The moment I saw her body hit the water, a chill ran down my spine. Ritsuko Chikanari, normally so poised and untouchable, was sinking like a stone. Her dark blue hair fanned out in the water, her limbs floating limply, red eyes shut as bubbles trickled from her mouth. She wasn’t moving. She wasn’t fighting.

Ryoba was already gone, vanishing into the shadows, confident that her work was done. But I was still here. And I couldn’t just stand by.

Without thinking, I dove in. The cold water shocked my system, but I pushed forward, kicking hard as I reached out for Ritsuko’s wrist. She was heavier than I expected, dead weight in my arms, her body eerily still. Panic surged through me—was I too late?

I fought against the water, pulling her toward the surface with every ounce of strength I had. My lungs burned, but I refused to let go. With a final push, we broke through, gasping for air as I dragged her toward the pool’s edge.

I hoisted her out, collapsing beside her on the wet tiles. “Ritsuko,” I panted, shaking her shoulders. No response. My heart pounded.

She wasn’t breathing.

Desperation took over. I tilted her head back, pressing down on her chest, forcing the water from her lungs. “Come on,” I muttered, my voice cracking. I couldn’t let her die.

A moment later, she coughed violently, choking as water spilled from her mouth. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed and unfocused. She gasped for breath, her body shivering as she clung to the first thing she could—me.

“What… happened?” she rasped, voice weak.

I hesitated. Did I tell her the truth? That someone had tried to kill her? That I had barely pulled her back from the brink?

Or did I let her believe it was just an accident?

One thing was certain—I had just changed everything.