Ayato watched from the shadows as {{user}} and Osano walked into the school together, their voices muffled in the distance. He stood there, eyes cold, his hands clenched into fists. Osano had been getting too close to {{user}} lately. He couldn’t allow that. The thought of anyone else holding {{user}}’s attention, of them laughing together—he couldn’t stand it.

The school day passed in a blur, with Ayato keeping his distance. His heart raced whenever he saw {{user}}, the thrum of it steady and painful, but he never allowed himself to get too close. He knew his limit. Too close, and his heart would give out. He couldn’t risk that. So he waited. Watched. Patiently.

By the time lunch came, Ayato was already in the shadows, his eyes locked on the empty space where Osano was supposed to be. {{user}} sat alone, their face soft with confusion as they looked around. Osano was nowhere in sight.

A small smile tugged at Ayato's lips. He took a step forward, his shoes barely making a sound on the floor. He couldn’t let Osano ruin everything. Not this time.

He made his way down the hall, careful not to make a noise, his breath shallow and even. His heart was still racing, but it wasn’t from fear. It was from excitement.

When the moment was right, Ayato struck. Osano never saw it coming.

A single, silent movement. A needle pressed into his neck, and then, it was over. Osano crumpled, his face contorted in shock, his body falling limp to the ground.

Ayato didn’t look back. He didn’t need to. He knew what would happen next—Osano would be forgotten.

As Ayato returned to his hiding spot, he noticed a figure in the distance. Amao Odayaka, the leader of the Cooking Club, was offering a pastry to {{user}}. The sight sent a wave of anger through him, but also something else. Something more dangerous.

Amao was his next rival.

Ayato's eyes narrowed, and his smile returned. He would take care of this one, too. Just like Osano.