The tension in the air lingered even as the morning classes progressed. Whispers carried through the hallways, bouncing between students like an unseen current. The Shirogiri heir had returned—and this time, he wasn''t someone to be ignored.


    By the time lunch arrived, the entire school had already split into factions.


    Those who feared him.


    Those who admired him.


    And those who still resented him.


    Ash wasn''t concerned with any of them.


    As he stepped out of the classroom, Kenji at his side, the hallway seemed to part naturally, students instinctively making way for him. It was subtle, but noticeable. The old Ash would have shrunk away from the attention. This Ash owned it.


    Kenji nudged his shoulder. "So, how''s it feel?"


    Ash raised an eyebrow. "How''s what feel?"


    Kenji grinned. "Being the guy everyone''s either scared of or obsessed with?"


    Ash smirked. "Annoying."


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    Kenji burst out laughing. "Oh man, you''re really living in a different world now."


    They turned the corner, heading toward the cafeteria. As they approached, a familiar face appeared—Takeshi Mori.


    But this wasn''t the same Takeshi from before.


    There was no arrogance in his stance, no cruel smirk on his lips. Just unease. Hesitation. A man who had lost his place in the school''s hierarchy.


    Ash barely spared him a glance, but when their eyes met, Takeshi visibly tensed.


    For a second, neither of them spoke.


    Then—


    "Yo, Takeshi."


    Kenji''s casual greeting snapped the moment.


    Takeshi exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hey."


    He wasn''t looking at Kenji, though. His gaze was locked onto Ash, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.


    Finally, Takeshi muttered, "I don''t want any trouble."


    Ash tilted his head slightly. "Then don''t cause any."


    Takeshi''s jaw clenched, but he nodded. Then, without another word, he stepped aside, making way for Ash to pass.


    Kenji let out a low whistle as they walked past. "Well, that was something."


    Ash didn''t respond. He had no interest in Takeshi Mori anymore. The real game was just beginning.


    And then—


    "Ash-kun~"


    A sickeningly sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.


    He stopped.


    Turning slightly, his gaze landed on Tsukihime Rei.


    Her perfect, practiced smile was in place, but there was something else beneath it now. A flicker of something she hadn''t felt before. Uncertainty.


    She had expected the weak, helpless Ash from before. The boy she could manipulate.


    Instead, she was staring at someone far beyond her control.


    "Walk with me?" she asked, tilting her head in that innocent, elegant way that had always made others swoon.


    Ash smirked.


    "No."


    And with that, he turned and walked away.


    For the first time in her life—Tsukihime Rei had been ignored.