The next day, with the early morning sun streaming through the windows, Arkens reclines in his seat near the window, his body loose and relaxed. One arm drapes over the side of his chair while his foot rests on the edge of the desk, keeping him balanced as he leans back. Although he'd been more talkative and upbeat at dinner the previous night, he's quiet again this morning, lost in his thoughts. Watsu watches his friend intently, his head resting on his folded arms. Arkens hasn't changed; his demeanor is just like the day before. As Watsu silently observes, his mind drifts to the messages Nya sent him the night before.

Nya: *Watsu.*

Watsu: *Nya? What's up?*

Nya: *Nothing much.. How are you? I didn't get a chance to see you today*

Watsu: *I'm doing alright, how about you?*

Nya: *I'm- I'm not doing so well, if I'm going to be honest*

Watsu: *Huh? What's wrong?*

Nya: *Arkens..*

Watsu: *Oh. What happen?*

Nya: *I saw him today in the hallway. I thought it'd be nice to talk a little, but when I got closer, he didn't notice me and ultimately walked away without saying anything..*

Watsu: *Really now? That's strange*

Nya: *Mm.. Watsu, do you know why he was like that? The look on his face.. it was like he was in pain.*

Watsu: Pain? What makes you so sure?

Nya: *I can tell. It may have appeared to be neutral and straightforward, but this sensation.. When I glanced at him, it looked like he was aching somewhere.. I alone can't seem to make a dent in his armor.. so Watsu, please find out what's going on with him; you are the only one I can rely on.. please*

Watsu: *Don't worry, your pretty little head, Nya. I'll figure out what's going on with Arkens and be there for him when he needs me. He'll be back to his old self before you know it. So, don't stress yourself out over this, alright? I've got it covered.*

Nya: *Thank you, Watsu.. I'm sorry for putting the burden on your shoulders.. I'll be waiting for good news. Goodnight*

Watsu: *Night!*

Now, in the present, Watsu remained determined to investigate Arkens' behavior for Nya and himself. As he made his silent promise, the door creaked open, and Damatsu Kojima entered the room. The morning routine began: attendance was taken, and the usual greetings were exchanged. Once everything had settled, Mr. Damatsu cleared his throat, signaling for everyone's attention.

"Students, I would like to introduce a new classmate, a transfer student who recently arrived today. Please bring your attention to the front".

The students turned their attention to the front of the room, though a few stragglers gossiped in hushed whispers, speculating on who might walk through the door. The boys hoped it would be some mysterious foreign student from outside Japan, while the girls wished for an idol from a popular boy band or maybe even a model. Then, the door swung open surprisingly, grabbing everyone's attention. The doorway instantly became the center of focus, the prize in their eager eyes. Anticipation thickened in the air, with everyone leaning forward in their seats, waiting to see who would appear. Even Watsu, usually laid-back, found himself caught up in the moment like everyone else.

"W-What's taking them so long? It doesn't take a decade to reveal your identity..".

Everyone quickly turned to Watsu, bringing their fingers to their lips in a silent plea for quiet, urging him not to break the tension in the room.

"Shhhh! Don't ruin someone's dynamic entry!".

Watsu, startled by the sudden attention, raised both hands defensively. Before he could react further, a girl strode confidently into the room, instantly captivating the crowd. Heads turned, and whispers died down as all eyes were drawn to her. She walked purposefully, her left hand resting on her hip as she rocked the school uniform.

The girl was petite, standing around 5'3", with a delicate frame that looked almost weightless. Her slim, slender build had subtle curves, and her small chest made her appear even more petite. Her oval-shaped face was accentuated by a small nose, full lips, and large, expressive eyes that seemed to take in everything around her. Upturned eyes and sleek, slender eyebrows gave her a sharp but elegant look. Her ears, perfectly balanced, added a cute touch to her appearance.

Despite her small stature, her legs appeared longer than expected, well-proportioned to her body, and thighs thicker than expected. Like the rest, her arms were tiny and slender, with smooth, delicate shoulders leading to small hands and fingers. Even her feet were tiny, matching her overall petite frame. She carried herself with an effortless grace that left the room mesmerized.

Despite her tiny mouth and short tongue, she had sharp, noticeable canine teeth that added an edge to her appearance. Her hair was a striking mix of red and blue, styled into playful pigtails, with her eyebrows matching the same bold colors. Her eyes were perhaps the most unique feature, each iris a mesmerizing blend of red and blue, with a target crosshair design circling the pupils, giving her gaze an intense focus. Light freckles dusted her face, subtle yet noticeable.

Her fingernails, painted with a splash-effect design in red and blue, added a touch of flair to her look. Multiple piercings adorned her left ear, all in the same solid red and blue hues, further complementing her distinctive appearance.

The room fell into complete silence as if someone had pressed a mute button, leaving the air thick with shock. No one could find the words to describe the girl standing before them—she was unlike anyone they had ever seen. Her striking appearance left them speechless, eyes wide in disbelief. Sensing their stunned reaction, the girl smirked confidently, letting out an explosive, carefree laugh that echoed throughout the room, shattering the stillness.

"AHAHAHAHA! Great meetcha everyone; the name is Rakuma Target!".

With an exaggerated style, she pointed at herself with her thumb, exuding a presence unlike anything the room had ever felt. Her confidence radiated as she spoke, filling the space with an undeniable energy. Those seeing her for the first time were captivated, almost overwhelmed by her boldness and the brightness she seemed to carry.

Then, she spoke her name, which hit like a shockwave: Target. The sound snapped someone out of their daze as if they'd been dreaming. Eyes wide with disbelief, Arkens stumbled backward, losing his balance and falling onto his back, unable to comprehend what he had just heard.

"Target?!-".

Everyone in the room seemed to ignore Arkens' fall, too captivated by the moment to notice, except for Watsu. With a glance around, he raised his fingers to his lips thoughtfully before moving to help Arkens to his feet. Once Arkens stood, he straightened himself, staring directly at the girl before him.

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Target's gaze met his, and in that instant, the world around them seemed to vanish. The bustling classroom faded, replaced by the illusion of a bright white room, its brilliance almost blinding. The intense light only served to amplify Target's colorful appearance, her red and blue hues nearly glowing in the stark whiteness. Her crosshair-like eyes seemed to pierce through him, locking onto his own with a penetrating focus. Time seemed to stop as they stood there, the room becoming their private space.

"Hmph!".

Target's confident voice shattered the illusion, snapping the white room back into reality. With a smug expression now plastered across her face, she stood tall, clearly aware of the impact she had made.

"So.. your Ebihara Arkens, huh?".

The room buzzed with soft murmurs as people watched the interaction unfold, curiosity filling the air. Stunned by the realization that Arkens and Target seemed to know each other, Watsu couldn't hide his shock, so his expression said it all. He quickly glanced from side to side, confusion overtaking him.

"Arkens, you know her?".

Arkens remained silent, shaking his head slowly from side to side

"It's complicated. I don't know much, yet I do..".

That stumbled Watsu even more. Their connection, whatever it was, might explain why Arkens had been acting so strangely lately. It was starting to make sense, piece by piece. With the introduction of this new transfer student, Watsu felt like he was finally onto something. His eyes remained fixed on Target as she spoke again, her voice cutting through the lingering whispers in the room.

"You aren't so special, but as I've been taught before, looks can be deceiving.. I wished you'd be taller".

This struck a nerve in Arkens. His head tilted slightly to the side, a subtle but telling gesture, as he slowly stepped forward toward Target. Standing over her, he looked down, his expression tense as the air thickened.

"Funny, you say that I thought you were some tall babe with a nice figure.. I guess I can't get my hopes up, huh?..".

Target felt the weight of Arkens' insult, which hit her hard. Her confidence wavered momentarily as her hands dropped to her sides, fingers curling tightly into fists. She raised her head defiantly, meeting Arkens' gaze with a sharp glance upward, refusing to back down.

"You sure got nice words to say to a girl you just met; I can see why you're still single, 'cause I'd run too the moment I caught a whiff of your shitty personality!".

Arkens cracked his knuckles dramatically with both hands, an exaggerated angry mark popping up on his forehead as he glared down at Target. His frustration was apparent, but the moment had a comical edge.

"Oh yeah? You little shit!-".

Sensing things were getting out of hand, Mr. Damatsu swiftly intervened. He raised his long leg and calmly placed it between Arkens and Target, blocking them from each other. Without missing a beat, he gently nudged Target backward with his leg as she flailed her arms and legs wildly like an enraged puppy dog. Her voice exploded with a barrage of curses, spouting the most vulgar words known to humankind.

"Now, you two just met, and we're in the middle of homeroom. Introductions are to be finished, so Arkens, return to your seat, and Target, find one before we continue".

Both Arkens and Target huffed and puffed, their playful bickering momentarily over. Arkens slumped back into his chair while Target found a spot at the back of the room, immediately surrounded by a group of girls who instantly liked her. Friendly chatter filled the air as they admired her unique style and demeanor. Target's foreign charm and the way she moved quickly caught the attention of almost everyone except for two boys.

Arkens and Watsu were deep in conversation, with Watsu firing off questions about Target. Arkens, however, skillfully dodged the more significant questions, using roundabout answers and avoiding giving away too much. Just as their chat grew more intense, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Everyone got up to move, and as if on cue, a few star-struck boys seized the opportunity to approach Target, bombarding her with questions, their excitement impossible to contain.

"Sorry, boys, but I have no idea where I'm supposed to go next. I appreciate the offer to walk me, but I wouldn't want to hold you up or get in the way of your education. Don't waste your time on little ol' me".

"Ehh, It's not much trouble, Rakuma. We've got all the time in the world, so come on, we'll help you!~"

"Persistent bunch, huh? I gues-".

Before anyone could respond, Arkens cut through the boys surrounding her, pushing his way through with an air of impatience. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, and his face wore a clear look of annoyance. Caught off guard, Target raised an eyebrow as she skeptically looked him up and down, surprised by his sudden interruption.

"What do you want?".

"Nothing, you wanna figure out where you gotta go next, yeah?".

"So what if I do?".

Arkens, still looking annoyed, gently rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand as if trying to shake off the awkwardness of the situation.

"I'll help you. It shouldn't be too hard; who knows, maybe you'll end up where I need to go".

Target chuckled as she stood up, swinging her school bag with a playful smirk. Without warning, she slammed it onto Arkens' chest before confidently striding toward the exit. The boys, utterly defeated by this turn of events, let out a chorus of moans and groans, disappointed at their missed opportunity. Arkens, on the other hand, let out a long sigh, holding the bag in his hands as if it were a burden he hadn't asked for.

Unbeknownst to him, Watsu, who had slipped out of the classroom before things had escalated, was hiding among the crowd of students outside, quietly observing the situation from a distance. As Arkens exited the classroom, he swayed his body from side to side, still processing what had just happened. A faint sound caught his attention, and he glanced to his right. There stood Target, leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, clearly waiting for him. She gave him a knowing look, her posture relaxed but expectant.

"Took you long enough, now chop chop".

The two, now walking side by side, hip to hip, moved together in sync, heading in the opposite direction of Watsu. He stayed put, hidden among the sea of students, his eyes carefully tracking their every move. Despite the distance, Watsu remained focused, his curiosity growing as he silently followed them with his gaze.

"You've got your schedule or something that helps-".

"Of course I do. It has to be in my bag. Just rummage through, and you'll find it".

"Huh?? Going through a girl's bag isn't something a guy should do, you do it!-".

Target raised an eyebrow, giving Arkens a look that practically screamed, Don't be a child.

"Oh, don't be a dunce- You're not going to find a dangerous secret or some kind of womanly weapon inside; it's just a bag, dude".

"Tch- fine, whatever.. let's see what's in here anyway".

Arkens reluctantly opened the latch and flung the flap over, taking a deep breath before carefully digging through Target's bag. As he sifted through the contents, he found nothing that seemed remotely related to what he sought. The more he searched, the more it dawned on him that whatever he was after might not even be there. Yet, he couldn't risk stopping if Target found it herself. Her endless sass would be unbearable.

Just as he was about to give up, something caught his eye. It was a glimpse of white, half-hidden beneath a piece of black, intricately designed fabric. His curiosity piqued, Arkens seized hold of it and brought it closer, narrowing his eyes to deduce what it could be.

"Hmm.. Now this is weird..".

It took only a moment for Arkens to realize, with growing dread, precisely what he had grabbed. His worst fear had come true. His face flushed a deep red, embarrassment spreading across his features as he froze, holding the item in his hand, mentally kicking himself for even looking.

"Uck! Auuck!-".

As she strolled over, curiosity piqued; Target wondered what was taking Arkens so long. Her steps were casual, but her patience was wearing thin. She approached with a raised eyebrow, ready to see what the holdup was

"Is it seriously that difficult to find a.. p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-piece of PAPER?!".

Target's face turned red with fury, like a boiling pot about to overflow. Her eyes softened as tears pooled at the bottom of her eyelids. Her mouth gaped wide in a mix of shock and rage before her fist shot forward, connecting squarely with Arkens' flustered face. The impact sent him reeling in slow motion, his eyes shifting toward a bulletin board on the wall to his right as the world seemed to blur around him.

Target, now crying and screaming in embarrassment, yanked her bag and the item from Arkens' hands, stuffing them back inside with a flustered fury. Without missing a beat, she pulled out a crumpled white piece of paper detailing her designated locations for the day. Students nearby paused, some halting to take a curious peek while others continued moving, casting glances as they passed, amused or bewildered by the spectacle unfolding before them.

"T-Target! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!-".

Target slowly looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting Arkens'. Her eyes, ordinarily sharp and confident, now glistened with vulnerability, appearing broader and softer. A line of redness stretched across her pale skin, highlighting the light freckles scattered unevenly across her cheeks. Her breathing was shallow and irregular, almost frantic, and despite the noise of the bustling hallway, Arkens could hear the sound of her panicked breaths. The change in her expression and the fragility she showed stirred something profound in his chest, a thumping feeling that caught him off guard.

"D-Don't worry about it.. ya dolt".