The grandeur of Cipher Academy was undeniable. Towering marble spires reached for the sky, casting long shadows over manicured courtyards and pristine pathways. Students in tailored uniforms moved in perfect synchrony, their polished shoes clicking against the stone floors. Yet, beneath the gleaming facade, secrets festered like rot beneath a flawless mask.
In the Student Council Chamber, where velvet curtains swallowed the light and gilded frames held paintings of long-forgotten faces, Kira Yurei sat at the head of an obsidian table. His black hair fell softly around his pale face, and his piercing pink eyes stared at the dossier before him, void of emotion. He held a porcelain teacup in one hand, steam curling lazily above its surface.
"Mina Calloway," Avery Montgomery, the sharp-tongued Vice President, announced with a sly grin. She pushed the file across the table toward him. "Transfer student. Charming, intelligent, and nosy. She's been digging into restricted archives. Someone on the outside is pulling her strings."
Kira lowered the teacup, his lips barely brushing against the porcelain. "Evidence?"
Avery leaned against the edge of the table, her green eyes glinting with mischief. "None yet, but the Director has given us the order. 'Dispose of her quietly.'"
The faintest smirk tugged at the corner of Kira's mouth. It was gone in an instant.
"Understood."
He rose from his seat, the tail of his blazer trailing behind him as he turned toward the grand windows overlooking the academy courtyard.
"Should I have someone assist you, Kira?" Avery asked, her voice syrupy with faux concern.
"No." His answer was immediate, cold. "This is mine."
The afternoon sun hung low, casting long golden rays over the academy gardens. Students clustered in groups, their laughter and idle chatter filling the air.
Seated elegantly beneath the sprawling branches of an oak tree was Mina Calloway. Auburn curls framed her delicate face as she flipped through the pages of a leather-bound book. She was the picture of innocence
He approached silently, his steps light, predatory. When he spoke, his voice was smooth, low, and deliberate.
"Mind if I join you?"
Mina looked up, her emerald eyes widening. "P-President Yurei! Oh, please—of course!"
Kira lowered himself onto the bench with slow precision, crossing his legs and resting his elbow on the backrest, his pink eyes studying her with faint curiosity.
"Not many students prefer solitude in such a lively courtyard."
Mina smiled nervously, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I just enjoy the quiet. Sometimes it feels like the world gets too loud, you know?"
Kira's lips curved into a faint smile. It was the perfect imitation of warmth. "I understand."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Mina shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"You've caught my attention, Mina," Kira continued. "You're brilliant, driven. But I must admit… you seem distracted lately. Almost as if something's weighing on you."
The girl's hands trembled slightly, clutching her book tighter.
"N-No, it's nothing like that. I've just been… tired."
Kira hummed softly, his pink eyes sharp despite his languid posture.
Liar.
But before he could push further, an unwelcome voice broke the moment.
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
Standing a few feet away was Leon Ashford, golden hair glinting under the sun, his sharp violet eyes fixed on Kira with an amused smirk.
"President Yurei, charming students in broad daylight? How scandalous."
Kira turned his head slowly, his expression unchanging. "Leon."
Leon sat between the two and seemed to ignore Mina, his lips curled up with a grin.
But Kira wasn't smiling.
Leon straightened, his violet eyes flicking between them. "You know, President, for someone who claims to be so busy managing council affairs, you do seem to have a knack for… extracurricular conversations."
Kira said nothing. His pink eyes remained fixed on Leon, expression void of emotion but brimming with something unspoken—something cold.
Leon's smile widened. He knew something.
"Well, don't let me interrupt your lovely little moment." Leon got up and began to walk away but paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Do try not to scare her too much, Yurei. Not everyone can handle your… charm."
With a final smirk, Leon disappeared into the crowd.
Mina let out a soft breath, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "He's… quite the character, isn't he?"
Kira stood abruptly, his gaze turning downward to meet Mina's startled expression.
"Be careful who you trust, Mina."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone beneath the shade of the tree.
____________
The academy grounds were cloaked in darkness, save for the pale glow of moonlight filtering through skeletal branches. In the library's restricted archives, a faint sound was heard.
Footsteps?
Mina who was in a restricted part of the library quickly puts the documents back and stood up.
A faint click echoed behind her.
She froze, turning slowly.
Kira stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the faint moonlight. His pink eyes glowed faintly in the dark, and his gloved hands rested in the pockets of his blazer.
"K-Kira... I can explain-"
Kira calmly reached in his coat and pulled out a revolver and at the tip was a silencer,
He pointed it toward Mina who had fear in her eyes she quickly turned and started running
Click.
___
In the Student Council Chamber, Avery leaned against the window, arms crossed.
"It's done, isn't it?" she asked without turning around.
Kira adjusted his gloves, his pink eyes dull, emotionless.
"The loose end has been tied."
Avery's grin returned, sharp and satisfied. "Efficient, as always, President Yurei."
But Kira said nothing, staring out into the moonlit courtyard below. Somewhere, hidden in the shadows of Cipher Academy, the real game was only just beginning.