The old school building was quieter after hours.

Too quiet.

The kind of quiet that made every creak in the hallway sound haunted.

Which, considering Kamome Academy, probably wasn’t a good sign.

You walked beside your sibling, Nene Yashiro, while she nervously rambled beside you.

“I’m just saying,” Nene groaned dramatically, “it’s unfair how you got all the good genes.”

You blinked at her.

“Nene.”

“What?!” she whined. “You’re pretty and nice. That’s a terrifying combination.”

You laughed softly.

“You’re cute too.”

Nene pointed accusingly. “See?! You even say nice things naturally. Do you know how annoying that is?”

You rolled your eyes fondly.

Despite her jealousy over your looks sometimes, you always tried to be kind to her. She was still your little sister, after all.

Even if she was dramatic.

The two of you had been helping Hanako with another supernatural rumor tonight, searching the empty halls for clues while trying not to get dragged into something deadly.

Again.

As usual.

Nene sighed dramatically.

“At this point I deserve extra credit for emotional damage.”

You smiled faintly.

“You say that every single time.”

“Because every single time I almost die!”

A soft laugh suddenly echoed through the hallway.

Not yours.

Not Nene’s.

Both of you froze.

Then—

A boy appeared upside down from the ceiling above you.

Smiling.

Wide golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

Tsukasa Yugi.

Nene immediately pointed. “NOPE.”

Tsukasa tilted his head.

“Aww, why so mean?” he asked cheerfully before dropping lightly onto the floor. “I just wanted to say hi.”

“You’re literally the worst person to ever say hi,” Nene muttered.

Tsukasa giggled.

But then his eyes shifted toward you.

And lingered.

You felt your stomach tighten slightly under his stare.

“Ohhh,” Tsukasa hummed softly. “You smell interesting.”

Nene immediately stepped closer to you protectively.

“Don’t be weird.”

“I’m always weird.”

Tsukasa grinned before suddenly leaning far too close to your face.

“You like Amane, don’t you?”

Your entire body froze.

Nene’s eyes widened.

“…WHAT?”

You immediately stepped back. “Tsukasa!”

He laughed brightly, clearly delighted by your reaction.

“You doooo~!”

Nene stared at you in complete shock.

“You like Hanako?!”

Your face burned.

“I—”

Tsukasa clasped his hands together happily.

“That’s so cute!” he chirped. “Especially because Amane likes you too.”

Silence.

Complete silence.

Nene slowly turned toward you.

“…I’m sorry, what?”

Before you could answer—

A familiar voice echoed from the end of the hallway.

“…Tsukasa.”

Hanako stood there.

And judging by the look on his face…

He heard everything.