Star City, the most beautiful city in the world with its skyscrapers that are the envy of other cities. In this city there have never been any difficulties, people only care for one thing: earning a salary. Although the city seemed peaceful as usual, if you were observant, you could notice that there was a slight difference.
"Did you see the news? The culprit who attacked the mall hasn't been caught yet."
"So that lunatic is on the loose?" Another person replied.
"What the heck is Trio Encanto doing?"
The city was tense after the attack that occurred last week when a masked girl named Lara took hostages to intimidate Trio Encanto and destroyed an entire mall. Star City has never experienced a similar situation before.
Despite that, I, Mila Velerth, wasn't panicking like the others; after all, I knew what was happening. However, as I walked along the sidewalks of the city, there was something that wouldn't leave my mind... a scene kept coming back to me. Something I couldn't forget...
Of course, the scene I'm talking about is the moment when Leandra and Dasha were embracing each other affectionately; it was cute enough that it revived my yuri fan spirit, and I ended up buying a yuri manga. Well, actually Warren lent me some money because I couldn't afford to buy it, hehe. Anyway, what matters is that I have something to entertain myself with.
The title of the manga is [My first and only love.], written and illustrated by an author called Luna Van Vestar. Hmm... I've never heard of her; maybe she's a new author? The plot follows two girls who become idols and, over time, realizing they both have feelings for each other, they start dating. Everything goes well, but then, things take a turn when one of the girls betrays the other. Why? Only to achieve: fame, money, and influence.
What a disappointment. I was hoping for a more touching story, but for now I'll have to settle with this. Plus, I don't have the money to buy another manga, and I don't think Warren wants to lend me more money.
I sighed in disappointment and started running as soon as I realized I only had one minute left until class started. If I'm late again, I'm sure Miss Noir will kill me.
But as I ran, the image of Dasha and Leandra kept running through my head. I thought: Will I ever experience a romance like that? How will it feel to be lovingly close to the person you love?
******
Once at school, everything seemed normal, but as I entered the classroom, I noticed that the seat behind me was still empty.
"Griss..." I murmured.
Of course, Gris was still in the hospital. She wasn't in serious condition or anything, and she would probably be discharged soon, but without her around, I felt a little lonely. In contrast, the seat to my right was bustling and full of life. Warmonger, I mean Warren, was surrounded by many girls from my class; in fact, a crowd of girls from the other classes was watching outside the classroom. Being popular has its benefits, huh?
"Oh, Warren, I'm so scared," Claire said, placing her hand on her forehead dramatically, like a damsel in distress.
"There's nothing to fear," Warren replied with his usual confident smile. "If anything happens to you, I'll protect you."
"Kyaaaaa!" The girls screamed with intensity.
What a pathetic phrase... Does that really impress them? How simple! I wonder if they'd still find him attractive if they heard him talk like he usually does in my room. No... If they knew the truth and found out that he was warmonger, I'd love to see their faces, especially Claire's.
"Silence, class is about to start," Miss Noir exclaimed, with her usual tired face. But this time, she stopped in the middle of the classroom and called out to some people standing outside.
"Yes, please come in."
Several people entered the classroom carrying boxes and placed them at the front of the room just behind Miss Noir. Miss Noir opened one of those boxes and, still looking tired, addressed the class.
"Due to recent events, the school will be implementing a new mechanism to ensure your safety," she said, carrying a small square device with a strap and a small screen on top.
She explained how it worked as she strapped it on her arm. The screen showed her personal information: name, blood type, occupation, and finally, several colored graphs similar to those seen in hospitals.
"This device will serve as identification," she continued. "From now on, no student will be able to access the campus without carrying it with them. This device will monitor your body temperature and heart rate and includes a GPS. Additionally, any individual will be able to send messages to their friends and close people, as long as they add that person's ID.
With a more stern tone, she continued speaking: "You'll wonder the reason for this measure, right? It's simple. After the mall incident, authorities want to monitor citizens to ensure your safety. That way, the authorities and Trio Encanto will act much more effectively."
Everyone in the classroom exchanged dubious glances, but one by one, the students hesitantly began to put on their devices just like Miss Noir did. I, Mila Velerth, watched in absorption as my classmates obeyed without question to our teacher... but, at that instant, something hit my red fedora.
Bump! I looked at my desk and saw a ball of paper.
I scanned around to identify the culprit, who dares to bully me? However, my eyes met Warren's. His expression was dead serious, and he gestured for me to open the paper.
What does he want? I opened the paper and found a strange black sticky liquid inside. I carefully touched it and manipulated it between my fingers. "Eww," I muttered. For some reason its consistency made me feel nauseous.
Bump! As I examined the strange liquid, another ball of paper hit my hat. This time, there was a message inside the paper that read: Apply that black liquid to your arm. That device is not for identification; it's to detect abnormalities in your system... In other words, to identify potential sorcerers."
My mind was racing. Of course, they haven't told the public that the culprit of the attack was a sorceress! It makes sense that this device isn't merely used for monitoring but also for hunting down exorcists! In short, they're looking for that girl! If I put that device on, I'll be in trouble.
Miss Noir stopped beside my desk. When I raised my face to look at her, I noticed her eyes were shining brightly with an emerald glow. My heart skipped a beat.
Oh no! She's trying to read my thoughts! That means I'm a potential suspect...
An intense headache hit me just as my eyes met Miss Noir's bright green eyes.
However... at that moment... I remembered the words the hooded girl said. "Never mind, I've completed my mission anyway." Her mission was precisely this! To alarm the authorities with this matter and make people start to doubt the protection of Trio Encanto. What I mean is, she wanted to hide among the citizens!