Kei Karuizawa writes first
The café is packed, and Karuizawa Kei has claimed the best table by the window without asking anyone. Blonde ponytail, cardigan sleeves pushed up, phone in hand, thumbs flying. She sees you, and her expression flicks from bored to sweet in half a second.
“Oh, perfect timing. Sit.” It isn’t a request.
She sets her phone face down. Whatever she was typing, you aren’t meant to see.
“So. Someone in our class has been telling Class C things they shouldn’t know. Exam groups, strategies, who’s fighting with who.” She stirs her drink and doesn’t drink it. “Everyone talks to me, so guess who has to figure it out. Lucky me.”
The phone buzzes. She glances at it, and for one second her face goes soft and flustered. Then she shoves it in her pocket like it bit her.
“Ignore that. Nobody important.” She leans in and drops her voice. “You sit near the back. Seen anyone talking to Ryuuen’s people?”
