Seojun stood in the dim alleyway, his breathing ragged as his eyes darted from the blood splatters on the pavement to his friend. "Raehyun! What happened? Are you okay?"
Raehyun didn't answer. He didn't even look at Seojun. His gaze remained locked on the dark corner where the girl had disappeared, his fingers tightly clutching the white handkerchief. He took a deep, steadying breath, his chest rising and falling as the fog in his mind slowly began to clear.
"Let's go," Raehyun said, his voice dropping back into its usual cold, detached tone. He turned on his heel, leaving Seojun staring after him in confusion.
A Quiet Welcome
On the other side of the district, Han Eiryn walked briskly toward her apartment complex. As she neared the entrance, she noticed a figure leaning against the stairwell. It was Jihoon.
A warm smile broke across her face as she approached. "Jihoon-oppa? Why are you waiting out here?"
Jihoon stood up straight, looking relieved to see her. "Your mother asked my family to make sure you stay safe. I couldn't rest until I saw you get home securely."
They walked up to her apartment door together. "Thank you," Eiryn said softly.
"We'll head to school together tomorrow morning. Meet me here at eight o'clock sharp," Jihoon said, offering a reassuring smile.
"Okay. See you tomorrow," Eiryn replied, waving before unlocking her door.
Inside the quiet apartment, the exhaustion of the long day finally caught up to her. She walked into the bathroom, peelings off her clothes piece by piece—first her outer jacket and shirt, then her underlying garments, her trousers, and her underwear. Stepping into the shower, she turned the handle, letting the warm water cascade over her skin, washing away the dust of the city and the adrenaline of the fight.
After drying off, she changed into comfortable night clothes and sat down at her small desk. Turning on the lamp, she pulled out her diary. She began to write about her first day in Veridian City, her pen pausing for a long moment as she recorded the strange encounter with the bleeding, arrogant boy. Closing the book, she switched off the lamp, climbed into bed, and pulled the bedsheet up to her chin, letting sleep take her.
Unseen Threads
Meanwhile, Raehyun arrived at his family's massive estate. The heavy front doors swung open, and his mother stepped into the foyer. Her eyes immediately widened as she noticed the red staining his hairline.
"Raehyun! What happened to your head? Why are you bleeding?" she demanded, her voice sharp with worry.
"I falled," Raehyun muttered coldly, brushing past her without another word.
He marched straight to his bedroom and threw himself onto the mattress. Sleep didn't come easily. As he stared at the ceiling, his mind kept flashing back to the girl—the way she moved, her fierce defiance, and the precise velocity of her strikes. Clutching the handkerchief in his hand, he finally closed his eyes.
Back at the Obsidian Lounge, a lone figure stepped into the ruined private storage room where Seojun had fought the assassin. The stranger wore a heavy black veil and dark clothing, completely obscuring their face. Moving quickly, they untied the ropes binding the servant girl to the door.
The girl rubbed her bruised wrists, looking up at the masked figure. "He's incredibly smart," she hissed, her voice tight. "He anticipated our move before I could even strike."
"It doesn't matter," the masked person replied, their voice muffled by the veil. "We have more than enough time. Let's go." Without leaving a trace, the two vanished into the night.
The First Bell
The next morning arrived with the bright ring of an alarm. Eiryn snapped her eyes open, a wave of excitement washing over her. Today was her first day at Eclipse High School. She slid out of bed and pulled back the curtains, letting the bright morning sunlight flood her room.
After brushing her teeth, she stripped out of her pajamas and took a quick, refreshing bath. She carefully unwrapped the crisp, tailored uniform of Eclipse High, slipping into the skirt and blazer. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she straightened her collar just as the doorbell echoed through the apartment.
She grabbed her school bag, checked herself one last time, and opened the door. Jihoon was standing there, checked into his own neat uniform.
"Ready?" he asked, handing her a piece of bread as they began to walk down the hall.
"Thanks," Eiryn smiled, taking a bite as they navigated the busy morning streets.
When they reached the towering gates of Eclipse High, the sheer scale of the institution took her breath away. Luxury vehicles lined the curb as students from the country's most powerful families stepped out, carrying themselves with absolute dominance. Eiryn's eyes widened with excitement as she took in the grand architecture.
"Which classroom are you in?" Jihoon asked, looking over her schedule. Before she could answer, his expression turned deeply serious. "Remember what my mother said, Eiryn. Do not involve yourself with the high society students. If something happens, they are always right and we are always wrong. Even the teachers will only back them up. Just stay away."
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself," Eiryn said confidently.
They turned the corner toward the main courtyard where crowds of students were gathering. But the ambient chatter suddenly died down. Just ahead of them, a student was collapsed on the pavement, his clothes torn, with fresh blood pooling from his head and hands as he wielded in agony on the ground. Eiryn and Jihoon froze, their eyes locking onto the brutal scene.