The moment Razorblade crashed through the classroom window, chaos erupted.
Students screamed.
Chairs scraped loudly across the floor as everyone rushed toward the door at once. Some were crying, others shouting questions that no one could answer.
"Lilie Shiniki, you'll pay!" the monster had roared before disappearing into the sky with her in its claws.
And just like that—
He was gone.
Only shattered glass and cold wind remained.
For several seconds, no one moved.
Then Ms. Temi finally snapped back to her senses.
"Everyone calm down!" she shouted, though her voice trembled slightly. "Class is dismissed for the day. Go home immediately and wait for further announcements!"
No one argued.
Students began pouring into the hallway in a frantic rush.
Yuki grabbed Hina's arm.
"Hina! That thing—did you see it?!"
"Of course I saw it!" Hina snapped, still trying to process what had happened.
A monster.
An actual monster had just broken into their classroom.
And taken Lilie.
Meanwhile, across the room, Hanato leaned lazily against the wall with his hands in his pockets.
"Well," he muttered, "that's definitely not a normal Tuesday."
Shouji looked at him in disbelief.
"A monster kidnapped someone and that's your reaction?"
Hanato shrugged.
"What do you want me to do? Chase it?"
Shouji sighed.
Sometimes he really wondered how Hanato's brain worked.
The hallway outside was packed with students trying to leave the building at once.
Teachers were shouting instructions while the distant sound of sirens began echoing somewhere in the city.
Hina walked ahead with Yuki, arms folded tightly.
"This is insane," Yuki whispered.
"I know."
They turned a corner—
And suddenly someone collided with Hina.
BUMP.
"Oof!"
A cold splash hit Hina's arm.
A plastic cup fell to the floor, rolling across the hallway as pink liquid spread across the tiles.
Hina froze.
"Oh no—!"
The girl she had bumped into stepped back, looking down at her shirt.
Strawberry milkshake.
The front of her white shirt now had a large pink stain near the word "ART" printed across it.
Hina's face turned pale.
"I-I'm really sorry!" she said quickly, bowing slightly. "I didn't see where I was going!"
The girl blinked once.
Then she smiled.
"No worries."
She crouched down to pick up the empty cup.
"I'm Selena," she said calmly.
"I'm Hina. Hina Hanzaki"
Hina replied, starring at the ruined drink.
"It's actually my favorite."
Hina immediately bowed again.
"It's my favorite too! I'm so, so sorry!"
She looked at Selena's shirt again, guilt creeping into her voice.
The stain had spread slightly around the letters.
Without hesitation, Hina reached into her bag and pulled out her wallet.
"Please," she said, holding out some money. "Let me replace your drink."
Selena waved her hand dismissively.
"It's okay."
Hina insisted.
"No, really, I should—"
Selena chuckled softly.
"It happens a lot."
She gently pushed Hina's hand back.
"Don't worry about it."
For a moment, Hina hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"...Thank you."
"I'm really sorry again."
Selena smiled.
"No problem."
Hina gave one last apologetic bow before hurrying down the hallway to catch up with Yuki.
Neither of them noticed something strange.
As Selena watched Hina walk away…
Her eyes briefly shimmered.
Not with annoyance.
But with curiosity.
"Hina Hanzaki…" Selena murmured quietly.
She glanced at the pink stain on her shirt and smiled faintly.
Then she turned...
and walked in the opposite direction.
Outside the school, emergency vehicles were already arriving.
Students gathered in groups outside the gates, whispering nervously about what had happened.
Yuki looked shaken.
"A monster… kidnapped Lilie."
Hina stared toward the sky where Razorblade had disappeared.
Her stomach twisted slightly.
Something about today felt wrong.
Too many strange things.
The antique shop.
The old man watching her.
The monster.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Hanato and Shouji walked down the sidewalk.
Shouji looked serious.
"You know… that thing said Lilie's name."
Hanato nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
"And it called itself Razorblade."
Hanato kicked a pebble down the road.
"Sounds like a bad video game boss."
Shouji didn't laugh.
"What if it comes back?"
Hanato didn't answer right away.
For once, even he looked thoughtful.
But high above the city…
On the rooftop of a distant building…
The old man from the antique shop watched the school grounds.
Beside him floated the two small creatures.
The white one spoke nervously.
"Master… the monsters are moving faster than we expected."
The black one narrowed its glowing eyes.
"And Razorblade has already appeared."
The old man sighed.
"Yes."
His gaze drifted toward the street where Hina was walking.
"Which means…"
His voice grew quiet.
"The time for choosing a guardian may have finally come."
And far away…
Razorblade landed on top of a deserted construction tower.
Still holding Lilie in one claw.
He smiled wickedly.
"Let's see how brave Tokyo really is."
The hunt had begun.