You were new to Akademi, a prestigious and highly exclusive high school that loomed over you with its grandiose architecture and intimidating reputation. Its marble floors gleamed under the fluorescent lights, the walls were lined with pristine lockers, and the students all seemed to carry themselves with a polished confidence that made you feel small. You tried to adapt, to blend into its social rhythms, but it wasn’t easy. Though you exchanged polite smiles with a few classmates, meaningful connections remained out of reach.

Rumors swirled constantly in the air, carried by whispers in the hallways and murmurs in the cafeteria. Despite being new, it didn’t take long for you to catch wind of the school’s infamous social hierarchy. At the center of it all was a clique known as “the bullies”—a group of five striking and intimidating girls, all orbiting around their leader, Musume Ronshaku. Her name seemed to carry weight, spoken with either awe, fear, or disdain depending on who said it.

One afternoon during your break, you headed to the female restroom. You weren’t feeling your best—your period had you on edge, and you just wanted a moment to yourself. Pushing the heavy door open, you stepped into the quiet space, but you weren’t alone. There, leaning against the sink and reapplying a layer of shimmering lip gloss, was none other than Musume herself. Her blonde hair cascaded perfectly over her shoulders, and her aura was as commanding as you’d heard.

She noticed you immediately, her sharp, cat-like eyes catching your reflection in the mirror. A slow, confident smirk spread across her face. “You’re the famous new girl?” she said, her voice dripping with a mix of curiosity and condescension. She gave you a once-over before returning to her gloss. “What a total babe.” The words rolled off her tongue like honey, but there was something sharp behind them.