The corridors were deathly silent, save for the occasional loquacious student whose stifled voice could be discerned from the outside. It was an effortless procedure to listen to the taps of the soles of her shoes against the ground, allowing the calming mechanism to ease her state of mind.

Her intended destination, the restroom, was just at the end of the hall. Regrettably, Takane ascertained that ambling to the bathroom and back was not a trip long enough to satisfy her need for fresh air.

She figured that she'd deal with it when the time came, however.

Languidly, she cast her eyes around the vicinity, only to notice a girl heading her way from across the hall. Naturally, it wasn't anyone she recognized; it was difficult to familiarize herself with people outside of her diminutive social circle in a class of only two students. Besides, why would anyone bother with the 'special' kids, anyway?

The torpid Takane returned to minding her own business, drifting off in her muses for less than an eternity until her shoulder grazed another's. The impact was jarring, more so than one might expect, and sent both parties stumbling backwards.

Great, she involved herself with a young lady that should've been none of her concern otherwise.

If she wasn't awake before, she most definitely was now.

"S-Sorry about that, I didn't mean to—"

Rather than the schoolgirl that she anticipated, her weary gaze met with a teenage boy roughly around her age. She did a double take, furrowing her eyebrows; it clearly wasn't the lass from mere seconds ago.

A pair of dilated golden eyes stared straight back at her, reflexively shifting as if it belonged to a cat. The boy gaped in what she immediately perceived as shock and trepidation, but Takane reckoned that was no reason for him to be like a deer caught in the headlights.

Her vision feverishly darted across the hallway in a desperate attempt to prove her observations wrong, however, traces of the schoolgirl were nowhere to be found. What the fu—

Nothing stirred, not even a mouse, while Takane found herself alone with this stranger amidst the halls.

Had she really brought this upon herself?

Upon further inspection of his choppy blonde hair shielded by a menacing black hood, she couldn't help but to wonder how the faculty allowed such a figure into the school, unless...

It all made sense now.

Surely, this boy had to be a fugitive. Rationality didn't quite exist in her dictionary, but it was the best answer her frantic mind could conjure in that fleeting moment.

Her supposed discovery of the truth must have been written across her visage as clear as day, because the boy assumed a more hostile stance and sprang up from his place on the tiled floor to clamp his hand against her mouth, to which she didn't take very kindly.

Against her muffled shouts and squirming from his grip, the boy lowered his voice in a panic. "H-Hey, it's not what it looks like, I swear. You've gotta believe me! I can explain, so shut up and—"

Takane, on the other hand, wasn't buying it. Without hesitation, she hastily opened her mouth and chomped down on the boy's fingers, unleashing hell until the teenager yelped and scrambled back almost immediately afterwards. He hushed himself, misty-eyed from the impact while tenderly stroking his poor fingers with his other hand.

The adolescent, who seemed awfully short now that she thought about it, appeared completely vulnerable in this state. Perhaps this was the time when some remorse was due, but she failed to feel pity, especially when he was the one to instigate the ruckus.

It was nothing short of a miracle that the neighboring classrooms hadn't noticed their hue and cry yet. Were they too absorbed in their studies, or did they simply not care? She couldn't tell.

"Yikes, that wasn't very nice, you know. I'm hurt," he sighed, though his tone almost seemed more feigned than genuine. "You're extraordinarily violent, Miss! Do you attack all the underclassmen you meet, I wonder?"

Although he was in agony a moment ago, it was swiftly replaced by a taunting grin and mock laughter, in a way Takane didn't think was humanly possible. Frankly, she was growing tired of his derisive games.

"Shut up! Just who the hell are you, creep?"

His cheeky smile only widened despite her severe glare. "Kano Shuuya, but since we're all buddy-buddy now, I'll even let you skip the formalities and call me Shuuya!"

"Buddy-buddy, huh? And what makes you think I'd want that, you goddamned knave?"

Kano simply chuckled without a care in the world, casually shrugging. "Hahaha. I had a feeling you'd say that, Enomoto. If that's the case, you can call me—"

"Womanizer? Philanderer? It looks like you're a bit of a flirt... Wait a minute," she huffed, narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms. "How do you know my name?"

"Oh, of course! We're not quite there yet, but long story short, I've heard of you from my sister. While we're at it, can I call you Takane instead? It sounds cuter, you see."

She rolled her eyes, soon scrutinizing him for another instant. Out of her already infinitesimal list of people she considered 'friends', he didn't exactly resemble anyone she knew.

"I'm sure you know my family, of all people," he continued. "I mean, you were with my dad a few minutes ago, weren't you? Sitting around in class with Mr. Tateyama?"

Finally, Takane cocked an eyebrow, entertaining his elucidation. Once Kano confirmed that he seized her undivided attention, he resumed with soft chortle.

"Man, first you're violent, and now you're some kind of delinquent playing truant and skipping class? I bet you're a bad influence on Sis! Ahaha, maybe I should keep you away from Ayano."

"Wha—?! That's not true, it's just that... Agh, please get on with it! I don't have all day."

"Right, so, you probably figured out by now that we look nothing alike. Hasn't Sis mentioned anything about this to you before? I'm adopted."

Unfortunately, only vague recollections came to mind. There was no memory distinct enough for her to confirm his declaration; it was all lost as the grains of time incessantly filtered down the hourglass of reality.

"Just kidding."

Apparently, Takane was mistaken to believe him. She exhaled a sigh of exasperation, for her patience could only last for so long.

"That was a lie, too. I really am adopted."

"You're really starting to piss me off, goddammit! What about that stunt you pulled? You know what I'm talking about, right? I'm not going crazy, am I?!"

Kano merely nodded in understanding, "I'm afraid my brother is more of a mind-reader than I am. Anyways, if you really wanna know, you'll have to follow me outside. The magic in storytelling is an art form, and with this particular tale, we'll need a more secluded area. There's enough credibility in being Ayano's beloved brother, no?"

Takane pondered the situation, ultimately bobbing her head in affirmation (albeit reluctantly). "Hurry up, this bathroom break is taking a lot longer than expected. If Mr. Tateyama gets angry, I'm blaming it on you."

"Eh? I assure you, I'm innocent! If anything, say that Seto did it. He probably won't chide my goody two-shoes of a brother," his lips curled into a sneer, "Besides, you never really intended to use the restroom, isn't that right?"

"Who's the mind-reader now?"

"Hmm, it was just a lucky guess."

"Knave. My point still stands."

"It's the truth. Really, I'm not lying!"

"Whatever."

With a spin of his heel, Kano turned towards the stairs. Merrily stuffing his hands into his pockets, he stole a final glance at her, his signature smirk still plastered over his features.

"Come on," he urged, "Seto's waiting for us outside."