Takashi gave a small bow. "Hey. Welcome, new roommate. Don't worry—I'll keep to myself."
Haruyuki forced a polite nod. "Nice to meet you."
There's no point in getting close. He had enough strangers to deal with.
Yugen eventually excused himself, and Takashi stepped out to give him space.
Haruyuki dropped onto the edge of his bed, letting silence fill the room.
He glanced at his phone. Dozens of notifications. Messages. Mentions
He turned the screen off without reading a single one.
It might be from Saki. Nevertheless, Haruyuki was tired, and he'd rather sleep it off. Because tomorrow will surely be a big deal for him.
And he wasn't mistaken.
The next day, as he stood in front of the class, all eyes on him, amazed, some are excited—one seemed unmoved by his presence.
It's him...!
He didn't look particularly impressed but not annoyed either. It's more like someone watching a movie they'd already seen too many times.
"Well, you can introduce yourself now." The teacher started as he looked at him.
Haruyuki didn't seem to be listening, his gaze fixed on something distant—perhaps staring at the back, where Renjiro was sitting down quietly.
The classroom buzzed quietly with anticipation. A cough. The shuffle of notebooks. Whispers behind cupped hands.
Still, he stood frozen.
Then, almost too quietly, he spoke.
"... I'm Hanazawa Haruyuki."
The name drifted through the room like a memory. A few students leaned forward. A girl in the back gasped—out of recognition, surprise, and excitement.
"I'll be in your care." Haruyuki added, voice steadier.
It was a generic line, but the weight behind it made it feel like anything but.
The teacher gave a curt nod, clearly sensing the shift in the air as everyone looked excited, whispering at each other. "Right. You can take the empty seat by the window."
Of course, it was by the window.
Haruyuki moved to his desk as if stepping onto a stage he never asked to be on.
Behind him, the quiet murmur picked up again.
"Oh my gosh! It's really him."
"I can't believe he's going to be my classmate!"
"I knew it was him I saw earlier."
He didn't react. Not even a single blink.
As he took a seat, Renjiro watched his back, like observing his next move.
Haruyuki's hand twitched toward Renjiro as he passed by.
"You...!" He whispered harshly.
Renjiro paused, brows knitting slightly, unsure if he heard it right.
Haruyuki gritted his teeth, holding something—anger or just words he wasn't ready to say, yet. His fingers curled into fists beneath the desk.
[??]
Then, without another glance, he turned back to face the front as he took a seat.
Renjro lingered, confused.
What's with him?
When lunchbreak came—the moment the bell rang, Haruyuki pushed his chair back. The legs scraped against the floor sharply, drawing a few eyes.
But he didn't care. He was already on his feet, already scanning—
There. Renjiro, leaving the classroom.
Now's my chance.
But before he could move, a chorus of voices rose.
"Kyaaa! It's really Haru!"
"Were the rumors true? Did you really—?"
"You look way cooler in person!"
Haruyuki blinked, startled. A group of girls had encircled him before he could take another step. Too fast.
He glanced over their shoulders—Renjiro was already disappearing down the hall.
His chance was gone.
Again.
He sighed quietly, forcing a polite smile he didn't mean. "Sorry, I have somewhere I need to be..."
But the girls only giggled, some tugging his sleeve playfully. "Come on, just one question!"
Haruyuki looked toward the door once more, but it was empty now.
Gone.
Damn it...!
Eventually, Haruyuki managed to excuse himself. He bowed slightly, muttered something vague about needing to meet a teacher, and slipped through the circle of curious girls with more effort than he'd like to admit.
The hallway outside was empty. Quiet. Too quiet.
He broke into a brisk walk. Then a jog. Then, a near run.
Where would he go?
He tried the cafeteria first—peered through the glass and scanned the tables. Nothing. Just students chatting, laughing, enjoying their meals without a clue that something was unraveling in Haruyuki's chest.
Next, the library. It was nearly empty, aside from a few students hunched over textbooks or whispering across study desks. No sign of Renjiro.
Then the garden—quiet and sunlit. He walked the winding paths and checked beneath the cherry trees near the benches.
Still nothing.
Each failure felt heavier than the last. A throb behind his temples. A restless ache beneath his ribs.
Desperate, he glanced up.
There's no way he'd go there... right?
He climbed the stairwell two steps at a time, ignoring the sign on the rooftop door.
The knob rattled in his hand. Locked.
He pressed his forehead to the cold metal, breathing hard.
Damn it... where the hell did he go?
He stood there for a moment, catching his breath, trying to steady the storm inside.
But it was no use.
He hadn't come all this way just to play hide-and-seek.
In all honesty, he doesn't even know why he was chasing after Renjiro.
His body just moved on its own, while his mind was wondering for a reason.
Not a long second, he turned back, closing the door shut enough to make him take a step down the stairs.
"Looking for me?"
He froze.
That voice—cool, casual, and unmistakably Renjiro's—cut through the heavy silence like a blade.
Haruyuki whipped around.
There he was. Leaning against the stairwell wall just a few steps above, half in shadow, arms crossed over his chest like this was all some kind of game.
His expression seemed to read Haruyuki's next move.
"You—" Haruyuki started, but the words tangled in his throat. A dozen things he wanted to say crashed into each other, none of them sharp enough to reach the surface.
Does he even know what he wants to say? No.
At this point, he just stood there, all blank for about a millisecond.
"What are you doing over here?" Renjiro said lightly. "Don't you know this area is prohibited? The signs even said it."
Haruyuki jaw tightened. "Look who's talking—what are you even doing here anyway?!"
Renjiro tilted his head as if considering the question. "I was just having my lunch peacefully."
"Huh?!"
Haruyuki gasped in disbelief.
Renjiro took a step forward. "So, are you lost again?" He said in a calm manner, though low curious tone.
Haruyuki stopped. He didn't say anything and kept his silence.
Renjiro looked at him with suspicion. "Or are you stalking me now?"
Haruyuki reacted. "The hell—I wasn't!" He denied strongly. "Why the hell would I stalk someone like you?!"
Renjiro raised an eyebrow, amused. "Someone like me?" He echoed as if tasting the phrase. "Now that's interesting."
He scoffed as he he stepped down one stair. "Then, why are you following me?"
Haruyuki scowled. "Stop making it sound like I was stalking you or something."
"Aren't you?"
"I already told you I wasn't!"
Haruyuki snapped, frustration flaring in his voice.
Renjiro didn't let up. His gaze held steady, sharp, and curious. "Then why?"
Haruyuki hesitated. The silence stretched between them—thick, uncomfortable. Then, finally, the words came, fast and rough.
"Because you didn't know me," he said, eyes looking away shyly. "Not even a little."
Renjiro blinked. "What?"
"You never recognized me," Haruyuki continued. "Not even after I mentioned the films. The titles, the roles—I told you everything, and it was like none of it meant anything to you."
His voice trembled slightly at the edges now, less from anger, more from something he couldn't quite name.
Renjiro stared at him, visibly puzzled. "So... that's why you followed me?"
Haruyuki looked away, jaw clenched. "Forget it. It's stupid."
Renjiro tilted his head, a slow realization dawning—and maybe, just maybe, a flicker of secondhand embarrassment creeping in.
"... You were bothered because I didn't know who you were?"
Haruyuki didn't answer.
Renjiro gave a quiet echale, half scoff, half laugh. "Huh. That is kinda stupid."
Haruyuki scowled. "What—hey, wait!" He quickened his steps, trailing after Renjiro, who was already striding down the hallway.
Renjiro didn't stop. "Look, man," he said over his shoulder, voice casual but sharp at the edges, "if you really are an actor, shouldn't you be glad someone's treating you like a normal person? I'm not here drooling over you just 'cause we happen to go to the same school."
He turned his head briefly, catching Haruyuki's frustrated expression before facing forward again.
"And besides," Renjiro added, "I don't really watch movies or dramas. So even if you're famous, I wouldn't know you from a traffic cone."
Haruyuki opened his mouth to respond—but didn't quite catch the last part. A sudden burst of voices cut through the hallway.
"Haru!"
He turned, just as a small of girls surrounded him, eyes bright with excitement, phones already out. Their chatter blended together—praise, questions, giggles.
"Wait—hang on," he tried, glancing past them.
But it was too late. Renjiro's figure was already fading into the distance, swallowed by the crowd, his back turning the corner without a second look.
Haruyuki stood frozen—caught between flashing smiles and camera shutters, watching as the one person who didn't recognize him disappeared from sight.
When class resumed, he remained seated, silent, as girls clustered around him. Their voices buzzed with excitement, complimenting his looks, his talent, his cool demeanor. They laughed too easily, leaning in too close.
But Haruyuki didn't respond. His thoughts were elsewhere—still curling back to what Renjiro had said earlier. That moment. That look.
The classroom door slid open, and in came Renjiro with Sato by his side. They passed the gathering crowd without a glance, weaving through the attention.
Renjiro dropped into his chair with a rough sigh. "Did you do that math assignment?"
Sato gave a low chuckle, turning to him. "I did. Did you forget again, Koizumi-san?"
Renjiro groaned, propping his chin on his hand. "Unfortunately, I didn't forgot, i just didn't do it."
While their conversation rolled on casually, Haruyuki stood up.
The room stilled.
Heads turned. The girls stopped giggling.
He walked forward, step by step, until he stood right beside Renjiro's desk.
Renjiro blinked, then slowly looked up.
[??]
Haruyuki swallowed hard. His voice trembled slightly. "I... I don't care if you know me or not."
Gasps rippled through the room like waves. For a moment, they thought a fight was happening between the two—or something tender and embarrassing was unfolding in real-time.
Haruyuki didn't stop. "But, I'll make sure you do. From now on."
Whispers erupted among the students.
"Is this a love confession?"
"What is going on?"
Renjiro's eyes widened in shock. A cold sweat gathered at his nape. What the hell is he talking about?
Clenching his fist, Haruyuki pressed on. "So let's get to know each other. That way, we can—"
He didn't finish and stopped mid-sentence.
Renjiro abruptly shot up and clamped a hand over Haruyuki's mouth.
"Enough," he muttered through gritted teeth. His face looked half flushed and half terrified.
Shut up! Just shut the hell up!
The class stared in stunned silence, unsure whether to laugh or keep holding their breath.
"Whatever you have to say—don't say it." Renjiro whispered, locking eyes to Haruyuki's. Not quite the tender way, but as though he was trying to warn the boy.
"Hmmmf...!" Haruyuki tried speaking, but only muffled words came out.
"Later," Renjiro said, "we can talk later, after class." His lips curved into a forced smile.
It was clear that Renjiro didn't want anyone from his class to get the wrong idea.
Of course, he has his reasons. And that's pretty obvious—just from how massive attention Haruyuki gets... just him breathing or staying still in one corner, girls would be going crazy.
Yes, that's how much this guy's impact has on everyone. And Renjiro doesn't want any of those. Especially girls, who were warned about it, instantly forgot what they were told the moment they sensed Haruyuki's presence near.
Now, the two of them stood still at the back of the building—face to face. Breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
Renjiro exhaled deeply as he looked at the boy—wearing an unreadable look on his face. "Seriously, what is it that you want from me?"
He didn't answer too quickly.
Haruyuki finally looked up. His eyes, usually so sharp on-screen, were clouded now.
"You're lying," he said.
Renjiro gave a soft sigh. "About?"
"You said you didn't know me. That you don't watch movies. But I heard you talking about Kyojin's Shadow with Sato just now."
[!!]
He heard us talking about that...?
Yes, he did. The distance between their desks wasn't that far. And they were talking quite loud enough for Haruyuki to hear.
Renjiro finally glanced up, his expression unreadable. "So?"
"I'm in that movie."
"Oh... I see." Renjiro said, his pupils veered to the side as if he was guilty.
Haruyuki froze.
"You—" He stepped closer. "You knew. This whole time, right?"
Renjiro shrugged like it was nothing. "I just don't remember that movie very well anymore."
The words landed like a slap. Haruyuki's chest tightened.
"You're the only one who looks at me like I'm not even worth the space I take up." He took another step. "And for some reason, that bothers me more than anything."
What the hell? Is this guy actually an attention seeker or what?
Renjiro knows who Haruyuki actually is but deliberately treats him as if he's no one special. That disinterest becomes the exact thing Haruyuki obsesses over—because it's not ignorance. It's indifference.
That stings his pride and pierces deeper than the shallow admiration he usually gets.
And for someone like Haruyuki, who's used to being wanted, that's unbearable.
Renjiro turned a page, unfazed. "That's not my problem, is it?"
"It is now," Haruyuki said sharply, closing a bit of distance between them.
Renjiro slowly stepped backward.
Haruyuki leaned down, his voice low but intense. "You're just pretending not to know me because you're sacred. You'll be like everyone else."
A tense silence.
Yup. He is in need of so much attention.
Then Renjiro stood up, his voice tight. "Dude, you're totally insane."
There was no malice in his voice now—just tired, honestly.
His eyes want to turn away from this cringe thing.
Not only that, but he's also so full of himself.
Haruyuki smiled, breathless. "Maybe. But I'm not going to stop until you admit it. That you see me. That you've always seen me."
Renjiro scoffed, but his fingers twitched at his sides. "You're seriously doing all this just because I won't drool over you like everyone else? What kind of narcissist are you?"
Haruyuki took another single step forward.
Renjiro's reflexively backed up—his shoulder bumping against the brick wall behind him.
And with a smugly snicker, he opened his mouth. "You'll see."
The next morning.
Renjiro had barely made it through the school entrance when he felt it—that familiar presence. A step too close. A gaze that burned at the back of his head.
He sighed and glanced over his shoulder.
Haruyuki was there, as promised.
Following him with that same insufferable confidence, a subtle smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. His hands in his pockets, steps casual, but eyes locked on Renjiro like a predator closing in.
"Ugh..." He side-eyed him.
"Good morning, Koizumi," Haruyuki said sweetly, like they were best friends, and this wasn't psychological warfare.
Renjiro didn't stop walking. "Can you not?"
"I told you yesterday," he said cheerfully. "I'd make sure you see me."
He even tossed a wink toward a nearby group of girls, who immediately squealed, hands flying to their cheeks. Phones came out. Cameras clicked. Squeals echoed.
And Renjiro—poor one—was caught dead-center in the blast radius of Haruyuki's celebrity shine.
"That's the guy he keeps talking to!"
"Are they friends?"
"No, didn't you hear? Yesterday—"
"He's actually kinda cute when he's annoyed..."
"You mean, Koizumi?"
"I think their secretly dating!"
Her friends turned to her and did not agree with that statement.