Amon watched the rain from the hallway window.
Rainwater meandered down the glass, blurring the cherry blossom trees outside. He reached out and lightly traced a line across the misted surface—a clear arc cut through the chaotic curtain of water, only to be quickly swallowed again by fresh droplets.
"Amon-san."
The voice came from behind him. Amon didn't turn. Instead, he looked at the blurry reflection on the glass—a deep blue school uniform, a monocle, and a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Teacher Hiratsuka," he said.
Shizuka Hiratsuka stepped beside him and looked out the window. "How are you finding the transfer so far?"
"It's very interesting." Amon turned, his smile perfectly polite. "The students are very friendly, and the curriculum is... quite worth observing."
"Worth observing?" Hiratsuka raised an eyebrow. "That's the second time you've used that phrase."
"Because humans are inherently the most worthwhile subjects to observe." Amon adjusted his monocle. "Their behavioral patterns, emotional responses, logical chains… all full of surprises."
Hiratsuka studied him for a few seconds, then asked, "Have you met Yukinoshita from the Service Club?"
"I have."
"What do you think of her?"
Amon's eyes curved slightly.
"A specimen in pursuit of perfection. Clean, pure, stubborn—like a meticulously carved crystal. Beautiful, but fragile."
Hiratsuka said nothing. She took out a lighter and turned it idly in her fingers but didn't light a cigarette.
"So what do you plan to do?" she asked. "Observe, and then what?"
"And then?" Amon tilted his head. "Continue observing. Just as a biologist observes ants—there's no need to interfere. Simply watch them follow their paths, and occasionally… nudge the trail."
"Nudge the trail."
"Yes. Place a small pebble and see if they detour. Drop a bit of honey and watch them change direction." His tone was light. "A very simple game."
Hiratsuka slipped the lighter back into her pocket. "Don't take it too far, Amon-san. This place may be boring, but it's peaceful."
"Peaceful?" Amon chuckled softly. "True peace doesn't exist. As long as there are people, there will be conflict, misunderstanding, lies… and errors. Those are the constants. Peace is merely a temporary illusion—what you see before the accumulation reaches its threshold."
He spoke as casually as if discussing the weather.
Hiratsuka fell silent for a moment. "Just don't cause trouble you can't handle."
"Of course." Amon gave a slight bow. "Handling trouble is what I do best."
She left.
Amon turned back to the window. The rain trails stretched, intersected, collapsed—like branching worldlines, each leading to a different error.
"Next…" he murmured, "time to find new toys."
---
The doorplate of the Shuchiin Academy Student Council gleamed with a polished shine.
Amon stood before the door, briefly examining the gold-embossed lettering, then knocked three times.
"Come in!" a lively voice called from inside.
He entered.
Four people looked up at once. Fujiwara Chika leaned over a massive board game map, clutching a handful of dice. Shinomiya Kaguya sat at her desk, steam rising from her teacup. Shirogane Miyuki stood before a whiteboard filled with budget figures. In the corner, Ishigami Yu sat with his head lowered, listening to music.
"Excuse me," Amon said with a polite smile. "I am Amon from Sobu High School. Teacher Hiratsuka asked me to deliver a letter of intent regarding a potential joint cultural festival project."
A lie, of course.
The document had been created just minutes ago—an "error" applied to a piece of scrap paper, turning it into something that had always seemed to exist.
Shirogane took it and skimmed through. "A joint project… the scale is quite large."
"Individually, resources are limited," Amon said smoothly. "But cooperation allows for something more… interesting."
His gaze drifted to the board game.
"For example—a joint board game tournament."
Fujiwara Chika's eyes lit up instantly.
"Board games?! That's amazing! We can make a super complex original game—strategy, luck, psychology, betrayal—everything!"
She launched into an enthusiastic explanation, hands flying.
Kaguya cleared her throat. "Fujiwara-san, please calm down."
Amon smiled faintly. "I'd be happy to participate in a test game. It would help me understand the atmosphere here."
"Right?!" Fujiwara was already setting up the board. "Come sit! I'll explain the rules!"
---
Fifteen minutes later, the explanation finally ended.
"I understand perfectly," Amon said calmly. "An excellent design."
Fujiwara nearly teared up. "Finally! Someone gets it instantly!"
The game began.
At first, everything seemed normal.
Amon followed every rule precisely. His moves were clean, logical, flawless.
Too flawless.
Then came the dice.
Whenever Amon needed a number—it appeared.
A six. A one. A four.
Exactly when required.
Once was luck.
Twice, coincidence.
Seven times…
Shirogane frowned slightly. "Amon-san… your luck is quite remarkable."
"Is it?" Amon smiled faintly. "Perhaps it's simply… within expected probability."