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The beach sparkled under the summer sun. Laughter echoed across the waves.
Tetsuro was already splashing in the water, grinning like a kid. Emika and Rina ran across the sand, kicking up water as they chased Miyako with a beach ball. Bunta, as expected, sat under an umbrella with a massive plate of snacks.
Kota sat quietly beside Airi on a beach chair, sipping a cold drink.
"I was surprised we actually passed the test," Airi said, looking out at the water.
"Yeah," Kota replied flatly. "But why am I even here again...?"
———
Flashback – Service Club Room
Emika burst into the room, waving a slip of paper in the air. "Guess what? The teacher gave us nine tickets to the beach! It's our reward!"
The room lit up with excitement.
Kota just groaned. "I'm not going."
Emika pouted. "You have to. The teacher already gave us all tickets. That includes you."
Kota sighed in defeat.
———
Back at the Beach
Kota glanced sideways at Airi, who had fallen quiet. "What's wrong?"
Airi frowned. "My plan didn't work. If Emika hadn't brought the first test, we would've wasted time studying only the old one…"
Kota leaned back. "Don't beat yourself up. Without your strategy, Emika's wouldn't have worked either. They both mattered."
They headed to the food stand later, gathering snacks. Bunta dove into a tray of curry bread while Kota just sipped coffee.
Suddenly, five boys from Class C strolled up to their table. One of them crossed his arms.
"I don't buy it. There's no way you passed that test without cheating."
Tetsuro stood. "We didn't cheat. We worked our butts off."
The boy turned his gaze toward Airi. "We heard it was your idea."
Airi calmly took another sip. "So what if it was?"
The boy stepped closer and grabbed her wrist. "Don't act tough."
Tetsuro's fist connected with the boy's jaw. The boy fell back, shocked.
"You heard her," Tetsuro growled. "Let. Go."
The other boys rushed to help their friend up, and they quickly backed off.
Airi stood and dusted herself off, voice cool. "That was a stupid move."
Tetsuro blinked. "What? I was protecting you—"
"You broke school rules by hitting a student."
His smile vanished.
———
The Next Day – Classroom
"Tetsuro," the teacher called. "The principal wants to see you. Bring two witnesses."
Tetsuro looked stunned. Airi stood. "I'll go."
Kota sighed, getting to his feet. "I'll go too."
As they walked to the principal's office, Tetsuro kept his head low. "I'm sorry... this is my fault."
"It's not," Airi replied. "They were pushing your buttons. They wanted this."
———
Principal's Office
They entered the room. The five Class C boys were already seated. One had a bandage over his cheek.
The principal raised an eyebrow. "Airi. I'm impressed you showed up."
Tetsuro looked at her. "Wait… do you know him?"
Airi sighed. "He's my father."
Tetsuro's jaw dropped.
"I won't show favoritism," her father said. "Even if you are my daughter."
He turned to the injured boy. "What happened?"
"He punched me out of nowhere!" the boy claimed.
"Is that true?" the principal asked.
The boy hesitated. "Well... I didn't hit him that hard..."
"You liar!" Tetsuro shouted.
"See? Just a wild animal," the boy muttered.
Kota studied Airi. She was trembling—silent. She's afraid of him, he realized. She's freezing up.
The principal sighed. "You have until tomorrow to prove your side. Dismissed."
———
Outside the Office
"I'll take care of it," Airi said quietly.
"You sure?" Tetsuro asked.
Kota nodded. "I'll help. I'm just tired, not dead."
———
Later That Evening – Downtown
The five boys walked into a quiet alleyway. Airi and Kota were already waiting.
"What do you want?" the ringleader scoffed.
Kota pointed. "Tell me—are you jealous of Tetsuro?"
"What?! No!"
Kota's voice sharpened. "You're childhood friends, right? You knew he was hard-headed. Only someone close would know that."
The boy's fists clenched. "Shut up!"
He pulled out his phone. "You can't prove anything. I even edited this video of him hitting me."
Kota smirked. "Exactly what I needed."
"Huh?"
Kota pointed up. "There's a camera. I bought it with my points and placed it here yesterday."
The boy's face turned pale.
"I'll make you a deal," Kota said. "Tell the principal it was a misunderstanding. Say you provoked him. Do that, and we won't show the real footage."
"…Fine," the boy muttered. "You win."
He ran off.
———
Walking Home
Airi looked over. "I'm impressed. You really handled that."
Kota didn't respond right away.
"So what's the deal with your dad?" he asked.
Airi hesitated. "I just... I don't want to disappoint him. I'm tired of being the 'burden.' That's why I need to reach Class A. To prove I'm not like my mother. That I belong."
Her voice trembled.
"I'll even join the White Room."
Kota stopped walking. "The White Room…?"
A memory surged—his father in a cold room, calling him the masterpiece of the Black Room.
So… her father is trying to outdo mine?
"If I help her," he thought, "then I'll be fighting against my father's twisted project too."
Airi reached for her phone. "Let's exchange numbers. But… don't call me your friend, okay?"
Kota nodded and entered her number.
As she walked ahead, Kota stared at the glowing screen. His expression turned cold.
Friends?
None of you are my friends. Not Emika. Not Tetsuro. Not even Airi. You're all just pieces on the board. Pawns in my game.
He turned and walked into the night.
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Next Time: Chapter 10 – Checkmate Begins
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