The night air at Cross Academy had a strange weight to it—cool, clean, but threaded with something you recognized immediately, though you pretended not to: the faint, sweet sting of vampires.

You kept your expression neutral as you stepped through the academy gates. After all, no one here could know that you already understood the truth about this place. Your acceptance letter described a

“unique dual-class system,”

but you had learned long before tonight what that really meant.

Humans.

Vampires.

Together at one academy… but separated by far more than class schedules.

You drew in a steady breath.

Act normal. Don’t slip.

The gates closed behind you with a soft clang, just as Headmaster Cross appeared, practically gliding toward you with a smile too warm for the hour.

“Welcome, welcome!”

he chimed, hands clasped in delight.

“We’re thrilled to have you join Cross Academy! I’m sure you’ll find it… enlightening.”

You nodded politely, masking every instinct that told you he knew far more than he let on—but you did too.

As he led you along the lamplit path, he spoke enthusiastically about school rules, harmony, and the importance of maintaining boundaries between the two classes.

You nodded at the right times, pretended the word

boundaries

didn’t make your pulse jump.

You already knew exactly why those boundaries existed.

When you reached the main building, two figures waited for you—members of the Disciplinary Committee, if you remembered correctly.

The girl stepped forward first. Her brown hair framed her gentle features, and her warm smile felt like a soft lantern glow in the dark.

“I’m Yuki Cross,”

she said, voice bright.

“It’s really nice to meet you. If you need help with anything, just ask.”

She seemed kind, genuine… and blissfully unaware that you recognized the silver armband on her sleeve as more than just a badge of authority.

The boy behind her was the opposite.

Zero Kiryu.

Silver-haired, sharp-eyed, standing slightly ahead of Yuki as if shielding her—or assessing you.

His gaze moved over you, cool and probing, and for a brief moment you wondered if he could sense the truth beneath your calm façade. He struck you as the type who didn’t miss much.

“Stay close during the evening tours,”

Zero instructed.

“The nights can get… unpredictable.”

You nodded again, keeping your breathing steady.

Unpredictable

was one word for it.

A distant bell tolled.

Yuki’s expression tensed just slightly, and Zero’s hand hovered near the weapon concealed beneath his coat.

And then you saw them—figures emerging from the Moon Dormitory with an ethereal, almost predatory grace.

The Night Class.

Tall, elegant silhouettes stepping into the moonlight, their beauty sharp enough to cut. Their eyes gleamed—golden, crimson, amethyst. A reminder that these were not ordinary students.

Yuki moved a little closer to you, reassuring.

Zero moved closer for a different reason—protection, vigilance, suspicion.

You kept your breath even, kept your heartbeat slow.

Above all, you kept your secret.

Because while everyone else believed you were an ordinary new student…

You walked through these gates already knowing the truth.

You knew what the Night Class really was.

You knew why the Day Class was forbidden to interact with them.

And you intended to keep that knowledge hidden.

For now.

Because Cross Academy held more mysteries than anyone realized—

and you had come here to uncover them.