Usagi's POV:
As I stepped inside, I called out, "I'm home!"
Before I could even take off my shoes, Mom came rushing over, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Usagi! How was your first day of college? Did you like it? Did you make any new friends? And—"
I raised my hand, cutting her off with a playful sigh. "Mom, stop! At least let me step inside first."
She chuckled sheepishly. "Ahh, sorry, sorry! Come in, come in!"
I walked into the living room and plopped onto the couch, stretching my arms. Mom sat beside me, leaning in eagerly.
"Okay, now tell me everything!" she said, her excitement undimmed.
"Yeah, college is huge! There's so much to explore—the cafeteria is massive, the professors are really nice, and the library... it's enormous!" I said, excitement clear in my voice.
But as soon as I mentioned the library, my thoughts drifted back to him—Okami-kun. The way he looked so lifeless, the hushed whispers that followed him, and that fleeting moment when his eyes had shown something… different when I handed him that book.
Mom must've noticed my change in expression because she tilted her head. "Hmm? Usagi, is something on your mind?"
I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head lightly. "Nothing much… just thinking about someone I met today."
Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh? A someone? Do tell~"
I groaned, instantly realizing what she was implying. "No, no! Not like that! He's just… different."
Mom giggled knowingly. "Different how?"
I thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know yet… but I want to find out."
Mom, I met a boy whom everyone speaks not good of, but I want to get to know him myself. Is that weird?
Mom raised an eyebrow, her curiosity deepening. "A boy, huh? And everyone was saying something not good about him?"
I nodded. "Yeah… but I don't know. I feel like there's more to him than what people assume. Is it weird that I want to know him more?"
She smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "It's not weird at all, Usagi. It just means you see people beyond the surface. But be careful, okay? Sometimes, rumors have some truth, and sometimes, they're just empty words."
I sighed. "I know, but… his eyes, Mom. They weren't cold like people said. They looked... empty. Like he's given up on everything."
Mom's expression softened. "Then maybe what he needs isn't judgment, but someone willing to understand him."
Her words lingered in my heart as I thought about Okami-kun. Yeah… I want to understand him.
The next day, as soon as our first two lectures ended, I turned to Mei and Hina with a determined look.
"Mei-chan, Hina-chan, I want to check out the Literature department!" I announced.
Mei shrugged. "I don't mind."
Hina, on the other hand, tilted her head. "Is there a reason, Usagi-chan?"
I hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Actually… I want to befriend the boy we heard rumors about."
Both of them looked surprised. Mei blinked a few times before speaking. "Wait… you mean him? The guy everyone was talking about yesterday?"
I nodded.
Hina's expression turned serious. "Usagi-chan, while I agree that we shouldn't judge someone without knowing them, the rumors we heard weren't just minor gossip. They were… serious. I don't think meeting him is entirely safe."
I bit my lip. "I get that, but I just have this feeling… I don't think he's what people say he is."
Hina sighed, concern clear in her eyes, while Mei crossed her arms. "You're really something, Usagi. Always wanting to see the truth for yourself."
"Then let's see for ourselves, I guess," Hina said with a small sigh.
"Just don't blame me if I end up punching him if he turns out to be a jerk," Mei added with a smirk.
With that, we made our way to the Literature department. As we stopped in front of a classroom, I peeked inside, scanning the room for him.
"Do you need someone?"
A voice from behind startled me, making me jump slightly. I turned around to see the same guy who had been with Okami-kun yesterday.
"Ah—uhm... I... I'm Takahashi Usagi from the Management Studies department. I wanted to meet the guy who was with you yesterday," I said, trying to gather my composure.
The guy raised an eyebrow before nodding. "Ah, you mean Okami-kun? I'm Saito Rentarou, by the way."
Before I could respond, Mei stepped in. "Yeah, we're looking for him."
Rentarou-kun seemed intrigued. "That's quite unusual. If you don't mind me asking, what business do you have with him?"
"Oh, um... I wanted to ask him about book recommendations," I said with a sheepish smile. "We met in the library yesterday."
It wasn't a complete lie… but it wasn't the full truth either.
Rentarou-kun gave me a knowing look, clearly not convinced, but he didn't push further. "That's hard to believe, but if you say so..."
Then, he added, "He hasn't come to college today."
"Ah, uhm… okay! I guess I'll come back tomorrow then," I said, feeling a little disappointed.
"Alright. If he does show up, I'll let you know. You're from the Management department, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah, thanks!"
As we stepped out of the Literature Department, two girls suddenly blocked our way.
"Um, excuse me?" one of them said hesitantly. "Were you three just looking for Okami?"
Hina gave a polite nod. "Yes, we were."
The girls exchanged dramatic glances before leaning in closer, their voices dropping to a whisper.
"You shouldn't meet that guy… he's dangerous," one of them warned.
The other quickly added, "Yeah, he was in my high school. You know, his family abandoned him because he ruined his girlfriend's life. I heard even his own sister refuses to let him near their house, so he has to live with that friend of his—Rentarou."
I frowned as the first girl continued.
"I heard he tortured his girlfriend until she cried so much she had to be hospitalized multiple times!"
The second girl nodded eagerly. "Yeah! And after everything, he just left her because he never actually loved her. Imagine that—a total playboy!"
Mei folded her arms, unimpressed. "Tch. Seriously, where do you guys even hear all this?"
I, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a strange unease. They spoke so confidently, but… something about it didn't sit right with me.
"Well, who we meet or not is none of your concern," Hina said firmly, crossing her arms. "And besides, even though you were from his high school, all you've said is 'I heard, I heard'—not a single thing you actually saw yourself."
The two girls looked taken aback, but Hina didn't wait for their response. She simply grabbed my wrist and pulled me along. "Now, if you'll excuse us."
Mei followed closely behind as we made our way back to class.
"Tch, people sure love to spread rumors, huh?" Mei muttered.
I stayed quiet, my mind swirling with thoughts. Rumors could destroy someone's life… but what if there was truth to them?
And more importantly—what if there wasn't?
"Usagi-chan, what do you think?" Hina asked, her voice calm but curious.
I took a deep breath, my fingers tightening slightly around my bag strap. "I still want to know him more," I said firmly.
Hina and Mei exchanged a glance before smiling. "Well, if that's what you've decided, we'll be with you," Hina said.
"Yeah! But if he turns out to be a jerk, don't blame me for knocking some sense into him!" Mei added with a playful grin.
I couldn't help but smile.