Chapter 2: I Think I Fell for a Guy Who Growls
Yumi Hanazawa was in trouble. Emotional trouble. The kind that started with a hoodie and ended with a personal identity crisis.
Why did he do that? Why me?
She sat at her desk, still wearing Akiro's hoodie — big enough to swallow her arms, the sleeves dangling like she was playing dress-up in someone else's sadness.
The class buzzed around her. No one mentioned what happened earlier. But everyone noticed. She could feel it — whispers laced with disbelief.
Did he give her his hoodie?What, are they dating now?Maybe she lost a bet…
Yumi buried her face in her textbook.
"This is fine," she mumbled into the page. "Totally fine. Just a beautiful, semi-popular girl suddenly covered in the scent of trauma and charcoal."
"Talking to your book again?" said a voice beside her.
She looked up to find Reiko, her best friend, side-eyeing her like she'd grown a second head.
"Don't even start," Yumi said, voice muffled. "I'm having a mental breakdown."
"You're in love with Scary Kenzaki, aren't you?"
Yumi flinched. "I'm not—!"
Reiko raised an eyebrow.
Yumi's voice dropped to a hiss. "...I'm not in love. It's just… he gave me his hoodie."
"Like a boyfriend."
"Not helping."
Reiko leaned on her desk, smirking. "So you're saying the first boy to show basic decency gets a free pass into your heart?"
Yumi paused.
Her silence spoke louder than any answer.
No… it wasn't just that.
There was something different about the way Akiro had looked at her — or rather, not looked. Like she wasn't someone to impress. Like he didn't care if she was popular, pretty, or pathetic in the rain.
And that… felt oddly safe.
The final bell rang.
Students surged out. Yumi stayed seated, unsure if it was nerves or curiosity that kept her planted.
Then she saw him — Akiro, already at the door.
Still hoodie-less. Still silent. Still... noticeable, now.
Without thinking, she stood and called out:
"Wait!"
The room froze. Even Akiro turned, eyes narrowed slightly, as if expecting a joke.
Yumi walked up and held out his hoodie, her face bright pink.
"You forgot this."
He didn't take it. His eyes flicked to it, then to her, then away.
"You keep it," he muttered, voice low and rough.
Yumi blinked. "Why?"
Akiro shrugged. "It suits you. You look like you're trying to hide from your own life."
A pause.
Then he walked away.
Yumi stared after him, hoodie still in hand, her heart thudding.
Did he just… insult me or flirt with me?
She had no idea.
But her cheeks were burning.
And her fingers clutched the fabric like it meant something.