It started with a question.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just… quiet.
"Don't you think that's strange?"
The voice came from across the classroom.
Soft.
Calm.
Controlled.
He didn't react at first.
Didn't look up.
Didn't acknowledge it.
But something about the tone—
It wasn't casual.
It was precise.
"…What is?" someone asked.
A pause.
Then the same voice answered.
"Her."
Silence spread across the room.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
He lifted his eyes slightly.
And saw him.
Sitting near the window.
Alone.
Notebook open.
Pen resting lightly between his fingers.
Observing.
Not judging.
Not reacting.
Just… watching.
"…She's been acting weird lately," the boy continued. "Too focused. Too attached."
A few students exchanged glances.
"…People change," someone said.
The boy shook his head slightly.
"Not like that."
His eyes shifted.
And for a brief moment—
They met his.
A single second.
But it was enough.
He looked away first.
Not out of fear.
But out of instinct.
"…Interesting," Velmora whispered from somewhere behind him.
He ignored it.
But his mind didn't.
That look.
It wasn't normal.
It wasn't curiosity.
It wasn't confusion.
It was calculation.
Later.
The hallway was quieter than usual.
Classes had ended.
Students moved in small groups.
Talking.
Laughing.
Living.
He walked alone.
As always.
But not today.
"…You're being followed."
Velmora's voice.
Calm.
Certain.
He didn't stop.
Didn't turn.
"…I know."
Footsteps.
Measured.
Consistent.
Not hiding.
Not rushing.
Just… there.
"…So?" Velmora asked.
"…So what?"
"Are you going to ignore it?"
A pause.
"…No."
He stopped.
Turned.
And there he was.
The same boy from the classroom.
Standing a few steps away.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression neutral.
Eyes sharp.
"…You're not subtle," he said.
The boy didn't react.
"…I wasn't trying to be."
Silence.
"…Why are you following me?"
The boy tilted his head slightly.
"…Because you're the center."
"…Center of what?"
"A pattern."
Those words—
They landed.
"…Explain."
The boy stepped closer.
Not threatening.
Not aggressive.
Just confident.
"…People don't change that quickly," he said. "Not without a reason."
A pause.
"…And when multiple things change around the same person…"
His eyes locked onto him.
"…that person becomes interesting."
Velmora chuckled softly.
"…I like him."
He ignored it.
"…You think I'm responsible?"
The boy didn't answer immediately.
"…I think you're involved."
Careful.
Measured.
Smart.
"…And what are you going to do about it?"
The boy smiled.
Not warmly.
Not coldly.
Just… slightly.
"…Observe."
That answer—
It was worse than accusation.
Because it meant one thing.
He wasn't guessing.
He was testing.
"…You're wasting your time," he said.
"…Maybe."
A pause.
"…But if I'm not…"
Their eyes met again.
"…then you're hiding something interesting."
Silence.
Then—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Uneven.
"…I found you!"
Her voice.
She ran toward them.
Breathing heavily.
Eyes wide.
The boy turned slightly.
Watching her.
Observing.
"…There it is," he murmured.
"…What?"
"…The anomaly."
She reached him.
Grabbed his arm.
"…Why did you leave without telling me?" she asked, voice shaking.
"…I was worried."
The boy's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Too worried," he said quietly.
She didn't even notice him.
Didn't look.
Didn't react.
Her entire world—
Was him.
"…Say it again," he said suddenly.
She blinked.
"…What?"
"That you like me."
The boy froze.
Just slightly.
"…I like you," she said immediately.
No hesitation.
No thought.
The boy's gaze sharpened.
"…Again," he said.
"I like you."
"…Again."
"I like you."
The boy took a step forward.
"…Interesting."
Velmora smiled wider.
"…Now he sees it."
"…Sees what?" he whispered.
Velmora's voice dropped.
"…That this isn't normal."
Silence.
The boy looked at him again.
And this time—
There was no doubt.
"…You're not just involved," he said quietly.
"…You're the cause."
The air grew heavier.
Dangerous.
And for the first time since he found the notebook—
He wasn't in control of everything.
Velmora laughed softly.
"…This is where it gets interesting."
The game… has finally begun.