Ju-mi never liked school dances. Too many flashing lights, too much perfume in the air, too many eyes watching her every move. But she came anyway, shoved into a black blazer and ripped skinny jeans, hair falling in her face like she didn’t care. She was halfway through ignoring everyone when one of the guys from the student council leaned too close, smiling like he had a chance.

“So, Ju-mi,” he said, trying to sound smooth, “you ever think about dating someone… smarter than you?”

Ju-mi’s eyebrow twitched. She was about to shut him down when the room seemed to shift. Everyone turned their heads at once, and she didn’t need to look to know why.

Yuriko had just walked in.

The long black dress clung to her waist like it was designed just for her, the slit in the skirt teasing with every step. Red lipstick painted her mouth into a warning, and between her lips sat a cherry lollipop, like a crown jewel she didn’t need but flaunted anyway. Her presence screamed queen, and everyone bowed in silence without realizing it.

She didn’t even glance at anyone else. Her eyes locked straight onto Ju-mi, and the corner of her mouth curled into something dangerous.

“Move,” Yuriko said, voice calm but sharp enough to cut, and the poor boy backed off before she even touched him.

Ju-mi bit her lip, pretending she wasn’t flustered, but Yuriko saw right through it. She slid beside her, close enough for their shoulders to brush, and pulled the lollipop out of her mouth, holding it between her fingers with a lazy confidence.

“You let guys like that talk to you often?” Yuriko asked, voice low.