The next morning felt… different.
Jin Haru walked into school with sore muscles and a bandage on his cheek. He didn't care much about how he looked. But now, everyone else seemed to.
Whispers followed him down the hall.
"There he is… the backflip guy."
"He beat the seniors in the forest, right?"
"I heard his eyes turned blue... is he even human?"
Haru kept walking, hands in his pockets, eyes cold. His black hoodie was zipped up, hiding the bruises on his arms. Jinho walked beside him, holding a sports drink in one hand and smiling like a fool.
"They're finally noticing you," Jinho said, grinning.
"I didn't ask for this," Haru replied.
"I know. But attention comes with strength."
They walked into class. Some students nodded at them. Even the usual bullies looked away. Haru sat at his desk, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
Then he felt it.
A sharp gaze.
He opened his eyes and saw her.
Love Interest 1—Seo Areum, the cold top student—was staring at him from across the room.
She didn't say a word.
But her eyes… they said everything.
At lunch, things got even stranger.
As Haru and Jinho sat down to eat, a tall boy in a crisp blazer walked up to them. His hair was silver-dyed, his posture perfect. A red armband with gold lettering wrapped around his sleeve.
Student Council.
"Haru, right?" the boy asked.
"…Yeah."
"The President would like to meet you. Today."
Jinho raised an eyebrow. "The President? You mean—"
"Yes. The real Student Council. Not the ones who take notes and organize events. I mean them."
Jinho's smile faded.
"…Crap," he whispered.
---
Later That Day – The Council Room
The room was quiet. Huge windows let in sunlight, and expensive furniture filled the space.
Haru stood in front of a long table. Five students sat behind it. All of them older. All of them dangerous.
At the center sat a girl with long jet-black hair, sharp glasses, and a quiet smile.
Rika Yoon – Student Council President. Rank 1 in the school. Known for her brain, her money, and her skill in sword combat.
"So," she said calmly. "You're the boy everyone's talking about."
Haru didn't speak.
Rika leaned forward, folding her hands.
"Let me be honest. We don't like troublemakers here. Especially not ones who fight gangs and black out in public."
"I didn't black out on purpose," Haru replied.
"Oh, we know. We watched the footage."
She tapped the table, and a hologram appeared.
It showed Haru in the forest—eyes glowing blue, fists flying like a machine.
"Impressive," she said. "You move like a pro… but you don't think like one. You don't know control. That makes you dangerous."
Haru's jaw clenched. "I didn't come here to fight anyone."
"But you will," Rika said, smiling.
She stood up and walked toward him.
"You're strong. But strength without rules? That leads to chaos."
She stopped right in front of him.
"So, here's your choice."
She raised two fingers.
"One—you join us. The Student Council. You work under our watch, learn the rules, and stay protected."
She lowered one finger.
"Or two—we treat you like a threat. And trust me… we're not easy to fight."
Haru stared at her.
His heart was beating fast.
REI whispered in his mind:
"Warning. Psychological pressure detected. This is a control tactic."
He slowly smiled.
"I don't like being told what to do."
Rika's smile grew wider.
"Then let's see how long you last on your own, Jin Haru."
---
Aftermath – Rooftop Talk
Jinho met him on the rooftop after school.
"You met them?" he asked.
"Yeah," Haru replied.
"They tried to recruit you?"
Haru nodded.
"And you said no?" Jinho's eyes widened. "Dude, do you want to die?"
Haru didn't answer. He just leaned against the fence and looked out at the sunset.
"I don't trust them," he said quietly.
"They run the whole school. Even the teachers are scared of them," Jinho muttered.
"I know. That's why I said no."
There was a long silence.
Then Jinho smiled again.
"Well… if they come for you, I'll stand with you. Even if we get expelled."
Haru chuckled.
"Thanks."
---
Elsewhere – Shadows Stirring
In a dark room far from school, a man watched a video on repeat.
Blue eyes.
Perfect form.
Mechanical movements.
He paused the video and lit a cigarette.
"So… the Vessel lives," he whispered.
Behind him, a boy with a scar on his cheek stood quietly.
"What now, boss?"
The man smiled.
"Now? We wait. Let him play schoolboy for a little longer."
The screen flickered.
And the countdown began.