News didn't travel slowly at Buleria National Public School.
It spread instantly.
---
By lunch break, the entire school knew.
Not just that Arthur Beaumont remained Rank 1.
That was expected.
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But that Rank 8 had become Rank 2 overnight?
That wasn't normal.
---
Groups formed across the courtyard.
Whispers layered over whispers.
"Who even is Shoda?"
"I've seen him sleeping in class."
"He beat Rank 3 and Rank 2 in one test?"
"No way…"
---
Near the vending machines, Ophelia leaned against the wall, watching the reactions with a grin.
"They're losing their minds," she said.
Sakura stood beside her, holding two juice boxes.
"They're curious," she replied.
"That's worse," Ophelia said. "Curious people don't leave things alone."
---
A few meters away, Izuya sat on a bench under a tree.
Same posture.
Same silence.
As if nothing had changed.
---
Which, to him, it hadn't.
---
Sakura walked over and placed a juice box beside him.
"For today," she said softly.
Izuya looked at it.
"…Thanks."
---
Ophelia joined them, dropping onto the bench with no concern for personal space.
"Congratulations," she said.
"For what?"
"You just became the second most important person in school."
Izuya took a sip of the juice.
"Tiring."
---
Ophelia stared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
---
Sakura sat down on the other side.
"You should be careful now," she said quietly.
"Why?"
"Because people will start paying attention."
---
Izuya paused for a moment.
Then said:
"…That's unfortunate."
---
Ophelia laughed.
"You say that like it's a disease."
"It is."
---
For a few seconds, the three of them sat in silence.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… quiet.
---
Then Ophelia leaned forward slightly.
"So," she said, lowering her voice, "what's he like?"
Izuya didn't need to ask who.
"…Normal."
Ophelia blinked.
"Normal?"
"Yes."
"You had a full strategic battle with the guy everyone in this school is scared of—and your conclusion is normal?"
Izuya thought about it for a second.
"…Slightly more annoying than normal."
---
Ophelia covered her face.
"I can't deal with you."
---
Sakura didn't laugh.
She was watching Izuya.
Carefully.
"You're thinking about something," she said.
---
Izuya didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Yes."
"What?" she asked.
---
He looked up at the sky.
Clouds drifting slowly.
"…Why he spoke to me."
---
Ophelia scoffed.
"Because you're Rank 2 now. Obviously."
---
Izuya shook his head slightly.
"No."
---
He lowered his gaze.
"If that was the reason… he would have done it earlier."
---
Sakura's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You think he had another reason?"
---
Izuya didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
---
But somewhere in his mind—
something felt… intentional.
---
Across the courtyard, near the main building entrance—
Arthur Beaumont stood alone.
---
Students passed around him.
Some glanced.
Some whispered.
None approached.
---
He didn't look at them.
Didn't acknowledge them.
---
His attention was elsewhere.
---
A tablet rested in his hand.
On the screen—
a student profile.
---
IZUYA SHODA
---
Arthur scrolled slowly.
Academic records.
Test results.
Behavior reports.
---
Minimal participation.
Minimal interaction.
Consistent high-level performance.
---
Arthur stopped scrolling.
Then tapped the screen once.
A small window opened.
---
REQUEST: INTERNAL DATA ACCESS — APPROVED
---
More information appeared.
Attendance patterns.
Library usage.
Network activity.
---
Arthur studied it quietly.
---
"Strange," he murmured.
---
The data didn't match the behavior.
Someone capable of that level of analysis…
shouldn't be this inactive.
---
Unless—
---
Arthur's eyes shifted slightly.
Toward the courtyard.
Toward the bench under the tree.
---
Toward Izuya.
---
"…You're choosing not to act," he said softly.
---
A faint smile appeared.
---
"Then let's see…"
---
He locked the tablet.
---
"…how long that lasts."
---
Back at the bench, Izuya suddenly frowned slightly.
---
Ophelia noticed.
"What?"
---
Izuya looked toward the main building.
For a brief second—
his eyes met Arthur's again.
---
Then Arthur turned away.
---
Izuya looked down at his juice box.
"…Nothing."
---
But something felt different.
---
Not noise.
Not yet.
---
But the beginning of it.
---
And somewhere, quietly—
the balance between peace and chaos
shifted just a little.