The announcement came over the intercom like any other school notice.
"Attention students: The God of High School preliminaries will begin next week. All eligible participants must register immediately."
I didn't move.
Most students buzzed with excitement. Posters, whispers, and predictions flooded the halls. Heroes-in-training, wannabe legends, and attention-seekers all ready to show off.
Takumi smirked from the railing above the gym. Of course he'd heard it first. Of course he'd be watching.
Rei found me after class. "You're going to register, aren't you?"
"I'm not competing," I said.
Her gaze didn't waver. "No one believes you'll stay invisible forever. Not in a school obsessed with power and rankings."
I ignored her, walking toward the exit.
Outside, students were already forming groups. Team Arata stood apart, polished, synchronized, exuding the kind of confidence that was meant to intimidate everyone else.
I lingered in the shadows, observing. Movement, patterns, flaws. No one noticed me—not yet.
The rules were simple. Or so they said: fight, survive, climb the ranks, be recognized.
I didn't care about any of it.
Until the first registration official approached me directly.
"Your name?" she asked.
I hesitated. One word could ruin invisibility. But the world was already watching, and Team Arata's attention made it worse.
I gave it anyway.
From the rooftops, Takumi's expression didn't change. But something behind those calculating eyes shifted ever so slightly.
This was no longer just about survival.
The game had begun.