Reality isn't like comics or novels, where a series of coincidences conveniently lead to some absurd accident.
Of course, the main reason nothing of the sort happened was that Kure Ragna took quick showers.
Five minutes after sending his message, he was already out, dressed in fresh clothes, and lying on his bed, scrolling through his phone while waiting for the washing machine on the balcony to finish its cycle.
When the doorbell rang, he got up and opened it to find Kei Karuizawa standing outside, looking around nervously.
It was clear she had come down in secret. Even though school had only started two days ago, Karuizawa had already built a reputation in Class D as a carefree girl with a slightly rebellious streak.
While Sudo and Ryuuen barely wore their uniforms properly—leaving their shirts untucked or jackets unbuttoned—Karuizawa took it further. She often tied her school jacket around her waist, rolled up her sleeves, and generally disregarded the dress code altogether.
But tonight, she was the complete opposite.
Her uniform was neatly worn, every button fastened, her fluffy blonde ponytail tucked into the back of her collar. Even the neckline was turned up, as if she was trying to shield herself from the cold.
No, more like she didn't want to be recognized.
"Come in," Ragna said.
He wasn't the type to stand around demanding explanations like characters in horror movies. After making sure there was nothing unusual outside, he stepped aside, letting her in.
As soon as she got permission, Kei hurried inside like a startled cat, dashing to the end of the hallway—only to realize she hadn't taken off her shoes. Awkwardly, she backtracked and gave him an apologetic look.
"Sorry… I got the floor dirty," she murmured, shoulders slightly hunched as she tugged at her collar, looking almost guilty.
Ragna closed the door behind her, glancing at her small, hesitant figure.
"Forget it. It's fine," he said, shaking his head. "Want something to drink? Milk tea?"
Kei blinked. "Uh… just plain tea? Drinking milk tea at night isn't good. Girls have to watch their weight, you know."
"...But drinking tea at night will keep you up."
"...Oh. Right."
As if afraid she was asking for too much, she quickly raised her hands. "Then plain water is fine! I don't want to bother you more than I already am."
"Got it."
Two minutes later, two transparent glasses of steaming hot water sat on the desk. The scene was oddly similar to when Arisu Sakayanagi had visited, except this time, Ragna was lounging on the bed while Kei sat at his desk.
Her school jacket was draped over the chair, leaving her in just her shirt. Despite sitting down, her posture was tense, and she looked like she wanted to say something but kept hesitating.
Breaking the silence, Ragna took a sip of his drink and asked, "So? What brings you here so late?"
"Well… it's a little… um..." Kei fidgeted, clearly struggling to find the right words.
"It's kind of personal," she finally admitted. "I wanted to discuss it with you, but whether you agree or not… could you at least keep it a secret?"
Hearing that, Ragna raised an eyebrow behind his sunglasses.
This was familiar. Kushida Kikyo had started with a similar request before revealing her true nature. Girls these days sure liked to preface their secrets with "Please don't tell anyone."
It reminded him of those people who uploaded something embarrassing online, set it to private, and then freaked out when they realized hundreds of people had already seen it.
If you don't want something to be found, don't upload it at all. Simple as that.
"Alright," he said, watching her with mild amusement. "Go ahead."
Seeing the small, almost mischievous smile on his lips, Kei seemed to mistake it for encouragement.
She took a deep breath. Then another.
After a few more rounds, she clenched her fists, squeezed her eyes shut, and blurted out—
"Can you be my boyfriend?"
"...Huh?"
Ragna's faint smirk froze.
For a moment, he seriously wondered if he had heard wrong.
No… She definitely just said that.
Girl, do you even know what you're saying? We barely know each other! I mean, sure, I'm handsome, I've got a great physique, but you could at least try to be a little more subtle. A normal person would start as friends first!
Even if I looked as good as Gojo Satoru, this is way too sudden.
"No, wait! That's not what I meant!"
Kei's face turned bright red, and she frantically waved her hands.
"What I meant was—! Kure Ragna, can you pretend to be my boyfriend?"
"...Pretend?"
The key word immediately triggered a short story's worth of scenarios in Ragna's mind.
"Let me guess," he mused, resting his chin on his hand. "You got a confession from someone you don't like, and now you need a fake boyfriend to turn them down without actually rejecting them outright?"
"No! It's not that!"
Kei shook her head so fast it looked like it might fly off.
She hesitated for a second, then took a sip of her water, trying to compose herself.
"How do I put this… I just think high school should be a time to focus on studying. And, um… having a boyfriend would… help me avoid some unnecessary trouble?"
Yeah. Right.
Ragna watched her eyes dart away as she spoke.
Terrible liar.
Still, he decided to test her.
"That's reasonable and all," he said, adjusting his sunglasses. "But have you considered that no one might even confess to you? What if this whole act is pointless, and I just waste three years of my high school life without getting to date anyone? Wouldn't Hirata be a better choice for something like this?"
"Hirata is nice, but… he's not good enough," Kei muttered, her expression turning oddly complicated.
That's when she suddenly switched topics.
"By the way, Kure Ragna, you went out for hot pot with Sakayanagi from Class A yesterday, right?"
...What?
The sudden shift caught Ragna off guard.
What does that have to do with anything?
Is she trying to use this against me?
The memory of Kushida's veiled threats back at Kaihai Park flashed in his mind, making him click his tongue in irritation. His tone grew colder.
"So? What's your point?"
"...!"
Maybe it was his voice, or maybe it was the sheer presence he carried.
Whatever the reason—
Clatter!
Kei flinched so hard that she knocked over her glass, spilling hot water all over her legs. The steaming liquid seeped into her stockings, turning the fabric white where it met the heat.
But she didn't react.
She sat frozen for two seconds, then her face twisted in pure panic.
"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to bring it up! I wasn't trying to—!"
...Huh?
Ragna stared at her in disbelief.
Why the hell is she so scared?
Her emotional shift was so extreme that for a second, he thought she might actually be sick.
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