The cherry blossom outside swayed gently with the spring breeze, scattering its soft pink petals across the courtyard. A few of them drifted closer, slipping through the open window and landing quietly upon Renjiro's notebook.
He blinked, momentarily pausing his writing. With careful fingers, he plucked one of the petals off the page, studying its fragile texture and faint blush of color under the sunlight. His lips curled into a small, peaceful smile.
"Hoe lovely..." He murmured.
"Yeah..." came a voice beside him.
Renjiro froze.
"Aughhh!" He yelped, springing up from his seat in pure alarm. His chair screeched against the floor, nearly toppling backward.
Haruyuki, completely unbothered, blinked at him with mild confusion. "Why are so shocked to see me? Like you've seen a ghost or something."
"N-Nothing!" Renjiro said quickly, clutching his notebook like a shield. "You just—scared the shit out of me, that's all!"
Hauyuki only shrugged and pulled a chair from across the table, dragging it closer before sitting down as if he belonged there. "Relax. I'm just here to keep you company."
Renjiro glared. "No, seriously. Why are you sitting here?"
"Why not?"
"What are you even doing here when your little fan club is out there waiting for you?" Renjiro gestured vaguely toward the group of girls not far away.
"I don't care," Haruyuki replied coolly. "Let them wait."
"You—!" Renjiro leaned forward, irritation twitching in his brows. "Do you want your fans to hate me that much? Huh?!"
But before Haruyuki could respond, the familiar buzz of whispers filled the air. The girls had already noticed.
"Look, he's bullying Haru-kun again..."
"He's shouting at him... poor Haru."
"I knew it wasn't a good idea for Haru to hang around him."
"What was his name again? Koizumi, right?"
Renjiro's temple twitched. Urghh!!! I fucking hate this guy! He screamed internally, biting the inside of his cheek. Can't he just mind his own business and leave me alone for even a single minute?!
Ever since that day at the photoshoot, Haruyuki had somehow become his shadow—appearing everywhere Renjiro went. The cafeteria. The library. The garden. Even to the bathroom.
"Dude! Can't I have my privacy?!" Renjiro had shouted more than once, but Haruyuki's response was always the same: a small smile and an indifferent shrug.
No matter how many times he yelled or glared, Haruyuki still followed him—like an overgrown, persistent puppy.
No, he's worse than a puppy, Renjiro thought grimly. If this keeps up, my peaceful life is doomed!
Thankfully, later that day, fate seemed to grant him mercy. While the girls crowded around Haruyuki, eagerly trying to catch his attention, Renjiro took his chance. He slipped out, moving quietly at first—then bolting down the hallway the moment he was out of sight.
Now, catching his breath, he found himself standing before the student council room. His hand trembled slightly on the doorknob.
"Okay... I can do this," he whispered to himself, straightening his posture.
Compared to Haruyuki—the oblivious, clingy puppy—the person he was about to face now was on a whole other level.
Renjiro took a deep breath. Then, with his heart pounding, he pushed the door open.
As Renjiro stepped inside, the faint scent of ink and paper filled the air. The student council room was unusually quiet—sunlight streamed in through the half-drawn curtains, catching dust motes that floated lazily in the stillness.
At the far end of the room, Yugen sat behind his desk, sleeves rolled up, pen gliding across a stack of reports. The faint scratching sound stopped the moment Renjiro's footsteps echoed in.
Yugen didn't even lift his head at first. He simply paused—the tip of his pen hovering above the page, before slowly looking up.
"So," Yugen spoke, voice low and icy. "You finally decided to show yourself... after ditching me the other day?"
[!!]
His tone sliced through the silence like a blade. His expression, calm yet sharp, carried an irritation that could freeze the sun.
Renjiro stiffened, feeling his throat tighten. "U-Um... hi..." He said weakly, lifting a hand for an awkward wave.
Yugen didn't return the greeting. He simply stared. Unblinking.
The silence stretched uncomfortably.
Then—
"Well?" Yugen said, his brow twitching. "Aren't you going to say something?"
"Y-You see, Yugen, buddy—listen! I can explain, okay? Just hear me out!" Renjiro said hastily, his hands flailing slightly as if to shield himself from invisible flames.
Yugen only tapped his finger on the desk—
Tap, tap, tap...
A rhythm that sounded far too ominous for Renjiro's comfort. He was waiting.
Renjiro's mind went blank. His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish out of water. "Uh... well, I... see... it's kinda..."
This is bad! His thoughts screamed. If I mess this up, he's going to ignore me for the rest of the year! And I can't stand that!
He knew Yugen too well. For someone who looked calm and composed on the surface, Yugen could hold a grudge like a professional. Renjiro had learned that the hard way—every time he broke a promise or forgot a meeting, Yugen would sulk, go cold, and refuse to talk to him until at least an hour after a painful groveling had passed.
He's easy to get along with... but impossible to tame, Renjiro thought bitterly.
Determined, he squeezed his eyes shut and drew in a breath. "Um—look! Yugen, the truth is—!"
"It's fine."
Renjiro froze. "Eh?"
Yugen stood up from his chair, his pen clicking softly as he set it aside. He walked around the desk, his steps measured and calm... a complete contrast to the storm Renjiro had expected.
"You don't have to tell me where you were or what happened that day," Yugen said quietly. His to had returned to its usual, composed rhythm. No edge nor irritation, just him being himself again.
"... But you could've at least told me you weren't showing up." He added.
"Eh? You serious, man?" Renjiro blinked, bewildered.
"Yes," Yugen replied, exhaling through his nose. "It's your own business anyway. You're not obligated to report to me everytime you disappear."
He.... changed his mind? What's with this attitude? Is he sick? Did he hit his head somewhere? Still...
Renjiro relaxed a little, his shoulders dropping in relief. "I see... man, I thought for sure you were gonna kill me this time, or worse ignore me forever."
"But," Yugen interjected smoothly, glancing up with a faint glare, "that doesn't mean I've forgiven you."
Renjiro's relief shattered. "Whaaaat?! Then what am I supposed to do for you to forgive me?!"
Yugen regarded him for a long moment—silent, unreadable, before his eyes glinted mischievously. He leaned in just a little, close enough for Renjiro to instinctively take a step back.
"You really want to know?"
"Of course!" Renjiro blurted put, panic rising. "I don't think I could sleep knowing you're still mad at me!"
Yugen's lips curved ever so slightly, his tone turning almost teasing.
"Then..." He said, pausing just long enough to make Renjiro's hear skip, "give me a kiss. And I'll forgive you."
Renjiro froze.
His brain stuttered. His entire body stiffened as if lightning had struck him on the spot.
"... H-Huh?"
Yugen tilted his head innocently. "You heard me."
For a full five seconds, Renjiro stood there in stunned silence, his thoughts screaming incoherently. Then—
"Wha—WHAT?!"
His voice cracked, echoing down the hallway outside the council room.
Yugen raised a brow, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.
"What? Can't do it?
"Renjiro's jaw dropped. "No! I mean—of all the things you could've asked me to do, why that?!"
"So, you can't do it?" Yugen turned his head to the side, feigning disinterest. "That fine. You don't need to if you're—"
"Who said I won't do it?!"
[?!]
Yugen flinched at the sudden outburst, whipping his head back toward him. "Huh?!"
"I'll do it!" Renjiro declared, fists clenched and eyes burning with the fire of doomed determination. "If that's all it takes for you to forgive me, then I'll do it!"
"Wait... ah, I mean... a-alright..." Yugen muttered, caught off guard.
Renjiro stared at Yugen's lips, the realization of what he'd just committed to dawning on him like a thunderclap.
Damn it! He screamed internally. I can do this. It's just a kiss. Just a stupid kiss! In some countries, kissing's a normal greeting, right? Yeah. Totally normal.... not weird at all!
He gulped hard, shutting his eyes tight. His hands trembled at his sides, his whole body tense.
I can do this... I can do this.... Damn it all, I'm not even gay!
Yugen blinked, watching in disbelief as Renjiro visibly shook from head to toe like a short-circuited robot.
"Um... are you sure you can do it?" Yugen asked, concern slipping into his voice despite himself.
"Shut up! You're the one who asked for it!" Renjiro snapped without opening his eyes.
"Yeah. I know," Yugen said, looking down at him awkwardly. "But if you're really not up for it, just stop, okay? I was only—"
But Renjiro wasn't listening anymore. He was lost in his own spiraling courage pep talk. His eyes stayed squeezed shut as he rose onto his toes, inching forward slowly, awkwardly—like a soldier marching toward certain doom.
Yugen just stood there, watching him in disbelief. His gaze trailed over Renjiro's scrunched-up face: brows furrowed so tightly they almost met, his lips puckered like a balloon about to pop.
The sight was too much.
Yugen tried, really tried to keep a straight face. But his shoulders trembled... he turned away slightly, biting down a laugh.
"Pffft—"
The sound slipped out before he could stop it.
Renjiro's eyes shot open. "You prick!" He barked, face burning with embarrassment. "Oh, you think this is funny?! HAH?!"
"Oh gosh," Yugen tried to breathe, but laughter was already bubbling out. "You were so serious about it—hahahahahaha....!"
"Because you told me to!" Renjiro shouted, stomping a foot like an offended brat. "You said you wanted a kiss!"
Yugen burst out laughing, doubling over slightly. "And being that tense would turn anyone down, you know! You looked like a—hahahaha—a puffer fish!"
"Haah?! You... You—URGHHHH!" Renjiro clenched his fists, face flaming bright red.
"I hate you, Yugen!"
He spun on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind him with sharp bang.
The sound echoed through the hallway.
Inside, Yugen was still laughing, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "Oh, man... that guy's gonna kill me next time I see him," he murmured, smiling faintly to himself.
But even after the laughter faded, a small, inexplicable warmth lingered in his chest.
Out in the hallway, Renjiro trudged along with an unmistakable pout plastered on his face. His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets, his steps heavy and sulky.
Damn it... he always teases me like that. That prick... stupid Yugen! He grumbled inwardly, scowling at the floor as if it were personally responsible for his humiliation.
The faint chatter of students echoed through the hall, but Renjiro paid it no mind. He's too preoccupied and still stuck with what happened earlier.
He let out a long sigh and stepped outside toward the school garden.
The moment he did, a soft breeze swept across the open space, carrying with it a flurry of pink. The cherry blossoms danced wildly in the air, twirling like a confetti. Petals flicked against his hair and cheeks, tickling his cheeks.
"What—hey!" Renjiro winced and squeezed his eyes shut as the wind practically attacked him with blossoms.
When the gust finally settled, he heard it—a chorus of high-pitched squeals from not far away.
What's going on now? He thought, frowning.
He slowly opened his eyes, blinking through the swirl of drifting petals. Not too far ahead, a crowd of girls had gathered near the pathway that led to the central fountain. Their voices rose and fell in excited chatter, giggles echoing under the trees.
Renjiro followed their gaze.
Standing at the center of the commotion was someone unfamiliar—a tall boy with a dark, and messy perm hair that shimmered faintly under the afternoon light. There was a calm, almost serene air around him—the kind of quiet confidence that drew attention without trying.
Renjiro blinked, tilting his head slightly. Who the heck is that guy?
Judging by the unfamiliar uniform crest pinned neatly to his blazer, he guessed: a new transfer student, maybe?
He shrugged. Not my business.
Adjusting his collar, Renjiro walked forward, intending to slip past the crowd without attracting any attention. The last thing he needed was another dramatic scene for the day.
He kept his head low, weaving along the edge of the group, trying to blend into the background. The girls' giggles and whispers buzzed around him like bees.
Just a few more steps—
Thud!
"Ack—!"
A sudden force slammed against his back, knocking him off balance. His feet tangled, and before he could catch himself, he hit the cobblestone ground with a painful thump.
"Ah, seriously?!" He groaned. His voice muffled against the pavement. His brows drew together tightly.
Fuck this day!!!
He heard surrounding gasps and muffled voices of the girls. Then came a deep, smooth voice above him—calm, yet oddly cold.
"Are you okay?"
Renjiro lifted his head, blinking away the daze. A hand extended toward him—long fingers, slender yet firm.
His eyes followed thebhand upward... and there he was again. The boy from earlier.
The dark-haired stranger stood over him, sunlight cutting a faint halo behind his silhouette. His expression was gentle, lips curved just slightly, though his eyes held an unreadable depth, though observant, like he was studying him.
The girls whispered around them, their voices sharp with curiosity.
"Did he just help him?"
"He's so kind~..."
"Who's the other guy though?"
Renjiro blinked rapidly, realizing everyone was watching. His stomach twisted. Without taking the offered hand, he pushed himself up in one quick motion, brushing dust from his blazer.
"I'm fine. No worries," he said hastily, forcing a small, polite smile—one that didn't reach his eyes.
The boy tilted his head slightly. "You sure? That fall sounded rough."
"Yes, I'm sure," Renjiro replied quickly, already stepping back. "Anyway, I'll get going now."
He turned on his heels before the stranger could say another word, practically speed-walking toward the opposite path.
The girl's murmurs faded behind him, replaced by the sound of his own irritated footsteps.
The dark-haired boy remained standing there, watching Renjiro's retreating figure disappear beyond the garden path.
A faint smile ghosted over his lips.
"... How interesting," he murmured under his breath, eyes glinting faintly.
He's like a cat, the boy thought—quick to hiss, impossible to approach, but intriguing all the same.