Chapter 3

The academy’s grand courtyard was bathed in the golden haze of late afternoon, the ancient cherry trees casting dappled shadows across the cobblestone paths. Yuki lingered near the fountain at the center, her fingers trailing absently through the cool water, though her mind churned with hotter, sharper thoughts. The weight of her newfound ability pressed against her chest—a silent, invisible burden. Every lie she heard now shimmered in her vision, a faint, sickly green aura that clung to the speaker like a second skin. And no one’s words glowed brighter, or uglier, than those of Kaito, the student council president.

She’d seen it again during the morning assembly. Kaito had stood on the auditorium stage, his polished smile as dazzling as the medals pinned to his blazer, addressing the student body with promises of unity and progress. “I’m committed to ensuring every voice is heard,” he’d said, his voice smooth as silk. But to Yuki, the air around him had pulsed with that venomous green, the lie so blatant it nearly made her dizzy. What was he hiding? And why did every word out of his mouth seem to carry the weight of deception?

“Yuki-chan, you look like you’re plotting to overthrow the monarchy.” A teasing voice cut through her thoughts, and she turned to see Aiko approaching, her vibrant purple hair bouncing with each step. Aiko’s grin was wide and genuine—no green haze there. Yuki felt a flicker of relief; at least one person in this maze of secrets seemed honest.

“Just… thinking,” Yuki mumbled, pulling her hand from the fountain and wiping it on her skirt. “About Kaito.”

Aiko raised an eyebrow, plopping down on the fountain’s edge beside her. “Oh? Got a crush on Mr. Perfect already? You wouldn’t be the first. Half the school swoons when he so much as blinks.”

Yuki shook her head, her cheeks warming despite herself. “It’s not that. It’s… something else. He’s not what he seems.” She hesitated, the truth of her ability teetering on the tip ofかが her tongue. But how could she explain it without sounding unhinged? “I just get a weird vibe from him.”

Aiko tilted her head, her playful demeanor softening. “You’re not wrong to be cautious. Kaito’s charm is a weapon, and he wields it like a master. But he’s also untouchable. No one crosses him—not teachers, not students, not even the headmaster. If you’ve got a bad feeling, trust it. Just don’t dig too deep unless you’re ready for trouble.”

The warning lingered in the air, heavy as the humidity before a storm. Yuki wanted to ask more, but before she could, the sharp clack of polished shoes on stone drew her attention. Kaito himself emerged from the archway leading to the student council office, his tall frame cutting a striking silhouette against the fading light. His dark eyes swept the courtyard, landing on Yuki and Aiko with an intensity that made her breath catch. The faintest smile curved his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Miss Nakamura,” he called, his voice carrying that same velvet smoothness. “A word, if you don’t mind.”

Aiko shot Yuki a look that said *be careful* before standing and stretching with exaggerated nonchalance. “I’ll catch you later, Yuki-chan. Don’t let Pretty Boy charm you too hard.” With a wink, she sauntered off, leaving Yuki alone to face the enigma that was Kaito.

He approached with the measured grace of someone who knew exactly how much power he held. Up close, his presence was almost suffocating—charisma and danger rolled into one. “I wanted to check in,” he began, his tone warm, almost concerned. “Starting at a place like this can be overwhelming. I hope you’re settling in.”

The green aura flared around him, brighter than ever, and Yuki’s stomach twisted. He didn’t care. Not really. So why the act? “I’m… managing,” she said carefully, meeting his gaze. “Thank you for asking.”

His smile widened, but there was something predatory in it now, a glint that made her skin prickle. “Good. I’d hate for our newest transfer to feel out of place. If there’s anything you need—anything at all—my door is always open.” The lie shimmered again, a sickly sheen that made her want to recoil. His door wasn’t open. Not to her. Not to anyone, she suspected.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied, forcing a polite nod. But inside, her mind raced. She needed answers. If Kaito was hiding something—and she was certain he was—then she had to find out what. Not just for her own sake, but because the weight of every transfer student’s supernatural gift seemed tied to this place, to its secrets. Her power to see lies was no accident, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that Kaito was at the heart of it all.

As he turned to leave, his parting words lingered like a challenge. “Oh, and Yuki? Be careful who you trust. Not everyone here has your best interests at heart.” The green haze pulsed one final time, and then he was gone, disappearing into the lengthening shadows of the courtyard.

Her heart pounded in the silence that followed. Be careful who you trust. Was that a warning, or a threat? Either way, it only fueled her resolve. She couldn’t sit idly by while lies festered around her like rot. But she couldn’t confront Kaito directly—not yet. She needed allies, information, something to leverage against his impenetrable facade.

That evening, as the dormitories quieted and the moon cast silver light through her window, Yuki sat cross-legged on her bed, a notebook open in front of her. She’d started jotting down every lie she’d seen, every flicker of green, no matter how small. Kaito’s name dominated the page, each entry a question mark, a puzzle piece she couldn’t yet fit into place. But there were others, too—students and teachers whose casual fibs had revealed themselves in fleeting glows. She wasn’t sure what it all meant yet, but she felt the threads of something larger pulling tight.

A soft knock at her door startled her, and she quickly shoved the notebook under her pillow. “Come in,” she called, her voice steadier than she felt.

The door creaked open, revealing a familiar face—Haruto, the quiet boy from her homeroom who always seemed to linger on the edges of conversations. His transfer status was no secret; the rumor mill whispered that his ability was something to do with shadows, though no one seemed to know for sure. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something—fear, maybe, or hesitation.

“Yuki,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I need to talk to you. About Kaito. And about what you can do.”

Her breath caught, her hand instinctively brushing the edge of the pillow where her notebook hid. He knew. Somehow, he knew about her ability. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air thick with unspoken questions. How much did he know? And more importantly, could she trust him?

“Haruto,” she began, her voice cautious, “what do you mean?”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. His expression was unreadable, but his next words sent a shiver down her spine. “I’ve seen the way you look at him. Like you can see right through him. And I think… I think you’re right to be afraid. Kaito’s not just lying. He’s hiding something that could destroy us all.”

The weight of his words settled over her like a storm cloud, dark and inevitable. Whatever Kaito was concealing, it wasn’t just personal—it was dangerous. And now, whether she was ready or not, Yuki was stepping into the heart of it.