The school looked like any other.
White walls, gray paths, glass and steel. A typical "prestigious academy" pretending to be elite. But I knew — behind that facade, something else was hidden.
This place was called Hoshin Academy.
This is where those who break the rules disappear.
My name is Takumi Akamine. I didn't transfer here because I wanted to.
I came because I had to.
"You're Akamine, right?" — the curator's voice was flat, emotionless. He didn't even look up from his tablet. "You're going to 2-D. We have strict discipline here."
"Got it."
"This isn't the place for mistakes. Watch yourself and don't stand out. If you want to graduate — follow the rules."
I nodded. Not because I was scared — but because arguing was pointless.
The class met me in silence.
Thirty people. Some stared with indifference, others — with mild curiosity. A few had openly skeptical looks. "A transfer student? What's he doing here?"
I scanned the room in seconds.
In the center — the leader. Obvious. The way he sat, the glance at others.
To the left by the window — a quiet, withdrawn girl. Possibly an observer.
Three in the back — loudmouths, probably noisy but empty.
And then — her.
"Hi! I'm Aoi!" — her voice was cheerful, almost too cheerful. "You're new, right? Don't worry, you'll get used to it! I help everyone here!"
She sat on the edge of the desk next to mine, staring at me with a wide smile.
But her eyes… no, her eyes weren't smiling.
She saw everything.
I stayed silent.
"Hey, are you mute or something?"
"No. Just thinking."
She laughed, but I noticed — she tilted her head slightly. A test.
I acted like I didn't notice.
Let her think I'm normal.
One person disappeared from class.
Just like that. Between lessons.
A guy named Kento.
He was sitting at his desk in the morning — by lunch, he was gone.
No one asked anything. No comments. Even the teacher silently passed his empty seat.
It felt… right.
Frighteningly right.
I wrote down:
– Removal without consequences. Social apathy? Fear? Suppression?
– Girl named Aoi. Inconsistent behavior. Faking stupidity? Possible hidden level. Investigate later.
– Class 2-D. Still unclear what the game is, but… it has begun.
I'm not here to be a hero.
Not here to "fight for justice" or start revolutions.
I just do what I always do:
Observe.
Understand.
Move the pieces.
They'll play the game.
And I — will set the board.