-AURORA ACADEMY, CLASSROOM 2-B-
-8:16 AM, MARCH 7, 2017-
The classroom was calm.
Morning sunlight filtered through the windows.
Students prepared for the day.
But Rikuu wasn't focused on the lesson.
His mind kept returning to yesterday.
The man.
The approach.
Ichika.
"…This is getting worse."
He stared at his notebook.
Then—
A folded paper slipped from inside his bag.
The same document.
He opened it again.
But this time—
Something was different.
A new note.
Added.
Without his knowledge.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…What…?"
-AURORA ACADEMY, HALLWAY-
-8:41 AM-
Ichika walked through the hallway.
But she slowed down.
Something felt… off.
She noticed a few unfamiliar students.
Standing.
Watching.
Not moving like normal students.
Her expression tightened slightly.
"…They're here."
She didn't confront them.
Instead—
She continued walking.
But her awareness sharpened.
-COURTYARD-
-12:07 PM-
Rikuu met Ichika outside.
"…Did you notice anything?"
She nodded.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…People watching."
Rikuu's expression darkened slightly.
"…Not students."
"Exactly."
Silence.
Then—
"…They're getting bold."
Ichika looked at him.
"…What does that mean?"
Rikuu looked ahead.
"…They're not hiding anymore."
-SCHOOL GATE AREA-
-12:34 PM-
A man stood near the gate.
Same dark coat.
But this time—
He wasn't alone.
Two others stood nearby.
Watching the school.
Observing movement.
One of them spoke quietly.
"Targets identified."
The first man nodded.
"Good."
A pause.
"Now we wait."
Another man frowned slightly.
"…Wait for what?"
The first man smiled faintly.
"For them to step into position."
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE-
-7:19 PM-
Rikuu stood in the living room.
The document open.
The notes now forming a clearer picture.
Connections.
Locations.
Patterns.
"…This is a setup."
His eyes sharpened.
"…They're guiding me."
A pause.
"…And Ichika…"
He clenched his hand slightly.
"…She's part of the pattern."
-UNKNOWN LOCATION-
-8:02 PM-
The group gathered again.
Screens.
Data.
Tracking.
One of them spoke.
"Target movement confirmed."
Another replied,
"Secondary target?"
A nod.
"Active."
The man from before smiled.
"Perfect."
A pause.
"They're starting to move."
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE-
-9:11 PM-
Ichika sat quietly.
Her phone in hand.
No message from Rikuu.
But something in her gut told her—
Something had shifted.
"…They're not just watching anymore."
She stood.
"…This is becoming real."
Rikuu sat alone.
Then—
He froze.
His phone lit up.
A message.
Unknown number.
He opened it.
The message read:
"If you want to protect her, come alone."
His expression changed instantly.
"…So this is it."