Chapter Two:- The Three Heavenly Princes

Shizumi’s mind went completely blank.

Not because of the pink bear-print shorts.

Not because of the boy’s sharply chiseled jawline or his stormy grey eyes — the kind that could destroy someone… or save them.

No…

It was because of the silence.

That kind of silence where the whole world seems to freeze — even crows would stop mid-“caw.”

And then—

“Move.”

The voice cracked through the air like a whip.

The boy in shorts didn’t look embarrassed, nor even startled.

Instead, his gaze shifted away from Shizumi and landed on the battered boy lying on the ground.

A light, almost lazy, yet dangerous kick — thud.

The sound was unsettling.

The fallen boy curled in on himself in pain, like a broken puppet.

The crowd did nothing.

Not even a breath.

Whispers began to stir through the air—

> “oh no Itsuki is angry”

“He’s in a bad mood today.”

“Whoever he touches… won’t survive this time.”

Shizumi blinked — Itsuki?

And then—

Two more shadows cut through the crowd.

One had golden hair and eyes like molten gold,

The other had deep brown hair and eyes like storm clouds.

The whispers shifted again—

> “There Heavenly Princes together …”

“All three at once? Someone’s doomed.”

The three boys exchanged glances and faint smiles — smiles that carried traces of childhood memories, but also the thrill of a new hunt.

The First Heavenly Prince placed a hand on the Third’s shoulder, as if to say, let’s make this more interesting.

The Second Heavenly Prince looked directly at Shizumi.

“New?”

Shizumi simply nodded.

The Third Heavenly Prince *Itsuki Hayama* tilted his lips into a sly curve.

“Then… it’s time to teach you the rules.”

A cold shiver swept through the crowd.

Everyone knew—

When these three were together, their prey was never left alone.

Shizumi could feel dozens of eyes boring into her from behind, but no one dared to step closer.

She turned slightly, looking at the boy still groaning on the ground, when a sharp whistle echoed from ahead—

“What are you staring at? ~”

All three Heavenly Princes were looking right at her.

Itsuki— the one with that playful, wicked smile — started walking toward her.

“Newcomers… have to be taught the rules,” he murmured, eyes glinting with mischief… and something else.

He stopped directly in her path, close enough for her to feel his breath.

Shizumi wanted to step back… but didn’t.

“Scared? By the way… your hair hides your face. And the more someone tries to hide from me… the more curious I get to see them.”

He smiled, reaching out — but—

Smack!

Whether it was fear or anger, something inside her snapped.

She shoved him hard, and her palm landed straight on someone else’s cheek—

The First Heavenly Prince.

A red mark bloomed against his skin.

Silence fell.

So deep that even the creak of a far-off window echoed clearly.

Some students in the crowd literally held their breath.

“The First Heavenly Prince… got hit?”

No one had ever dared to imagine that.

The Second Heavenly Prince was stunned, the Third Heavenly Prince *Itsuki* bent over, laughing silently.

“Oh… this just got fun.”

But the First Heavenly Prince’s eyes had turned completely cold — dangerously so.

He stepped forward and gripped Shizumi’s hand with iron strength.

“Come.”

His voice left no room for argument.

He began dragging her down the corridor.

Shizumi tried to pull free, but his grip was like stone.

Her steps grew heavier — until—

“Wait.”

A deep, firm voice rang out.

The Principal.

White hair, a long coat, and eyes that seemed to see straight through a person.

His gaze flicked from Shizumi to the three Heavenly Prince.

“Go to class.”

Her tone carried a weight that made even the two obey without a word — they only exchanged faint smirks before walking away and the first heavenly prince glare at shizumi before walking away.

The Principal then turned to Shizumi.

“You… come with me.”

Inside her office, she saw old wooden furniture, heavy books, and a dusty, framed photograph on the wall.

It showed students from years past… but in one corner, a face was completely blurred, as if erased.

Shizumi’s eyes lingered on it.

The Principal said quietly—

“Don’t look at that.”

She pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to her.

“This is your enrollment from, and… remember one rule — never go near the old school building.”

Shizumi nodded, but inside, questions churned like a storm.

Why not?

What was there?

And why… after looking at that photograph… did she feel like someone had just whispered in her ear—

“Free...dom... Key”

---

The Principal’s pen stopped scratching across the page.

she glanced toward the open office door and called out—

“Siya. Come in.”

A girl stepped inside.

Her long, silky black hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and her uniform looked like it had been pressed that morning by a professional.

Her smile was gentle — the kind that instantly made people relax — but Shizumi noticed the flicker of worry in her eyes.

“This is Siya,” the Principal said, looking between them. “She will show you around the academy and explain the rules. Follow them. Every single one of them.”

“Yes, Principal,” Siya said with a small bow.

The moment they stepped into the corridor, Siya’s smile returned — softer now.

“Come on. I’ll be your guide today.”

As they walked past tall glass windows and perfectly polished floors, Siya spoke with an easy kindness.

Her voice, however, dipped to a whisper whenever students passed by.

“I’ll start with the rules,” she said.

“Rule one: always attend classes. No excuses. Rule two: never, ever break curfew — after nine p.m., you’re in your dorm, no exceptions. Rule three…” Her voice lowered. “…stay away from the old school building.”

Shizumi tilted her head. “Why?”

Siya hesitated, glancing over her shoulder as if making sure no one was listening.

“You really want to know?”

Shizumi nodded.

Siya exhaled.

“Thirty-seven years ago, before the new academy was built, that old building was the original school. One night, thirteen students… never made it home.”

Shizumi’s steps slowed. “Never… made it home?”

“They were found inside the building. Or at least… their bodies were. The police searched for weeks — no weapon, no footprints, no fingerprints. Nothing.”

Her tone dropped lower.

“Some say it was an accident. Others say it wasn’t human at all. But the most common whisper?” She met Shizumi’s eyes. “That one of the students did it. A boy named Shisui.”

The name prickled at the back of Shizumi’s mind.

“They said… he didn’t just kill them. He planned it. Thirteen… all in one night.” Siya’s eyes darted away. “They found him, but not alive. And even dead, people swore they saw him walking the corridors after.”

They turned a corner, passing an archway where sunlight barely reached.

Shizumi noticed how Siya’s hand brushed her arm slightly — as if to keep them walking fast.

“Why hasn’t the building been torn down?” Shizumi asked.

“It’s locked. No one goes in. At least…” Siya’s voice trailed off. “…no one who comes back.”

They walked on in silence for a moment before Siya said, more quietly,

“You’re a scholarship student, right?”

Shizumi nodded.

“Then you should know — life here… it’s not going to be easy for you. Scholarship students are treated like… servants. The others here — they’re all from rich, respectable families. People like me.” Her lips curved in a bitter smile. “And even I keep my head down.”

They reached the courtyard, where sunlight poured over expensive cars lined neatly by the gates. Students laughed in small circles, their uniforms spotless, their watches gleaming.

“Why keep your head down?” Shizumi asked.

Siya’s smile faded.

“Because of them.”

Shizumi followed her gaze — and saw the three Heavenly Princes walking side by side across the courtyard.

Golden hair, stormy eyes, and that playful smirk from earlier.

Students stepped aside instantly, creating a path for them.

Siya’s voice turned almost urgent.

“You’ve already slapped the First Heavenly Prince, and that’s…” She bit her lip. “…that’s something no one has dared before.”

Shizumi raised an eyebrow. “And who exactly are they?”

Siya swallowed.

“The First Heavenly Prince's Name is Renjiro Kurogane— heir to the largest business empire in the country. The Second is Akihiro Senzai— from the most powerful political family. The Third is Itsuki Hayama— son of the military general who controls the entire southern region. Shizumi, you stay away from those three,” Siya’s voice trembled even as she lowered it to a whisper.

“They aren’t called the Three Heavenly Prince for nothing. If someone ever catches their eye… and they don’t like them…” — her gaze darted nervously around the corridor — “then that person’s life turns into living hell. No one escapes their cruelty.”

Shizumi glanced back at them. The First Heavenly Prince’s jaw was tight, eyes scanning the courtyard — as if searching for someone.

“They’re dangerous, Shizumi. Stay away from them if you want to survive here.” Siya’s voice was barely a whisper now.

“And if you can’t…” She looked directly at her. “…then pray you’re luckier than the last person who got in their way.”

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