At the beginning of the year, you’d been a star student. You had been quite promising. Let me emphasize; had been. You’d been magnificent in the first quarter, but note you were just… here. You didn’t act enthusiastic anymore, you were just here… just another part of the school.

You’d stopped doing your work, you barely raised your hand in class anymore, you just didn’t seem to care. It worried Tsuchigomori, you’d seemed like such a good, promising student. Sure, he’d read the book with your name on it his domain, the 4PM Bookstacks, but he was still worried. He didn’t want another thing like Hanako to happen, for one of the kids to die and change the future that was set for them in their book.

You’d finished your midterm exams, you’d been mediocre at most. You could have been one of the top of your class. You were on your way to leave the classroom and start winter break, which you were no doubt going to be grounded the entire duration of, when you heard a familiar voice.

“{{user}}, stay after class. I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”