It was the second week of the semester, and the campus had already returned to its usual busy rhythm. Students rushed from class to class, clubs were recruiting everywhere, and the cafeteria was always full.
But one topic still refused to disappear.
The new transfer student.
Ryuunosuke Kurogane.
In just one week, his name had spread through the entire campus. Girls whispered about him in the hallways. Some tried to find excuses to walk past his classroom. Others pretended not to care but still stared when he walked by.
"Did you see him today?"
"He's even more handsome up close."
"He barely talks though… kinda scary."
Seiji Hoshino heard the same conversations again and again as he walked through the corridor with his bag slung over one shoulder.
For him, it was just another… day.
Last week had already been stressful enough.
He had rejected a confession from one of the most popular girls on campus, Mizuki Arai. She was beautiful, confident, and the kind of girl most guys would never dare to refuse.
But Seiji had refused.
Luckily for him, it hadn't happened in public.
Otherwise, his school life would probably already be over.
The only problem was Mizuki herself.
She had been furious.
"If you don't want your school life to become difficult," she had said, arms crossed and glaring at him, "then you won't tell anyone about this confession."
Seiji nodded immediately back then.
"And one more thing," she added.
"Lay low."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I don't want to see you dating another girl either."
Seiji had agreed to everything just to escape the situation.
Now he simply kept his head down and tried not to attract attention.
Unfortunately, fate didn't seem interested in giving him a quiet life.
"Class is cancelled today," the lecturer announced that afternoon.
Students cheered instantly.
Some grabbed their bags and rushed home.
Others planned to hang out somewhere nearby.
Seiji was about to leave too when he heard someone call him.
"Hoshino."
He froze and slowly turned around.
The lecturer was standing near the desk, holding a few papers.
"Yes, sir?"
"I need a small favor," the lecturer said.
Seiji nodded quickly.
"Sure."
"Take these documents to the storage room in the old faculty building."
Seiji blinked.
"The abandoned one?"
"It's not abandoned," the lecturer sighed. "Just rarely used."
He handed Seiji a small key and a folder.
"Put the documents on the table inside and lock the door when you're done. Then bring the key back to me tomorrow."
"Okay, sir."
Seiji accepted the task and left the classroom.
---
The old faculty building was quiet.
Almost too quiet.
Dust floated in the sunlight coming through the tall windows as Seiji walked down the empty hallway.
"Why does this place feel like a horror movie setting…" he muttered.
He unlocked the storage room and stepped inside.
The room was bigger than he expected. A few old desks, shelves, and boxes filled the corners.
He placed the documents on the table like he was told.
"Mission complete," he whispered dramatically.
Then a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
He looked around the empty room.
"Wait…"
He rubbed his chin.
"What if I used this place as a study room?"
His eyes sparkled.
"It's quiet… no students… no noise…"
He checked the keys in his hand.
"The teacher said there are only three keys…"
A slow grin appeared on his face.
"I could just keep one and return the rest…"
He started laughing quietly.
"Buhahahaha—"
"Cough—cough—"
A voice suddenly spoke behind him.
"Is something funny?"
Seiji nearly jumped out of his skin.
He turned around instantly.
Standing near the doorway was a tall boy with dark hair and calm green eyes.
Ryuunosuke Kurogane.
The rumored transfer student.
He was leaning casually against the doorframe with a faint smirk.
Seiji panicked.
"S-Sorry! I didn't notice when you came in!"
He bowed awkwardly.
"I was just leaving!"
Ryuunosuke raised an eyebrow.
"Relax."
He stepped into the room slowly.
"You can stay."
Seiji blinked.
"As long as you don't disturb me," Ryuunosuke added.
Only then did Seiji properly look at him.
It took less than a second for his brain to connect the dots.
"You're…"
Ryuunosuke tilted his head.
"The transfer student?"
Seiji pointed.
"You're the guy everyone keeps talking about!"
Ryuunosuke sighed.
"Unfortunately."
Seiji scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Sorry… people talk a lot."
"I've noticed."
Seiji looked at him again.
"So… do you come here often?"
Ryuunosuke smirked.
"That sounds like a bad pickup line."
Seiji turned red instantly.
"W-What?! No! That's not what I meant!"
Ryuunosuke chuckled softly.
"Relax. I'm joking."
Seiji sighed in relief.
"You're mean."
"Am I?"
"Yes," Seiji nodded seriously.
"Everyone says you're scary too."
Ryuunosuke crossed his arms.
"Do I look scary?"
Seiji stared at him for a moment.
"...a little."
Ryuunosuke laughed quietly.
"Honest answer. I respect that."
The two ended up talking casually for a while.
Nothing serious.
Just small conversations about school, classes, and how annoying rumors could be.
For some reason, Seiji didn't feel nervous anymore.
And Ryuunosuke seemed strangely comfortable around him.
A few hours passed before either of them noticed the sky turning orange outside.
"Looks like school's over," Seiji said.
Ryuunosuke nodded.
"Yeah."
They walked out of the building together before going separate ways.
Neither of them said it out loud…
But both secretly hoped they would meet again.
---
Seiji's day wasn't over yet.
He worked part-time at a small coffee shop a few streets away from campus.
The shop only had four workers.
Himself.
Aya — a girl the same age as him who talked way too much.
Ken — a guy one year older who always wore glasses and acted like the "serious" one.
And their boss, Ms. Reina, who loved her café more than anything.
When Seiji entered the shop, Aya immediately pointed at him.
"You're late!"
"I'm five minutes early," Seiji replied.
"That's still late in my heart," she said dramatically.
Ken adjusted his glasses.
"Ignore her. She failed math three times."
"HEY!" Aya yelled.
"It was TWO times!"
From behind the counter, their boss smiled warmly.
"Alright children, stop fighting and start working."
Seiji tied his apron while Aya leaned closer to him.
"So…"
She whispered.
"Did you see the transfer student today?"
Seiji froze.
"Why does everyone keep asking that?"
Ken pushed his glasses up.
"Because apparently half the female population on campus is in love with him already."
Aya sighed dreamily.
"He's so handsome…"
Seiji grabbed a tray.
"You haven't even met him."
"Details," Aya said.
Ken looked at Seiji carefully.
"Wait… why are you reacting weirdly?"
Seiji immediately panicked.
"I'M NOT!"
Aya squinted suspiciously.
"Hmm…"
Seiji quickly turned around and escaped to serve a table.
Behind him, Aya whispered to Ken.
"Something suspicious is going on."
Ken nodded seriously.
"Very suspicious."
From the counter, Ms. Reina simply laughed.
"You three are hopeless."
And just like that, Seiji's strange day finally came to an end.
Though he didn't know it yet…
Things were only just beginning.
.....