Apex.
Once, it was a name known across the world—synonymous with excellence, power, and absolute authority. True to its name, it stood at the very peak of global education.
With thirty-six branches spread across the world, Apex had dominated the industry for decades, producing some of the most influential individuals in history. World leaders, business tycoons, researchers, athletes, renowned actors, doctors—every field bore its mark.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Apex had shaped the modern world itself.
As years passed, its influence grew exponentially, until nearly every nation's administration lay, directly or indirectly, in its hands. With such power, Apex rewrote the rules of governance.
One of its most radical reforms was the restoration of the monarchy.
Yes—the age of democracy had ended.
Nations still existed, but at their center stood royal families, each one controlled by the Apex institution of that country. Authority flowed not from the people, but through Apex.
Japan had its own branch as well.
I switched off my phone as the largest building I had ever seen came into view. Getting off the bus, I stood frozen before the gates—so massive they rivaled the apartment complex I used to live in.
Above them, carved in gleaming golden letters, was the name:
APEX INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, JAPAN
This institution was never meant for people like me. It was reserved for the wealthy, for noble families—those who held decision-making power in the Royal Court.
And yet, in the name of "national development," Apex had opened its doors to commoners through a scholarship system.
To be honest, I was terrified.
This was not a place where I belonged. Someone like me could never survive in a society like this—or so I believed.
But if I wanted freedom… freedom from that man… then I had no choice.
The contract demanded it.
Two years at this school.
"Haa…" I let out a heavy sigh.
With countless doubts and unanswered questions weighing on my mind, I stepped forward, passing through the gates—
into the largest institution in the entire nation.
***
Whenever there is something you do, there is a division of forces at play, usually.
Most say your own efforst matter the most, some others say that luck also plays a major role.
As for me, I believe in efforts, not because I don't believe in luck, or that there is a chance this would go according to God's plan.
Its because I have run out of luck a long time ago.
I was ready to accept any kind of surprise God would throw my way here. but....I was never expecting this.
"There is a new student who will be joining our class, 2C. Please introduce yourself."
The teacher patted my back lightly.
However, I was too stunned to speak.
Well, I was trained not to show any of it on my face, so as I maintained my poker face, and introduced myself.
"Myself Yuta Saneda."
The teacher looked at me, as if expecting more about myself, but I decided it was better to conclude my introduction here.
Never had I ever thought in my wildest dreams, that I would meet her here.
Quietly taking my seat, I observed the response from the other students, as our teacher, started his lesson.
There was nothing major, as they were all children from respectable families.
It would be better to say that they just ignored my introduction.
Well, it was my plan from the start, to lead a quiet life here in the academy, without associating with anyone, entirely.
And there was she, looking towards me, with some undescribable expressions on her face.
Did that bastard know about her and deliberately put me in this class?
"This would be troublesome.", I thought to myself.
No, I should think rationally here.
Emotions only hinder your efforts.
It would be better for me to avoid her, as looking at her expression, she has recognized me.
Transferring classes is one possibility, about which I should have a talk with "him" first.
Then again, for today, I have to endure this awkwardness.
Scribbling on my copy, already learned formulae, and theories, the first half of the day concluded.
As soon as lunch break arrived, I took myself out of the classroom, before she could confront me, but it was futile.
"Yuta.", she called out.
She wore a stoic expression now, contrary to the cheerful one I had imprinted in my memory.
Well, she has changed a lot, since the day I last saw her.
And, now she has become a famous actress, renowned all over the world.
It would be conspicuous if we were to talk inside the classroom, and it would gain attention of other students, considering her reputation.
"Let's move to a less crowded place and talk.", I suggested.
"...Alright.", she agreed after giving it some thought.
Before entering the classroom, I had scanned the entire building, there were CCTV cameras installed everywhere.
It would be troublesome matter if someone were to record her meeting with me, a random boy, and spread it on the internet.
But, there are loopholes in the area coverings of CCTV cameras, and I found one, exactly behind the second year class building.
As it was lunch break, most of the students were either in classroom, or in the cafeteria, no student would wander around here, giving us the privacy.
And, it was an open field, so it would be impossible for anyone to record something without being noticed.
Still, I scanned the area a few times, before saying anything.
She just stood still, her expression had turned cold, maybe getting irritated of my silence.
"I see you haven't changed one bit.", she said.
"...On the other hand, you seem to have changed a lot, I see. You have become famous."
She didn't respond immediately.
For a moment, she just watched me—eyes narrowed slightly, as if searching for something familiar beneath the words.
"I didn't change because I wanted to," she said at last. "I had to."
"I'm sure," I replied calmly. "That's usually how success works."
Her brows twitched. A tiny crack.
Silence settled between us, heavy and uncomfortable.
"You disappeared," she said. "No message. No call. Nothing."
I exhaled slowly. "That was intentional."
Her eyes widened—just a fraction.
"I thought," she continued, voice tightening, "maybe something happened to you. Maybe you were hurt. Maybe you—"
"You thought too much," I cut in.
The words came out colder than I intended.
Or maybe exactly as intended.
She stiffened.
"I didn't leave because I couldn't stay," I said. "I left because staying was pointless."
Her lips parted, then pressed together.
"You were struggling back then," I went on, tone even. "Barely getting auditions. Living on borrowed hope. I didn't see a future there."
Each sentence landed like a deliberate strike.
"I wasn't going to tie myself to someone who didn't know where they were going."
Her hands clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
"So that's how you saw me," she said quietly. "A liability."
"I saw you as a phase," I answered.
The lie tasted bitter.
But it worked.
The air between us snapped.
Her gaze dropped—not in defeat, but in restraint. Like she was forcing something back down, something dangerous.
"I see," she said after a pause. Her voice was steady now. Too steady. "Then there's nothing left to talk about."
"That would be best," I replied.
I didn't see anger in her eyes, but something worse.
Disappointment.
She turned and walked away without looking back.
I stayed where I was, staring at the empty space she left behind.
My chest felt tight.
But emotions were a luxury I couldn't afford.
Distance was safer.
Even if it meant being hated.
Especially if it meant being hated.
For her sake too.
Just as I was going to wander around the school, my phone rang.
I stopped.
That ringtone.
My fingers tightened around the device before I even looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
I already knew who it was.
I answered.
"Speak," I said quietly.
There was a pause on the other end—long enough to remind me who held the power.
"So," that man said at last, his voice calm, amused, "you've settled in nicely."
"I was about to call," I replied. "The class assignment—"
"Is not a mistake," he interrupted. "Everything is exactly where it should be."
My jaw clenched.
"I want a transfer," I said flatly. "That girl—"
"Ayaka Tachibana," he cut in again, pronouncing her name with deliberate clarity. "Japan's youngest internationally acclaimed actress. Apex-backed asset. Public darling."
My breath hitched despite myself.
So he did know.
"She's inconvenient," he continued. "Too visible. Too influential. And lately… too independent."
Silence swallowed my voice.
"I'm assigning you a task," he said, tone no different from the dozens of times before. "Consider it your first mission at Apex Japan."
I already knew.
But hearing it was different.
"Your objective," he said softly, "is Ayaka Tachibana."
The world narrowed.
"You want me to watch her," I said, clinging to the faintest thread of denial.
A chuckle came through the line.
"No," he replied. "I want you to erase her."
My vision blurred for a second.
The girl I had loved.The girl I had abandoned.The girl I had just forced to hate me.
My nails dug into my palm until I felt pain.
"I won't do it," I said.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Then—
"Your contract says otherwise," he replied. "Two years of obedience in exchange for freedom. Break it, and everything you ran from comes back."
Images I had buried clawed at the edges of my mind.
"And if you refuse," he added, "someone else will do it. Messier. Louder. Public."
My chest tightened.
"Think carefully, Yuta," he said. "This is mercy. From a certain perspective."
The call ended.
I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear, long after the screen went dark.
The campus buzzed with life around me—laughter, footsteps, voices full of futures.
And somewhere within these walls…
Ayaka was breathing the same air.
Unaware.
I closed my eyes.
I had pushed her away to protect her.
Only to be ordered to destroy her.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor.
And Apex never made empty threats.