Riiiing—Riiiing—Riiiing!The final bell echoed through the classroom, signaling the end of another long day. Desks screeched as students scrambled to pack their bags, chatter rising like a storm. The teacher's voice barely carried over the chaos, reminding everyone of the assignment due tomorrow.
At the back of the room, a small circle of girls lingered, their conversation far more important than any homework.
Among them sat Sarah — short, brown-haired, with warm golden eyes that shimmered under the afternoon light. One of the prettier girls in class, and—of course—the class representative.
Yuki: "Hey, Sarah, so tell us—who do you have it bad for?"
Sally: "C'mon, it's gotta be Isaac, right?"
Mariam: "No way, it's definitely Eithen."
Sarah: "What—? No! Where did that even come from? You all sound like those stereotypical girls from every high school movie ever. Let's focus on the assignment!"
Yuki: "Boooo! Blah, blah, blah, Miss Saint."
Mariam: "Yeah, drop the good girl act and just spill it already!"
Sarah chuckled helplessly at her friends' teasing. Their laughter filled the room—until suddenly, she froze, her eyes catching someone near the door. Without another word, she stood and walked off.
Sarah: "Hey, Yuri!"
He stopped mid-step, turning to see her. His bag was already slung over his shoulder, ready to leave.
Yuri: "Uh… hello, Class Rep. Can I help you?"
Sarah: "C'mon, I told you not to call me that. Just… Sarah, okay? I just wanted to say hi."
Yuri: "Oh. Okay then… thanks, Sarah. See you tomorrow."
Sarah: "Sure. Bye."
He left quietly. From across the room, her friends watched with wide eyes and knowing smirks.
Sarah: "What?"
Mariam: "Yuri? Really?"
Sarah: "What??"
Yuki: "Girl, that boy is… weird."
Mariam: "I wouldn't say weird, but he does creep me out a little."
Sally: "Yeah. He's kinda cute, though. But he always looks so… tired. Pale skin, those dark circles under his eyes… I do love his hair, though."
Yuki: "Still, he's too quiet. No friends. He's probably hiding something—"
BANG!
Sarah slammed her hand on the desk, startling everyone. Realizing what she'd done, she quickly tried to compose herself.
Sarah: "Uh—I'm sorry. But… please, don't talk about him that way. He's our classmate. Maybe he's just… going through something, okay? So, please—keep an open mind."
She grabbed her bag and hurried out, leaving the others stunned.
Meanwhile…
A door creaked open.
Yuri stepped inside his small apartment. The silence that greeted him was heavy—too heavy. He set his bag down, inhaled deeply, then exhaled, as though trying to clear his mind.
Then, he knelt.
From beneath his bed, he pulled out a box. Inside lay a mask—white, expressionless, with a black cross carved across the center. Half the mask seemed swallowed by shadow.
Yuri stared at it for a long moment, fingers trembling slightly. He knew what this meant. Once he wore it, there would be no turning back. Three years of training, of pain, of rage—all leading to this.
But readiness… wasn't his choice anymore.
Three years ago, my world shattered. The only bond that ever meant anything to me… taken in cold blood.
She always knew this day would come. She prayed no one else would suffer as she did—but prayers are just wishful thinking.
I don't care. If she wished for cows to fly, I'd make them soar. If she wished for the heavens to fall, I'd bring them crashing down.
Her dream will live through me. I'll find the one who killed her. And I'll make him taste every form of suffering known to man.
I will be DEATH.I will be—THE VIGILANTE.