Beautifully Toxic

Episode 1: The first day of senior year at Seiran Academy smelled like rain, fresh paper, and expensive perfume. Aiko Mizuhara hurried through the academy gates with three books pressed against her chest. Tiny droplets clung to her dark hair, and the cool September wind kept tugging at the ribbon of her uniform. Around her, the courtyard buzzed with conversation. Shoes tapped against the polished stone. Classroom doors slammed. Someone laughed loudly near the vending machines. Aiko smiled faintly. This was her favorite kind of chaos—chaos she could ignore. She preferred books to people. Books didn't interrupt her. Books didn't gossip. And most importantly, books didn't have egos. Then the courtyard suddenly went quiet. Aiko looked up. A sleek black car had stopped beside the main entrance. The door opened. Ren Kurogawa stepped out. The Imperial Prince. He wore Seiran Academy's black uniform like it had been designed specifically for him. His silver school badge caught the morning light, and several students immediately began whispering. “That's him.” “He looks even better than last year.” “Do you think he'll be in our class?” Aiko sighed. “What's so special about him?” The girl beside her nearly choked. “You don't know Ren Kurogawa?” “I know he's a prince.” “He's also the highest-ranking student in the academy.” Aiko glanced at Ren. “Still sounds boring.” She turned away. Three steps later, she collided with someone. Her books scattered across the wet pavement. “Oh! I'm sorry—” She looked up. Her apology disappeared. Ren stood in front of her. For a moment, neither spoke. Rainwater slid from Aiko's sleeve onto her fingers. Ren crouched and picked up one of her books. He examined the cover. Advanced Historical Politics. “You study this for fun?” Aiko took the book from him. “Yes.” He blinked. “That's unfortunate.” Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?” A small smile appeared on his face. “You heard me.” Aiko stood. “You're incredibly rude.” “And you're incredibly defensive.” “You started it.” “I picked up your book.” “I didn't ask you to.” The surrounding students had gone completely silent. Nobody argued with Ren. Aiko didn't care. Ren studied her face for a moment. Then he asked casually, “What's your name?” Aiko folded her arms. “Shouldn't an Imperial Prince know everything?” His expression changed. Only for a fraction of a second. The smile vanished. Something almost like recognition flashed through his eyes. Then it returned. “Aiko Mizuhara.” Her stomach dropped. The wind suddenly felt colder. She hadn't told him her name. “How do you know that?” Ren simply walked past her. “See you in class, Aiko.” She watched him disappear through the academy doors. Her fingers tightened around her book. Something about him bothered her. Not because he was arrogant. Not because he was a prince. Because when he'd said her name, he'd sounded like he'd been saying it for years. By the time Aiko reached her classroom, the rain had stopped. The windows were fogged slightly from the humid air, and the room smelled of chalk and freshly cleaned desks. She checked the seating chart. Her eyes stopped. Aiko Mizuhara — Seat 18. Beside it: Ren Kurogawa — Seat 19. “No.” A familiar voice came from behind her. “Looks like we're neighbors.” Aiko slowly turned. Ren was leaning against the classroom door, hands in his pockets. She stared at him. “This is a nightmare.” He smiled. “For you, perhaps.” She dropped into her seat. have one rule.” Ren sat beside her. “I'm listening.” “Don't talk to me unless it's about school.” He opened his notebook. “Understood.” Five seconds passed. “Aiko?” She looked at him. “What?” “What's your favorite subject?” She stared. “Was that necessary?” “No.” His smile widened. “But I wanted to know.” Aiko rolled her eyes and opened her textbook. She didn't notice the way Ren's expression changed when she looked away. His fingers tightened around his pen. Because beneath the sound of students chatting and chairs scraping against the floor, Ren could hear something only he seemed to notice. A faint ringing. The same sound he'd heard every time the timeline changed. He looked at Aiko. She was completely unaware. Then his phone vibrated inside his pocket. One message. UNKNOWN: She's here. Ren's smile disappeared. Another message appeared. UNKNOWN: Whatever you do, don't let her remember. Ren slowly looked toward Aiko. For the first time that morning, the Imperial Prince looked afraid.