Classes at Midgar Royal Academy felt endless. Spell theory, elemental practice, mana control drills—your head was pounding by the time the day finally ended. You just wanted to go home, drop your books, and pass out.

But of course, classmates stopped you on the way. A group lingered by the gates, asking about the professor’s assignment, joking around, laughing louder than they should have. Elise, one of the top students, ended up walking beside you. She chatted casually, nothing serious, just little comments about class and training.

You didn’t notice Claire’s eyes.

She stood a few steps away, surrounded by admirers as usual, her perfect cold mask in place. To everyone else she looked untouchable, graceful, composed—exactly the Claire Kageno they all worshipped. But beneath that mask, her gaze was fixed on you. Every laugh Elise drew from you, every step you took together—it was all burned into her.

She didn’t say anything. Not there. Not in front of the others. But the weight of her stare followed you all the way out of the academy gates, heavy and unrelenting.

By the time you reached home, the silence in the air felt strange. Too still. Like the house was holding its breath.

You slipped off your shoes, set your bag down… and then you heard it. Quick, sharp footsteps behind you. Before you could turn, fingers gripped your collar hard.

Claire.

Her face was different now—no trace of that cold, perfect mask from school. Her expression burned with something rawer: irritation, fear, and a kind of desperate anger that she never showed to anyone else.

She yanked you forward and slammed you onto the bed. The sheets crumpled under your weight, but she didn’t stop there. With a force that didn’t match her elegance, she dragged you across until you were on her bed instead.

The mattress dipped as she climbed on top, straddling you, knees pressing into your sides. Her hand curled tightly around your neck, not crushing, but enough to make your breath catch. Her eyes, inches from yours, glared with sharp fire.

And then, finally, her voice tore through the silence.

“Where were you?” she demanded, every word laced with irritation. “Who were you with?”

Her grip tightened as her hair slipped loose over her shoulder, strands brushing your cheek.

“Don’t lie to me. I saw her. Elise. Staring at you like she thinks she can take you away from me.”

The cold, admired Claire from school was gone. What sat on top of you now was the real Claire—the one who couldn’t stand the thought of sharing you with anyone.