The classroom buzzed with a different kind of energy that morning.
Whispers.
Giggles.
Desks shifting.
Even the boys looked weirdly alert as if someone had dropped a celebrity into the room.
I sat down beside Hinata, yawning. "What's going on?"
Hinata leaned over with wide eyes. "New transfer student."
I blinked. "Another one?"
"This one's model level hot," she whispered. "I heard he's half-European, lived abroad, AND plays piano. Everyone's already in love and he hasn't even entered the classroom yet."
I rolled my eyes. "Seriously?"
"I'm dead serious. The student council president tripped over her own feet when she saw him."
Before I could respond, the door slid open.
And the room fell silent.
---
He walked in like he'd rehearsed it.
Tall. Clean-cut uniform. Light brown hair that framed his face just perfectly messy.
And those eyes — a kind of green-blue storm that looked like they belonged on a magazine cover.
Even the teacher stuttered. "T-this is our new student. Um, please introduce yourself."
The boy smiled a calm, confident curve of his lips.
"Hello. I'm Aizawa Rei," he said, his voice smooth and warm. "I just moved back from Austria. Looking forward to studying with you all."
Girls sighed. Boys looked annoyed.
And me?
I was trying not to laugh at how ridiculous this was.
---
"Aizawa," the teacher said, "you can sit… ah, right there. Next to Kuroyuki Kenyu."
I choked.
He sat beside me with a polite nod. "Looks like we're desk partners."
I blinked. "Uh… yeah. Hi."
"You have a unique name," he said. "It suits you."
I blinked again.
Was he flirting already?
---
Five minutes into class, Hinata passed me a note:
>"You attract mysterious boys like stray cats. Do you have a secret scent?"
I crumpled it up without replying.
Meanwhile, Rei leaned closer and whispered, "Do you need help with this part of the problem?"
I didn't.
But I nodded anyway.
Because he was smiling like he already knew the answer.
---
At break, Rei followed me and Hinata to the courtyard.
"So, what do you usually do during lunch?" he asked, sitting across from me like we were old friends.
"Eat?" I said, slightly overwhelmed.
"Mind if I join you from now on?"
"Uh"
"Cool," he smiled. "You seem fun."
And then, out of nowhere, he said:
"You have kind eyes. Makes me want to get to know you better."
I blinked for the fifth time that day.
Hinata was practically vibrating beside me.
---
I didn't see Shinbou until the last period.
When he walked in, his eyes instantly scanned the room and then landed on Rei, still chatting easily with me.
His expression didn't change.
But he sat down… quieter than usual.
Didn't speak. Didn't look my way.
Until class ended.
---
"Who was that?" he asked, voice flat.
"Rei. New transfer. He's… friendly."
Shinbou made a noise not quite a scoff, but definitely not approval.
"Popular already, huh?"
I looked at him. "Why do you sound annoyed?"
"I don't."
"You kind of do."
He looked away, frowning slightly.
Then said, almost under his breath:
"Why do I care?"