The next morning brought with it a strange sense of anticipation.
Ren found himself rising earlier than usual, spending an extra few minutes adjusting his tie, combing his hair, and glancing nervously at the mirror before leaving his dorm. His heart raced not because of the other girls swarming the academy — but because of her.
Sakura.
Her calm voice from the garden echoed in his mind:
"If you let them… they'll tear you apart."
For the first time since arriving at Seiryu Academy, someone had seen him as a person, not a prize. And even though her words had been brief, they had left a mark far deeper than any flirtatious compliment ever could.
Ren didn't know if they were friends now.
He didn't even know if she would talk to him again.
But that fragile thread of interaction…
He couldn't let it go.
As he stepped into the cafeteria for breakfast, the energy shifted instantly. All eyes turned to him — again.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"There he is."
"He looks even cuter today."
"Do you think Sakura's taking an interest in him?"
"No way. She's too cold for that."
Ren kept his head low and moved quickly toward the corner of the cafeteria, hoping to avoid any attention. But, as always, it found him first.
"Ren-kun~!"
A familiar voice purred.
It was Aiko — the blonde who had ambushed him on his first day.
Today, her uniform blouse was unbuttoned just enough to reveal the curve of her chest, and her lips curved into a seductive smile. Her friends flanked her, forming a wall of aggressive charm.
"You're sitting alone again? That's so sad," Aiko cooed, sliding into the seat beside him without invitation. "You should join us. We could make your mornings much more… exciting."
Her hand gently rested on his arm, her fingers tracing slow circles against his sleeve.
Ren froze. His throat tightened as anxiety swelled inside him like a balloon about to burst.
"I… I-I'm okay," he managed to stammer, trying to gently pull his arm away.
But Aiko didn't let go.
Her voice dropped lower, almost like a whisper meant for only him to hear.
"You know the offer still stands, right? If you ever need someone to... teach you how to be a real man."
She winked suggestively.
Ren's face burned crimson. The surrounding girls giggled, feeding on his discomfort like vultures circling prey.
And then — salvation.
"Enough."
Sakura's cold, calm voice sliced through the air like a blade once more.
Aiko's smile stiffened, irritation flickering in her eyes.
"Sakura-senpai," she said sweetly, though the venom beneath her words was thinly veiled, "We're just having a little friendly conversation. No harm in that, right?"
Sakura's gaze sharpened. "It's only friendly when both parties enjoy it. Clearly, he doesn't."
The girls around Aiko shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances.
Aiko held her smile for a few seconds longer, then sighed dramatically, releasing Ren's arm and standing up. "Fine, fine. We'll leave you alone. For now."
With a flip of her hair, she and her entourage sauntered away.
The cafeteria's buzzing atmosphere dulled for a moment as everyone returned to their meals, but Ren sat frozen in place, his heart still pounding wildly.
Sakura approached his table, sliding into the seat across from him without asking.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Sakura's lips curved into a faint, teasing smile.
"You're very bad at handling attention."
Ren let out a weak chuckle. "I-I know…"
"Why do you always let them corner you like that?"
"I… I don't know how to say no without upsetting people."
Sakura's eyes softened slightly. "You're too kind for this place."
He lowered his gaze. "I didn't choose to be here."
A brief silence settled between them again — but it wasn't uncomfortable.
In fact, Ren found it oddly peaceful.
She wasn't trying to pressure him, flirt with him, or impress him.
She was just… there.
And for some reason, that presence alone calmed his racing nerves.
Finally, Ren gathered the courage to ask what had been on his mind since yesterday.
"Why… why did you help me?"
Sakura looked at him, studying him carefully for a moment.
"Because you looked like you were drowning."
Her answer was simple — honest.
"I don't like watching people suffer for others' amusement," she continued. "This school... it's full of games. Everyone pretending to be something they're not. They'll smile at your face and stab you behind your back."
Her voice carried a strange mixture of bitterness and sadness.
Ren tilted his head slightly. "You've… seen a lot of that, haven't you?"
A flicker of something crossed her eyes. Pain. Regret.
But she quickly masked it behind her calm expression.
"I've been here long enough."
Before he could pry further, Sakura changed the subject.
"But you," she said, voice lighter now, "you're different. You're not playing any games. You don't even know how."
Ren chuckled nervously. "I don't belong here."
"Neither do I," Sakura whispered almost to herself.
Their eyes met again.
And in that moment, a small, fragile thread of understanding wove itself between them — two outsiders in a world full of masks and manipulation.
Suddenly, a loud chime rang out, signaling the start of the next period.
Sakura stood up gracefully. "Come on. We're both in the same literature class next."
Ren blinked, surprised. "We are?"
She nodded. "You'll need someone to shield you again."
Her teasing smile made his heart flutter unexpectedly.
As they walked side by side toward class, whispers followed them again — this time louder, more excited, more speculative.
"Is Sakura actually talking to him now?"
"No way. She never talks to anyone."
"Do you think she's interested?"
Ren could feel every pair of eyes drilling into his back, but this time… it didn't feel as suffocating.
Because beside him walked the one person who made the weight bearable.
Yet deep inside, Ren couldn't shake a growing realization —
he wasn't just curious about Sakura anymore.
He was drawn to her.
Dangerously so.
And he had no idea where this path would lead.