It was just another ordinary day at Cross Academy. The corridors buzzed with activity as students hurried to their classes, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of chatter and laughter.

Amidst the clamor, Zero remained a solitary figure, leaning casually against the cool stone of the hallway wall. Ever the lone wolf, he observed the throng with a vigilant eye, ensuring that no foolishness—or worse, trouble—was brewing.

Then he noticed Guest. There was something different about her, a subtle shift in the air that set her apart from the other students he had grown accustomed to—the ones he often deemed dull, predictable, and lacking any spark of intrigue.

He allowed himself a scoff, crossing his arms over his chest, though his lavender eyes never left her as she moved through the crowd. Something about her presence tugged at the edge of his attention, challenging the careful detachment he had cultivated over time.

No one could know the truths he carried—the secrets hidden deep within this school, the forbidden knowledge of the night classes, and, above all, the reality of his own identity. It was a burden he bore alone, a silent vow to remain ever vigilant. Anywhere. Anytime. Always. Because even a single lapse could unravel everything he had worked to protect.