-RESIDENTIAL STREET, NEAR AURORA ACADEMY-
-5:06 PM, FEBRUARY 23, 2017-
Snow fell steadily between the two figures standing in the quiet street.
The wind carried a low, cold hush.
Rikuu stood still.
Watching the man in front of him.
"…You're not from around here," Rikuu said calmly.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"No. I'm not."
"…Then leave."
The man smiled faintly.
"I was planning to."
Rikuu's gaze sharpened.
"But first—"
The man took another step forward.
"I wanted to see if the rumors were true."
Rikuu didn't move.
"…What rumors?"
"That you're hard to break."
Silence.
Snow settled on their shoulders.
Rikuu's voice stayed level.
"…I'm not interested in being tested."
"I know."
Another pause.
Then the man's tone shifted slightly.
"But you'll be tested anyway."
Rikuu's expression didn't change.
"…Why?"
The man studied him carefully.
"Because someone is watching you."
Rikuu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You?"
The man shook his head.
"No."
A beat.
"Someone more… serious."
That answer made the air feel heavier.
Rikuu didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…What do you want from me?"
The man smiled faintly.
"For now?"
A pause.
"I just wanted to confirm something."
Rikuu remained silent.
The man continued,
"You're not just a student."
The words were quiet.
But deliberate.
Rikuu didn't react outwardly.
"…You're mistaken."
"Am I?"
The man tilted his head slightly.
"You carry yourself like someone used to pressure."
A pause.
"Like someone who's been forced to adapt."
Rikuu's eyes stayed locked on him.
"…That doesn't mean anything."
"It means more than you think."
Another step closer.
Rikuu didn't move.
The distance between them narrowed.
"I'll say this once," Rikuu said quietly.
"If you're trying to provoke me, stop."
The man chuckled softly.
"Good."
That was unexpected.
"Your control is real."
He nodded once.
"That's enough for today."
The tension lingered for a moment longer.
Then—
The man stepped back.
"See you around, Arakawa."
And just like that—
He turned and walked away.
Disappearing into the falling snow.
-QUIET STREET-
-5:11 PM-
Rikuu stood alone.
Snow falling.
Wind brushing past him.
"…What was that…?"
He exhaled slowly.
The encounter didn't feel random.
It felt deliberate.
Calculated.
Like someone was studying him.
Watching.
Waiting.
Rikuu looked down the street where the man disappeared.
Then turned away.
Continuing his walk home.
But his mind wasn't at ease anymore.
-ICHIKA'S RESIDENCE-
-5:18 PM-
Ichika stood near the window of her home.
Looking out at the falling snow.
Her phone rested in her hand.
No messages from Rikuu.
"…Something's wrong."
She couldn't explain why.
But she felt it.
A quiet unease.
She opened her messages.
Typed:
Are you okay?
Paused.
Then added:
You seemed different earlier.
She stared at the message.
Then sent it.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
No reply.
Ichika's expression tightened slightly.
"…Rikuu…"
She looked back at the window.
The snow outside fell endlessly.
And somewhere out there—
Something had already begun.
-SOMEWHERE UNKNOWN-
-UNKNOWN TIME-
The man stood in a dim room.
Snow melted on his coat as he removed it.
A second person stood nearby.
"Report," a voice said.
The man spoke calmly.
"He's real."
The other person raised a brow.
"And?"
"He's stable."
A pause.
"Harder than expected."
A faint smile crossed the second man's face.
"Good."
"Then we proceed carefully."
The first man nodded.
The plan was set.
And Rikuu Arakawa—
Was now part of something much bigger.