-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, MAIN GATE-
-3:41 PM, FEBRUARY 23, 2017-
The afternoon sky was overcast.
Snow drifted lightly across the campus.
Students moved in groups, talking and laughing as they headed home.
Rikuu stood near the main gate, waiting.
Ichika had stayed behind for a club meeting.
He checked his phone once.
No messages.
Then—
He noticed it.
Someone standing across the street.
A man.
Wearing a dark coat.
Not a student.
Not a parent.
Just… watching.
Rikuu's eyes narrowed slightly.
The man didn't move.
Just stood there.
Looking directly at him.
After a few seconds—
The man turned and walked away.
Disappearing into the falling snow.
Rikuu watched until he was gone.
"…What was that?"
-AURORA ACADEMY HALLWAY-
-3:56 PM-
Ichika walked out of the theatre club room.
Her bag rested lightly on her shoulder.
She spotted Rikuu near the lockers.
"…You waited."
"Yeah."
They started walking together toward the exit.
Rikuu hesitated slightly.
Then asked,
"…Do you know anyone who would be watching me?"
Ichika blinked.
"…Watching you?"
"Some guy was standing across the street earlier."
Her expression shifted slightly.
"…What did he look like?"
"Dark coat. Tall. Didn't look like a student."
Ichika frowned slightly.
"…I don't think so."
Rikuu nodded.
"…Probably nothing."
But his tone didn't sound convinced.
-AURORA ACADEMY COURTYARD-
-4:12 PM-
Snow fell more heavily now.
The wind picked up slightly.
Students rushed toward the gates.
Rikuu and Ichika walked slowly.
The quiet between them felt different today.
More alert.
More aware.
"…Are you sure it was nothing?" Ichika asked.
"I don't know."
He looked ahead.
"But it didn't feel normal."
She studied his face.
"…You should be careful."
"I always am."
"I mean more than usual."
He glanced at her.
"…Why?"
Ichika hesitated.
Then said softly,
"Because someone might be looking for you."
Rikuu didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…That's possible."
-SHADOWED STREET OUTSIDE AURORA ACADEMY-
-UNKNOWN TIME-
The same man stood across the street again.
Watching.
This time—
He wasn't alone.
Another figure stood beside him.
"You're sure?" the second man asked.
The first man nodded.
"That's the one."
They both looked toward the school gates.
"Arakawa Rikuu," the first man said.
"He's getting harder to approach."
The second man smirked faintly.
"That just means he's worth the trouble."
The first man glanced at him.
"You don't understand what you're dealing with."
"I understand enough."
A pause.
Then—
"Just make sure he doesn't interfere with anything."
The snow fell harder.
And somewhere between the falling flakes—
Something dangerous was beginning to take shape.
-RIKUU'S WALK HOME-
-5:03 PM-
Rikuu walked alone for a moment.
Ichika had gone ahead.
Her home was in a different direction.
The streets were quieter here.
Less crowded.
More isolated.
The wind picked up.
Snow brushed against his face.
Then—
He heard it.
Footsteps.
Behind him.
Rikuu stopped walking.
The footsteps stopped too.
He didn't turn around immediately.
"…You've been following me," he said calmly.
Silence.
Then—
A voice answered from behind.
"…So you noticed."
Rikuu turned slowly.
The man stood a few meters away.
Dark coat.
Neutral expression.
Watching him carefully.
Rikuu's gaze sharpened.
"…Who are you?"
The man didn't answer right away.
Instead—
He smiled faintly.
"Just someone interested in your… lifestyle."
Rikuu's posture remained steady.
"…I don't like being followed."
"I can tell."
A pause.
Snow fell between them.
Then—
The man took a step closer.
"Don't worry."
His voice lowered slightly.
"I'm not here to hurt you."
Another step.
"I'm here to see how far you can go."
Rikuu's expression didn't change.
"…You won't like the answer."
The man's smile widened slightly.
"Let's find out."
The snow fell harder.
And for the first time—
The winter felt colder than before.