May 30th, 3:00 PM — At the Mall
Camera pans across a bright, high-tech mall filled with students in sleek academy uniforms. Soft background music plays.
Kairon swipes his phone at the checkout machine. Beep.
He glances at his phone and mutters, "Still can't believe this thing works like money…"
He looks to the side—and there she is. Aria. Browsing a shelf. Their eyes meet. She quickly looks away.
"Tch. Another annoying coincidence," Aria says, annoyed.
Kairon gives a half-smile. "You don't have to be so prickly, you know. Since we sit next to each other, let's at least get along."
"You're weird," she replies, crossing her arms. "Not good with people, no communication skills."
"Yeah, I know," Kairon says with a shrug. "But you don't seem much better."
"That's true," Aria says casually. "But I never said I wanted to get along with everyone."
Camera shifts to a nearby shelf glowing with a digital sign: "Three Free Items Per Month."
Aria narrows her eyes. "These are the ones Miss Elira talked about."
Kairon nods. "So she was right. These are for students who use up their points early."
Aria scoffs. "Seriously, who burns through 100,000 points in a month? This school spoils people too much."
Suddenly—shouting echoes from outside.
"You think you're better than me?!" a voice yells.
Kairon and Aria both turn toward the sound. Outside, they spot Kei—standing face-to-face with three older students.
Outside the Mall
One of the upperclassmen smirks. "You're from Class 1-D, right? The loser class?"
Kei clenches his fists. "Yeah. Got a problem with that?"
"Watch your mouth, kid," the one in the middle growls. "Show some respect to your seniors."
Kei snarls. "Shut up!"
Kairon watches from inside. "Isn't that Kei from our class?"
Aria rolls her eyes, paying for her items. "Maybe. But I'd rather not get involved. It's beneath my dignity."
Back outside, Kei yells, "Who cares if you're seniors, huh?! You wanna fight?!"
One senior laughs. "Tch. We'll let it go. Class D's already a mess. If we beat you up, who's gonna clean up after you?"
They turn and walk away, laughing.
"Don't you run from me!" Kei shouts, kicking a trash can in frustration.
Kairon steps outside. "A world of pain… huh?"
He notices a camera fixed high on the wall, watching silently. He sighs and picks up the tipped-over trash can.
Present Day
---
June 3rd, 9:00 AM — School Grounds
Kairon walks past the football field. He stops in front of a notice board.
Zoom in on the message:
"June 1st, 6:00 PM — If you saw what happened at the Special Back, contact Ken of Class 1-B."
"Hey, Kairon!"
He turns around—Lizzy waves at him with a cheerful smile, a younger boy beside her.
"This is Ken. He came up with the notice idea," she says proudly. "We also posted it online."
Her phone buzzes.
"Oh! I already got a reply!"
She reads aloud, "'One of the guys who fought Kei— Darian was a problem student back in middle school. Known to be a strong fighter, feared by many. Same with the other two.'"
"The other two?" Kairon asks.
"Yeah," Lizzy nods. "But Kei only mentioned one in the report, right?"
Ken chimes in. "But if they operate as a group, it was probably three-on-one. And Kei still won?"
"Unless… they let him win," Lizzy says, eyes narrowing. "What if they were trying to frame him?"
Ken agrees. "Makes sense."
Lizzy gasps at her screen. "Wait—this message is… anonymous! How do we even thank them?"
"I know how," Kairon says.
"You do?" she leans in close, her chest brushing his arm.
Camera angle shows Kairon slightly flustered.
"She really has no boundaries…"
"Give me your Student ID," he says.
She taps her phone and hands it over. Moments later, the screen flashes: "Transferring Points."
Kairon's eyes widen.
Lizzy grabs her phone back. "It worked! Thanks, Kairon! I'll contact you when more tips come in!"
She walks away with Ken.
Kairon watches her, still stunned. "2,642,219 points…? How does she have that many?"
---
Hostel Dorm — Room 5
Kairon unlocks his door and hears voices.
He looks down—four pairs of shoes.
Inside, Kei is on the bed. Torin and Caden sit on the floor. Ivy's leaning against the wall.
"…How did you all get in?"
All four hold up keycards. "We made spares."
"If you're mad, we can give you the keycards," Ivy grins.
"I'm not giving mine," Torin mumbles.
"So what are you all doing here?"
Ivy sits on the bed. "This is now our hideout. For the investigation."
Kairon turns to Kei. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How many students did you fight?"
Kei thinks. "Just one at first. But when I tried to walk away, two more showed up. Then it turned into a brawl."
"So you took on three alone?"
Kei flexes. "What can I say? I'm built different."
"Too bad those muscles got us into this mess," Caden mutters.
Ding dong.
Kairon opens the door—Aria.
"I've figured out who the witness is," she says, stepping forward. But then, she sees the shoes—and stops.
"I'm leaving."
Ivy beams. "Oh, Aria! Don't go. We're just sharing info!"
"No need. I'll manage on my own."
Kairon leans in and whispers in her ear. "If you don't tell us now, Ivy's gonna keep bugging you. Might as well get it over with."
Aria sighs. "Fine. I'll enlighten you clueless people."
Everyone sits up.
"The witness… is Akira."
"Akira?!" Ivy and Kairon say in unison.
Aria crosses her arms. "Remember when Ivy asked the class who saw what happened? Everyone looked at her… except Akira. She looked down the entire time."
"Is that really proof?" Ivy asks.
"Let's ask her directly," Aria says.
"She won't admit it," Kairon replies. "If she was going to speak up, she would've already."
"I'll talk to her tomorrow," Ivy decides.
"Alright," Kairon nods.
Aria turns and walks out.
---
Evening — City Streetlights
Ivy walks behind Kairon on the quiet road, dimly lit by street lamps.
"You're unusually quiet," Kairon says.
Ivy sighs. "I don't get why Aria doesn't want to be friends with us… or help with the investigation."
Kairon looks up at the night sky.
"It's not that she doesn't want to help. She does. But… she doesn't like Kei. His attitude, his temper—it makes her doubt if helping him is even worth it. And maybe… I get that."
"Huh?"
"Think of it like this," Kairon explains. "Say a law-abiding citizen and a known criminal are both accused of a crime. Who do you think people believe?"
"The law-abiding one…" Ivy says quietly.
"Exactly. Kei's reputation is what's hurting him. That's just how the world works."
"…I see." Ivy pauses, then smiles. "You really understand Aria, huh?"
"I wouldn't say it like that."
She suddenly stops. Kairon turns to her.
"What if… I… Nah, never mind."
She smiles. "See you tomorrow."
She walks away, the lights casting long shadows.
Kairon watches her go in silence.