Rain fell without mercy.
Not the calm kind.
Not the peaceful kind.
This rain felt… heavy.
Like something bad was about to happen.
---
Arin Kurose stood in front of the rusted school gates, his bag hanging loosely from one shoulder.
"Kurogane High…"
The name was barely readable, scratched and faded like it had been forgotten.
He adjusted his grip on the strap and took a step forward.
This is just another school.
That's what he told himself.
That's what his father had said.
«"Keep your head down. Don't get involved in anything."»
Arin planned to do exactly that.
Stay quiet.
Stay invisible.
Graduate.
Simple.
---
But the moment he stepped inside…
He knew.
Something was wrong.
---
The courtyard was too silent.
Students stood in groups—but no one laughed. No one talked normally.
They watched.
Not curiously.
But like predators.
---
Then—
A loud thud echoed.
Arin turned.
A boy was slammed against a wall.
Hard.
The sound of bone hitting concrete made Arin freeze.
Three students stood over him, their expressions empty.
"You think you can ignore us?" one of them said.
The boy on the ground coughed, blood dripping from his mouth.
"No… I didn't—"
A kick cut him off.
---
No one moved.
No teacher came.
No one even reacted.
---
Arin's fingers tightened.
This isn't normal…
---
"Hey."
A voice suddenly came from behind him.
Arin turned slowly.
A tall student with dyed blond hair and a lazy smile looked at him.
"New transfer, right?"
Arin nodded slightly.
"…Yeah."
The guy stepped closer.
Too close.
"What's your name?"
"…Arin."
The smile widened—but his eyes didn't.
"Listen carefully, Arin."
His voice dropped.
"In this school… you don't survive by staying quiet."
---
Arin said nothing.
---
The guy leaned in.
"You survive by choosing a side."
---
Before Arin could respond—
Another shout echoed across the courtyard.
"THEY'RE HERE!"
Everything changed.
---
Students started moving.
Fast.
Groups formed instantly.
Tension exploded like a spark hitting gasoline.
---
From the main gate, a group of students walked in.
Different uniforms.
Different aura.
Dangerous.
---
"The Black Vultures…" someone whispered.
---
Arin didn't understand.
But his body reacted.
His heartbeat spiked.
His instincts screamed.
---
One of the newcomers stepped forward.
Cracked knuckles.
Cold eyes.
He scanned the area…
And then—
His gaze landed on Arin.
---
Silence.
Just for a second.
---
Then he smirked.
"A new face?"
He walked forward slowly.
Each step felt heavy.
Intentional.
---
Arin didn't move.
Couldn't move.
---
The guy stopped right in front of him.
"So… transfer student."
He tilted his head.
"Let's see what you're worth."
---
A fist came flying.
Fast.
Too fast.
---
Arin's eyes widened—
His body moved before his mind could think.
---
Dodge.
---
The punch barely missed his face.
Wind brushed his cheek.
---
The courtyard went silent.
---
"…Oh?"
The attacker's smile widened.
"You dodged?"
---
Arin stepped back.
Heart racing.
Breathing uneven.
---
What was that…?
---
The guy laughed.
"Interesting."
---
Then he rushed forward again.
This time faster.
More serious.
---
Arin's vision sharpened.
Everything slowed down.
Footsteps.
Breathing.
Movement.
---
Left.
---
He moved.
Barely avoiding the strike.
---
Gasps echoed around them.
---
"He's reading him…?"
"No way…"
---
Arin didn't understand what was happening.
But his body did.
---
Another attack.
Another dodge.
---
His heartbeat grew louder.
Faster.
Stronger.
---
The attacker stopped.
Just for a moment.
---
Then—
He grinned.
"You're not normal."
---
Arin froze.
---
And for the first time…
He felt it.
---
Not fear.
---
Something else.
---
Something rising from deep inside him.
---
Something dangerous.
---
The attacker cracked his neck.
"Good."
---
His voice turned cold.
---
"This might actually be fun."
---
Around them—
Students began forming a circle.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
A fight.
A real one.
---
Arin clenched his fists.
---
His peaceful life…
Ended right there.
---
And deep inside—
Something awakened.
---
Not strength.
---
Not courage.
---
But the will to survive.