"Isn't that a little too much?"
Kurosawa Ren rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. The stares from the people around him were practically burning holes into him.
"Sorry, Ren-kun! I'll make it up to you," Kasumigaoka Shiyu said with a playful wink, clearly in a good mood.
In the past, with her proud personality, she'd never do something as bold as holding hands in public. But ever since she and Kurosawa Ren crossed that final line and became adults, a subtle shift had taken place within her.
Shiyu could feel the growing sense of urgency in her heart.
Ren was already popular at school, and now with his awakened supernatural abilities, his charm would only increase. If word got out, the flocks of admirers would swarm him without hesitation.
So instead of playing defense, she decided to go on the offensive—cut off any competition before they even had the chance.
"Ren-kun, see you on the balcony during lunch break. I'll make it up to you then. Let's message on LINE."
Shiyu flashed him a texting gesture and skipped up the stairs, her long, stocking-clad legs moving with elegant energy.
As soon as Ren entered the classroom, the reactions were just as expected.
Everyone turned to look at him, and their teasing stares spoke volumes.
In high school, rumors travel at lightning speed.
"Yo! Congrats, Kurosawa!"
"You lucky bastard!"
"Damn, when did you score senior Kasumigaoka?!"
A few familiar guys came over with grins, exchanging playful fist bumps with him.
Ren wasn't a loner. He had a wide social circle and got along with most of his classmates.
But in the back of the crowd, one girl's expression noticeably soured.
Kitagawa Marin, stylish and outgoing, looked stunned.
She had secretly harbored feelings for Ren for a long time—something she herself hadn't dared to admit until it was too late. Seeing him now, officially with someone else, struck her like a gut punch.
Meanwhile, at the back of the room, a quiet girl lifted her head slightly.
Kato Megumi.
She glanced at Marin's distressed face for a brief moment, then silently lowered her gaze again.
8. The Girl with the Yin-Yang Eyes Notices the Shift
Kato Megumi had a delicate beauty, the kind that didn't try too hard. With her calm temperament and composed aura, she seemed almost unearthly at times.
Though she wasn't tall, her proportions were perfectly balanced. The exposed portion of her pale calf under her school uniform glowed like warm porcelain. Her thigh-high black socks hugged her legs in a way that radiated subtle youthful charm.
With looks like hers, she should have had no shortage of admirers.
But for some reason—perhaps due to her incredibly faint presence—Kato Megumi was nearly invisible in the classroom.
She didn't join clubs, rarely talked to anyone, and floated through school like a shadow.
"Even someone like me... can be left behind."
As she watched Ren surrounded by people, her brows furrowed ever so slightly.
"I lost my chance."
"Phew... Finally."
Kurosawa Ren dropped his backpack onto his desk, letting out a breath of relief.
He'd just barely escaped the never-ending gossip storm.
This was the reality of dating a school idol—you're constantly in the spotlight.
"Good morning, Megumi."
Ren smiled and greeted the girl sitting beside him.
"Good morning, Ren-kun."
Kato Megumi returned his smile politely, her expression smooth and unreadable.
"I heard... you're dating Kasumigaoka-senpai now?"
"Yeah, we just started."
As he looked at her gentle face, Ren couldn't shake the unease growing inside him.
Despite her usual blank demeanor, Megumi had subtle shifts in expression if you watched closely.
He'd seen it just now.
Was this the elusive "Megumi Mode" he'd heard whispers about?
"I see. Congratulations."
She nodded, her voice as soft as ever. No complaints. No comments. No drama.
Just... acceptance.
Before he could respond, Kitagawa Marin suddenly stormed over, her long legs moving quickly beneath her skirt.
She plopped down right on his desk.
"Ren-kun, now that you're dating Kasumigaoka-senpai, are you still coming to the comic expo with me this weekend?"
"Of course, Marin."
Ren smiled warmly at her, seeing the faint redness in her eyes.
"Didn't we already agree? I'll cosplay as Archer—you'll be Rin Tohsaka, right?"
"Hehe~! I thought you'd ditch me now that you have a girlfriend."
Marin laughed awkwardly, sticking out her pierced tongue.
What she feared most was exactly that—that he'd drop her to avoid any misunderstandings with Shiyu.
But the fact that Ren kept his promise made something warm blossom in her heart. A defiant little ember.
So what if the third-year had a great figure?
I'm a professional model! Am I supposed to lose to her?
If only I'd been more forward... maybe he'd be mine now.
"Hey, Megumi-chan, you should come too!" Marin spun around and beamed at their quiet classmate. "The comic expo this weekend is gonna be so much fun! You could cosplay too! Rin's little sister is Matou Sakura—you'd be perfect!"
Marin always wore her heart on her sleeve, her emotions clear as day.
Now that Ren hadn't pulled away, she was bubbling with joy again and wanted to share it.
"Cosplay, huh..." Megumi's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She didn't have many friends. Aside from Ren and Marin, her social circle was basically nonexistent.
Marin was bubbly and confident, everything Megumi wasn't—and everyone loved her for it.
"Alright, I'll go too."
It was worth it if she got to spend more time with Ren.
"Yay! This is gonna be awesome!"
Marin jumped off the desk with a cheer, totally missing the fact that she left a very noticeable imprint on it—two round shapes, warm and clearly outlined.
"Marin really has a perfect body," Ren noted to himself.
She might even be... curvier than Shiyu.
Jingle—Jingle—
The bell rang, and the previously noisy classroom fell quiet.
Everyone returned to their seats in anticipation of the teacher's arrival.
Clack, clack...
Footsteps echoed from the hallway.
A tall woman entered the room—short hair, smart pantsuit, holding a book in her arms. Her entire presence radiated poise and confidence.
"Hello, everyone. I'll be your acting homeroom teacher for now. My name is Yukino Momikari. Your regular teacher, Ms. Mafuyu Kirisu, is on medical leave. I'll be covering World History until she returns."
"Ms. Kirisu is sick?"
"Is she okay?"
"No way..."
Whispers filled the room. Ms. Kirisu had taught them since their first year. Not only was she responsible and fair, but she was also young, beautiful, and admired by students.
Hearing she was sick left the class genuinely concerned.
"Don't worry," Ms. Momikari said warmly. "She's come down with the flu and is resting. She should be back in a little while."
"Mafuyu-chan is really sick?"
Ren paused in his writing.
The image of the elegant teacher—always dressed in sharp dark suits, her legs long and proud—flashed through his mind.
He wondered: If I visit her… will I get a new personal gift?
Just like the one he received from Shiyu after they got close?
As a student, it wouldn't be strange to visit a sick teacher—especially one who lived just a block away from him.
And if it could earn him a unique ability...
His thoughts were cut off by Ms. Momikari's next announcement.
"In addition to myself, we have a new transfer student joining the class today. Please welcome Mizaki Mei."
9. The New Transfer Student – Mizaki Mei
The door creaked open.
A petite girl stepped inside.
She wore the standard navy blazer, her slim figure perfectly proportioned. Her features were delicate and doll-like, and her thick black hair was cut into a rare, tidy doll-style bob.
But what stood out most?
Her left eye was hidden behind a white medical eyepatch.
She looked... ethereal.
"Another special ability user," Ren thought, his gaze sharpening.
Beneath that eyepatch was a glowing blue eye—the yin-yang eye that could see death, spirits, and things hidden to ordinary people.
"Mizaki-san, please introduce yourself," Ms. Momikari said with a kind smile, starting a polite round of applause.
"Whoa, she's super cute!"
"An eyepatch? Is she a chuunibyou? That's hot."
"I call dibs! No one else can have her!"
"Bro, I'm already in love!"
The boys erupted in excited whispers.
Mizaki Mei frowned slightly.
She didn't like noise. She didn't like crowds. And she definitely didn't like being the center of attention.
Interpersonal interactions were not her strong suit.