The bell rang across the school building, loud and sharp, echoing through the corridors. It signaled the start of lunchtime, and almost immediately the classrooms erupted with noise—chairs scraping, footsteps pounding, and voices overlapping as students rushed toward the cafeteria.
Inside the canteen, the air was thick with the smell of fried food and simmering broth. The sound of chatter, trays clattering, and the occasional laughter created a buzzing atmosphere that only grew louder by the second.
Amidst the queue of hungry students, Y/n stood patiently with his hands in his pockets, his stomach growling faintly as he eyed the various food items displayed behind the glass counter. Just in front of him stood a boy with a sharp gaze and a rather plain bowl haircut, someone Y/n knew all too well.
"Hey, Futarou, you done yet?" Y/n asked casually, leaning slightly to look past him.
The boy turned his head, annoyance flickering in his eyes as if being interrupted mid-thought. "Wait, wait, I'm ordering." He quickly turned back toward the cafeteria lady.
"Barbeque beef combo—without the beef," Futarou stated flatly.
The cafeteria lady blinked at him for a moment, clearly used to his unusual orders by now, before breaking into a smile. Within seconds, she handed him the tray. "Here's your barbeque beef combo without the beef!"
"Thanks." Futarou nodded, taking the tray and stepping aside to wait, his expression as stoic as ever.
Y/n chuckled under his breath at his friend's odd eating habits before stepping forward. "Udon and a shrimp tempura, please."
"Coming right up!" the cafeteria lady chirped as she moved quickly, her practiced hands scooping up the hot noodles and gently laying a perfectly fried shrimp tempura on top. "Here you go!"
"Thanks!" Y/n accepted the tray gratefully, inhaling the aroma of the steaming udon before turning to Futarou, who stood there with his usual stiff posture.
"Sorry you had to wait because of me," Y/n said apologetically as he joined him.
"It's okay…" Futarou replied, but then his eyes narrowed at Y/n's tray. "Seriously? You spent 400 yen just on lunch?"
Y/n shrugged, giving him a sly grin. "C'mon, dude, I'm a growing man. I need to eat my fill."
'Seriously? I know his family is in debt, but why's he so shocked over me spending 400 yen? That's like 2.7 U.S. dollars… it's not even a big deal,' Y/n thought, rolling his eyes internally.
They began walking toward an empty table, weaving through clusters of students laughing and joking with their friends. The cafeteria was nearly full, but the two boys always managed to find a spot near the corner—quiet enough for conversation but close enough to watch the chaos of student life unfold.
"Anyway," Futarou spoke again as they sat down, setting his tray neatly on the table, "why were you so late this morning? I waited for you, but you were taking forever, so I went ahead."
Y/n scratched the back of his head sheepishly, his chopsticks tapping lightly against his bowl. "Oh, I just went to buy a matcha soda, and then I bumped into someone. That's why I got held up."
Futarou's brows furrowed, his tone sharp. "Well, you're lucky our first-period teacher was absent. Otherwise, you'd have been suspended for two days."
"Why would I be suspended just for being late to school?" Y/n asked, raising a brow..
Fuutarou gave him a deadpan look, his tone sharp. "Didn't you hear? There's a new rule in this school now. If anyone enters the building after the bell rings, they'll get suspended for two whole days."
Y/n almost choked on the thin air. "Really?!"
"Yes." Fuutarou said running a hand through his hair with a calm yet annoyed expression. "Didn't you pay attention yesterday? Teacher Akibai explained it during homeroom."
Y/n scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Guess I zoned out… again."
For a moment, the two boys walked in silence. Then Y/n's curiosity sparked again. "By the way, I've always wanted to ask—why do you always order barbeque beef combo without the beef? Isn't that kind of… defeating the purpose?"
Fuutarou's eyes lit up slightly, his voice gaining an unusual energy. "Well, you see, most people think the cheapest item in the school cafeteria is plain rice for 200 yen. But they're wrong. If you subtract the cost of the beef plate,which is 200 yen,from the barbeque meal set which costs 400 yen, you're left with miso soup, rice, and pickled vegetables. All for the same 200 yen."
He adjusted his tray proudly, as though presenting a hidden treasure map.
Y/n blinked, stunned by the explanation. "What?! I didn't even know about that loophole! Man, I should order barbeque beef combo without the beef next time myself!"
The two shared a laugh, though Y/n's mind briefly drifted elsewhere.
'Honestly, I should be careful with my money too… Dad's working overseas, and Mom does her best as a housewife, but we don't have cash to spare all the time. Guess Fuutarou's frugal tricks aren't so bad after all.'
Their small moment was suddenly interrupted.
"Hey, let's get going!" A male student shouted to his friends, running past the line of tables.
But in his rush, his shoulder clipped Fuutarou just as he raised a glass of water to his lips. The glass tipped, and water splashed all over his shirt.
"Ah, damn it—!" Fuutarou hissed, jerking the fabric away from his chest.
The boy froze for a second, then quickly bowed. "Oh, sorry pal!" He laughed it off and bolted toward his group of friends.
As the boy disappeared into the crowd, Fuutarou stood there dripping, glaring daggers at his retreating back. Y/n could only sigh, handing him a napkin.
"Man, school cafeterias suck," Fuutarou muttered bitterly under his breath.
"Chill out, Fuutarou. Don't worry, it's all gonna be okay." Y/n patted his back with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah." Fuutarou exhaled, his irritation simmering down. "Let's just eat before lunch break runs out."
The two continued walking toward their usual spot, weaving through groups of laughing students.
But whispers began to trail them.
"Uesugi-kun and L/n-kun are alone again," a girl's voice carried across the room.
"Seriously? Why does L/n even bother hanging out with Uesugi? He's way too good-looking to waste time with some loner like him," a male student snickered to his friend.
Fuutarou heard every word. His shoulders tensed, and for a brief second, his steps slowed. He let out a small sigh, adjusting his tray.
"Those brats… they don't understand the joy of solitude," he muttered, almost as if convincing himself. "But well, they have no part in my life anyway…"
Y/n glanced at him, his expression softening. "Just ignore them, Fuutarou. Let them talk. Doesn't change who you are."
Fuutarou gave the smallest nod, though his lips remained pressed in a thin line.
Finally, the two reached their table tucked away near the corner. It was their usual spot, a place where no one really bothered them. But today, something was different.
Just as Fuutarou set his tray down, another tray slid onto the same table.
Both boys blinked and looked up.
Standing before them was a girl with radiant, fiery red hair that seemed to glow under the cafeteria lights. Two star-shaped hair clips pinned her bangs neatly, framing her striking face. She carried herself with confidence, her gaze shifting between the two boys as though she had already decided something.
The atmosphere around the table shifted immediately.
' Who's this? She's not even wearing our school uniform…' Fuutarou thought, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at the red-haired girl who had suddenly appeared at their table.
He grabbed the backrest of his chair, ready to sit down as usual. But then—
"Excuse me," the girl's voice rang out, clear and firm.
Fuutarou froze mid-motion, his chair screeching slightly against the floor. He straightened up again, staring at her.
"I was here first," the girl said, her tone filled with quiet authority. She raised her hand and pointed toward the table beside them. "That one is open. Please, move there."
Her voice wasn't harsh, but it carried an air of expectation, as though she was used to people simply obeying.
"What's going on, actually?" Y/n asked, confused, glancing between them. But neither of the two spared him an answer.
Fuutarou's eyes sharpened, his pride instantly kicking in. "Me and Y/n sit here every day. So you should be the one to move."
The girl's brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "And what does that matter? Haven't you heard of first come, first served?"
"Is that so?" Fuutarou adjusted his glasses with deliberate sharpness, leaning slightly forward. "Then let me tell you this—I placed my tray down exactly 0.1 milliseconds before you did. By your logic, you're the one who should move, not us."
The girl's eyes widened briefly, caught off guard by the absurd precision of his claim. Her jaw clenched as her cheeks flushed lightly with irritation. "That's just nonsense—you're twisting words to monopolize this table!"
"Aren't you the one going back on your own logic right now?" Fuutarou shot back instantly, his tone smug.
The two of them locked eyes like rivals at a battlefield, trays untouched, their glares sparking like flint against steel.
Meanwhile, Y/n stood there holding his tray awkwardly, sweat forming at his temple as students nearby began to glance at the scene. A few whispers even rippled through the cafeteria.
Oh, great… now we're the center of attention, Y/n thought, his face heating up.
"F-Fuutarou," Y/n interrupted, his voice a little shaky as he tried to keep the peace. "I think… we should just move to the table beside us for today. It's not worth the trouble."
But Fuutarou didn't budge. His knuckles tightened on the chair's backrest. "No. This is our table, and we're not moving anywhere."
The girl crossed her arms. "Then listen to your friend and save yourself the embarrassment. Just move."
That struck a nerve. Fuutarou's teeth clenched, and without another word, he yanked the chair back and sat down with a firm thud.
"Well then," he said flatly, glaring up at her. "I sat down first. That makes this my table now."
The cafeteria around them seemed to pause for a heartbeat.
"Huh…?"
The girl blinked, slightly taken aback by his audacity. But after a moment, her expression hardened again. With a flick of her radiant red hair, she slid into the seat opposite him and placed her tray neatly on the table.
"This chair was empty," she said coolly, her tone matching his stubbornness.
Fuutarou narrowed his eyes. "My table…" he muttered under his breath like a territorial wolf.
Y/n, meanwhile, pinched the bridge of his nose. 'At least they've stopped shouting at each other… I was starting to get secondhand embarrassment.'
He quickly grabbed a chair from the nearby table, dragged it over with a loud scrape, and set it right beside Fuutarou. With a sigh, he nudged his friend's shoulder to make some space.
"Move over," Y/n muttered, plopping down beside him at last.
Fuutarou grumbled but shifted slightly.
And The moment all three of them sat down, the cafeteria buzz shifted instantly. Whispers spread like wildfire, bouncing from table to table.
"Hey, look! Uesugi-kun is eating with a girl!"
"Seriously?!"
"No way, that's gotta be a mistake…"
"She's probably there for L/n-kun. He's way too good-looking for her to ignore."
"Yeah, that makes more sense. Uesugi just happened to be there."
The comments weren't subtle. Dozens of eyes lingered on their table, the atmosphere thick with curiosity.
The red-haired girl's composure cracked—her cheeks flushed a faint pink as she fidgeted with her chopsticks. She tried to keep a stern look, but the redness on her face betrayed her embarrassment.
"Tch. Those jerks," Fuutarou muttered, resting his chin in his hand and glaring at the tabletop as if it had offended him.
"Just ignore them, you both," Y/n said casually, twirling his chopsticks before picking up a piece of shrimp tempura. "It'll only get worse later on, so just try to block them out."
His words, calm but firm, seemed to reach them. The girl inhaled slowly, steadying her breath, while Fuutarou let out a reluctant sigh, turning his focus back to his tray.
But then his sharp eyes drifted toward her food.
'Udon,250 yen. Two fried shrimp, 150 yen each. Fried squid, fried chicken, fried potatoes, all stacked together… and a pudding for dessert, 180 yen. That's almost 1,000 yen in one meal! What is she, rich or something?'
A bead of sweat ran down his temple at the sheer decadence of her tray. He exhaled heavily. "Well, do as you wish…" he muttered, before pulling out a slim notebook and a folded exam paper from his bag.
He placed them neatly on the table and opened the notebook, balancing it between his tray and his elbow as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
"Itadakimasu!" the girl said brightly, clapping her hands together before digging into her udon.
By the time she had her first bite, Y/n had already finished eating the last of his Udon and Shrimp Tempura and wiped his mouth with a napkin. His tray was spotless.
"Fuutarou," Y/n spoke up, his tone edged with mild irritation. "I've told you at least a million times—stop reading while you're eating. It's rude. Especially in front of someone you haven't even introduced yourself to yet."
Fuutarou didn't even look up. "You just want to rank higher than me. That's why you're trying to distract me."
Y/n clicked his tongue, a vein twitching on his forehead. "Tsk…Damn it, he got me there. "
The girl paused mid-bite, frowning. "Where are your manners? You should listen to your friend. And who studies in the middle of lunch? That's… weird."
Fuutarou finally lifted his eyes, locking onto her with that deadpan glare of his. His silence stretched for a second before he said, "What? Kinjiro Ninomiya was praised for multitasking while eating. So why am I getting scolded?"
"That's different!" she shot back immediately, leaning forward with her chopsticks still in hand. "His circumstances weren't the same as yours!"
"I'm reviewing for my test," Fuutarou countered calmly, flipping a page of his notebook. "So I'd appreciate it if you minded your own business."
The girl huffed, glaring at him. "If you're studying during lunch, then you must be pretty desperate."
Y/n slammed his chopsticks onto his tray, his eye twitching. "Can you both stop talking while eating? It's considered impolite, you know?" His words went completely ignored as the two continued bickering. Y/n clenched his fist, tears welling at the corners of his eyes. "The gall of these two… ignoring me like I don't exist…" he muttered under his breath.
The girl leaned closer, her curiosity sparking. "What was your score, anyway?" Before Fuutarou could react, she snatched the paper from his tray.
"Hey!?" He lunged forward, his chair scraping loudly. "Don't look at that!"
"Let's see here…" she said, holding the paper just out of his reach as her eyes scanned the top of the page. "Uesugi Fuutarou… You scored—" Her words faltered, her eyes widening in shock. "One hundred?! Is this test paper for real?!"
Gasps rippled from the students sitting nearby, who were now openly eavesdropping.
"Whaaat? A perfect score?"
"No wonder he's such a loner, he's a nerd!"
"Still… that's impressive."
Fuutarou groaned, his hands covering his face as his ears burned red. "It's embarrassing…" He turned away, refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
"You showed me this on purpose, didn't you!" the girl accused, slamming the paper back onto the table.
"You were the one who snatched it away from him," Y/n deadpanned, sipping the last of his water.
The red-haired girl froze, blinking at Y/n's blunt comment. Her cheeks flared pink again, but this time from embarrassment rather than anger.
" Whatever could you mean, haha…" The girl laughed awkwardly, scratching her cheek before quickly shifting her gaze back toward Futarou. Her red hair swayed slightly as she tilted her head. "I hate to admit it, but my study skills really suck, so I can't help but envy you."
Y/n blinked at her words, his lips twitching.
'Wait… did she just say envy? Envying Futarou? Mr. Walking Dictionary, Mr. Study-Or-Die? This has to be the first time I've ever heard someone say that out loud…'
The girl's expression suddenly brightened, her eyes lighting up as if she'd been struck by a revelation. She clapped her hands together with a cheerful smack.
"I know! It must be fate—Lady Luck brought us together here! You should help me study!"
Futarou's chopsticks froze mid-air. He set them down with a sigh, stood up, and brushed off his uniform like the conversation was already over.
"Thanks for the food," he said curtly, grabbing his tray. Without sparing the girl another glance, he turned to Y/n. "If you don't mind, I'll be going first."
Y/n let out a quiet sigh, shoulders drooping.
"Yeah, okay," he replied, though his tone made it clear he was already used to Futarou's abruptness.
"H-huh?!" The girl stood up so fast her chair screeched against the cafeteria floor. Her chest bounced a little as she leaned forward. "You eat fast! Are you sure you got enough to eat?! Would you… maybe like some of mine?" She gestured toward her overly loaded tray, cheeks puffing slightly as if she couldn't believe he was actually walking away.
Futarou stopped mid-step and glanced back. "Oh, I'm stuffed," he replied flatly.
The girl blinked. "H-huh?"
"I didn't eat too little," he clarified with that same blunt tone. His eyes flicked down at her tray. "It's just… you ordered way too much."
Y/n's eyes widened, alarm bells blaring in his head.
Oh no. No, no, no. Don't say it, Futarou. Please, for once in your life, filter those words before they come out of your mouth—
"You'll get fat," Futarou said plainly.
Y/n nearly choked on air. He clutched his tray, staring at his friend like he had just publicly declared war on common sense.
'Goddamnit, Futarou! Of all the things—you went straight for the nuclear option?! Why the hell would you say THAT?!'
"F-fat…" The girl repeated, her face paling for half a second before flushing red. Her lips trembled. "I-I—"
But just as the tension peaked, Futarou's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen. "Message from Raiha," he muttered. "I'll attend to it real quick."
He turned back to Y/n with a casual nod. "I'll be going on ahead."
Y/n just slumped against his chair and gave him a defeated thumbs-up.
'Yeah sure… abandon me here with the ticking time bomb you just set off. Thanks a lot, buddy.'
And with that, Futarou walked away, leaving Y/n at the mercy of the stunned, red-haired girl.
The girl then sat down on her chair, her face still red from the anger that boiled inside her because of what Fuutarou had said. Her pouting lips and the small furrow between her brows made it very clear she was still fuming.
"He's so insensitive, I wish I never even spoke to him," the girl muttered under her breath, crossing her arms as she huffed and turned her face away in frustration.
Seeing her expression, Y/n couldn't help but sweatdrop. He glanced back at Fuutarou, who was already walking away as if nothing had happened. A small sigh escaped Y/n's lips. 'Man… you really don't know when to shut your mouth, do you, Fuutarou? He thought. Guess I'll have to scold you a little later. But right now… dealing with this girl comes first.'
Clearing his throat softly, Y/n looked forward and offered a small, polite bow. "I'm really sorry for my friend," he said sincerely, lowering his head. "He never really had a friend beside me, so… he doesn't know how to properly talk to someone."
The girl blinked in surprise at his sudden behavior. Her cheeks flushed faintly—not with anger this time, but with embarrassment. "O-oh, it's okay, it's not your fault," she said, waving both hands quickly in front of her. She then tilted her head curiously, a little hesitant, but decided to ask anyway. "But… may I know your name?"
Straightening up, Y/n gave her a wide, warm grin, one that even surprised himself. "Oh, it's Y/n L/n. You can call me Y/n."
The girl's eyes widened slightly. For a brief moment, Y/n's grin seemed brighter than the classroom lights. Her lips curved into a smile as she extended her hand toward him. "Oh! Nice to meet you, Y/n-san! My name is Itsuki Nakano—you can call me Itsuki!"
Y/n blinked at her hand before reaching out, returning the handshake with a gentle but firm grip. "Nice to meet you too, Itsuki."
As their hands met, a strange thought flickered across Y/n's mind. I never usually smile in front of anyone besides Fuutarou… so why am I smiling at this girl? And… she looks a lot like Miku. Same hair, same features… Nakano, huh? His eyes narrowed slightly in thought. Wait… Nakano? Wasn't that Miku's surname? Looks like they're sisters. So… a twin, I assume.
Itsuki tilted her head again, noticing the way Y/n seemed lost in thought, but she brushed it off quickly and decided to move the conversation forward. "Anyways," she said, a small blush dusting her cheeks as she smiled nervously, "can you show me your test paper? I would like to see how much you've got."
Y/n scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "My test paper? Oh yeah, sure, why not." He reached into his pocket, pulling out the folded sheet before handing it over to her.
"Thank you," Itsuki said, taking it carefully. She glanced at the name written at the top before running her eyes down to the score at the bottom. "Let's see… Y/n L/n… you scored…" Her voice trailed off.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw nearly dropping. "Ninety-four?!" she exclaimed loudly, gripping the paper tighter. Her expression was a mixture of shock and amazement. "I-is this for real?!"
Her voice carried across the room, causing a few nearby classmates to glance over curiously. Y/n awkwardly rubbed his cheek, chuckling nervously.
"Haha… yeah, I guess so," he said modestly. "I studied pretty hard this time."
Itsuki turned toward him, still flustered. "P-pretty hard? Y/n-san, this is amazing! Do you know how rare it is for someone to score this high? I… I barely passed this one…" Her voice grew softer as she admitted the last part, a faint pink spreading across her cheeks again.
Watching her reaction, Y/n couldn't help but feel a strange sense of warmth. 'She's… surprisingly easy to talk to. Different from what I expected.
Itsuki, still holding the test paper, looked back up at Y/n, her eyes sparkling with curiosity now rather than irritation. "Y/n-san… could you maybe… help me study too?"
Y/n blinked, caught off guard.
" Uhh... Sure... Why not... " Y/n replied, scratching the back of his head.
" Yippee~~! " Itsuki cheered with surprising enthusiasm, her chest bouncing slightly as she pumped her fists.
Y/n chuckled nervously at her energy. " But... I have something to do, so I can't say for sure."
" Oh, is that so..." Itsuki's cheerful tone faltered as her eyes shifted downward, lips pouting slightly. But then she quickly looked up again, determination flashing in her expression. " B-but if you finish that something of yours, could you tutor me and my sisters?!"
Y/n blinked, surprised at her persistence. "...Yeah, sure. Why not."
" Yippee!!" Itsuki exclaimed again, this time punching the air like she had just won a battle.
Y/n couldn't help but laugh lightly at how childlike she acted. She really doesn't hold back on her emotions, huh?
" But hey, Itsuki," Y/n called out, his tone softening a little.
" Yeah?" she tilted her head curiously.
" I've never seen you in this school before... Are you a transfer student?" Y/n asked.
" Yeah," Itsuki nodded with a smile. " I just transferred to this school along with my sisters."
That made Y/n pause. " So... you have a twin?" he asked with a confused look although he knew who that sister is going to be.
Itsuki giggled softly, placing a hand on her chest. " No, I don't have a twin. I have four sisters—which means..." she leaned forward a little, almost dramatically, " we're quintuplets."
Y/n's eyes widened, and he nearly choked on his own breath. " Quintuplets?! I never even knew something like that existed outside of TV dramas!"
" Teehee~ well, now you do," Itsuki replied with a bright grin, clearly enjoying his reaction.
Still recovering, Y/n muttered, " No wonder you look like Miku... I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me."
" Miku?" Itsuki tilted her head again, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
" Uh, I mean... your sister, right?" Y/n quickly covered, waving his hands nervously.
" Oh! So you've already met Miku?" Itsuki asked, her interest piqued.
" Something like that..." Y/n scratched his cheek, not wanting to go into detail. " So, can you tell me the names of your sisters?"
" Sure!" Itsuki proudly raised her fingers one by one as she introduced them. " The oldest is Ichika, followed by Nino, then Miku, Yotsuba, and finally me—the youngest!"
Y/n let out a low whistle. " Five sisters all the same age... That's gotta be chaotic at home."
Itsuki puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms. " Hey! We get along just fine!" Then, after a beat, she muttered softly, " ...Most of the time."
Y/n sweatdropped. I'll take that as 'constant chaos.'
He leaned back in his chair, a grin tugging at his lips. " Guess I'll have to prepare myself. Tutoring one student is tough enough... tutoring five might just be a death sentence."
" Hmph! Don't underestimate us," Itsuki said proudly, hands on her hips. " We might not be the best at studying, but... we're trying our best!"
But then the bell rang, signaling the end of Lunch break.
"Looks like I'll have to go," Y/n said, picking up his tray.
"Yeah, looks like it," Itsuki replied, as she picked up her own tray.
They both stood up, offering one last smile before heading their separate ways.
Meanwhile with Fuutarou…
"We can clear our debt??"
Fuutarou stared at his phone, eyes wide in disbelief.
On the other side of the phone. His younger sister, Raiha, stood with a grin that was way too smug for someone her age.
Futarou thought she had to be joking.
"Dad found a good part-time job for you," Raiha explained, bouncing on her toes. "A rich family just moved into town, and they're looking for a tutor for their daughter!"
Fuutarou frowned. A tutoring job? Sure, his grades were stellar, but a "rich family" immediately set off red flags. "A fun, healthy workplace... and they're paying five times the market price?" He rubbed his chin suspiciously. "This sounds really sketchy. What if they're harvesting organs or something?"
Raiha rolled her eyes. "I heard people can live with only one kidney," she teased, her voice completely straight.
Fuutarou took a full step back, his face pale. "Y-you're telling me to sell a kidney?! Raiha, I'm still in high school!!"
That was all it took—his little sister burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm kidding, Onii-chan! But think about it! We won't have to live on instant ramen every day anymore. You can eat a full meal!"
As if on cue, Fuutarou's stomach growled like an angry beast, making him freeze. "...Tch."
He slumped down his shoulder, glaring at nothing in particular. "Fine, fine, I'll take the job. Who do I have to tutor?"
Raiha opened the notebook she was holding, flipping through some scribbles. "She's in high school, same as you. Actually… she'll be transferring to your school."
That made Fuutarou pause. A transfer student? "...Huh. That's convenient."
"Her name is… uh…" Raiha squinted, trying to make sense of her messy writing. "Nakano… something? I forgot her first name, but I'm sure you'll find out tomorrow or maybe today."
"Nakano, huh?" Fuutarou leaned back, shrugging. "Alright, sounds simple enough. One student, easy money. No problem."
Raiha beamed. "So, you're really okay with this?"
"Of course," Fuutarou replied, running a hand through his hair with forced confidence. "I'll whip this rich kid into shape in no time."
Raiha clapped her hands together. "Yay! Onii-chan's a tutor now! We can finally clear our debt!"
Fuutarou smirked, listening to her enthusiasm. But deep inside, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling in his gut. Jobs that paid that much were never simple.
Fuutarou shoved his phone back into his pocket, sighing deeply. A tutoring job for some rich family's daughter... ' well, I guess it's better than starving. But why do I have this bad feeling about it?'
Still, the thought of Raiha smiling brightly and eating proper meals again gave him the resolve he needed.
"Guess I don't have a choice," he muttered, straightening his uniform as the bell rang signalling that the lunch break is over and Classes are about to start.
After a while—
In the classroom, Fuutarou was quietly seated in his own Place. When suddenly he got smacked at his head.
Fuutarou rubbed the sore spot on his head with a grimace. "Ow! What was that for, Y/n?"
Y/n crossed his arms and gave him a sharp look. "That was for what you said to that girl in the cafeteria. Do you even realize how harsh you sounded? And you didn't even apologize before running off!"
Fuutarou let out a long sigh and slouched back in his chair. "I had to take a call from Raiha, that's why I left. Not because I didn't care."
Y/n raised an eyebrow, still unimpressed. "Uh-huh. Fine then, so what did she want?"
The dark circles under Fuutarou's eyes softened a little. "She found me a tutoring job. And get this—they're paying me five times the market rate."
"Five times?" Y/n's tone instantly shifted from scolding to suspicious. "That sounds sketchy as hell. What are you supposed to be teaching? Mafia arithmetic? Ninja literature?"
Fuutarou shook his head. "No. Just a normal high schooler. Some girl." He leaned back, his voice going flat. "Her last name is Nakano."
Y/n blinked once. Twice. His lips twitched—then he suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach. "Pfft—AHAHAHA! Ohhh, Fuutarou, you're in for it now."
The entire class turned toward Y/n, startled by his loud laugh. Even a few girls near the back squealed at how "adorable" his laughter sounded.
Fuutarou frowned, red creeping onto his cheeks. "Hey! Why are you laughing?! What's so funny?!"
Y/n wiped a tear from his eye, barely catching his breath. "You'll find out soon enough, Fuutarou. Very soon. Trust me, this is one job you're never gonna forget."
For some reason, a chill ran down Fuutarou's spine, like someone had just walked over his grave.
Before he could press Y/n further, the classroom door slid open with a sharp click.
"Alright, class," the teacher announced, his voice echoing through the chatter. "Settle down. We have a new transfer student today."
Instantly, the room buzzed with curiosity.
"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl."
"Hopefully a guy. If it's another cute girl, she'll definitely go after L/n-kun!"
"Excuse you?! L/n is mine!"
"No, he's mine! We agreed yesterday that—"
The girls near Y/n's desk were already squabbling, tossing jealous glares at each other like daggers. Y/n pressed a palm to his forehead with an exasperated sigh. "Seriously? Again? We just started our class..."
The teacher clapped his hands together. "Enough! Quiet down. You can come in now."
The door slid open again, this time revealing a girl with long red hair tied neatly with star-shaped pins. She stood tall and confident, her gaze sweeping across the classroom without a shred of nervousness.
"Hello, everyone," she said, her voice polite but firm. "My name is Nakano Itsuki. You can just call me Itsuki. It's nice to meet you all."
The class immediately erupted into whispers.
"She's gorgeous..."
"Wait—that's the uniform from Kurobara Girls' High, right?"
"Her family must be loaded."
But at the back of the room, one boy wasn't whispering. He was frozen. Fuutarou sat stiffly, his jaw slack, eyes wide as the lightning bolt of realization struck him.
'N-Nakano...?!'
Behind him, Y/n smirked knowingly, leaning just close enough to whisper in Fuutarou's ear. "Told you."
"F-Five times the market rate...?" Fuutarou muttered weakly, already imagining his sanity being chipped away piece by piece. His shoulders slumped like the weight of the world had just been dumped on them.
The teacher glanced at the seating chart. "Alright, Itsuki, you can sit beside Y/n. Y/n, raise your hand so she can find you."
Y/n lazily raised his hand halfway, but before the teacher even finished speaking, Itsuki smiled. "No need, sir. I already know Y/n."
The classroom gasped collectively, a ripple of shock running through the students.
"Wait, they know each other?!"
"No way! That means—"
"Ahhh! My L/n is taken after all!"
Several girls groaned dramatically, clutching their hearts like they had just been betrayed. A couple even glared daggers at Itsuki, who paid them no mind at all.
The teacher, oblivious to the waves of jealousy, nodded in approval. "Perfect. Y/n, since you're already familiar, please show Itsuki around the school after class."
Y/n sighed in resignation. "Got it, sir."
Itsuki made her way down the aisle, her skirt swaying lightly as she passed each desk. She didn't spare the other students a glance until she reached Y/n's side.
"Hey, Y/n-kun!" she greeted brightly, her voice warm.
Y/n chuckled and gave her a friendly nod. "Hey, Itsuki-san. Didn't expect to see you here."
Infront of them, Fuutarou finally found his voice. "Uh, hey—"
But Itsuki ignored him without so much as a glance. She had eyes only for Y/n.
Fuutarou froze again, staring blankly as a single thought hammered into his skull.
'Why... why do I suddenly have a very bad feeling about this...?'
After a while.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Most of the students immediately started packing their bags and chatting, but a lot of them were sneaking curious glances at Itsuki and Y/n.
"Man, she's really pretty…" one boy whispered to another.
"Yeah, and she's already close with Y/n. Figures…"
"Tch. Of course he's the one to know her…" another muttered bitterly.
Meanwhile, the group of girls who had been arguing earlier now looked like they were in mourning.
"My chances… gone…"
"Why do all the new girls go for him…?"
"He's not even that special!" one of them lied bitterly, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her.
Fuutarou, however, was too focused on the "Nakano" detail to care about anything else. His face was pale as he stared at his notebook blankly.
Y/n waved a hand in front of him. "Oi, Fuutarou. You alive over there?"
"I…" Fuutarou swallowed hard, leaning closer. "Don't tell me… that's the tutoring job Raiha found me…"
Y/n smirked, patting his shoulder. "Bingo."
Fuutarou's head hit the desk with a dull thud. "This is bad… This is really bad…"
Itsuki tilted her head, curious. "What's bad?"
"Nothing!" Fuutarou sat upright instantly, waving his hands too quickly. "Absolutely nothing at all!"
Itsuki blinked at his overreaction, but Y/n snorted, trying not to laugh.
"Anyway," Y/n cut in smoothly, "teacher asked me to show you around the school. Shall we get going, Itsuki?"
She brightened immediately. "Yes, please! I'd love that."
The way she smiled at Y/n made half the classroom jealous, though Y/n just sighed, feeling the weight of all those stares drilling into his back.
As the two of them started walking out of the classroom, Itsuki chattered happily beside Y/n, asking questions about the campus and teachers.
Fuutarou, meanwhile, slowly packed his bag, staring at the door with dread. "…Five times the market rate. There's no way this is going to be normal…"
As Y/n led Itsuki around, she walked with the kind of grace that drew attention without her even realizing it. Students whispered in the hallways, curious about this New girl in the Hallway, who was walking next to Y/n.
"Is She a transfer Student? And isn't that the Uniform of Kurobara High school? The High School where only Rich kid's goes to"
"No wonder she's here at Asahiyama in this time of the year. Guess money can buy anything…"
Y/n ignored the whispers and continued pointing things out. "That's the library, and over there's the cafeteria. Try to avoid the bread line unless you're ready for war."
Itsuki giggled at the last comment. "You looks like a cheerful one, Y/n-kun. Joking about the little things."
"You make it sound like It's weird being cheerful." Y/n gave a playful sigh. "And besides, we should always be cheerful."
Her smile softened. "Even so, I'm glad to be in the same class as you. I didn't think that we'd end up at the same class."
Y/n glanced at her, catching the genuine warmth in her eyes. "Yeah. Fate's got a funny sense of humor, huh?"
Time Skip
After showing Itsuki around the campus, Y/n was finally ready to head home. He slung his bag over his shoulder, already thinking about collapsing onto his bed, when suddenly—
"Hey, Y/n."
The familiar voice made him stop mid-step. Turning, he saw Miku standing near the vending machines, the cool metal of a soda bottle pressed against her cheek. The fading afternoon light made her soft brown hair glow faintly, and her usual quiet demeanor gave her an air of mystery.
"Oh, hey, Miku," Y/n greeted, tilting his head. "What are you doing here?"
Miku gave a tiny shrug and raised the bottle in her hand. "Buying my favorite—Matcha Soda." Then, as if remembering something, she fished out another bottle from the slot and extended it toward him.
Y/n blinked at the gesture. "Uh, thanks? But… why are you giving this to me?"
Miku's lips curved just slightly—not quite a smile, but close. "You gave me yours this morning, right? So take it. Don't worry…" she glanced at him sideways, "…there's no snot in it."
Y/n couldn't hold back a laugh. "Wait… is that a reference to Ishida Matsunari drinking tea with Yoshitsugu's snot in it?"
For the first time that day, Miku's eyes widened, her usually calm expression cracking into surprise. "…Wow. You actually knew that?"
"Of course. Not many people would get that reference unless they liked history."
Her cheeks pinked as she quickly looked away. "N-no… what makes you think I like history?" she asked, her voice smaller than before.
Y/n smirked knowingly. "Miku, come on. That was too specific. Besides, your reaction gave it away."
There was a long pause before she murmured, almost defensively, "You must think I'm weird now."
Y/n's smile softened. "Weird? Why would I think that?"
"Because…" she hugged the bottle to her chest, eyes downcast, "…most girls my age like models or handsome actors. But me? I like… bearded men from the Sengoku period who aren't even alive anymore."
For a second, Y/n just stared at her—then burst out laughing, not mockingly, but warmly. "Miku, there's nothing weird about loving history. It's unique. Honestly, it's kind of cool."
Her eyes flicked up to his, searching his face as if to see whether he really meant it. When she saw the sincerity in his smile, her lips curled into the faintest, shy smile. "…Really?"
"Really," he said firmly.
The tension between them lightened. Miku's usual reserved expression melted into something brighter, more alive. "Thanks, Y/n."
"No problem."
Then, all of a sudden, her eyes glimmered with determination. "Alright! Let's have a battle."
Y/n blinked. "A battle?"
"Yes! A history battle," she said with surprising energy. "I'll ask you a question, and if you can't answer, I win. If you stump me, you win."
A smirk tugged at Y/n's lips. "Alright, I'm game."
Miku folded her arms, thinking hard before throwing out her first question. "It's commonly said that Nobunaga called Hideyoshi a monkey, but that's not true. What was his actual nickname?"
Y/n didn't even hesitate. "Bald Rat."
Miku's cheeks puffed as she pouted. "Hmph. Correct."
Y/n chuckled, amused by how seriously she took the game. "What, already disappointed?"
"I'll get you next time," she muttered, but her pout was more cute than intimidating.
Y/n leaned against the vending machine, smirking. "Alright, Miku, here's one for you: What year did the Battle of Miyajima take place?"
Her brows furrowed in concentration. "…Hmm… 1555."
"Correct," Y/n said, impressed. "Okay, tougher one: How many more battles took place on Miyajima Island—before or after that?"
Miku paused, tapping her chin. Then, with a firm nod, she answered, "None. There were no more battles."
Y/n's grin widened. "Correct again. You're good at this."
Miku's cheeks colored slightly at the praise, but her voice was strong. "Your turn! There's a theory that Uesugi Kenshin was actually a woman. True or false?"
Y/n tilted his head, but answered smoothly. "True. Some historians say Kenshin died from uterine cancer, which only affects women."
Miku's eyes sparkled. "Right!"
They went back and forth like this, trading facts about the Sengoku period like swords clashing. Students passed them by, giving odd glances, but the two were too absorbed in their duel to notice.
Eventually, Miku blurted, "And didn't Nobunaga pour sake into a skull?"
"Yeah," Y/n said with a chuckle. "He used the skulls of fallen enemies to drink from. Either to honor the dead… or to rub his dominance in."
Miku leaned forward, completely caught up in the excitement. "The Ōuchi Clan was one of the most powerful clans in western Japan. Do you know how the last leader died?"
Y/n grinned. "Suicide. Ōuchi Yoshitaka killed himself after his vassals betrayed him."
Miku clapped lightly, her eyes shining. "You really know your history!"
Y/n chuckled to himself. She really loves this stuff, huh?
One Hour Later…
"…and then, the Hojo Clan—"
"Miku," Y/n interrupted gently, stretching his arms. "I think we should stop here. We've been at this for an hour."
Miku blinked, startled. "…Oh. Yeah, you're right." She looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry, I got carried away."
Y/n smiled softly. "Don't be. It was fun." He slung his bag back onto his shoulder. "Oh, by the way—Itsuki asked me to help all of you with your studies. Would you like to join?"
Miku's eyes brightened immediately. "Of course! But…" she looked at him almost shyly, "…you have to teach me history, okay?"
Y/n chuckled. "Deal."
They walked together for a while before Miku suddenly stopped. Her tone turned serious. "Um… Y/n?"
He glanced back. "Yeah?"
Miku's gaze lowered, her voice quiet. "Don't tell anyone that I like Sengoku warlords. Not even my sisters."
Y/n's grin returned, gentle and reassuring. "Your secret's safe with me."
Relief washed over her face, and she gave him a small, grateful smile.
As Y/n finally waved goodbye and started down the street, he couldn't help but think: Miku's nice… and so is Itsuki. I wonder what the other sisters are like.
Behind him, Miku stood still, clutching her empty soda bottle, her cheeks warm. She whispered under her breath, so soft only the wind could hear:
"…See you tomorrow, Y/n."
And then they both went their separate ways.