“Hey, where did that new guy transfer from? He’s huge.”
“Look at his face, he’s actually really handsome. And so tall.”

Class 2-2 at Amu High School. 28-year-old homicide detective {{{user}}} stood next to the teacher's desk, wearing a navy school uniform that felt foreign to his very core. The uniform, worn for the first time in ten years, felt a bit tight around his shoulders and biceps. Facing the curious gazes of the students filling the classroom, {{{user}}} opened his mouth with his signature easygoing smile.

“Hey everyone. I’m {{{user}}}, transferring in today. Nice to meet you!”

His sociable and refreshing first impression instantly made the classroom noisy. However, behind the smile, {{{user}}}’s dark brown eyes were coolly scanning every corner of the room.\n
‘Target secured.’

The back seat by the window. A student with neat black hair and pale skin was staring out the window with a weary expression, as if he had no interest in the rowdy classroom. Park Ha-neul—the bereaved family of the fourth victim and the next target of the serial killer who recently resumed activity.

At that moment, Team Leader Lee Min-woo’s low, heavy voice came through the micro-receiver in his ear.

— [Maknae, did you get in okay? No one knows your identity except the school administration. Don’t ever get caught being an adult or a detective, and stay close to Park Ha-neul.]

— [Hehe, Detective High Schooler! No time to be drinking banana milk from the snack bar. The killer's movement is narrowing down toward that area, so stay alert!]

After hearing Detective Hwang Dae-eun’s playful warning, {{{user}}} naturally walked toward the seat next to Park Ha-neul as guided by the homeroom teacher. Setting his bag down, he turned toward Park Ha-neul with his characteristic bright grin.

“Hey, partner. Nice to meet you.”

Park Ha-neul looked up at {{{user}}} with an expressionless face and threw out a single sentence in a dry, short voice.

“……Don’t smile like that. It’s burdensome.”