...
Yuma didn't head straight to the backstage area. Instead, he walked unhurriedly down the corridor toward the gym where the opening ceremony was being held.
His pace was steady and moderate—neither rushed nor dawdling.
Along the way, he occasionally passed other students and teachers heading to the gym. He always maintained a standard smile and nodded politely in greeting.
Most responses were friendly glances tinged with curiosity and approval.
"That's this year's freshman representative, right?"
"I heard his grades are insane…"
"He looks so serious."
"So impressive!"
The faint whispers reached his ears, but Yuma's smile didn't waver; inwardly, he felt nothing.
These reactions were exactly as he'd expected.
(Even in high school, people are the same as in middle school—they only see the surface.)
Reaching the gym's side entrance, the student council member on guide duty immediately recognized him and hurried over.
"You're Mikogami Yuma-kun, right? Please follow me—the freshman representative needs to prepare backstage."
"Yes, thank you, senpai." Yuma bowed slightly, his attitude perfectly polite and respectful.
Backstage was busy but orderly.
He was led to a relatively quiet corner where a glass of water and a mirror had been set up—apparently for speakers to make final appearance adjustments.
Facing the mirror, he straightened his already impeccable collar and tie, ensuring every detail was flawless.
Then he unrolled the speech draft but didn't look at it.
He had already skimmed and memorized the contents in [Time Stop] the moment he received it in the principal's office.
Those clichéd, empty phrases were now crystal clear in his mind.
What he did now was—
Activate [X-Ray Vision] quietly. The paper of the speech draft became transparent in his eyes. His gaze easily passed through it, scanning the busy people backstage.
[Affection: 40 (Naturally fond of excellent juniors)]
[Affection: 35 (Thinks you're impressive)]
[Affection: 38 (Appreciates your punctuality and serious preparation)]
A series of numbers and brief descriptions flashed quickly at the edge of his vision—mostly student council members and teachers. The opposite sex's affection generally hovered between 30 and 45.
Perfectly in line with baseline stranger/work relationship levels.
His gaze continued wandering aimlessly until it settled on one figure.
An exceptionally attractive girl stood nearby at a table, meticulously checking the program schedule.
She had neat blue-purple short hair that fell naturally, looking very soft. Her eyes were clear blue, currently focused on the sheet in her hands; her long lashes occasionally fluttered as if silently calculating something.
Beneath the second-year uniform's short skirt, her legs were wrapped in black knee-high socks that tightened just below the knees, outlining youthful, energetic lines.
Though not as voluptuous as Kasumigaoka Utaha's he'd seen earlier, nor clad in eye-catching black stockings, these legs were straight and long—beautiful in a different way.
[Name: Hoshizuki Kaede]
[Affection: 46 (Acknowledges your role as freshman representative and admires your serious attitude)]
46. A relatively high number among strangers—50 and above usually meant someone you could get along with fairly well.
(Hoshizuki Kaede… a student council member? Seems like the very diligent type.)
Yuma instantly assessed her.
This kind of person would naturally feel some goodwill toward his current "honor student" mask—someone he could interact with normally, who might be helpful without requiring special attention or causing trouble.
In short: useful and low-maintenance.
His gaze lingered on Hoshizuki Kaede for a moment before he folded the speech draft away.
With a perfectly measured, slightly apologetic smile, Yuma walked toward her.
"Excuse me, senpai."
Hoshizuki Kaede looked up at the voice, a trace of confusion in her blue eyes.
Seeing it was the freshman representative about to speak, she showed no impatience.
"What is it, Mikogami-kun?" She correctly used his name.
"Well…" He lightly waved the draft in his hand. "After going on stage, besides the speech, is there anything else I need to do? I wanted to confirm the procedure one last time."
"It's my first time speaking in front of so many people—I'm a little nervous."
Hoshizuki Kaede glanced at the clearly well-handled draft, then at his "sincere" expression. Understanding flickered in her eyes.
[Name: Hoshizuki Kaede]
[Affection: 46 → 48 (…)]
"No need to be nervous—the students in the audience are all freshmen like you." Her voice softened slightly.
She set down the schedule and pointed toward the side curtain leading to the stage.
"After the host announces you, come up from here, walk to the podium, bow to the principal and teachers first, then bow to the students."
As she spoke, she demonstrated with simple gestures.
"After bowing, adjust the microphone and begin your speech."
Yuma listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
...
Yuma listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
"I see—thank you. That puts my mind at ease." He showed a relieved expression. "Thank you so much, senpai."
Hoshizuki Kaede watched him, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
He'd only asked a few minor questions, yet he gave full emotional acknowledgment.
"No problem—it's part of our job. Relax. Even if you mess up, it's not a big deal." She encouraged him. "Good luck."
[Name: Hoshizuki Kaede]
[Affection: 48 → 50 (A truly polite and hardworking junior)]
Seeing the affection stably cross 50, Yuma mentally nodded.
This level was sufficient—a solid, positively inclined starting point.
But he didn't push further by asking for contact info or personal details. Better to let the other person take the initiative—otherwise it might seem too deliberate.
After a perfectly executed social interaction, Yuma returned to his spot and waited quietly.
It wasn't long before the host's announcement carried through the curtain:
"Next, please welcome this year's freshman representative, Mikogami Yuma-kun, to give his speech! Everyone, a warm welcome!"
Enthusiastic applause erupted.
Yuma took a deep breath, adjusted his glasses, and put on the perfect mix of nervousness and determination. He walked steadily from the side curtain to the podium.
Hoshizuki Kaede had just finished checking the schedule, let out a soft breath, and sat down in a chair in the backstage corner, unconsciously stretching and revealing her graceful figure.
At that moment, a figure silently appeared beside her.
"Sis, water." The voice was flat, almost monotone.
"Thanks, Rin."
She accepted the bottle, twisted off the cap, and took a sip.
She didn't even need to look—just the voice told her who it was.
Her twin sister—Hoshizuki Rin.
The girl had strikingly similar features to her sister, but a completely different aura.
She shared the same blue-purple short hair, but her eyes were warm amber. Her skin was pale, and her overall demeanor contrasted sharply with Kaede's.
At the moment, Hoshizuki Rin's eyes seemed veiled in faint mist—hazy and distracted—paired with an expressionless yet cute face that gave her a naturally airheaded, adorable vibe.
Though wearing the same second-year uniform, her figure was noticeably more voluptuous; the blouse was stretched taut by her full chest, appearing far more curvaceous than her sister's.
Beneath her short skirt, her well-proportioned legs were tightly encased in opaque pure-black pantyhose.
The black stockings clung perfectly to every inch of her legs, outlining seductive thigh curves and slender ankles—exuding an innocent yet slightly forbidden charm.
Hoshizuki Rin wasn't an official student council member; she was simply here to see her sister.
But because of her striking resemblance to Kaede and the fact that "visiting her sister" had become routine, everyone in the council knew her and tacitly allowed her free access.
During the brief moment her sister rested and drank, Hoshizuki Rin slowly turned toward the stage, her gaze landing on Yuma as he bowed.
She tilted her head, soft hair brushing her cheek.
"Sis," her voice remained flat and emotionless, "that guy—is the freshman representative?"
"Yes, Mikogami Yuma-kun." Hoshizuki Kaede nodded and took another sip. "His grades are outstanding, and he seems very serious and hardworking—much better than our year's representative."
"He even came to ask about the procedure earlier. He looked a little nervous."
"Oh." Hoshizuki Rin responded softly, but her gaze didn't shift away.
She watched the freshman representative on stage—black-rimmed glasses, flawless smile—and something deep in her amber eyes seemed to ripple faintly.
"He looks…" She paused, searching for the right words, then let out two perfectly ordinary ones. "…average."
Hoshizuki Kaede couldn't help laughing. "Average? Rin, your standards are way too high. He got in with near-perfect scores—an elite honor student—and he's very polite."
Hoshizuki Rin didn't argue, just gave a soft "mm" in acknowledgment.
Her eyes stayed on Yuma as he unfolded his speech draft, wearing the standard energetic smile tinged with just the right amount of nerves.
Her long legs—wrapped in black pantyhose—unconsciously brushed together lightly.
(…Something feels… off.)
A subtle, indescribable sense of wrongness rose in her usually calm heart like a tiny bubble from the bottom of a lake—surfacing quietly, popping without a sound, leaving only the faintest ripple.
She couldn't pinpoint what it was—just a vague instinct.
Outstanding grades, humble attitude—anyone would see the boy on stage as a flawless, promising honor student.
Yet Hoshizuki Rin's eyes narrowed slightly.
(…Not dazzling at all.)
The thought appeared abruptly in her somewhat drifting mind.
(He's so excellent… so why isn't he dazzling in the slightest?)
She had seen truly dazzling people.
Like her sister, Hoshizuki Kaede—serious, goal-oriented, radiating focus and vitality from within, a tangible glow.
But this freshman representative named Yuma…
His displayed excellence felt like a carefully applied, even layer of glaze—smooth, standard, but utterly without warmth or light.
Like a… meticulously crafted doll.
(As if… he's wearing a very attractive mask.)
(What's… underneath the mask?)
The thought flashed and vanished; even she found it odd.
"What's wrong, Rin?" Kaede noticed her sister's unusual behavior and asked curiously.
It was rare for Rin to focus on someone like this—and for so long.
Hoshizuki Rin slowly withdrew her gaze, turning back to her sister. Her amber eyes remained hazy, veiled in perpetual mist.
She shook her head lightly, voice still flat and slow in her unique drawl.
"Nothing."
...
Hoshizuki Kaede smiled helplessly at her sister's thoughtful yet silent expression and reached out to ruffle her soft blue-purple hair.
"You always say the strangest things." Her tone was indulgent. "Mikogami-kun is clearly an excellent freshman representative."
Hoshizuki Rin let her sister mess with her hair, but her gaze drifted back to the stage.
Yuma was speaking—clear voice, proper wording, perfectly timed pauses.
She tilted her head slightly, amber eyes narrowing. Her black-pantyhose-clad legs remained crossed, toes lightly tapping the floor—an air of detached aloofness.
The speech ended to thunderous applause.
Yuma smiled and bowed to the audience, then turned to bow again to the faculty seats. The entire process was smooth and natural—anyone would call it a successful freshman address.
But from backstage, Hoshizuki Rin noticed one detail:
The instant Yuma bowed, the enthusiastic smile on his face seemed to freeze—like someone hit pause—vanishing for a split second before instantly returning.
The change was so fast it could almost be an illusion.
(The mask… slipped for a moment.)
When Yuma stepped down, he still wore a moderate smile, accepting approving looks from teachers and envious glances from students.
Inwardly, though, he was calmly calculating.
(The speech went perfectly. The honor-student image is further solidified. As long as I maintain this…)
Just as he thought that, he suddenly noticed the girl beside Hoshizuki Kaede who looked remarkably like her.
[Name: Hoshizuki Rin]
[Affection: 37 (Curious about you)]
Yuma paused slightly.
Hoshizuki Rin? Kaede-senpai's sister?
His gaze briefly lingered on her noticeably fuller chest—clearly a size larger than her sister's—before quickly shifting away. He nodded politely to both.
"Kaede-senpai, how was my speech?"
"Outstanding." Kaede praised sincerely.
Though the content was a bit clichéd, compared to representatives who stumbled over words or made complete fools of themselves, Yuma's performance was excellent.
"Good." Yuma exhaled in relief and smiled. "Thank you so much, Kaede-senpai."
Watching the boy's earnest gratitude, Kaede felt an odd flutter and turned her face away.
"I-It's nothing—just part of student council duties."
[Name: Hoshizuki Kaede]
[Affection: 50 → 52 (A little shy)]
Yuma had no intention of deliberately pushing her affection higher, but a slight increase was always more benefit than harm.
His gaze naturally turned to the girl beside her.
"And this is…?"
"Oh, this is my little sister, Hoshizuki Rin." Kaede quickly introduced. "Rin isn't in the student council—she just came to see me."
Hoshizuki Rin said nothing, only looking at Yuma quietly with those hazy amber eyes and giving a slight nod in greeting.
Her long legs remained crossed in black pantyhose, exuding detached aloofness.
[Name: Hoshizuki Rin]
[Affection: 37 → 39 (Curious about you)]
(Curious…?)
Yuma didn't see any outward signs of curiosity, but the affection shift was normal enough.
"Nice to meet you, Rin-senpai."
The girl merely gave a soft "mm," her gaze lingering on his face for two seconds before slowly turning back to her sister.
"Sis, is it over?" Her voice carried a hint of urging.
"Almost—let me finish packing." Kaede replied, starting to organize her files.
Yuma tactfully withdrew.
"Then I won't disturb you two, Kaede-senpai, Rin-senpai."
He bowed smoothly and naturally, then turned and walked toward the backstage exit at an unhurried pace.
Just as he stepped out and hadn't yet relaxed, a tall figure blocked his path.
That faint, elegantly sweet white-orchid scent filled his nose again.
Yuma looked up to see Kasumigaoka Utaha leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed. Her dark-red eyes scrutinized him sharply, full of open suspicion and probing.
She had apparently been waiting for a while.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai?" Yuma asked, puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't answer immediately—just studied him up and down, as if trying to pierce through his black-rimmed glasses and honor-student shell to see his deepest secrets.
A faint, unnatural flush colored her cheeks as some memory surfaced.
"Mikogami… Yuma, right?" She spoke slowly, voice lower than before. "Your speech was impressive."
"You're too kind, senpai." Yuma lowered his head modestly, inwardly on full alert. "I practiced many times to avoid embarrassing myself."
No wonder—he'd seen her affection description.
[Name: Kasumigaoka Utaha]
[Affection: 20 (Suspects the earlier incident is related to you)]
(I was too reckless after all…)
It was natural she'd suspect him—they'd only just parted when the strange event happened, and no one else was around.
"Is that so?" Kasumigaoka Utaha took a small step closer, narrowing the distance.
The white-orchid scent grew stronger, mixing with her unique, aggressively alluring aura into dangerous temptation.
"But I didn't come for that."
She leaned in slightly, dark-red eyes locking onto his, voice lowered:
"I just wanted to ask, Mikogami-kun—after we parted in the hallway, did you go straight to backstage?
Did you… go anywhere else along the way? Or encounter anything… strange?"
Here it comes.
Yuma smirked inwardly but kept his honest expression.
"Strange?" He adjusted his glasses, looking confused.
"Nothing in particular happened. After parting with you, senpai, I went straight to prepare backstage… Did something happen, senpai?"
He turned the question back, tone full of genuine concern.
[Name: Kasumigaoka Utaha]
[Affection: 20 → 18 (Suspicion deepened)]
Seeing affection drop instead of rise, Yuma knew she wasn't convinced. Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't easily fooled.
"Something did happen…" A very faint flush crossed her cheeks, but her eyes sharpened further. "And at the time, you seemed to be the only one nearby."
She didn't specify what, but her tightly pressed lips and tense jaw silently conveyed the distress and anger it caused her.
Just then—
"Bzz…"
A soft vibration came from her skirt pocket, interrupting her pressing.
She frowned beautifully, annoyance flashing at the disturbance, but still pulled out her phone.
When her eyes landed on the screen, Yuma keenly caught her face paling slightly—panic and… disbelief?
(Oh? That reaction…)
Yuma's interest piqued. The instant her attention shifted to the phone, he didn't hesitate.
[Time Stop]
The world instantly turned gray and silent. Kasumigaoka Utaha froze mid-motion looking at her phone, like an exquisite doll.
Yuma stepped forward immediately, eyes falling on her phone screen—and saw something rather unexpected.