(MC POV)
In the big lecture room, I sat looking at my notebook while a tapping sound came from the front. The professor stopped writing once the board was full.
"Before we end today's class, please form a group for the next assignment. Thank you."
I clicked my tongue since I despised group assignments. I'd rather do it alone; for me, it's less of a pain in the ass. Putting that aside, I looked around. It seemed everyone already had their own group. Since when? Maybe from the beginning. Does Kazuya not have any friends in his department?
"Kazuya-kun, let's be in the same group!"
Speak of the devil.
Beside me, a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair clenched her fists together excitedly. I've learned that, after all the humiliation and rejection she should have faced, it didn't make her go away. Instead, it kept her motivated. Although, I just ignored whatever she was yapping about.
It seems she's the only friend I know.
Can't be helped.
There's nothing I can do.
"Hey, hey, Kazuya-kun! Should we start talking about the assignment now? Maybe—"
"Excuse me."
We both turned our heads to see a woman with long hair.
Speak of another devil.
Why does Kazuya really attract toxic peers?
"Ara, it's been a while, Chizuru." Mami smiled, though she was basically saying fuck off.
"I'm fine. Can I join your group?"
"That's quite—"
"Sure," I said, which made Mami's smile waver.
"Of course, welcome, Chizuru!"
"Thank you. Well then, maybe we should create a group chat?"
After that, we created a chat group with three people. Honestly, I couldn't care less if this was only for class. Speaking of which, I looked at Chizuru. Before, she used to braid her hair and wear thick glasses. Basically, a nerd who had now transformed into a woman no one expected.
Feeling my gaze, Chizuru quickly turned her head away, but I still noticed her blush.
I also noticed every guy around me clicking their tongues. Chizuru seemed more comfortable in the same group with toxic Mami and her former client.
Anyway.
"Right, I've got to go now."
"Me too. Let's keep in touch later."
Bewildered, Mami looked at both of us as if we were going somewhere together, but we weren't. Eventually, we all arrived at the parking lot. Behind us, Mami sped up her walk.
"Uh, wait, guys! Maybe we should go somewhere now?"
Chizuru sighed. "Sorry, I have an appointment."
Mami raised her brow. "Really?" Then she smiled at me. "Kazu-kun! I know a karaoke place!"
I sighed as I unlocked my car. "I can't sing," I said, then got in, leaving her outside.
It looked like I was the bad guy here, but it wasn't the first time she'd been this desperate. I knew what she was up to, but it was starting to freak me out. Still, I drove to Ai's place since I'd promised her a date.
The car slowed down in the lobby, and I saw a woman in bluish tight jeans, a long black coat, and a white T-shirt underneath. She wore a black hat and glasses since she was still famous. The window rolled down slowly as I greeted her with a smirk.
She pouted and crossed her arms under her chest. "You're late."
"Time is relative."
"Oh, I see! I didn't know we weren't on Earth."
I chuckled. "Get in. Your knees are shaking a lot, you know?"
Of course, I wasn't late at all. I even arrived fifteen minutes early, but I guess she'd been waiting even longer. Still mad at me, she kept her arms crossed.
Ai coughed. "Somehow, it's a little cold in here, right?" She rubbed her hands together. I checked everything—the heater was working perfectly.
"Ahhhhh, I forgot to bring my gloves. Silly me."
"Tch."
"Hey!"
"Alright, give me your hand."
I knew Ai. She was just bullshitting about her cold hands. And… yup. She just wanted to hold hands while I kept my right hand on the steering wheel. In fact, I only held her right hand. Still, today she was a little moody, maybe even demanding.
"Kazuya, do I smell perfume? Is it? No?"
Ah…
"It's a group project."
Ai gripped my hand tightly. "Are they women?"
"Two of them."
"I see! Must be good to be popular."
"Shit, Ai. Your grip is insanely—"
"What?"
"Comfortable. I'll be happy if you massage my back later."
Ai huffed loudly before widening her eyes. "Wait a minute, that's actually a good idea. But first, I should find a good onsen."
Onsen? That means a private room, too. Interesting.
"Anyway, what about a little music?" I pressed a button on the steering wheel to turn on the radio as the music started to play.
"Huh?"
I felt Ai's sharp gaze at me.
"I didn't know you liked this kind of music, Kazuya."
As the car stopped at a red light, I looked at her.
"Actually—"
"Hehe, me too!"
As the beat kicked in, she started singing, leaving me bewildered.
"Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass, and I'm homebound!"
"Dududududududududu!"
Following the music, she shook her head, then faced me. "And I need you—" She shook her head again. "And I miss you—" Once again, leaving me utterly bewildered. "And now I wonder—"
I just let her be. Maybe I'd forgotten who she really was. But anyway, I somehow managed to lift her mood.
---
Shortly after we arrived—
"School festival! Oh my god, this will be fun, Kazuya!"
Yesterday, her complexion was quite depressing, but now… I wonder if she's just easy to cheer up.
"By the way, is this where you graduated?"
I shook my head. "No. It's Ruka's high school."
"Ruka-chan?"
"Yeah. She invited me, and I promised her I'd come."
"Oh, hm, well, you're quite a sweet brother, Kazuya."
"Um, actually…"
When did I ever tell her Ruka's my sister when she's not? Doesn't matter. Anyway.
Looking around, I noticed we'd become part of the crowd of onlookers. Under the grey sky, with cold wind blowing softly, even in early winter, the stalls lined up from the school gate were packed with people.
I glanced at Ai. No one would recognize her with that mask. Her hair was shorter compared to when she was on stage. With all this, it was even harder for anyone to know her real identity.
As we entered the building, it was my first time being inside a Japanese high school, and I was surprised at how clean it was even with this many people. We headed to the classroom where Ruka said her class was running a butler–maid café.
"This is the place. Class 3-A… but damn."
"Look how long the line is, Kazuya."
"Should we come later?"
Ai hummed, placing her finger on her chin. Then she leaned back, falling into my chest. "I'm not sure. Well, we've got time, don't we?" She tilted her head at an awkward angle to look at me. Behind her mask, I could see the mischievous sparkle in her eyes—she was definitely smirking.
I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. She sank deeper into me and held on as we waited patiently, until someone coughed.
"Sorry, but public affection is prohibited in this school," said a girl in a maid costume.
"Nice costume."
"Shut up! Kuhum! Table for…?"
"Do you really think I'd bring anyone else?"
Ruka just clicked her tongue, while Ai simply giggled. We followed her to our table. After we sat down, she returned with two glasses of water and menus.
"Please call me once you've decided your order." Ruka said flatly.
"Thank you, Ruka-chan." Ai pulled down her mask and smiled at her.
Ruka giggled in response. I watched her walk away, and of course, she gave me the middle finger. What kind of hospitality was that? Maybe I should complain and score us a free meal. Keke.
"You two are really close."
I looked back at Ai. "Well, she's like my sister. Ha! Well, actually, she—"
Suddenly Ai turned her head, looking at the table beside us. I followed her gaze.
"Ah… hm," she paused. "Fancy meeting you here, Kazuya."
Chizuru. She was still in the same outfit she'd worn in class today. Apparently, we'd met here by sheer coincidence. But Ai suddenly went stiff as her face turn cold.
"Here's your order, Chizuru-san."
"Thank you, Hikaru."
I turned to see a blonde man in a butler suit place a plate on Chizuru's table. Feeling my gaze, he looked at me—and then at Ai.
That look… I recognized it. The look of betrayal.
"Ai? Is that you—"
Before he could get closer, she grabbed her glass and sprayed water in his face. Gasps echoed around us. Chizuru looked utterly bewildered. Meanwhile, I thought, damn, where's the popcorn?! This was way too entertaining. Of course, I tried my best to hide my silly grin.
I knew who this man was, and yes, he fucking deserved public humiliation from her.
"The audacity to call my name… do you have no shame?"
Ai couldn't hide the disgust on her face as she glared at him.
I noticed some people trying to take pictures or record. Things were getting out of hand, so I finally had to step in. I stood, grabbed her shoulder, and say, "Let's go..."
As we walked out, I could feel his stare burning into my back like I just NTR'd him.
---
(Hikaru POV)
As the situation settled down, the café continued as usual. However, I ended my shift earlier because of that.
"Hikaru, are you alright?"
Beside me was Chizuru. She tried to comfort me after what happened. But there's no doubt—that person was Ai.
Just looking at that woman in shades and a hat… I could tell from the aura around her that she had to be famous. How many people dress like that except celebrities? But how could she be with a man? How did I miss the fact that she's already moved on from me?
When I saw her, I thought she had been desperately looking for me, since I never told her where my school was.
"Hikaru?"
Snapping out of my thoughts, I looked at Chizuru again and forced a smile. "I'm fine."
---
A/N: It's been a week ey? Anyway, gimme that stone.