The Autumn Shadow and the New Rival

Autumn had arrived. Crimson and gold leaves fell from the trees like discarded memories, signaling that the season of change was finally here.

Reikou trudged toward school, his eyes heavy with dark circles. He had spent the entire night lost in video games, trying to drown out the silence of the last few months.

‘It’s been months since that day,’ Reikou thought, his heart heavy. ‘The day Kiyoshi-san lost his match... the day Meiyu-san saved me from legal trouble. That was the last time I saw her.’

After that day, Meiyu Sazanami had vanished from school. No messages, no news. Just an empty seat and a lingering scent of her perfume in the library.

"Ah... I don't want to go to school," Reikou mumbled, shielding his eyes from the morning sun. "It’s autumn, so why is it still this hot? I feel like my energy is being drained out of my skin."

Suddenly, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Reikou assumed it was Ryuuto or Kiyoshi, but the weight of the hand felt different. It was cold. Dominant.

Reikou turned his head slowly. "Huh? Who are you?"

Standing before him was a boy who radiated a terrifying aura of authority. His eyes were sharp as surgical blades, cutting through Reikou’s lazy fog. This was Kaoru Renzhi. He wore the same school uniform, but he made it look like armor.

"You don't know me?" Kaoru whispered, a devilish smirk dancing on his lips.

"Hmph," Reikou responded, his instincts screaming at him to step back.

"Did she not tell you about me?" Kaoru chuckled, his voice slow and deliberate.

"Who?" Reikou asked, his voice low and serious.

"Meiyu."

Reikou’s entire body tensed. His heart hammered against his ribs. ‘How does he know her name? Is he a friend? A relative? Or something worse?’

"Oh—I see," Kaoru chuckled, leaning in closer. "She still hasn't told you... about me. Maybe I’m the reason for all that 'trouble' you two faced."

Before Reikou could process the words, Kaoru walked past him, his cloak-like aura trailing behind. Reikou stood frozen on the sidewalk.

‘The trouble? Does he mean the viral video? Is HE the one who did it?!’

An unfamiliar fire ignited in Reikou’s chest. Determined to find answers, he broke into a full sprint, running toward the school gates.

The Empty Throne

Reikou burst into the classroom, his eyes immediately darting to the seat in front of his.

Empty.

The bad feeling in his gut intensified. ‘Is she still absent? Even today?’

"Hey, Reikou-san" Ryuuto’s voice snapped him back to reality. Shiori and Yueko were already at their desks. Reikou slumped into his seat, nodding absentmindedly.

"Where are you lost today?" Yueko asked, resting her chin on her palm.

"Nothing," Reikou forced a fake smile.

"YOOOO!" Kiyoshi appeared out of nowhere, locking his arm around Reikou’s neck with his signature toothy, creepy grin. "Missed me, Reikou-san?!"

"Get off me, you giant!" Reikou grunted, trying to shake him off while the others laughed.

A girl named Sayomi stood up, moving uncomfortably close to Kiyoshi. "Hey, Kiyoshi-kun! Can you add me to the YOYO TEAM group?"

Kiyoshi stopped grinning. He stared at her with a flat expression. "First of all... maintain a five-centimeter radius from my person."

Sayomi blinked, actually used her hands to measure exactly five centimeters, and stepped back. Before she could plead her case

DING DONG!

Yinglan-sensei entered the room, clutching a stack of test results. "Good morning. The results are in. Most of you passed... except for a select few."

Reikou, Ryuuto, and Kiyoshi all shared a panicked glance.

"Did we all fail?" they whispered in unison.

"I didn't even take the test!" Kiyoshi whispered back, confused.

"Whaaaaawww! It's over! We're failures together!" Ryuuto grabbed Reikou and started shaking him dramatically. Reikou was too dazed to care. He was still staring at Meiyu's empty desk.

"Before I announce the scores," Sensei interrupted, "we have a transfer student joining us today."

The room went silent as the door slid open. Reikou looked up, and his blood turned to ice. It was him.

"Hello," the boy said, his voice smooth and cold. "I am Kaoru Renzhi."

The classroom erupted in whispers, but Reikou only felt a quiet, burning fury. Kaoru walked down the aisle, his eyes locking onto Reikou’s. He smirked a look of pure challenge.

Kaoru took a seat beside Sayomi.

"Hello! I'm Sayomi!" she chirped.

"I'm not interested," Kaoru whispered, not even looking at her.

Sayomi’s smile faltered, but she opened her book in silence.

Reikou glared at the back of Kaoru’s head. He didn't need proof. He knew this guy was the shadow behind Meiyu’s disappearance. Kaoru sensed the gaze and looked back over his shoulder, his smirk widening.

‘Oh... he’s still staring at me. This is going to be fun.’

[End of Chapter 21]