A Liar's Truth [UNDER FINAL REVISION]

Ch 22: Boundaries

Third person's point of view 

__________

Asano Ginka
Total Score: 401 / 500
Rank: 49th out of 186

Mathematics: 68
Science: 74
English: 87
Japanese: 92
Social Studies: 80

__________

The class leaned in, intrigued.

"Wait, Seiun-chan made it into the top 50?!"

"That's the Asano genes, alright!"

Amid the noise, Ginka just laughed—light, airy, the kind of practiced laugh she gave in interviews. She leaned over to Karma and snatched the papers back, tucking them to her chest.

"Don't go flashing my business around like that," she said playfully, the corner of her mouth lifting in a small, effortless smile.

She acted like it didn't bother her. Like her heart hadn't dropped the moment she saw her rank. Like the praise didn't sting just a little when it felt so far from where she wanted to be.

"So humble, our Seiun-chan!"

"There's no reason to be shy! You worked really hard for it!" 

"Mm, well," she lightly chuckles awkwardly, hugging her papers tightly. "I had time for once."

And that felt even worse. 

The class laughed, some offering pats on the back or words of encouragement. She smiled, nodded, thanked them. Played it off perfectly.

"Well, I, for one, have no intentions of leaving this class. Assassination is far more entertaining than returning to the main building." He places a hand on his hip, his gaze drifting back towards Ginka. "And I assume you feel the same way?" 

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about me." Her voice is light, almost playful. "I'll be here a little longer... but only until I take my rightful place at the top." Her eyes gleam, unreadable beneath the elegance of her expression. "I'd rather meet my brother on his own stage~"

".. So, what are you gonna do? Everyone else didn't make it to the Top 50 spots, so are you gonna run away with your tail between your legs, just like you said you would?" Karma leans in, continuing to provoke him with a knife in hand. "When it comes down to it, aren't you just afraid of being killed?"