Greatest of All TimeChapter 5: The Trap of Four
The morning sun shined through the classroom windows.
Arashio sat quietly, reading a book.
Alice walked over and smiled.
"Good morning, Arashio."
"Morning."
Alice leaned against his desk.
"Summer vacation is coming. Do you have any plans?"
Arashio smiled.
"Not yet. I'll decide later."
Just then, the classroom door opened.
The teacher walked inside.
"Class, today we have two new transfer students."
"Please welcome Aaki and Neku."
The two girls stepped into the classroom.
Aaki had blue hair and a calm smile.
Neku had bright yellow hair and an energetic personality.
After introducing themselves, they sat beside Arashio.
Aaki smiled.
"Hi."
"Hi," Arashio replied.
Neku laughed.
"So you're Arashio? We've heard a lot about you."
Arashio scratched his head awkwardly.
"Really?"
The three continued talking and laughing.
From the other side of the classroom...
Siya quietly watched them.
"..."
She slowly stood up and walked toward Arashio.
Without saying anything, she grabbed his wrist.
"Come with me."
She pulled him into the hallway.
Arashio looked confused.
"What's wrong?"
Siya crossed her arms.
"Don't spend so much time talking to other girls."
Arashio smiled.
"Are you... jealous?"
"W-What?!"
Her face instantly turned red.
"N-No! I was only teasing you!"
Arashio laughed.
"So you really are jealous."
"I am not!"
Embarrassed, Siya turned away.
Arashio smiled before returning to class.
Later that day...
Arashio walked through the hallway.
This time, he saw Siya happily talking with Hazem.
The two were laughing together.
For some reason...
His chest felt heavy.
At that moment, Satoru Jojo walked beside him.
"It looks like they're getting along."
Arashio forced a smile.
"They're just friends."
Jojo looked at him.
"Sometimes..."
"Friends become something more."
Arashio stayed silent.
When Siya noticed him, she smiled.
"Arashio!"
But...
He simply walked away.
The smile on Siya's face slowly disappeared.
"...Why is he ignoring me?"
During lunch...
Arashio ate with Aaki and Neku.
The three laughed while sharing food.
From across the cafeteria, Siya quietly watched.
Aaki noticed her.
She walked over with a mischievous smile.
"You know..."
"I think Arashio likes me."
Siya looked surprised.
"What?"
Aaki shrugged.
"Then why has he been avoiding you all day?"
Those words struck Siya's heart.
She lowered her head.
"...Maybe you're right."
During sports class...
Arashio was getting his equipment from his locker.
Siya quietly walked over.
"Arashio..."
He pretended not to hear her.
She gently held his arm.
"Please..."
"Don't ignore me."
Arashio pulled his arm away.
"I need some time alone."
He walked away without looking back.
Siya stood there silently.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"...You forgot."
"Before your accident..."
"I was always by your side."
Aaki watched everything from a distance.
She smiled.
"Perfect."
Suddenly—
Slap!
Alice stood in front of Aaki.
"I know you're the one causing trouble."
Aaki rubbed her cheek.
"So what?"
Alice glared at her.
"You'll regret this."
Meanwhile...
Deep beneath the academy...
Satoru Jojo stood inside a hidden underground room.
His smile slowly disappeared.
A terrifying crimson aura surrounded him.
"So..."
"Everything is going according to plan."
His voice suddenly changed.
It became deeper...
Colder...
"I know you're hiding inside Arashio..."
"...James."
"I'll destroy the one he cares about most."
"When his heart breaks..."
"You'll finally appear."
Jojo slowly removed his sunglasses.
A pair of glowing blue eyes appeared.
"The Six Eyes..."
"...have awakened."
The next day...
The teacher entered the classroom.
"In two days, we'll choose the new School Captain."
"You must form teams of four."
The teams appeared on the board.
Team 1
Jojo, Ken, Manasuki, Ores.
Team 2
Hazem, Alice, Aaki, Neku.
Team 3
Arashio, Siya, Miku, Miwa.
Arashio looked at his team.
"So..."
"I'm the only boy?"
Miku laughed.
"Looks like you're lucky."
Siya quietly looked away.
She still couldn't meet Arashio's eyes.
That afternoon...
Team 3 gathered in the meeting room.
Miku smiled.
"What if we make every student's wish come true?"
"That would be a great project."
"Good idea," Arashio replied.
Then he looked around.
"So..."
"Who's going to be our captain?"
Before anyone could answer—
The classroom lights suddenly went out.
The room became completely dark.
A cold voice echoed through the silence.
"Arashio..."
"I've finally trapped you."
His eyes widened.
"...Who's there?"
To Be Continued...