Chapter 1

The first lie I saw was a shimmering thread of gold, curling like smoke from the lips of the academy’s headmistress as she welcomed me to Hoshikawa Academy. “We’re so thrilled to have you, Yuki,” she said, her smile polished as the marble floors beneath us. But that golden thread—it twisted and coiled, a silent accusation that her words weren’t true. I blinked, thinking it was a trick of the light, a flicker of nerves on my first day at this sprawling, ivy-draped fortress of prestige. I had no idea then that I’d just glimpsed my curse.

Hoshikawa Academy loomed over the city like a castle carved from dreams and ambition, its gothic spires piercing the autumn sky. It was a place for the elite, the brilliant, the destined—none of which I felt I was. My family had scraped together every yen to get me here after a last-minute transfer opened up, a fluke of fate I still couldn’t quite believe. I adjusted the stiff navy blazer of my uniform, the embroidered crest over my heart feeling heavier than it should, and tried to ignore the stares of students passing by. They moved in clusters, their laughter sharp and effortless, as if they’d been born to belong. I was an outsider, a latecomer to their world, and the weight of that pressed against my chest as I navigated the grand courtyard toward the main hall.

Inside, the air smelled of old wood and ink, the walls lined with portraits of stern-faced alumni who seemed to judge my every step. I clutched my schedule, my fingers smudging the paper, and tried to focus on finding my first class. That’s when I saw the second lie. A boy with tousled black hair and a lopsided grin leaned against a locker, chatting with a girl whose cheeks flushed pink. “I’ll definitely call you tonight,” he said, but there it was again—that golden thread, spiraling from his mouth like a serpent. It hung in the air for a moment before dissolving, leaving me staring, mouth dry. The girl didn’t see it. No one did. Just me.

My heart thudded as I backed away, nearly colliding with a tall figure who appeared as if summoned by the shadows themselves. “Careful there, new girl,” came a voice, smooth and warm, like honey over velvet. I looked up and froze. Standing before me was a young man who seemed to command the very air around him—sharp features, pale skin, and eyes so piercing they could cut glass. His uniform was impeccable, the student council president pin gleaming on his lapel. A cascade of silver hair framed his face, and a faint smirk played on his lips as he studied me.

“I’m Ren Takashiro,” he said, extending a hand. “Welcome to Hoshikawa. I trust you’ll find your place here soon enough.” His words were kind, polished, but the golden threads poured from him like a river. They wove around him, a tangled web of deceit, more than I’d seen from anyone else. Lie after lie, each one shimmering brighter, sharper, until I felt dizzy just looking at him. I shook his hand, my skin prickling at the contact, and managed a weak, “Thank you.”

Ren’s smirk deepened, as if he could sense my unease. “If you need anything, come to me. I take care of my own.” Another thread, another lie. I nodded, my throat tight, and watched as he turned away, his presence lingering like a storm cloud even after he’d disappeared down the hall.

The rest of the morning blurred into a haze of unfamiliar faces and echoing corridors. I sat through lectures on subjects I barely understood, my mind replaying those golden threads over and over. What was happening to me? Was I losing it, imagining things out of stress? By lunchtime, I’d retreated to a quiet corner of the courtyard, a bento box balanced on my lap, when a shadow fell over me.

“Mind if I join you?” The voice was soft, tentative. I looked up to see a girl with short, choppy hair the color of chestnuts and round glasses that magnified her curious brown eyes. She wore the same uniform as me, but with a scarf looped loosely around her neck, as if she’d bent the rules just enough to stand out. “I’m Hana. Saw you looking like a lost puppy earlier. First day, right?”

I nodded, grateful for a friendly face. “Yeah. I’m Yuki. It’s... overwhelming.”

Hana plopped down beside me, pulling out a sandwich wrapped in crinkled foil. “Hoshikawa’s a beast. But you’ll get used to it. Or at least learn to fake it.” She grinned, and I waited for the golden thread—but none came. Her words were true, raw, and I felt a flicker of relief. Maybe not everyone here was a puzzle of lies.

We talked about small things—classes, teachers, the best spots to hide from the strict hall monitors. Then, casually, she dropped a bombshell. “So, have you figured out your ability yet?”

I stared at her, chopsticks frozen halfway to my mouth. “My... what?”

Hana tilted her head, as if I’d asked something obvious. “Your ability. You’re a transfer, right? Every transfer student at Hoshikawa gets one. It’s like... a little supernatural perk. No one knows why, but it’s been happening for decades. I can manipulate sound—make it louder, softer, even mimic voices. What about you?”

My stomach twisted. The golden threads. Was that it? My ability? I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. “I... I think I can see when people are lying. Like, literally see it. Golden threads come out of their mouths.”

Hana’s eyes widened, and she let out a low whistle. “That’s wild. And dangerous. You’ve got a weapon there, Yuki. Lies are currency at this school. But be careful who you trust with that info. Some people would kill to control a power like yours.”

Her warning sent a chill down my spine, and I thought of Ren Takashiro, his web of deceit so thick it nearly drowned me. What was he hiding? Why was every word from his mouth a lie? Before I could ask Hana more, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. She stood, brushing crumbs from her skirt. “Stick with me if you want to survive this place. And hey, watch out for the student council. They’re not as shiny as they seem.”

As I gathered my things and followed the stream of students back inside, my gaze drifted to the main building where the student council office sat on the top floor, its windows glinting like eyes watching over the campus. Ren was up there, I was sure of it, spinning his lies like a spider weaves silk. I didn’t know why his deceptions burned brighter than anyone else’s, or what secrets he guarded behind that perfect smile, but one thing was clear: my ability had just made me a target. And as I stepped into the shadowed hallway, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Ren Takashiro already knew more about me than I did about myself.