"You two... know each other?"
Yamanoto Kuma-ji blinked several times, staring in surprise at the interaction between Kasumigaoka Touji and the newly transferred Kani Nayuta. Their exchange wasn't exactly flirty, but it certainly wasn't distant either. If anything, it had a strange warmth and familiarity—too natural for two people who were supposed to be meeting for the first time.
They looked like a couple—no, not quite. It was like they had known each other forever... but this was their first time meeting in the real world.
"You're playing an online romance, aren't you?!" Kuma-ji blurted out, mouth agape.
The students nearby—always eager for a fresh dose of juicy gossip—instinctively perked up their ears.
Mayonaka Kokonoka turned her head, her twin braids swaying lightly, as her big eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Gotou Hitori, in her signature pink tracksuit, nervously tugged at her sleeves, her tiny eyes darting back and forth between the pair. Even she couldn't help but steal a few glances.
"Yes, we know each other. Though we haven't met in person before," Kasumigaoka Touji replied honestly, nodding. Then he placed a hand on his chest and sighed dramatically, turning toward Kani Nayuta. "You really startled me earlier. I thought it was you, but I wasn't totally sure... I froze for, like, five seconds."
"Hehe~~."
Kani Nayuta responded with a giggle, her voice soft and dreamy like a breeze drifting through spring blossoms. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced up at him, the tension in her chest finally loosening. She'd worried he might be upset that she found out his school and transferred without asking... but seeing his reaction now, she felt incredibly relieved.
Eriri Spencer Sawamura stood nearby, one hand planted firmly on her hip. She watched the interaction quietly, lips pursed in thought. Her heart was in a twist—on the one hand, she didn't want Nayuta-chan to get hurt. But on the other, how could she stand in the way of someone who had mustered so much courage?
If Kasumigaoka Touji didn't love her... then please, she silently prayed, don't hurt her.
"Kasumigaoka-kun..."
Kani Nayuta's voice trembled just slightly as she gazed into his eyes. Over the past week, she'd seen his photos—mostly blurry side profiles he sent—but now, face to face, she was overwhelmed. Her idol filter kicked in hard.
Her heart pounded wildly. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
She placed a hand over her chest and blushed like a maiden from a shoujo manga. In that moment, Touji wasn't just a crush—he was a living dream standing right before her.
Meanwhile, Touji, who had grown up being immune to beauty due to years with his gorgeous sister Kasumigaoka Utaha, still couldn't help but feel something stir. Her expression, her aura, the intensity of her gaze—it was a lot to take in.
He subtly raised his chin—not out of pride, but because if he didn't, he'd end up staring directly at her rather abundant chest, which... well, wasn't appropriate.
Her face was even more exquisite than he remembered. Her skin was smooth and pale like porcelain, untouched by sun. Her features were so finely shaped it was like an artist sculpted her, and those crystal-clear blue eyes—
—they reflected only him.
"Your real name... is Honda Kazuko, right? Let's officially get acquainted," Kasumigaoka Touji said with a smile, extending his hand.
Kani Nayuta's expression lit up like a Christmas tree. She immediately grasped his hand with both of hers, wrapping his fingers in a warm cocoon of soft skin and trembling excitement.
She didn't let go.
"My name... is really plain, huh?" she asked, voice laced with shyness.
It was silly, but when you like someone, even small things like a name start to matter. Was it too common? Too boring? Would he think less of her?
She briefly imagined it changed—Kasumigaoka Kazuko had a nice ring to it, didn't it?
Touji tilted his head slightly. "Hmm... I guess it's not that rare. But Kazuko is a cute name. Suits you, Honda-san."
"I-Is that so...? Hehe~~."
She beamed, her smile brighter than the April sun streaming through the classroom windows.
The students around them were momentarily stunned by the radiance of her expression. It wasn't just pretty—it was otherworldly. A smile like that could melt glaciers and rewrite destinies.
Even the girls thought, Wow, she's adorable...
And the boys? Their hearts exploded like fireworks.
It felt like a scene straight out of an anime: In the soft glow of spring, a transfer student smiled, and the world stopped turning.
An angel has descended!
Kasumigaoka Touji, of course, wasn't swept away like the rest. He was used to beautiful girls being around, but even he had to admit—this one had a shine to her.
His gaze shifted to Eriri Spencer Sawamura, who stood to the side, watching silently.
"Did you find out where I go to school... from Eriri Spencer Sawamura?" he asked casually.
Those who noticed this scene were momentarily entranced. Even the girls couldn't help but admire her beauty and felt an instinctive pull toward her. As for the boys? It felt like they had just fallen in love.
In this vivid, blossoming April, they had all witnessed a miracle descend upon their classroom…
This was no ordinary girl—
This was an angel!
Yet among all the stunned stares, Kasumigaoka Touji remained calmly composed. Having grown up around beautiful girls—particularly one as dazzling as Utahau—he had built up some resistance to such enchanting smiles. Still, even he had to admit, her smile was breathtaking.
He casually turned his eyes to Eriri Spencer Sawamura, who stood among the crowd with one hand on her hip, trying hard to look nonchalant.
"Did you tell her I was here, Eriri Spencer Sawamura?" Touji asked, his tone light.
Eriri flinched and instinctively turned her face away. Guilty. Very guilty.
The students around them stared at her in disbelief.
Wait, what?
You know each other?
Did this transfer student… transfer schools because of Kasumigaoka Touji?
That realization struck them all at once. Shock rippled through the classroom like a tidal wave. Their gazes darted between Touji and Nayuta—and the fact that they were still holding hands hadn't gone unnoticed either.
A collective groan rose from the boys.
A new, angel-tier transfer student had just joined their class. They hadn't even had a chance to dream, and she was already emotionally attached to someone. Not just anyone—but someone with a girlfriend. And his girlfriend was drop-dead gorgeous, too.
"…Please, someone throw flowers at this man and get it over with…"
The envious boys were crushed. Envy, jealousy, resentment—they were drowning in all three. Even the normally calm Yamanoto Kuma-ji's expression looked like he'd just swallowed a bitter pill.
Meanwhile…
Kani Nayuta gave a gentle nod, then spoke up, saving Eriri from further interrogation. "We met last Saturday. I pestered her a lot before she finally told me."
Eriri quickly chimed in from the side, as if defending herself: "She asked me which school and class I was in, not Touji's."
Touji shot her a deadpan look.
Seriously, what's the difference? She knew full well they were in the same class.
Then—
"Kasumigaoka-san, what's your relationship with Honda-san?"
The bold question hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Everyone fell silent, ears perked up like cats waiting for drama.
Touji paused and glanced at Nayuta. Her big eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
After a beat, he replied calmly, "We're mutual followers."
"Huh!?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't get it…"
"…Eh? That's so sneaky."
Eriri rolled her eyes. "Baka. That's not wrong, but still…" she muttered under her breath.
Someone turned to her, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Does Eriri Spencer Sawamura know the inside story?"
"Umm… I might know a little," she said, flashing an awkward smile. "But it's not really my place to say…"
Her eyes flicked toward Touji, silently tossing the hot potato to him.
Touji, however, didn't even blink.
Mutual followers? Simple. It meant mutual admiration—two people who appreciated each other's talents and existence. Nothing more, nothing less.
Then suddenly—
"Does Kasumigaoka-senpai know about this?"
A deadly silence.
All eyes turned to Touji.
He responded flatly, "She knows."
"…Is that so?"
The boy who asked gave a knowing shrug.
You little punk… trying to cause chaos this early in the semester?
Touji mentally added him to a list.
Before anyone else could stir more drama, the class bell rang with perfect timing.
Grumbling boys dragged themselves back to their seats.
The girls reluctantly ended their whispering.
Even Kani Nayuta, her fingers twitching as if reluctant to let go, finally released Touji's hand and floated back to her desk.
…