunted note in her tone didn't escape Rem either; I noticed her eyebrows knit just a fraction. We were about to ask for details, but the bell rang, cutting short any conversation. Emilia looked startled at the abrupt clang, and I realized she might not be used to the patterns of our schedule.

In the end, we resumed class without unraveling the mysteries behind Emilia's past. But an odd feeling tugged at my mind, like an itch just beneath the surface. A sense that something in her life had been complicated. Well, fair enough—everyone here had their own baggage. I shot Emilia a fleeting glance as she gathered her materials. She flashed a polite, uncertain smile in return. Then Miss Frederica strode in, clapping for attention.


The rest of the day slid into a comfortable monotony: literature class with Roswaal L. Mathers (a flamboyant part-time teacher and flamboyant full-time weirdo), some group project discussion, and then dreaded physical education, where I ended up having to do warm-up runs under the scorching midday sun. I noticed that Emilia, who was still new, hadn't received her gym clothes yet. So she stood by, watching from the shade, chatting occasionally with Ferris, who was collecting attendance.

Ram and Rem effortlessly aced the track laps—Ram especially, who ironically had the stamina of a pro athlete, even though she often wore an aloof expression in class. While I lagged behind, I could faintly see Garfiel near the middle school track, practicing for some event. He was a speck of blond with a fierce expression, kept in line by a stern teacher. A part of me pitied him.

The final bell eventually rang, releasing us into the sweet freedom of after-school hours. I trudged back to the classroom, where a handful of people still lingered. Reinhard was there, finishing some notes. Felt was across the room, probably hoping to dart out without him noticing. Priscilla and Al were nowhere to be seen—maybe they had gone home early in typical rebellious fashion.

Rem was pulling out her pencil case, looking at me with that usual gentle smile that also meant she might corral me into some club activity or cleaning duty. "Subaru, we have classroom cleaning duty, remember?"

My shoulders slumped. "Right… let's get it over with, then."

Emilia, who was straightening her desk, overheard. "Cleaning duty? Do you need an extra pair of hands?"

Rem's eyes widened slightly at the offer, but she shook her head. "It's Subaru's job, so I insist he does his share," she said. "But if you'd like to help, that'd be very kind. You don't have to, though, it's your first day."

Emilia smiled. "It might help me learn more about the school building, so I really don't mind."

And so the three of us ended up vacuuming, wiping down the chalkboard, and emptying trash bins under the watchful eye of Miss Frederica. Otto escaped quickly by claiming urgent errands, that traitor. At one point, as I dragged the vacuum near the windows, I glimpsed Julius and Anastasia in the hallway, seemingly discussing something in hushed voices. It was about the class fundraiser. Julius appeared serious, face angled downward, while Anastasia's expression was neutral. They parted ways when they realized I was looking.

"Huh," I muttered to myself, "student council business must be intense."

Meanwhile, Emilia finished wiping the window ledges. She stared out at the early evening sky, a quiescent hush in her demeanor. "What a nice view," she murmured. "This place feels safe."

Safe?

I paused, letting her words sink in. It was a strange choice of expression, yet something about the sincerity in her voice made me swallow hard. If this simple, ordinary high school building felt "safe" to her, then maybe wherever she came from wasn't quite so peaceful. Again, I felt that pang of curiosity. Who was this girl? Where did she really come from?

Rem caught my gaze, a silent question in her eyes. I shrugged, not sure what to say. We worked for a while more. Then, with the cleaning complete, we returned the supplies to the storage closet. Miss Frederica gave us a pleased nod.

"Thank you, all of you," the teacher said briskly. "Emilia, good initiative for your first day."

Emilia gave a small bow. "It's nothing. I'm happy to help."

"Well then," Miss Frederica went on, "you're all free to go home. Make sure you don't stay too late, there's a staff meeting soon, and we'll be locking up early."

Her words were more or less a gentle nudge for us to leave. I stretched, feeling a tired ache in my arms. We walked out into the hallway together—Rem, Emilia, and me. The corridors were quiet, with occasional distant chatter from the sports clubs. Rays of the setting sun slanted through the windows, bathing everything in warm gold.

We made our way downstairs. Near the shoe lockers, the three of us paused awkwardly. Emilia fiddled with the sleeves of her uniform, as if searching for something to say.

"Umm," I ventured, "which way do you go home, Emilia?"

She blinked. "Oh, I'm staying in a small apartment near the station, I think. It's about a fifteen-minute walk from here."

My eyes flickered over to Rem. Our home wasn't in that direction— we lived on the opposite side. "We can at least walk you to the station," I offered. "Right, Rem?"

"Of course," Rem said, "if you're comfortable with that, Emilia."

Emilia's face brightened. "That would be nice. Thank you."

And so, the day ended with us escorting Emilia along a winding path from school to the station. As we passed through the narrow shopping district, Rem lightly guided her away from the rowdy street stalls or the old men catcalling from a ramen shop. I kept my eye out for suspicious folks, though in this peaceful area, it was mostly safe.

We parted ways in front of the station, with the red sky overhead. Emilia bowed gratefully.

"I appreciate everything today. It means a lot," she said. Then she opened her mouth like she wanted to add something else—perhaps "I'm sorry for being a bother," or "Please keep helping me tomorrow." But she ended up simply smiling. "Thank you. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah," I said. "Tomorrow."

Rem and I watched as she turned to walk up the steps. Then we made our own way home, exchanging small talk about dinner. She mentioned a new mayonnaise recipe Dad was experimenting with, and I pretended not to salivate like a starved dog.

Yet beneath the mundane conversation, my mind circled around Emilia's parting smile. A sense of something intangible lodged in my chest. Part curiosity, part protectiveness. And behind it all, a faint stirring of excitement, like I'd discovered a new dimension to life in this once too-familiar world.


Upon arriving home, the very first greeting came from Beako—my little sister, Beatrice—lurking in the entryway with a regal pout.

"You're late, I suppose. You said you'd be back by sundown, in fact," she complained, her vertical drill curls bobbing indignantly. "Were you flirting with some girl, I suppose?"

"Now, now, why do you always assume that?" I teased. "For your information, I was fulfilling my honorable duties of cleaning the classroom."

She scrunched her nose, unconvinced. "Hmph. Betty saw you at the station with another girl, I suppose, while I was on my way home with Petra. Petra teased me, so it's your fault Betty had to endure that."

I stifled a laugh. So, she had spotted me with Emilia. "That's not something to get mad about, you know. Next time, I'll introduce you if you want."

"Not necessary, in fact!" she huffed, turning around with a little flourish. "Anyway, Mama made dinner. If you're late, you'll get scolded, so hurry."

And so, with a swirl of her fancy curls, she disappeared into the dining room. I changed into my house slippers and walked in. The aroma of freshly cooked rice and… mayonnaise? Yes, definitely mayonnaise. Dad was already there, vigorously stirring some concoction, while Mom set plates on the table.

Rem had parted ways with me at her own home (the house next to ours, ironically). She liked to maintain a semblance of "not always being by Subaru's side," or so she claimed, though I wondered if it was her polite way of letting me have family time.

Dinner passed in typical Natsuki fashion: enthusiastic conversation about mayonnaise-based recipes, Dad's questionable puns, Mom's borderline worship of the brand-new "ultra-smooth mayonnaise." Then Beatrice and I parted ways to do our own post-meal chores. She scurried upstairs with the excuse of having "homework," while I loaded the dishwasher, mind drifting through the day's events.

Emilia. Her silvery hair and bright eyes. How she'd seemed so relieved to join us for lunch. The complexities in her voice whenever she talked about her old life. In the swirl of daily chatter, these thoughts glittered like bits of broken glass in my mind—noticeable and sharp.

Eventually, I finished my chores, tossed on some casual clothes, and holed up in my room. My desk lamp glowed softly over my messy textbooks. Outside, the neighborhood was quiet, only the hum of distant traffic. I opened a math book halfheartedly, flipping through pages. My mind refused to cooperate. Still, it felt good to do something normal, something that reminded me I was just another high schooler going through the standard routine.

But a chill tiptoed down my spine. As I turned a page, I caught my own reflection in the dark window. My face looked… I don't know. Different? Tired, or worried. I forced a grin at my reflection, feeling an inexplicable wave of uncertainty. What had changed?

I shook my head, trying to ignore the sudden anxiety, and forced myself to study until midnight.


The next morning dawned bright and loud. As usual, Beatrice's footsteps pounded on my bedroom door, demanding I get up. I groaned, rolled out of bed, and prepared for the day. School was calling, or so the masses say.

The family's routine was unchanged: mayonnaise on toast, mayonnaise salad, mayonnaise eggs. Dad slurped "mayo soup," which was as horrifying as it sounds (yet still somehow tasty to me). I tried not to let the overwhelming flavor dampen the fresh start to my day.

Beatrice left earlier to meet Petra. I, however, lingered an extra minute to carefully pack my bag. As if expecting something new to happen, I double-checked I had an extra textbook for Emilia—on the off chance she needed it. When I realized how thoroughly I was planning this, a flush of self-consciousness colored my cheeks. I muttered curses at my own eagerness. Still, it didn't stop me from stuffing an extra notebook in there, just in case.

Rem was waiting outside our gate, just like every other day. I said my usual greeting, she gave her sweet response, and we set off. Her eyes flicked to my bag with faint amusement.

"You look a bit more prepared than usual, Subaru," she noted.

I coughed into my hand. "I have no clue what you mean."

She let the topic slide, but her smile grew. The walk to school was peaceful, no random run-ins with Echidna or Minerva or the rest of that odd mansion household. Surprising. Maybe Sekhmet was still missing? The day before, we'd been bombarded with run-ins from half the neighborhood. Today's calmness felt suspicious, in a comedic sense. Like the day was holding its breath for something big.

As we approached the building, we spotted a minor commotion at the school gates: Ferris and Anastasia were in a hushed argument with a few students. Something about an unauthorized visitor. I recognized the voice:

"Look, I get it, but I'm in a hurry—can you let me in? I just forgot my phone in the classroom," Al was saying from behind his trademark mask.

Anastasia shook her head. "Rules are rules, old man. You're not a student or faculty. Don't waltz in."

"But Princess forgot her phone in class. She's lost without me," Al said. "Just let me retrieve it and I'll be gone."

Anastasia and Ferris scowled. Rem whispered to me, "Poor Al, always stuck doing errands for Priscilla."

I shrugged. "He brought that on himself by devoting his entire existence to her."

With that miniature fiasco overshadowing the entrance, nobody else confronted us. We slipped by and headed for the classroom. It was only when I reached my desk that I noticed something peculiar: the seat in front of Rem—Ram's seat—was empty. Strange. Usually Ram arrived earlier than us, or at least around the same time.

"Hey, where's Ram?" I murmured to Rem.

Rem's face creased with concern. "I'm not sure. She left the house early this morning. Something about meeting…someone. I thought she would be here."

A sinking feeling burrowed into my stomach. Then Julius, who was polishing his desk in a fastidious manner, spoke up. "Ram is absent today. She called the school office this morning."

Rem stiffened. "She never told me. Did she say why?"

Julius shook his head. "No. The staff only said she called in an absence. She might be ill."

Rem frowned thoughtfully, but there wasn't much we could do. I was about to reassure her when Emilia arrived. She hesitated in the doorway, scanning the classroom. I raised a hand in greeting, and she made her way to her seat. She seemed relieved to see a familiar face. "Morning," she said softly, inclining her head.

I tried to muster a sunny grin. "Morning, Emilia. You get here okay?"

She nodded, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. "Yes. I passed by a strange masked man at the gates, though. Is that normal at this school?"

I snorted. "Define 'normal.' That's Al—he's…semi-associated with the board chairman's granddaughter. Just standard Lugunica High School weirdness."

A flicker of amusement crossed her expression. But she picked up on the tension in Rem's posture.

"Is something wrong?" Emilia asked gently.

Rem swallowed. "My sister is absent today, quite unexpectedly. It's unusual for her not to tell me."

Emilia's eyes softened. "Oh… I'm sorry. Maybe it's just a small matter, or she feels sick. I hope she's okay."

Rem forced a tiny nod. The conversation drifted away as the bell rang, ushering us into a new day of classes. Still, that uneasy pinch in my chest wouldn't disappear. First, the entire fiasco with Al trying to get in for Priscilla's phone. Now Ram's abrupt absence. The day's calmness felt like a thin veneer over something that might bubble up. But what?


Mid-morning class ended, and it was our break time. As soon as Miss Frederica stepped out, a swirl of chatter filled the room. Anastasia marched up to me and Rem, flipping her purple hair behind her shoulder. Julius hovered behind her, expression faintly anxious.

"You two, we need to have a short meeting about the fundraiser," Anastasia declared. "Something about a possible group to lead a bake sale or something. We want broad involvement from the class."

I tried not to sigh. "If it's about baking for the baseball tournament, I'm worthless. Mayonnaise cupcakes are the best I've got, and that's—"

Anastasia poked me in the chest. "No. Absolutely not. We need something that sells. I assume Rem has better culinary sense than you do?"

Rem colored at the attention. "I can cook normal sweets, if that's what you need. But I'd need help if we're to produce a large quantity."

"Great. That's one possibility. Just keep that in mind. We'll likely talk more after school." Anastasia then waved Julius away, heading toward the next group of victims—er, classmates. Julius offered an apologetic shrug and followed suit.

I massaged my temple. So I'd probably have after-school duties again. Another late day, possibly?

"U-um, Subaru," came Emilia's voice. She tapped me lightly on the shoulder, her eyes reflecting shy curiosity. "What's this about a fundraiser?"

I exhaled, shifting to face her properly. "Ah, yeah. The baseball tournament is a big deal. Each class sets up an event—a booth, or show, or something—during the finals. This year, the student council wants us to do a fundraiser to buy new equipment. So the class might do a bake sale. We're still in the brainstorming stage."

Emilia's lips parted in understanding. "I see. If there's a bake sale, I'd be happy to help too, if you need extra hands. Although, I'm not the best baker. I'm decent at simpler treats."

"Really? That'd be super helpful. I can't bake to save my life," I admitted. "But maybe you can team up with Rem. She's basically the class MVP for anything culinary."

Rem overheard and tried to wave off the compliment. "No, not at all. I'm not that good."

"You are," I insisted. "Don't be modest."

A reluctant smile curved Rem's lips, and Emilia giggled softly. The moment was surprisingly cozy—like we were forming our own little group. If only we could remain in that bubble for a bit longer. But fate and the hustle of daily high school life had other plans.

Suddenly, a sharp shriek tore through the air from the hallway. Everyone in the classroom jolted, eyes darting toward the door. My heart lurched in my chest. It sounded like someone was genuinely frightened, not a typical teenage squeal.

Without thinking, I shot to my feet. So did Reinhard, Julius, Priscilla, and even Felt. We all converged at the hallway door. Out there, near the locker area, a petite figure—a first-year student?—looked pale, trembling as she pointed at something on the floor.

"It's… i-it's from that absent girl…" she stammered. "Ram… w-wasn't she the older twin?"

Rem's name was Ram, yes. My stomach twisted with dread. "What's going on here?" I called, pushing through.

On the ground was a single pink hair ribbon, soaked with something red—like paint. My mind whirled. Blood? That's impossible… or is it?

Rem gasped behind me, her voice strangled. "That's…my sister's hair ribbon. She always wears a ribbon tied around her left wrist."

Emilia's hand flew to her mouth, horror in her eyes. Ferris knelt down beside the item, carefully lifting the ribbon. He sniffed it, then made a face. "It's… ketchup?"

For a bizarre second, we all froze. That was simultaneously a relief and still horrifying. Ketchup, not blood. But why would Ram's hair ribbon be lying here, smeared in ketchup? And where was Ram herself?

Rem dropped to her knees beside Ferris. She gently touched the damp ribbon, eyes wide, expression trembling with panic. "What is this?" she whispered. "Why would Ram…?"

The gathered crowd muttered theories: maybe it was a prank, maybe she'd dropped it. But the weirdness of the scene was off the charts. Even Priscilla, who normally dismissed everything with arrogance, appeared slightly unsettled.

We were in the middle of that messy confusion when Principal Wilhelm, silent and dignified, stepped onto the scene. His silver hair was a testament to his age, yet his eyes blazed with an undeniable sharpness.

"What's all this commotion?" he asked quietly, glancing at the onlooking students. His gaze landed on the suspicious ribbon in Ferris's hands.

An unspoken hush settled. Rem clutched the ribbon, standing with trembling shoulders.

"This belongs to my sister, who's absent today," Rem said, voice quivering. "We don't know how it got here… I'm worried."

Principal Wilhelm's expression hardened, but he nodded with steady composure. "Come to my office. Let's see if we can piece together the events. The rest of you, please return to class. We will handle it."

He singled out Rem, Ferris, Julius, and me to follow. Emilia also tried to come, but Wilhelm gently insisted she stay in class, given she was new and not directly involved. The look on her face was torn, but she stayed back.

As we trudged after Principal Wilhelm, my heart hammered with tension. The ketchup-smeared ribbon weighed on my mind like a macabre omen. Missing people, bizarre items left behind… The day had taken a distinctly ominous turn.


The principal's office was tidy and smelled faintly of old books. A small pot of tea sat on the wooden desk, next to a family photo of Wilhelm's wife—an elegant woman with a stern face. Rem was seated on a chair, still clutching Ram's ribbon. Julius and Ferris hovered behind us. I stood near Rem, trying to offer silent support.

Principal Wilhelm closed the door, took his seat behind the desk, and leveled a calm yet intense gaze at each of us.

"I know this is unsettling, but let's think logically," he began in his measured tone. "Ram called in absent this morning. The phone message simply stated she was feeling ill and needed the day off. That was presumably from Ram herself, or at least it sounded like her voice. Now, we've found what appears to be her hair ribbon, stained with ketchup."

Ferris folded his arms, cat-ear headband slightly askew. "But why ketchup? Kinda an odd thing to drench a ribbon in, meow."

Julius nodded. "It seems more like a message or a prank, but from whom? Ram might not be the type to do a practical joke."

I looked sideways at Rem—she was biting her lip. "My sister hates jokes like that," Rem said softly. "And she would never drop her favorite ribbon so carelessly. She's very particular about it."

Principal Wilhelm leaned back thoughtfully. "Have any of you spoken to Ram recently about anything unusual, such as conflicts, threats, or her personal life?"

We exchanged glances. I thought about Ram's rumored infatuation with that novelist, Roswaal. Could that be relevant? Possibly. But Rem was already shaking her head.

"We rarely keep secrets from each other," she insisted. "I knew she was meeting Roswaal-sensei sometimes, but that's not unusual—he's a teacher, though a bit eccentric. She never mentioned arguments or… or anything that would lead to something like this."

Her voice cracked. I placed a hand gently on her shoulder. Wilhelm's gaze softened.

"For now, let us not jump to dire conclusions. It could indeed be a prank. I'll contact Ram's home. If she's simply asleep in bed, we can put this worry to rest."

Rem's shoulders sagged in relief. "Yes… please do. Thank you."

Principal Wilhelm stood, calmly picking up the phone. While he dialed, the rest of us waited in tense silence. A few moments later, he frowned. "There's no answer," he murmured, placing the handset back in its cradle. "I'll keep trying. In the meantime, you four should return to class. I'll make further inquiries with the staff. We shall handle this discreetly to avoid panic."

Rem looked like she wanted to protest. Julius gave her a soft pat on the back. "Let's do as he says. We don't want to cause a scene," he advised.

Ferris nodded grimly. "We'll figure out the best approach."

I mustered a half-smile for Rem's sake. "Don't worry, we'll find your sister."

She bit her lip again, nodding. We filed out of the office. My mind whirled with questions. If this was a real disappearance, it was insane. This was just a normal school, right? But there was that weird rumor about Sekhmet's disappearance from the other day, too. Two vanishings in a short span? Something felt very wrong.


On our way back to class, we found Emilia waiting just outside the door, face etched with worry. The second she saw us, she rushed over, hand clasped over her heart.

"Are you okay? What happened?" she asked breathlessly.

Rem offered a shaky exhale. "We're… not sure yet. The principal's trying to confirm if Ram is truly missing or if it's just a misunderstanding."

Emilia nodded, brow furrowed. "I'm sorry… I wish I could help."

I noticed the sincerity in her expression. And once again, that swirl of curiosity and admiration welled up within me. She barely knew Ram, but she genuinely cared. It was comforting, but also made the dread in my stomach heavier—like seeing a bright light shining on a murky corridor, highlighting how dark it truly was.

"Thank you," Rem whispered.

Before we could say more, Priscilla swept by like a hurricane, ignoring the tension as if it didn't exist. She cast a dismissive glance at Ferris and Julius. "You're all so worked up over nothing. The fool must have simply stayed at home. The ketchup is from some silly child. Stop causing a scene."

Ferris bristled. "That's unkind, Princess. Rem is worried."

"Hmm," Priscilla retorted, arching a perfect eyebrow. "Feel free to wallow in your worries. I have no intention of stooping to this level. Al is retrieving my phone from my personal locker, so if you'll excuse me…"

She walked away with that haughty gait, mesmerizing and infuriating in equal measure. Julius sighed heavily.

"That was… unhelpful," I muttered.

Emilia frowned. "She seems to have no empathy."

Rem forced a trembling laugh. "She's always like that. Don't let her bother you."

We decided to remain close by until classes resumed. I hung around the doorway with Emilia and Rem. Reinhard approached briefly, concern shading his otherwise tranquil face. He offered help if needed, promising to keep an eye out. He even tried to cheer Rem up with some encouraging words about Ram being "too strong-willed to vanish." That earned him a faint smile from Rem, though it was laced with anxiety.

The third period bell rang soon enough, and we had to push the matter of Ram's disappearance aside for the time being. Our teacher, Roswaal, arrived in a flourish of color—he was wearing a flamboyant tie that day—and launched into a lecture about classic literature. Rem stared at her desk, half-listening, twisting Ram's ribbon in her hands. I couldn't pay much attention either, my mind in a swirl.

Emilia sat quietly behind me, scribbling notes with surprising diligence. Every once in a while, I'd glance back at her, and she'd mouth a silent question: "Are you okay?" I nodded stiffly, offering a tight smile. The day progressed in a strange hush.


By lunchtime, the news about Ram's suspicious absence and the discovery of her ribbon had circulated among classmates, though hush-hush. People whispered theories in corners. Some thought it was a twisted joke by a younger student. Others suspected something darker. I could see the worry in Rem's eyes intensifying.

"Hey," I said gently, as we opened our lunch boxes. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Let's just keep in touch with the principal. He said he'd keep us updated."

Rem nodded, forcing a small smile. Emilia carefully joined us again—though it felt like the bright camaraderie from yesterday had dimmed. We ate in subdued silence, picking at our food. My appetite had vanished.

Halfway through lunch, a flurry of black fluttered into the classroom: Elsa, the school nurse, with her dangerously low-cut top and mysterious air. She looked around with those half-lidded eyes that gave everyone goosebumps. Spotting me, she curved her lips into a chilling smile.

"Subaru," she cooed. "You seem pale today. Are you feeling unwell?"

I stiffened, remembering the ominous rumors about her. "I'm fine, thanks," I insisted, a bit too quickly.

She chuckled quietly. "That's good. If you feel your insides stirring, do come see me. I'll gladly take a look."

"R-right. Will do."

She cast a lingering glance at Rem, who shrank under that almost predatory gaze. Then, with a swirling of her lab coat, Elsa turned and left. The entire class exhaled in unison, as if we'd collectively been holding our breath. No one wanted to be the next rumor about what might happen in that infirmary.

"Creepy woman," I muttered, while Emilia stared after Elsa curiously. "It's nothing, she's just… weird," I said, responding to her unspoken question.

Emilia nodded slowly. "I see."

We finished lunch with lumps in our throats. Anxiety weighed heavily on the atmosphere. Even Otto, who usually pestered me, gave me space. Only the unstoppable chatter from the Ton-Chin-Kan trio in the corner provided any semblance of normalcy. They seemed clueless about the severity of the situation, discussing some anime they watched last night.

After the lunch break, the day slogged on. A part of me felt surreal: we were dealing with a possibly missing classmate, yet the clock ticked forward, classes started and ended as usual, teachers told us to open textbooks. Everyone existed in a forced normalcy that threatened to crack at any moment.

Emilia, sensing Rem's gloom, offered gentle gestures of comfort: a tissue when Rem almost teared up, a quiet "take my notes" when she saw Rem couldn't focus. Each small kindness made me admire her more. She didn't intrude, but she stayed near, as if forming a protective ring around Rem.

The final bell rang, releasing us into after-school hours. With that, the tension soared again—because now, we might get real news from the principal, or do our own investigation. Rem practically dashed out of the classroom, presumably to check on any updates about Ram. I followed, with Emilia close behind, ignoring the stares from the rest of the class.

We reached the faculty office. But before we could enter, Ferris emerged, a grave expression on his face. He shook his head.

"No new info, meow," Ferris said quietly. "The principal can't contact Ram at home or on her cell phone. Roswaal-sensei is out in a meeting, so we can't ask him either. We might have to contact the police soon."

Rem's eyes welled with tears. "Sister… where are you?"

Emilia gently rested a hand on Rem's shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

At that moment, Principal Wilhelm stepped out, posture rigid. "Rem, I will be contacting the authorities tonight if Ram does not appear or call. For now, you should return home."

Rem trembled. "I want to look for her. She might be somewhere close."

"That's dangerous without a clue where to start," Wilhelm said, though not unkindly.

Ferris glanced at me. "Maybe we can split up into groups and do a quick search around the school perimeter. But please, keep it safe."

Rem latched onto that idea. "Yes. I can't just sit and wait."

I took a deep breath. "Alright, let's try. Emilia, you in?"

She nodded resolutely. "I'd like to help."

Thus, we formed an informal search party: me, Rem, Emilia, plus Ferris (who had administrative permission from Wilhelm). We agreed to roam the campus once more, check corners or nooks, and then venture a little into the surrounding neighborhood if needed.

Even though I clung to the hope that Ram was just at home, I couldn't quell the knot in my stomach. Something told me we wouldn't find her so easily.


School clubs were mostly done for the day, so the grounds were relatively empty. The four of us split up, with Ferris heading to the middle school building to see if Ram had gone there for some reason, while Rem, Emilia, and I stuck to the high school campus.

Corridors echoed with our footsteps. Light from the setting sun stretched shadows across the floors, painting everything orange and red. We checked restrooms, storage rooms, the gym, any place we could think of. Each time, we called Ram's name, voices reverberating in the emptiness.

Nothing.

Finally, we ended up in the quiet library, footsteps soft against the carpet. Rows of shelves towered over us, lines of dusty spines glinting in the dim overhead lights. Rem paused, hugging herself. "Ram… loves reading. She might be here," she whispered, voice quavering.

Emilia patted her shoulder. "Let's be thorough," she said gently.

We fanned out, scanning each aisle. The hush was almost eerie. My heart thudded. If Ram was lying unconscious somewhere… or if some weird scenario was unfolding…

But we saw no one. I was about to give up when I heard a faint voice. Instantly, I tensed. Motioning to Rem and Emilia, I followed the noise toward the far corner of the library—an area with old, rarely borrowed books. Quietly, I edged around a shelf. Then, I recognized the speaker's voice:

"—and with that, perhaps there's no need for further meddling…"

It was none other than Roswaal L. Mathers, the flamboyant teacher. My eyebrows rose in surprise. He was on the phone, his back partially turned. He wore a faint smirk. "Yes, yes, they suspect something. But it's only natural, given the ketchup fiasco. Aha, you do catch on quickly. Mmm, see you soon."

My heart hammered. Why was he here, alone, talking about the ketchup fiasco? Could he be involved with Ram's disappearance? I shot a concerned glance at Rem. She had gone pale, clearly hearing the same conversation. Emilia's eyes narrowed.

As Roswaal ended the call, we emerged cautiously. He noticed us, blinking in exaggerated surprise.

"Ahh, Subaru, Rem, and…Emilia, yes? What are you all doing here so late? The library is closed, hmm?"

Rem took a shaky step forward. "Roswaal-sensei… do you know anything about my sister's disappearance?"

"Disappearance? Ohoho, that's quite the word," Roswaal said, tapping a finger to his lips. "I only heard that Ram was absent."

Rem clenched her fists. "Don't play dumb," she whispered. "We found her ribbon covered in ketchup. There's no sign of her, and we heard you on the phone just now talking about the fiasco… You must know something!"

Roswaal's mismatched eyes glittered in the half-light. "Fufu, you're quite direct, dear Rem. But I fear you might be mistaken. I was simply talking to an acquaintance about the rumors swirling in the staff room. It does intrigue me. I can't help but be curious."

Emilia stepped in. "Please, sensei, if there's anything you know, tell us," she pleaded, voice calm but urgent. "Rem is terribly worried."

He regarded her with mild curiosity, as if noticing her for the first time. "Emilia… the new student. Mmm, you have quite the presence." Then he smiled. "I apologize, but I truly don't know Ram's whereabouts. You mustn't jump to conclusions."

His response was ambiguous, slippery. I narrowed my eyes. "We're not accusing you of a crime, but… if you know something, it'd help us a lot."

He shrugged with theatrical flair. "I wish I could be more helpful. But I suppose you'll have to ask me another time, or if the principal decides to get the police involved, we might all have official statements to give."

Rem was trembling with anger or fear—or both. Roswaal gave a half-bow. "It's late. You should return home. Have a peaceful evening, if you can."

With that cryptic remark, he sauntered past us, leaving the library. We stood there, tension crackling in the air.

Emilia let out a breath. "What…was that about?"

I shook my head. "I have no clue, but it rubs me the wrong way."

Rem stared at the floor, tears brimming. "He knows something. I'm sure of it. If only I could force him to talk—"

Emilia hugged her gently. "We'll find out the truth. Don't worry."

In that moment, a noise from my phone startled me—an incoming message. I quickly checked. It was from Ferris: "No sign of Ram in the middle school building. Let's regroup."

I sighed. "No leads. Let's see if Ferris found anything else."

We left the library, the weight of Roswaal's cryptic conversation looming over us. I couldn't shake the feeling that the cheerful day-to-day normalcy of Lugunica High was dissolving, replaced by a creeping darkness.


We reunited with Ferris near the faculty office. He was alone, frowning in frustration. "No luck. The principal told me we should call it a day. The police might be involved tomorrow if she doesn't show up."

Rem clutched Ram's ribbon in trembling hands. "I can't just go home and sleep, not knowing—"

"I get it," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But the campus is about to close, and searching blindly in the dark might not help. We'll find another approach tomorrow."

She hesitated, tears threatening to spill. Then, with a muffled sob, she nodded. Emilia gently supported her. It tore at my heart to see Rem so distraught.

Ferris rubbed his temples. "I'll walk with you all to the gate. The caretaker is locking up soon."

We passed through the silent corridors, footsteps echoing like ghostly taps. Just as we neared the exit, we ran into Principal Wilhelm again. He stopped us with a slight nod.

"I'll keep trying to reach Ram at her home tonight," he said quietly, as if addressing Rem's unspoken anguish. "I'll inform you if there's any news. Be strong. And please, be safe."

Rem bowed deeply. "Thank you," she whispered.

And with that final bit of reassurance, we left the building. The sky had turned a deep cobalt, stars faintly visible. I parted ways with Ferris at the front gate, and he gave me a firm handshake, unusual for him. Then he scurried off, cat ears bouncing. That left me, Rem, and Emilia.

Rem's eyes were puffy from near tears. I offered to walk her home. She hesitated but relented. Emilia quietly joined us, so the three of us trudged through the dark streets.

When we reached Rem's place, she turned, fiddling with the hem of her uniform. "Thank you… both of you," she said. "I'll call Subaru if I hear anything. I…just hope she's safe."

I nodded. "She'll be fine. Ram's too tough to be in serious trouble."

Rem tried to smile, though it wavered. Emilia gave her a soft hug. "Please rest. Let us know if you need anything."

With that, Rem slipped inside, leaving Emilia and me alone on the quiet street. The air was thick with unspoken worries. At last, Emilia sighed, turning to me.

"I'm so sorry about all this," she murmured. "I know it's your friend's sister. I…just feel helpless."

I shook my head. "Not your fault. I'm glad you were there, to be honest. You helped keep Rem calm."

She looked away, silver hair catching the streetlight. "I just wish I could do more."

An unexpected surge of gratitude rose in me. Here was this mysterious new girl, thrown into a mess on her second day, and she was earnestly supporting us. I felt a strange closeness to her, a sense that we shared a burden. Impulsively, I reached out and touched her arm lightly.

"Emilia, it's enough that you cared. That's… all we can do right now."

She looked up, violet eyes wide, an unspoken emotion swirling in them. Then she smiled, faint but sincere.

"Thank you, Subaru."

For a moment, we stood there, letting the hush wrap around us. Then she glanced away, maybe a bit self-conscious. "Well, I should head to my apartment. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah… see you tomorrow."

And so we parted. I watched her figure recede under the lampposts, feeling an odd swirl of worry, exhaustion, and… hope?


That night, sleep eluded me, turning into a swirl of nightmares. Scenes of Ram's vacant seat, the ketchup-smeared ribbon, Roswaal's cryptic phone call, and the shimmer of tears in Rem's eyes. I jolted awake around 3 AM, covered in cold sweat.

The next few days followed the same pattern. Ram did not return. The police started an investigation, combing through her phone records, but found no leads. The ketchup fiasco remained unsolved. The school buzzed with rumors. Rem grew more withdrawn each passing day, her eyes red-rimmed from sleepless nights.

Emilia and I tried our best to keep her spirits up, but it was a losing battle. Even the student council—Crusch, Anastasia, Julius, Ferris—did what they could to support her. Everyone was worried. Where had Ram vanished to?

Meanwhile, life marched on. We had classes, pop quizzes, dreaded homework. The baseball tournament approach loomed. Principal Wilhelm insisted that the school day remain normal, "so we don't cause undue panic," though anxiety was thick in the air. Some people speculated that Ram had simply run away from home. Others insisted there was something sinister.

On day three of her absence, Rem stopped attending class. She fell ill, or so the official notice said. But everyone knew it was her anguish draining her. Emilia texted me that night, concerned. I tried to keep my answers positive, though I shared the general gloom.

In the midst of all this, Roswaal was suspiciously unhelpful. Any attempt to question him resulted in flamboyant dismissals or maddeningly cryptic remarks. But the more he evaded, the more I felt he was hiding something bigger.


On the fourth day, the seat behind me was doubly empty—Emilia had called in sick as well. A spark of alarm lit in my chest, fearing a repeat scenario, but she texted mid-morning:

"Not feeling well. Don't worry, I'm just resting at home."

At least I had that reassurance. Still, the entire day felt dull and tense. By the last period, my head throbbed from a swirl of negative thoughts. Once the final bell rang, I packed my stuff, ignoring Otto's half-hearted attempt at conversation. My mind was set on checking on Emilia to ensure she was safe. The last thing I needed was another vanish-without-a-trace.

With determined steps, I left the school premises. The sun was just beginning to sink, painting the sky orange. Instead of heading home, I made for the train station, remembering Emilia's directions to her apartment. The path was half-familiar from the day I'd walked her partway. I consulted the map on my phone, heart pounding.

Her apartment building was a modest, off-white structure nestled behind a small convenience store. I found her room number in the directory and pressed the intercom. My pulse hammered. Had I overstepped by coming here unannounced?

A crackle, then her soft voice: "Hello?"

I exhaled in relief. "Hey, it's Subaru. I—uh, was worried, so I came to check on you. You texted you were sick. Are you okay?"

A faint pause. "Subaru…? You came all the way here?" She sounded both surprised and touched. Then she coughed gently. "Um… hold on. I'll open the door."

A few seconds later, the door buzzed. I slipped into the small lobby and found her unit on the second floor. When she opened the door, her silver hair was slightly messy, face pale. She wore an oversized hoodie and sweatpants, a duvet wrapped around her shoulders. My heart squeezed at how small she looked.

"Emilia… sorry if this is weird. You sure you're okay?" I asked, glancing around. The apartment was sparse: a couch, a small table, a tiny kitchen corner, and a bedroom door slightly ajar. No sign of a caretaker or anything.

She forced a sheepish smile. "I just have a bit of a fever. I felt dizzy this morning, so I stayed home. I'm sorry for making you worry."

I stepped in, sliding the door shut behind me. "No, it's fine. I'd worry more if you were alone. You're burning up?" I tentatively placed a hand on her forehead. She flinched slightly but didn't pull away. Her skin was warm.

"You're definitely feverish," I murmured. "Got any medicine?"

She shook her head. "I haven't had time to buy any. I was going to see a clinic tomorrow if it didn't improve."

I clicked my tongue. "Hang on." Pulling out my phone, I typed a quick message to Rem (even though she might not respond), letting her know I was checking on Emilia. Then I turned to the sick girl. "I'll go buy you some fever medicine. Sit tight."

Emilia blinked, eyes glistening. "That's… very kind of you, but I don't want to trouble you."

I let out a short laugh. "I'd be a jerk if I didn't help. Just rest. I'll be right back."

Her lips parted in a gentle, grateful smile. "Okay…thank you."


I hurried to the convenience store downstairs, purchased some fever medicine, sports drinks, and a little bento in case she hadn't eaten. My mind churned with anxiety about Ram's disappearance, Rem's heartbreak, and now Emilia's fever. Was the entire world unraveling at once?

Returning to her apartment, I found Emilia curled on the couch. She gratefully accepted the items. "You really didn't have to go this far," she said softly.

"It's no biggie. Are you sure you're alone here? Don't you have a caretaker named Puck or something?"

Her face clouded. "He… travels a lot for work. So sometimes I'm alone for days."

That must be lonely. My chest ached at the idea of her, sick and isolated in a new town. I watched as she took the medicine with a gulp of the sports drink, then settled back.

A hush fell over the apartment, broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner. My gaze drifted across the small living space—there was a single framed photo on the table, facedown. My curiosity piqued, but it felt rude to pry. Instead, I cleared my throat.

"How did you end up transferring to our school, anyway?" I asked gently. "You don't have to answer if it's too personal."

Emilia paused, eyes flicking to the side. "I… it's complicated. My previous school shut down because of some financial issues. Then…some connections led me to Lugunica High. I was told it was a place with a lot of 'open-mindedness.' And I guess that's what I needed."

"Open-mindedness?"

She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Where I used to live, people… stared at me. They had many prejudices about my hair, my eyes. They called me… a half-breed." Her voice grew thick. "I'm half-foreign, and it was considered strange. I just… never felt safe."

Anger flared in me. "That's awful… I'm sorry you had to go through that."

She offered a sad, tiny shrug. "I got used to it. But I was relieved to come here. Everyone's been so kind compared to what I expected, especially you and Rem. But then—" She broke off, biting her lip, probably thinking about Ram's disappearance and all the swirling tensions.

I softened my tone. "Look, I know it's been chaotic, but… I'm glad you're here. Really. Even if these circumstances are messed up, I…I like having you around."

She looked up, eyes wide. A flush spread across her cheeks. "Subaru…"

Heat rose in my face too, but I pressed on. "You get what I mean. You've, like, brightened this place. So, if you need anything, you can count on me." My attempt at sincerity may have come across clumsy, but I hoped she understood.

Slowly, a smile bloomed on her lips, fragile yet radiant. "That's… so sweet. Thank you."

A distinct hush enveloped us. Her gaze fell, and she sipped more sports drink. Then her phone, which sat on the table, buzzed once. Emilia lifted it, brow creasing as she read. "It's from Principal Wilhelm," she said, voice shaking slightly. "He's asking if I've seen you… or… oh, apparently Rem's been trying to reach you?"

I blinked. Grabbing my own phone, I noticed multiple missed calls from Rem. My heart skipped. "Damn, I had it on silent after texting her. I must not have heard. Let me call her back."

I immediately dialed. The phone rang, and after a few tense seconds, Rem picked up.

"S-Subaru?" Her voice was frantic, breathless. "Where are you? I have news. Sister's phone… it pinged in the old abandoned building near the edge of the district. The police traced a signal. They're heading there now."

My blood froze. "What?! That's huge! Are you okay?"

"I'm going there," she continued hurriedly. "I can't wait at home. I just… I need to see if Sister's there."

"Wait, don't go alone! I'll come too. Send me the location," I insisted.

"Alright." She paused, voice trembling. "I'm sorry. I just can't—"

"Don't apologize," I cut in. "I'm on my way." I hung up, adrenaline flooding my system. Emilia, eyes wide, stared at me.

"Ram's phone was tracked?" she asked, voice tight with worry.

I nodded, grabbing my bag. "Rem's heading there. The police are apparently on their way too. This might be the break we've been waiting for. I… I have to go."

Emilia stood, unsteady on her feet. "I'm coming with you."

"No, you're sick—" I started, but she shook her head fiercely.

"I can't let you or Rem face this alone. I'm feeling a bit better, I promise." She squared her shoulders. "Take me with you, Subaru."

Caught between concern for her health and the urgency of the situation, I finally relented. "Alright. Just… do your best not to strain yourself."

She nodded. We left her apartment together, hearts pounding. The city lights flickered on as dusk deepened. Tension coiled in my gut, but hope sparked too. Maybe we'd find Ram, safe and sound.


The old building in question lay on the outskirts of town, a decrepit two-story structure with shattered windows, partially overgrown by vines. It used to be a small factory, or so the rumor went. Now it was a dark silhouette under the evening sky, street lamps casting eerie shadows.

Rem was already there, hugging herself near the front entrance. Two police cars were parked by the curb, lights flashing. I recognized a pair of uniformed officers. Another figure was present—Garfiel. Surprising. He had an anxious expression, arms folded.

"Rem!" I called, rushing up to her. Emilia trailed behind, pale but determined. Rem's eyes flickered with relief at seeing me.

"Sister's phone is somewhere inside," she explained quickly, voice trembling. "The police are about to search. They asked me to wait outside, but I—"

Just then, a policeman approached. "We'll handle this. It may be dangerous. Please stand back."

Behind him, Garfiel scowled. "Let me help. I ain't as incompetent as I look."

The officer gave him a stern glare. "This is official business. Stay outside. We can't have civilians interfering."

Garfiel muttered curses under his breath but didn't press further. So we stood, the five of us—Rem, Emilia, Garfiel, me, and the policeman's partner—on the chilly sidewalk. My heartbeat raced, palms sweaty. Rem was trembling, tears in her eyes. I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, though fear gnawed at me.

A few more moments passed in tense silence. Then the officer inside emerged, beckoning the other policeman. They exchanged hushed words, faces grim. My chest tightened. Something was wrong. Slowly, they signaled us over.

"I'm sorry," the older policeman said, "but we found no sign of a person. We did find a phone lying in a corner… This one, right?"

He held up a cracked phone. Rem gasped, tears welling up. "That's Sister's phone…."

Emilia placed a hand over her mouth, anguish in her eyes. The policeman sighed. "We'll dust it for prints. So far, there's no other evidence. The building is empty."

Rem let out a choked sob. "No… Ram should be here. Why would her phone be here alone…?"

I felt my stomach drop. This couldn't be happening. We finally had a lead, but it led to an empty, abandoned structure. Another question mark. Garfiel kicked at the ground in frustration, snarling under his breath.

"She's gotta be somewhere," he growled. "I can't stand this. People vanishin' left and right. First that slothful woman from the mansion, now Ram… If I find out who's behind this—"

"Calm down," I said weakly, though my own nerves were fraying. I turned to Rem, who was borderline hysterical. "We'll keep looking. There must be more to find."

The policeman told us we had to leave, that they'd continue investigating, but we weren't allowed inside. Rem clutched at the fence, sobbing, but Garfiel and I gently pried her away.

"This can't be real," Rem whispered, voice hollow. "Where is she…?"

Emilia gently wrapped her arms around Rem, who cried against her shoulder. My own eyes stung with tears. The flickering siren lights seemed to dance mockingly around us, intensifying the surreal nightmare.

One of the officers escorted us back toward the street. "Try to rest," he advised, though it felt empty. "We'll keep investigating."

We left the scene in deep despair, the night air cold and biting. I only realized upon stepping away that my entire body was shaking. Another dead end. Another heartbreak.


With no choice but to relinquish the search to the professionals, we returned to Rem's home. Her parents welcomed us anxiously, faces etched with concern. They were more subdued than I'd ever seen them, offering quiet comfort to their daughter. As a hush fell, Rem sank onto the living room couch, burying her face in her hands.

Emilia hovered uncertainly, feverish pallor returning. She wanted to help console Rem, but she was swaying on her feet. I gently touched her shoulder.

"You need rest," I said, voice soft but firm. "You're still not fully recovered."

Emilia bit her lip. "What about Rem—?"

I mustered a smile. "I'll stay here for a bit and make sure she's okay. Her parents are here too. Please get some sleep. I'll call you later."

Her eyes brimmed with empathy, then she finally nodded. "Okay. I'll go home… Please let me know if anything changes."

With that, she took her leave. I watched her depart, heart torn in two directions: worry for Rem, worry for Emilia. But Rem needed me most right now, so I forced my focus. I approached Rem, kneeling beside the couch. She looked up, tears staining her face.

"Subaru," she said brokenly, "I don't know what to do…"

I took her hand. "It's going to be okay." I wasn't sure if that was true, but I had to believe it. "Ram is strong, remember?"

She sniffled. "Strong… yes. But it's been days. I'm so scared."

I squeezed her hand. "We won't give up. We'll do everything we can."

Quietly, her parents thanked me for staying. They seemed equally distraught, but tried not to cry in front of Rem. At their suggestion, I helped guide Rem upstairs to her room, where she finally lay down, spent from exhaustion and grief.

Before leaving, I tucked a blanket over her. She clutched the ribbon still stained with dried ketchup. A hollow ache throbbed in my chest. My phone buzzed—Emilia checking in. I texted her that Rem had gone to bed, no changes. Then I headed home myself, weighed down by sorrow. The world felt colder, emptier.


Days turned into a blur. Rumors swirled about other subtle disappearances near the mansion district: Sekhmet still missing, Typhon skipping school for "unknown reasons." My head spun with all the partial stories. The witches, the sisters, the enthralling teacher, the haughty Priscilla—everyone seemed entangled in secrets or bizarre events.

Rem occasionally returned to class, only to zone out. Emilia's health improved, though she carried her own quiet sadness. She started helping me with small "investigations" after school—basically, asking around if anyone had seen Ram. We gleaned nothing new. The police found no conclusive evidence in that old building. They questioned Roswaal, but he claimed ignorance.

Then one afternoon, as I was leaving the library, I felt a strange chill. My footsteps halted by a window overlooking the courtyard. There, half-hidden among the shadows, I saw a white-haired figure speaking to someone cloaked in black. My heart nearly stopped—Echidna? She was that college student, the "witch" from the mansion. And the cloaked figure… I couldn't see their face.

They exchanged hushed words, then parted ways. Echidna sauntered off with a confident smirk, while the cloaked figure vanished behind a wall. My mind raced. Why was Echidna even on campus? She wasn't a high schooler, nor a staff member.

With a jolt, I remembered the rumor that Ram sometimes visited Roswaal's place, which was linked to Echidna's household. Could she know something about Ram's disappearance? The witches' entire family was odd.

But by the time I raced down the stairs to confront her, she was gone. That uneasy memory lingered, a puzzle piece I couldn't place.


One evening, Rem and I found ourselves in the empty classroom after hours once again—cleaning duty. She was quiet, mechanical in her actions, sliding desks into place. I tried to lighten the mood with mild jokes, but she barely responded. My chest tightened at her sadness.

Finally, I said, "Rem… I've been thinking. That day, Roswaal was on the phone, talking about the fiasco. Echidna's been spotted sneaking around. Something's going on with the mansion folks. Could Ram have gone there—?"

Rem froze. "The mansion? Sister was definitely close with Roswaal-sensei… Maybe. But would that explain her disappearance?"

I set down the broom. "It might. We can't keep waiting for the police to do everything. Let's talk to them ourselves. Ask Minerva or Echidna if they know anything about Ram or… that missing sister, Sekhmet."

Rem's eyes flickered. "You want to investigate the mansion on our own?"

"It's reckless, but… I can't stand doing nothing," I admitted. "If Ram is there, or if they know something, we need answers."

She inhaled deeply, like she'd been suffocating for days. "Alright. Let's do it. Tomorrow, after school."

I nodded. "We'll bring Emilia. We might need backup if things get weird. She's good at keeping calm. Also, Garfiel can help. He's from that household, right?"

Rem frowned. "He's related, but I doubt he's in on any secrets. Still, he might help us."

Thus, the plan was set. We would gather our small group and confront the suspicious mansion dwellers. If nobody else would give us answers, we'd demand them ourselves.


The next day arrived with oppressive humidity. I told Emilia about our plan. She agreed, her expression resolute. Garfiel, though startled, was surprisingly eager. "If my amazin' self can find out what's goin' on, I'll do it," he said, fists clenched.

We met after school near the campus gates. Rem, Emilia, me, and Garfiel. Then we set off for the grand, imposing mansion—a place rumored to be full of "witches," as they liked calling themselves: Echidna, Minerva, Sekhmet (still missing), Typhon, Daphne, Carmilla, and maybe more. The short walk felt like an eternity of building tension.

We arrived at tall iron gates. Usually, one of them would greet us if we approached. But the courtyard looked empty and silent. Garfiel rattled the gate. "Oi, open up!" he shouted. "We're here to see the big sis, or Echidna, or whoever's in charge."

No response at first. I exchanged worried glances with Emilia and Rem. Then, from the front door, a golden-haired figure emerged—Minerva. She jogged over, wearing her usual casual attire, looking baffled.

"What's going on? Why are you guys all here unannounced?" Minerva asked. "Garfiel, you too? Something happen?"

Garfiel gritted his teeth. "Let us in. We got questions about all these vanishings. Sekhmet, Ram… They might be connected."

Minerva's eyes flickered. "I see. I… can't open the gate on my own. Let me get Echidna."

She dashed back inside. After a few minutes, the tall gates creaked open, apparently electronically controlled. We hurried in, hearts pounding, ignoring the grandeur of the garden. At the entrance, Echidna stood with arms folded, white hair shimmering unnaturally. Her dark eyes studied us dispassionately.

"Why the unexpected visit?" she asked, voice cold. "We're quite busy."

Rem stepped forward, summoning courage. "My sister is missing. The last time she was seen, she might have been with Roswaal-sensei, who is affiliated with you. Please, if you know anything, tell us!"

Echidna smirked, as if bored. "You suspect us? You think we kidnapped your dear sister?"

Rem trembled. "I'm not accusing you… We're just… desperate."

I spoke up. "We just want to know if Roswaal is here, or if Sekhmet's disappearance is related. We're not leaving until we get answers."

Emilia stayed quiet, eyes locked on Echidna, while Garfiel cracked his knuckles. Minerva hovered nervously behind her sister.

Echidna sighed. "Tsk. Fine. If Roswaal's meddling has caused you trouble, I'll let you see for yourselves that we have nothing to hide."

She turned, gesturing for us to follow. Tension crackled like static as we entered the main hall. Shadows loomed under dim chandeliers. Doors lined the corridors. The place felt oddly empty, lacking the usual bustle of the large household.

Minerva trotted beside us. "Sekhmet is still missing. We have no idea where she went. She's so lazy, we thought she was sleeping somewhere, but she never returned."

Rem's face paled. Another missing person. "This is bigger than we realized…"

We reached a grand sitting room. Echidna snapped her fingers. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll fetch Roswaal if he's around."

With that, she disappeared into the labyrinth of hallways. Minerva hovered, uncertain. Garfiel glared at the walls, fists tightened.

"This place gives me the creeps," he muttered. "Always has."

Emilia reached for my hand unconsciously, and I gave it a reassuring squeeze. Rem was pacing restlessly. After a tense few minutes, Echidna returned—but Roswaal was not with her.

"He's apparently gone out," she said, eyes unreadable. "No idea when he'll be back."

Rem's frustration flared. "This is pointless. I don't believe you. He's hiding in here somewhere, I know it."

Echidna raised an eyebrow. "Search if you wish."

I hesitated. Searching on our own might be dangerous, but Rem was already storming off. Garfiel followed, determined. Emilia lingered, uncertain. Echidna smirked at me, an eerie look crossing her face.

"You're quite persistent, Subaru," she murmured. "It's almost… admirable."

I shuddered at her tone, but pressed forward. "We just want the truth."

Minerva piped up, "I'll show you around if you want. That might help you see we're not hiding anything."

I nodded stiffly. So we embarked on a haphazard tour of the mansion's rooms, searching for any sign of Ram, or Roswaal, or suspicious evidence. But everything was immaculate and empty. We ended up in a deserted corridor with old paintings. Rem slumped against the wall, despairing.

"He's not here… This is useless," she said softly.

Suddenly, footsteps. Another figure turned the corner—Daphne, wearing a blindfold-like covering over her eyes. She paused, tilting her head. "Oh, visitors. Hello." She seemed docile, but the atmosphere around her was unsettling.

"Daphne," Minerva said. "They're searching for their missing friend, Ram. She's… not here, right?"

Daphne shrugged. "Haven't heard anything. Maybe check the basement?"

Rem's eyes lit with desperate hope. "Basement?"

Minerva frowned. "There's nothing but old storage down there."

"Then let's see," Rem said, voice tense. Without waiting for a response, she pushed past. Minerva and Daphne exchanged uneasy looks but led us to the basement stairs.

Emilia gripped my arm. "This is so strange. Do you feel it, Subaru? Something's… off."

I swallowed. "Yeah, definitely."


The basement corridor was chilly, the stone walls damp. Minerva unlocked a heavy wooden door. "Watch your step," she warned. "It's dark."

We descended carefully. The air felt stale. Rem led the way with single-minded determination, phone flashlight illuminating the path. Spiderwebs clung to the corners. It smelled of dust and something sour.

Finally, we reached the bottom—a wide space lined with crates. Nothing suspicious at first glance. But as we spread out, searching behind boxes, Rem suddenly let out a gasp.

"Subaru… here!" she called, voice quivering.

I rushed over. She was pointing to the floor in one corner—distinct footprints in the dust and… a single pink thread, snagged on a wooden crate. My heart thundered. Could that be from Ram's uniform?

Emilia hurried up behind me. "This is— it's definitely her color," she said, voice shaking.

Rem clutched the thread with trembling fingers. Minerva furrowed her brow. "That's… impossible. I didn't know anyone came down here. Could Roswaal have brought her? Why?"

Daphne yawned, unperturbed. "Maybe she was exploring. People get curious."

Fury flashed in Rem's eyes. "This is more than curiosity. Where does this corridor lead?" She pointed to a door at the far end.

Minerva frowned. "I think that door leads to a sub-basement, locked off ages ago. No one goes there."

Without waiting, Rem dashed forward, rattling the handle. Locked. She turned, face pale. "Open it."

Minerva seemed confused. "I—I don't have the key. Echidna might—"

We whirled around to see Echidna standing at the base of the stairs, silent, arms crossed. Garfiel was behind her, looking unsettled. She regarded us with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"No one enters that sub-basement," she said. "It's sealed. There's nothing inside but debris."

Rem marched up to her, tears brimming. "My sister might be in there!"

Echidna's gaze hardened. "Don't be ridiculous. Why would Ram be locked in a musty sub-basement? That's paranoid nonsense."

"It's the only place we haven't checked," I said, frustration boiling. "We found a pink thread here—Ram's color. Something is happening in your basement, and we want answers."

A tense silence. Finally, Echidna sighed, reaching into her pocket. She withdrew a small key. "If you insist… but I'll come with you. And after that, you leave."

She unlocked the door. A burst of stale air greeted us. Rem's flashlight beam danced across the threshold—revealing a narrow passage sloping downward. My pulse skyrocketed.

We filed in: Rem, me, Emilia, Garfiel, with Echidna trailing behind, Minerva hesitantly following. The corridor was claustrophobic, the walls tight. My breathing grew shallow. Then we emerged into a small chamber.

At first glance, it was empty. Then Rem let out a strangled cry. She dashed forward, kneeling near the far wall. There, in the corner, lay a figure curled on the floor. Pink hair…

"Ram!" Rem sobbed.

I rushed over, shining my phone flashlight. Ram's eyes were shut, her face pale. She wore her usual uniform, dusty and tattered. No visible blood or injuries, but she was unconscious. Emilia knelt, feeling for a pulse.

"She's alive," Emilia whispered. "But very weak."

Relief flooded me, warring with confusion. Why was she here? Who put her here?

Rem cradled Ram in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I was so scared, Sister…!"

Garfiel prowled around, eyes scanning the chamber. "This place is creepy. But no sign of a culprit."

Echidna stood at the doorway, face impassive. "I didn't know. Roswaal must have… we'll get answers from him. Let's take her upstairs."

Rem shot her a glare but was too emotional to argue. We gently lifted Ram. She stirred faintly, letting out a weak moan. My heart soared at her sign of consciousness.

"Ram, it's okay," I whispered. "We have you."

We hurried back through the corridor, up the stairs, to the main floor. Emilia phoned an ambulance. Ram's eyelids fluttered, and she murmured something—too faint to understand. Rem and Emilia comforted her, tears of relief mixing with fear.

I turned to Echidna, voice trembling with anger. "You said no one goes down there. Did Roswaal do this? Why?"

Echidna looked away. "I have no idea what that man is up to."

Minerva teared up. "I can't believe it… how could this happen in our home?"

Daphne shrugged again, an eerie calm about her. Garfiel hissed, "When I see that clown-faced teacher, I'll break his nose."

It was chaos. Soon, the wail of sirens reached us. Ambulance lights flickered outside the gate. The paramedics rushed in, loading Ram onto a stretcher. Rem insisted on accompanying her. Emilia and I followed to the hospital, hearts hammering. A swirl of questions raged in my mind, but for now, only one thing mattered:

Ram was alive.


The night dripped away into a blur of beeping machines and antiseptic hallways. Ram was rushed into an examination room. Rem, Emilia, and I waited outside, tense and silent. Eventually, a doctor emerged, assuring us Ram was stable, dehydrated and exhausted, but not physically harmed otherwise.

Relief nearly brought me to my knees. Rem let out a sob of gratitude. "Thank goodness…"

We were allowed to see Ram once she was settled in a bed. The soft hum of the hospital lights cast everything in an otherworldly glow. Ram's eyes cracked open when we entered, focusing on Rem.

"Rem…? You came…" she croaked weakly.

Tears ran down Rem's cheeks. "I was so worried. Where have you been? Who did this to you?"

Ram's gaze slid away, trembling. "I… remember talking to Roswaal-sensei… in the library. Then everything went black. I woke up in that basement. I tried to get out, but… the door was locked, and I felt so weak. He gave me something to drink before I lost consciousness. I—"

She shuddered, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. "He told me… not to fight it. That he needed me… for some experiment. Then… darkness."

Shock paralyzed me. Emilia gasped, covering her mouth. Rem looked horrified. "Experiment? That man… how dare he?"

Ram exhaled shakily. "There was someone else there too… I can't remember. A woman… or maybe a girl. I only recall a voice. Then… he left me alone in that chamber."

Emilia reached for Ram's hand, voice quivering. "It's okay now. You're safe."

Ram squeezed Emilia's hand, tears trailing down her temples. "Thank you. You found me."

I seethed inside. Roswaal… I'd suspected he was shady, but not to this extent. A swirl of confusion about the "experiment," the missing people, the mansion witches. None of it made sense yet, but I was certain we were stumbling into a labyrinth of secrets.

Rem wiped her tears, resolution hardening her features. "I'll make him pay," she muttered. "He's not getting away with this."

Ram closed her eyes, exhaustion overtaking her. "Please… be careful."

At that moment, footsteps clacked behind us. We whirled around to see Crusch Karsten, the student council president, and Ferris. Crusch inclined her head solemnly.

"We heard Ram was found," Crusch said softly. "Thank goodness she's safe. The school has called the police regarding Roswaal, but he's missing. No one can locate him."

Ferris nodded, cat ears drooping. "He's vanished, like a ghost. The authorities are on the hunt, meow."

My jaw tightened. So the culprit had fled. I suspected we'd see him again—someone so cunning wouldn't just vanish for good. But at least Ram was rescued, and the immediate threat was over.

"I'm relieved she's okay," Emilia whispered, shoulders sagging. I wrapped an arm around her gently, letting the tension drain away. Across the bed, Rem wept silently, finally releasing all her pent-up anguish. Crusch and Ferris respectfully waited, solemn empathy on their faces.

But in my heart, I felt the chill of a deeper puzzle. Roswaal's experiment… the vanishings… Sekhmet still unaccounted for. Something far larger than we'd imagined was at play.


The following week, Ram slowly recovered in the hospital. Rem remained by her side most of the time, relieved yet seething with a desire for answers. School tried to return to normal, though rumors of a "rogue teacher" overshadowed classes. The baseball tournament and the fundraiser were postponed indefinitely. No one had the heart for festivities.

Emilia, ironically, began to settle in academically. With Ram found, a weight lifted from her, though she shared my disquiet about Roswaal's disappearance. We ate lunch together, sometimes joined by Rem if she visited campus to pick up materials for Ram. The seat behind me, at least, was no longer empty—Emilia was present, brightening the gloom just a bit.

One afternoon, Principal Wilhelm called an assembly, addressing the entire school about "unfortunate events" and "supporting each other." The atmosphere was heavy. The student council stood behind him, stoic. After the assembly, I passed Anastasia in the hallway. She nodded curtly, giving me a half-smile of relief that Ram was safe. But the question in her eyes was obvious: Where is Roswaal, and what was he doing?

No one had that answer yet.


A few days later, Emilia and I found ourselves walking home together after a late club meeting (I'd been roped into some final fundraiser tasks—lingering remnants of a half-cancelled plan). Dusk painted the sky with streaks of pink and gold. The air was thick with unshed rain.

As we strolled, we talked about everything and nothing: the stress of the last weeks, how Rem was coping, the missing pieces in Roswaal's puzzle, our upcoming tests. The conversation meandered, but I felt a comforting closeness with Emilia, a bond forged through the adversity we'd shared.

Eventually, we reached the station. I paused, turning to her. "Hey, there's something I've been wanting to ask… Are you truly okay here? I mean, with all the chaos that's happened since you transferred, do you regret it?"

Emilia looked at me with surprise. Then she smiled softly. "No… Not at all. Despite everything, I feel… like I've found a place I can call home."

Warmth spread in my chest. "That's good. I— I'm glad."

She ducked her head, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Thank you for always looking out for me, Subaru."

My pulse fluttered. I was about to respond when a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the sky, followed by a rumble of thunder. Rain began to pour. Emilia let out a small yelp as we dashed under the station awning.

"We should wait it out," I said, shaking droplets from my hair.

Emilia nodded, hugging her bag to her chest. The station's fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. We watched the downpour for a moment in companionable silence.

"I wonder if life will calm down from now on," she murmured.

I shrugged. "Hard to say. But at least Ram is safe, and the immediate crisis is over. Though I suspect Roswaal is still out there."

Emilia's gaze flicked to me. "Do you think he'll come back?"

I exhaled. "He must have some twisted agenda. I doubt this is over. But for now, let's… try to enjoy normal life again, as best we can."

Her lips curved in a small, hopeful smile. The rain hammered the pavement, drowning out everything else. In that moment, a gentle hush wrapped around us, the glow of the station lights reflecting in her violet eyes. I felt an overwhelming urge to reach for her hand. But before I could, the overhead announcement signaled a train arriving.

She glanced at the track. "That's my train."

I swallowed. "Right. Take care. See you tomorrow."

She hesitated, then leaned forward, surprising me with a quick, shy brush of her lips against my cheek—a fleeting contact. My heart stuttered. She pulled back, face red.

"Thank you… for everything, Subaru," she whispered. Then she hurried onto the train, disappearing behind the sliding doors. I stood there, hand slowly lifting to my cheek, the rain's roar blending with the pounding of my heart.


Life steadied into a precarious equilibrium for the next few weeks. Class resumed. Ram eventually returned, weaker but determined not to give Roswaal the satisfaction of scaring her away. Rem hovered protectively by her side. People adjusted to the new reality—an official manhunt for a teacher who'd gone rogue, and rumors of deeper conspiracies swirling around the mansion.

During that time, Emilia and I grew closer. We walked home together regularly, studied in the library, or visited Rem and Ram at the hospital while Ram recovered. The tension of the last weeks softened into something resembling gentle daily life again.

But the undercurrent of mystery never truly vanished.

One crisp morning, the entire school campus erupted into gossip. Principal Wilhelm abruptly canceled first period, instructing everyone to gather in the auditorium. Whispered theories abounded: had they found Roswaal? Another disappearance? Or maybe news about Sekhmet?

We filed into the auditorium, buzzing with anxiety. Emilia clung to my arm lightly. Rem and Ram, side by side, looked uneasy. Crusch, Anastasia, Julius, and Ferris sat near the front. Then Principal Wilhelm stepped onto the stage, grave-faced. My stomach knotted.

"Students and faculty," he began, voice echoing through the large hall, "it is with a heavy heart that I inform you of a recent discovery. Sekhmet, missing for weeks, was found early this morning."

Relieved murmurs rippled at the mention of her being found. But his next words smashed that relief to pieces.

"She was discovered in a forested area, unresponsive. The authorities have confirmed… that she is no longer alive."

A stunned silence fell, followed by gasps and hushed outcries. A wave of nausea surged in me. A swirl of confusion and horror flashed across the crowd. Priscilla, from a few rows ahead, covered her mouth with trembling hands, though she tried to hide her shock. Garfiel was pale, fists trembling at his sides.

Wilhelm's gaze swept over us, sorrow etched in his features. "At this time, the details are scarce. The police are investigating. If anyone has information, please come forward."

Tears pricked my eyes. Sekhmet was a lazy but seemingly harmless soul. The thought that she'd ended up dead… it was too awful.

I felt Emilia grip my hand tighter, trembling. Rem's face was ashen, remembering how close Ram came to a similar fate. The auditorium seemed to shrink with horror. The world was once again overshadowed by darkness.

That day, classes were effectively canceled. People were either in shock or being questioned by staff. Everyone sought solace in each other's presence, but the fear and sadness were palpable. If Roswaal had something to do with this… if the witches' mansion was involved…

Terror coiled in my gut. Was the entire world around us unraveling?


Days blurred together once more, overshadowed by Sekhmet's funeral and the ensuing police investigation. Rumors spread about a hidden figure manipulating events behind the scenes.

One rainy afternoon, I left class late. The hallways were nearly empty. Emilia had gone home. Turning a corner, I froze. Standing near a window was a petite, elegant woman with stark platinum hair and an ageless face—unlike Echidna's. Her eyes glowed an eerie hue of blue. She regarded me with an otherworldly calm.

My heart lurched. "Wh-who are you?"

The woman smiled serenely. "Pandora," she said, voice as soft as falling snow. "Though that name means nothing to you yet."

A chill shot down my spine. "What do you want? Are you… involved in all the vanishings, and…?"

She approached slowly, footsteps echoing in the silent corridor. "I am the caretaker of this realm, dear Subaru. Everything that transpired—the gentle illusions of daily life, your bond with the silver-haired girl, the comedic mornings with your family—were gifts from me. Dreams, spun to amuse."

My blood ran cold. "W-what are you talking about…?"

She raised a delicate hand, brushing my cheek with a finger. I recoiled, but my limbs felt heavy. "Poor boy," she whispered. "You truly believed all of this was real, didn't you? But it's a tapestry of illusions, woven by my power. All to keep you complacent."

My heart pounded. The corridor rippled, edges blurring like a watercolor painting soaked in rain. Dread consumed me. "Stop… this is insane. My family… Rem… Emilia… they're real!"

Pandora's smile turned pitying. "They exist in some form, yes. But not here. This high school life, these comedic interludes, the missing teacher—these are threads of a dream. All to distract your mind while I manipulate your reality."

I staggered back, lungs constricting. The walls flickered, revealing glimpses of black void behind them. My mind screamed in protest.

"Why…?" I choked out.

She tilted her head. "Why does any deity amuse themselves with lesser beings? Because we can. Because it's entertaining to watch your struggles, your joys, your heartbreak. And I glean the knowledge I require by monitoring your every reaction."

Tears sprang to my eyes. This had to be some twisted nightmare. I pictured Rem's tears over Ram, Emilia's warm smile, Beatrice's scolding. Had it all been for nothing?

"N-no," I rasped. "I won't believe it. This world is… it's mine."

Pandora sighed. "Believe what you wish. But your time here is ending. The illusions unravel. I no longer need your compliance. Soon, you'll awaken to reality—and it is far less kind, dear Subaru."

She stepped back. A swirl of darkness congealed at her feet. The school corridor tore apart like paper in a tempest, revealing swirling void beyond. My heart hammered with despair, confusion, terror.

"Stop!" I screamed. "Bring them back—Rem, Emilia, everyone—!"

But her figure faded into the darkness, expression serene. The corridor disintegrated, the ground vanished beneath me. I fell into endless black, Pandora's last words echoing in my ears:

"This dream is over. Farewell… Subaru Natsuki."

Everything went cold.


The warm light of the midday sun, the crowded halls of Lugunica High, the clang of the final bell—none of it was real. I tumbled through blackness, mind reeling. The cheerful banter with classmates, my father's jokes over mayo toast, mother's bright smile, even Beako's silly vertical curls—fabrications meticulously woven to keep me docile.

And now it was gone, forcibly stripped away by Pandora's hand.

As my consciousness ebbed, a single memory glowed bright: Emilia's parting smile, gentle as moonlight, the hush of her voice saying my name.

Then, even that was snuffed out in the yawning maw of oblivion.