:
"When the system fails, it sends a wolf dressed as a sheep."
After the chaos of the failed Anomaly Hunt, calm returned to the classroom like a fog. But beneath the surface, the system had begun to stir. Somewhere deep within the administrative databases, an alert blinked red:
LEVEL OMEGA: SUBJECT KR-01. OBSERVE. INFILTRATE. EXPOSE.
---
Day 1 Post-Hunt.
Rei sat near the window again, his usual corner. Headphones in, book open. His expression as distant as ever. But behind his still eyes, the calculations began anew.
"The system's fingers will twitch before its hand moves. I'm already being watched."
At precisely 8:10 AM, the class door opened.
Vice Principal Arakawa: "Students, meet your new classmate. Amamiya Kai."
He walked in with the aura of a born prince. Neatly parted silver hair. A confident gaze, yet not arrogant. Students whispered, curious. Kai bowed politely.
Kai: "I transferred from Hoshin Elite. I specialize in behavioral economics and applied philosophy. Looking forward to learning from all of you."
He scanned the class. His eyes paused briefly on Rei. Just a second too long.
---
During Recess
Kai quickly made waves. Charismatic and intelligent, he inserted himself seamlessly into the web of the class. Conversations flowed around him. Even Sena and Kaito, usually dominant, took note.
Kaito (to Sena): "He moves like he's already mapped us."
Sena: "He's good... scary good."
Meanwhile, Rei to himself: "System bait. And he doesn't even know the full truth. Or maybe he does? No. He's feeling around for it. Smart."
---
Event: Game of Perception
Kai announced a spontaneous group activity under the guise of "team bonding."
Each group had to solve philosophical riddles. The losing team had to obey one command from the winning team. Nothing harmful. Just reputation-risking dares.
Rei's group struggled. On paper, they were the weakest team. On purpose.
When the riddle round concluded, it appeared Rei's team lost. Until the last question.
Riddle: "What cannot be seen, held, or measured, but can break even the strongest?"
Kai's team fumbled.
Rei, after a pause, said: "Trust."
His team cheered. A lucky guess, they claimed.
Kai stared. A flicker of recognition.
Kai (to himself): "That wasn't luck. That was surgical timing."
---
After School
Rei took a different route to the dorms. A shadow followed. He stopped near a vending machine. Turned.
Kai (smiling): "You read a lot. Any recommendations?"
Rei: "Just light novels. Reality's already full of mystery."
Kai: "Do you think people are inherently manipulative?"
Rei (looking thoughtful): "People don't manipulate. They survive."
Kai (nodding): "Survival is the best game."
They parted. That conversation was a challenge, and both knew it.
---
In the System Control Room
Vice Principal Arakawa read Kai's initial report:
"Subject KR-01 blends perfectly. No evidence of anomaly yet. But his stillness is... manufactured."
Administrator: "Continue. Push him. He will reveal himself under stress."
:
Rei sits at his desk, staring at his own reflection in the black screen of a dormant tablet.
Internal Monologue: "The game has changed. Now the puppeteer sends another puppet. But I don't need to pull strings anymore. I'll let him tangle himself in them."
Fade to black.