Usagi's POV :
He chuckled softly. "It's just like when we first met…" he says. uh right it was same as that time .....
Flashback: 2 years ago --
"Usagi-chan! You'll be late if you don't leave now!" Mom's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Coming, coming!" I rushed to finish tying my hair, grabbed my bag, and dashed down the stairs. Before heading out, I gave Mom a quick hug.
"Hehe, don't worry, Mom! I won't be late!" I said cheerfully.
She let out an exasperated sigh before chop!—a light smack landed on my head. "You sleepyhead! It's your first day of college, and you're already running late!"
Dad chuckled from behind his newspaper. "Love, if you start lecturing her now, she'll be even later."
"Hehe, thanks for the save, Dad!" I laughed and ran out the door, feeling the fresh morning air energize me.
First day of college, huh? A new chapter, new people, new experiences… I had no idea that today, of all days, I would meet someone who would change my life forever.
...
"Hahh… Hahh… Hina-chan! Mei-chan! Sorry, I'm late!" I called out as I finally reached the college gate, completely out of breath.
"Youuuu—!!" Mei was about to explode, but Hina-chan placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"Let's go in. We still have time," she said calmly.
And just like that, we stepped into college, completely unaware of how much this place would change our lives.
As we made our way toward the management studies department, I unknowingly crossed paths with him for the first time—Okami-kun.
We simply passed each other, side by side, without a word. Neither of us knew that this fleeting moment would eventually lead us here, to this day.
.
.
.
.
"Ahh!! That was such a great lecture! The professor is so nice, isn't she?" I said excitedly as we walked out of class.
Mei-chan, on the other hand, looked completely drained. She groaned, "What was that…? How can you call that great? Now I finally understand why people bunk lectures in college."
Hina-chan giggled. "Come on, Mei. It wasn't that bad."
Mei crossed her arms and pouted. "Hmph! Just you wait. One day, I'll convince you both to skip a lecture with me!"
I laughed. "Good luck with that!"
"Ahh, I'm hungry! Let's eat something," Mei said, clapping her hands together. "It's time to explore the college cafeteria!!"
"Ah yes, yes! Let's go!" I chimed in excitedly. "I also want to check their management menu and—"
Before I could finish, Hina cut me off with a knowing smile. "Yes, yes, we got it! Always eager to learn more, aren't you?"
"Hehe, well, it is my dream to have my own restaurant!" I said proudly.
With that, we made our way toward the cafeteria, ready to discover what delicious surprises it had in store.
"Ahh, so many dishes! The college cafeteria has way more variety than our high school!" I said, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Hina nodded in agreement, scanning the menu with interest.
Meanwhile, Mei... well, she was too busy drooling at the food counter. "I want everything..." she mumbled, completely lost in her foodie daydream.
As we took our seats with our trays full of food, I couldn't help but notice the hushed murmurs coming from a group of girls at a nearby table.
"Do you know? He was in my high school," one of them whispered. "His own family abandoned him."
Another girl leaned in, her voice even lower but laced with drama. "That's not all. I heard he tortured his girlfriend so badly that she ended up in the hospital multiple times. And after using her, he just left her..."
I followed their gazes and realized they were talking about Okami-kun, who had just entered the cafeteria. He stood near the counter with Rentarou-kun, casually checking the menu, completely unaware of the rumors being whispered about him.
My grip on my chopsticks tightened. How can they say such things so easily…?
"Oi, that guy over there… are they talking about him?" Mei whispered, leaning in slightly.
She glanced at Okami-kun, then sighed. "Ah well, I guess we get to see all kinds of people in college. Damn, talk about toxic men!"
I frowned, my appetite suddenly fading. They don't even know him, yet they're so quick to judge…
I sighed, trying to calm down. "Mei, why are you judging him? Do you even know him?" There was an edge to my voice, and I knew I sounded irritated.
"Ah… no, I don't," she admitted, looking a bit guilty.
I crossed my arms. "I don't know if he's toxic or bad, but hating someone just because of assumptions? That's something I can't stand."
Mei quickly waved her hands. "Ah! Usagi-chan, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you angry! Please don't hate me, I was just speaking generally!"
I exhaled, softening my tone. "I don't hate you, Mei. Just… be careful about blindly believing rumors, okay?"
"Because I know how rumors can destroy someone's life…" I muttered, gripping my fork a little tighter.
"Ah— is he coming here?" Hina-chan suddenly whispered, nudging me.
I looked up just in time to see Okami-kun and Rentarou-kun walking in our direction. But they weren't coming to us—they just sat at a corner table near the wall, completely isolated from everyone else.
My eyes lingered on Okami-kun as he took his first bite. His face remained blank, his expression void of any emotion. His eyes… they looked dead, like he was just breathing to stay alive, but inside, he was completely lifeless.
How…? How could someone eat good food and not feel anything? Even a simple meal should bring some warmth or comfort. But him… it was like he wasn't even tasting it.
Ahh, I couldn't stand it—seeing someone eat without enjoying their food.
Not when my dream is to open a restaurant where everyone can taste a good meal and cheer up, no matter if they're feeling down or if it's the most special day of their life. Food brings people joy—it should bring happiness.
And yet… why?
Why is he not showing any expression? Why does it seem like he's just eating because he has to, not because he wants to?
The group of girls murmured again.
"Ahh, look at his cold eyes and that expression! He's totally emitting a toxic aura," one whispered.
Another added, "See? He could have tortured his girlfriend until she ended up in the hospital multiple times… Poor soul."
How can they say that? His expression? His eyes?
They say he looks cold… but those aren't cold eyes.
Those are dead eyes.
Can't they see it? His face might be expressionless, but his eyes… they say so much. They scream of someone who has given up, someone who has nothing left to hold onto.
That's not the look of someone toxic.
It's the look of someone who has lost everything.
"Usagi-chan! Usagi-chan!"
Hina's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"You're zoning out! Your food is getting cold—hurry up, we have our next lecture soon!" she said, waving her hand in front of my face.
"Ah… yeah, sorry!" I quickly picked up my chopsticks, but my mind was still stuck on him.
Okami-kun… Just who are you really? And why… why do your eyes look so empty?