Kill da Zombie

Days had passed since Lucas's brief encounter with Rei at the school gate. Although they hadn't spoken again directly, Lucas had seen her around school several times, especially during spear club practice.

However, something caught his attention—Rei often looked frustrated or upset after leaving the teachers' office. At first, Lucas didn't think much of it, until one day he overheard some students gossiping about Rei and a teacher named Asano.

"Asano is unbelievable. He's always looking for reasons to pick on Miyamoto."

"Yeah, I heard he once made her repeat a year just because he had a personal issue with her family."

"Seriously? Isn't that an abuse of power?"

Lucas, who happened to be passing by, immediately put on a thoughtful expression. "So this is why Rei always looks so frustrated."

His initial reluctance to get involved gradually faded. If a teacher was truly abusing his authority to ruin a student's future, then that was something that couldn't be ignored.

Lucas finally found a chance to talk to Rei during lunch break. He spotted her sitting alone in the back courtyard of the school, seemingly deep in thought.

Walking up to her, he casually sat down beside her. "You know, if you keep frowning like that, you'll get wrinkles faster."

Rei sighed and turned to him. "You always show up at the most unexpected times."

Lucas grinned. "It's a natural talent."

Rei let out another sigh and looked back ahead. "What do you want?"

Lucas got straight to the point. "I heard about Asano. Seems like he really has a grudge against your father."

Rei immediately tensed up, her gaze sharpening. "Who told you that?"

Lucas shrugged. "Some students were gossiping, and I'm smart enough to piece the puzzle together myself. I know he made you repeat a year, but it seems like he's still after you even now."

Rei clenched her fists, looking frustrated. "He's always looking for reasons to mess with me. Every time I try to apply for an activity or get an academic opportunity, he finds a way to block me. All because he hates my father."

Lucas looked at her seriously. "And you're just letting him get away with it?"

Rei shot him a sharp look. "You think I haven't tried? I've done everything I could, but he always has an excuse to reject me. Even if I report him, he knows how to cover his tracks with bureaucratic loopholes."

Lucas thought for a moment, then gave a small smirk. "Then how about we play this game differently?"

Rei raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Lucas leaned back casually. "I have an idea on how we can take Asano down using his own methods. But first, I need your help."

Rei looked at him with curiosity, but also with a glimmer of hope. "What do I need to do?"

Lucas smiled confidently. "We trap him with his own corruption."