Is it really.. You?

Backstage, Mr Kyousei glanced at his crew; his brows tensed as a letter from the academy’s council of trustees was handed to him.

Kujo-san watched him, clutching her chest. This had to be a last-minute decision by the academy’s trustees.

She held her breath, afraid this announcement would only stain the Kujo family name in the media.

Mr Kyousei opened the letter slowly. As he read the winner’s name, his lips curled into a malicious smile.

Delighted by the unexpected results and the uproar they would cause in the press, his voice rang out, loud and grand, as he announced:

“For the first time in the academy’s history, we have two people who showed great potential in the exam.”

The students in the audience clutched their seats in surprise, a faint thread of relief running through them as their chances of admission had just risen very slightly.

“The two students are Fuyumi Kujo from the esteemed Kujo family and… Arata Sato,” he announced.

He stumbled over the second name, his voice cracking as he wondered why the trustees had chosen a boy he hadn’t even heard of.

Fuyumi’s shoulders finally dropped at the sound of her name.

She glanced at Arata, whose face was now paler than the white ceiling above them.

Arata had already resigned himself to cheering up with his grandpa’s leftover curry from yesterday after what he was sure would be his loss.

He blinked. Kujo-san stood beside him with a subtle smile, already beckoning him toward the stage.

They stepped onto the stage together. Arata closed his eyes for a heartbeat, praying he was worthy of standing beside a Kujo.

He pictured a crowd of reporters flocking his way, curious about him when he opened his eyes.

…Wait. Why is it so quiet?

The thought flashed through Arata’s mind as he opened his eyes.

Kujo-san nudged him lightly with her elbow, turning to him with a smug smile while the audience and reporters showered her with praise and cheers.

The other students were busy comforting themselves, murmuring words of sympathy to one another.

Meanwhile, a swarm of reporters crowded around Kujo-san as she fielded their questions with a soft, composed smile.

The announcement was over, but its impact was only beginning to unfold.

Arata, now visibly dejected, turned to the crowd, watching as the students walked out in sorrow; some even cried that their hard work had been in vain.

His eyes softened at the sight; he, too, had once been in the same position as they were.

Just for a second, his heart stopped as he didn't even register the few reporters asking him questions.


Arata's eyes caught a familiar figure in the crowd of students rushing toward the exit. Someone he felt he had met before. 

“Dad…?” The word slipped out of Arata’s mouth before he could stop it.

His breath hitched, and his vision blurred as he searched the sea of faces, desperate to confirm what his heart already feared was a mirage.

Even Kujo-san, busy answering the reporters, glanced over when she sensed the sudden change in Arata-kun’s composure.

What’s with him? He was all happy a second ago. Now… She paused mid-answer to a reporter’s question about her future plans, stealing another look at him. She thought.

Arata-kun.. looks like he’s seen a ghost.