Chapter 7: The Application

Morning arrived quietly.
The city was already awake.
Cars filled the streets.
Students hurried toward the university.
...
Apartment 408.
Shadow sat at the kitchen table.
A university website filled the laptop screen.
Admission Requirements.
Transfer Applications.
Deadlines.
He read every line carefully.
After several minutes...
He clicked the Apply button.
...
Apartment 407.
Reina stared into her closet.
"...Why do I own so many clothes..."
None of them looked right.
After changing outfits three times...
She sighed.
"I'm overthinking this."
She grabbed the first jacket she saw.
"Good enough."
...
The hallway.
The apartment doors opened almost together.
"Morning."
"...Morning."
Reina noticed the laptop bag hanging from Shadow's shoulder.
"You're carrying a bag today."
"...Yeah."
"Going somewhere?"
"The university."
She blinked.
"You have business there?"
"I want to apply."
"...Apply?"
"I've been thinking about continuing my studies."
Reina smiled.
"I didn't expect that."
"Neither did I."
"That's actually nice."
She looked genuinely happy.
"Maybe we'll end up studying together."
Shadow simply nodded.
"...Maybe."
...
The university campus was crowded.
Students walked between buildings.
Some hurried to lectures.
Others relaxed beneath the trees.
Near the administration building...
Shadow stopped.
"I'll see you later."
Reina tilted her head.
"You know where you're going?"
"I looked it up."
"Of course you did."
She laughed.
"Good luck."
"...Thank you."
For a brief moment...
Neither moved.
Then Reina waved.
"See you later."
She disappeared into the crowd.
...
The Admissions Office.
A receptionist smiled.
"Good morning."
"I'm here to submit an application."
"Of course."
She handed him several forms.
Shadow quietly completed each page.
Every answer was neat.
Every document prepared.
When he returned them...
The receptionist smiled.
"Everything seems to be in order."
"You'll need to take the entrance examination next week."
"I understand."
She stamped the application.
Application Received.
"Good luck."
"...Thank you."
Shadow turned and left.
...
A minute later...
The office phone rang.
The receptionist answered.
"Admissions Office."
She listened silently.
"...Yes."
"I understand."
She looked toward the application resting on her desk.
Without saying another word...
She moved Shadow's file from the middle of the stack...
To the very top.
Then continued working as if nothing had happened.
...
Elsewhere on campus...
Aiko spotted Reina walking alone.
"There you are!"
Reina smiled.
"You always appear out of nowhere."
"It's a talent."
Aiko looked around dramatically.
"So..."
"...No."
"I didn't ask anything."
"You were about to."
Aiko grinned.
"Where's the mysterious neighbor?"
"Admissions Office."
Aiko blinked.
"...He's enrolling?"
"He wants to continue studying."
Aiko folded her arms.
"Hmmm..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You definitely have a thought."
"I have several."
"I'm not listening."
"You like him."
"I absolutely do not."
"The speed of that answer is suspicious."
Reina sighed.
"You are impossible."
"I know."
...
That afternoon...
Shadow stepped out of the administration building.
The application was finished.
Nothing else remained.
As he walked through the campus...
He passed the photography club.
Several students were taking pictures.
One of them smiled.
"Excuse me!"
Shadow stopped.
"Would you mind helping us with a photo?"
"...Me?"
"Please?"
After a brief pause...
"...Alright."
He took the camera.
Snapped one picture.
Then handed it back.
"Thanks!"
"No problem."
He continued walking.
None of them noticed...
Someone across the courtyard had taken a photograph of him.
Click.
The mysterious photographer lowered his camera.
"...Interesting."
He quietly placed the camera back into his bag.
And disappeared.
...
That evening...
Shadow returned home.
A white envelope rested beneath his apartment door.
No stamp.
No sender.
Inside...
Only one sheet of paper.
Your entrance examination has been scheduled.
Date confirmed.
Time confirmed.
Everything was already arranged.
Shadow frowned slightly.
"...Fast."
He placed the paper on the table.
Then looked out the window.
Far below...
The city lights shimmered beneath the night sky.
Somewhere...
Someone had just taken the first step in moving him closer...
To his target.