Shit! Shit! Shit!
"I'm late again!"
"I have to run faster!"
"Students are still going in… I'm not that late!"
Reikou was running, once again late for school.
FAST! FASTER!
On the other side, Meiyu Sazanomi walked gracefully, carrying a water bottle and two books, her bag hanging over her shoulder. Her expression was calm—no panic, no tension on her face.
Clink—
"Hmm? Ah—Oops."
Meiyu whimpered as her water bottle mysteriously slipped from her hand and fell.
At the same time, Reikou was rushing forward, not paying attention to what was ahead. As he sped up, his right foot twisted slightly, and—
Meiyu bent down to pick up her bottle, but—
THUD!
Reikou crashed directly into Meiyu, falling right on top of her.
"Owwch!" Meiyu winced.
"Owwch!" Reikou groaned.
For a moment, everything around them disappeared—no students, no noise, no school.
Just the two of them.
Reikou stared into Meiyu's eyes. Meiyu stared into Reikou's. Time seemed to stop.
Then—
"Meiyu, I fell in love with you the first time I saw you," Reikou said dramatically.
"And now, see? I've fallen completely over you."
Meiyu blinked. Then, softly, she replied—
"Reikou, I also fell… under your soul."
"You're a nice guy… and handsome."
Their gazes locked once more.
Reikou leaned in closer, whispering, "I… I… I love you, Meiyu."
Meiyu's lips parted. "I… I love you too, Reikou."
They were about to kiss—just a little more, just a little closer—
SMACK!
A school bag smacked Reikou's face.
"YOU PERVERTTTTT!" Meiyu shouted, her face red with embarrassment.
"Are you trying to kiss me, huh!?"
Reikou, still rubbing his face, stared at her in confusion. His entire face turned bright red.
"NO! I WASN'T—!" He tried to explain, but—
"Shut up, you perverttttt!"
Meiyu grabbed her bag, her bottle, her books, and stormed off.
Reikou stood there, holding his face, his hand raised toward Meiyu as she walked away.
"Hey! Wait! It was just a—!"
She didn't look back. She didn't stop.
Reikou sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
"What the hell… Again, in my imagination?"
"Why do I always get lost in my fantasies whenever I see her…?"
He groaned, looking down at his hands. Then, whispering softly to himself—
"When I close my eyes, I see you."
"Why?"
Around him, students whispered and stared, confused about what had just happened. But Reikou saw none of them.
The only thing he could see… was her.
MEIYU SAZANOMI.
"Did that bag hit you too hard?"
A voice whispered in Reikou's ear, a hand resting on his shoulder.
"Huh?"
GRRRRR!
"Why is it that whenever something happens—YOU'RE always there!?"
Reikou spun around and grabbed Ryuuto by the collar.
"Chill, dude!" Ryuuto laughed nervously.
"Don't take your anger out on me!"
"Everything is fair in love and—"
"Finish that sentence and I'll ki—"
Before Reikou could finish his threat, a strong hand landed on his shoulder.
"Yo! Reikou."
Reikou turned his head. It was—
Kiyoshi Shenzuki.
"What's up? Why are you so angry at Ryuuto?"
"Nothing," Reikou muttered.
"What do you mean 'nothing'!? He was just about to punch me!" Ryuuto protested dramatically.
"Just shut up, Ryuuto," Reikou snapped.
"Yo, just chill, man," Kiyoshi said, flashing his signature grin.
Reikou narrowed his eyes. "Wait, Kiyoshi… can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure," Kiyoshi answered.
"Why do you always smile like that, like you're trying to show off your teeth?"
Kiyoshi smirked wider.
"Aww, don't be jealous of my perfect teeth, Reikou."
"Huh!?"
"Not everyone can have teeth as nice as mine," Kiyoshi said, flashing his creepy, toothy smile.
"Hee-hee-hee!"
"UGH! STOP!" Reikou groaned.
"Your breath smells terrible!"
Kiyoshi twitched.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?"
"Say it again!" Kiyoshi grabbed Reikou's collar, shaking him.
"Yo! Chill, Kiyoshi! I was just kidding!" Reikou laughed nervously.
"HELLOOOO!"
A sweet voice cut through the chaos.
Yueko appeared, grabbing Kiyoshi's arm.
Kiyoshi froze.
His hand was squished between her boobies—
Soft. So, so soft.
"What… is this…?"
"IT'S SO SOFT—IT FEELS LIKE MY HAND IS MELTING BETWEEN THEM!"
Kiyoshi's mind went blank.
"Where are you lost?" Yueko asked, tilting her head.
Kiyoshi snapped out of his thoughts.
"Huh!? Nothing! But—uh, why are you standing so close?"
Yueko blinked. "Oh, sorry. I thought you guys were fighting, so I grabbed you to stop you."
Kiyoshi's face burned red.
"Ohh? Who said we were fighting?" Kiyoshi laughed awkwardly.
"Right, guys?"
"NO," Reikou and Ryuuto answered in unison.
"BOTH OF THEM ARE LYING," Ryuuto thought to himself.
"Good, then let's go to class now!" Yueko smiled.
The hallway was buzzing—students chatting, laughing, playing.
Reikou put his hand on Ryuuto's shoulder. From the other side, Kiyoshi put his hand on Reikou's shoulder. The trio was formed.
Behind them, Yueko walked, smiling as she watched them.
---
The classroom.
Reikou took his seat by the window. His eyes scanned the room, searching.
Where is she?
Then, he found her.
There she was.
Meiyu sat quietly.
Once again, everything blurred. Everything around her faded.
A gentle breeze came through the window, lifting her hair. She raised a hand, tucking the strands back into place.
Reikou stared, completely lost in thought.
---
"GOOD MORNING, STUDENTS!"
Mr. Yinglan entered.
"Listen carefully. Next week, we have a test. Be prepared."
Reikou wasn't listening.
TWACK!
A chalk piece hit his head.
"Huh!?"
"Where were you lost?" Mr. Yinglan asked.
"Uh—nothing! I was just thinking about how to prepare!" Reikou blurted out.
"Hmm. Good. Sit down."
Phew!
"Okay, students,"
"We're changing the seating arrangement today."
"Right now, you're sitting in a single row."
"But now, we're changing the format… Combine three desks together."
"From now on, three students will sit in one row."
"We're doing this because exams and tests are coming up. Help each other out…"
"But—don't take advantage of it!"
"I'll be back soon. Arrange your seats properly, and don't make any noise."
With that, Mr. Yinglan explained the new seating arrangement and left the classroom for a while.
As soon as he was gone, the classroom filled with excitement—students were happy they could now sit with their friends. Everyone started moving desks around.
"Hyy, Reikou, Ryuuto, Kiyoshi, Yueko! I have a plan!" Shiori called out.
"Hah? What is it?" Reikou asked.
"Hah? Kiyoshi?"
"Hmm? Yueko?"
"O-Oh? Ryuuto?"
"What if we all sit together?" Shiori suggested.
"But… we're five people. How would that work?" Reikou pointed out logically.
"You fool!"
"First of all, we're not five—we're six. Don't forget Meiyu!"
"Second, we'll sit in two groups of three: Me, Yueko, and Meiyu together, and you, Kiyoshi, and Ryuuto together—right beside us."
"This way, we're always together!"
"And Yueko and I can also figure out her rules!" Shiori explained excitedly.
"Yup! Nice idea!" Yueko agreed.
"Hmm… You usually look stupid, but sometimes you come up with brilliant ideas," Ryuuto muttered.
Reikou, Kiyoshi, Yueko, and Shiori all crossed their arms and slowly turned to glare at Ryuuto with narrowed eyes.
"Are we… supposed to laugh at that joke, Ryuuto?" Shiori asked in a dangerous tone.
"Ah—Ahaha…" Ryuuto nervously rubbed the back of his head.
"O-Okay, fine! Sorry!"
"But, Shiori… Is Meiyu okay with this arrangement?" Reikou asked.
"Yeah, I already talked to her," Shiori replied confidently.
Just then—
"H-Hello… Nice to meet you all… I am… Meiyu Sazanomi," Meiyu whispered from behind.
She stood right beside Reikou.
"Me too!" Ryuuto said.
"Me too!" Kiyoshi added.
Now, they all started arranging their seats.
Just as Reikou moved to shift a desk—
Meiyu gently tugged at the back of his coat.
"Huh?" Reikou turned around, completely caught off guard.
His mind went blank. His face started heating up.
"Mm… W-What happened?" Reikou asked hesitantly, forcing a nervous smile.
Meiyu whispered, "Sorry… for hitting you with my bag earlier. That's all."
"A-Ah! You're not ne—"
"Move aside."
Before Reikou could finish his sentence, Meiyu cut him off and casually started helping Shiori and Yueko with the desks.
After a while, the arrangement was complete.
Their seats were placed by the left-side window.
Shiori, Meiyu, and Yueko sat together—Yueko on the left, Shiori in the middle, and Meiyu on the right.
Ryuuto, Reikou, and Kiyoshi sat together—Reikou on the left, Ryuuto in the middle, and Kiyoshi on the right.
"Oh god… Why am I stuck between these two?" Ryuuto whispered in despair.
"Did you say something?" Kiyoshi whispered back, placing a hand on Ryuuto's shoulder.
"N-No! Nothing! I-I was just whispering to myself!" Ryuuto replied quickly.
Just then, Mr. Yinglan reentered the classroom.
"Hmm! Good arrangement," he said, nodding approvingly.
"Now, take out your homework."
"WHAT?!"
"Shit, shit, shit—!"
"I FORGOT TO DO MY HOMEWORK!"
Reikou clutched his head with both hands and bent forward in despair.
"Reikou! Where is your homework? Bring it here," Mr. Yinglan demanded.
"S-Sir! Actually, I—uh—I—"
"Did you forget to do it?"
"…Yes, sir."
"Hmm… Don't worry, my dear," Mr. Yinglan said in an oddly sweet tone, confusing Reikou.
"After school, you'll stay back and complete it."
"Until you finish, you're not allowed to go home."
WHACK!!
"But—!"
"That's it!" Mr. Yinglan shut him down.
"You're in trouble," Ryuuto whispered.
"Yeah… But what can I do?" Reikou sighed.
"Okay, fine," he said, accepting his fate.
---
AFTER SCHOOL
The final bell rang, and students rushed home.
But Reikou remained seated—stuck with his punishment.
"Okay, bye," Meiyu said before leaving.
"Wait, Meiyu! I'm coming!" Yueko called out.
"Bye, dear Reikou~ See you tomorrow!" Yueko teased before walking away with Meiyu.
"I feel sad for you," Ryuuto said.
"Me too," Shiori added.
"Well, there's nothing we can do."
"Let's go," Shiori said, and both she and Ryuuto left.
"Good luck!" Kiyoshi said, flashing his creepy, toothy grin and giving a thumbs-up before leaving as well.
"Hahh… Ahh…"
Reikou sighed as he watched them all go.
"Tch. They're just saying goodbye. They are just formality of being friends," he thought.
He picked up his pen, took out his notebook, rested his cheek on one hand, and started writing.
After a while, he paused, took a break, and gazed out the window.
A small, soft smile formed on his lips.
Then—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
His phone vibrated with a new message.
He opened it—
And his eyes widened in shock.
MEIYU IS IN DANGER.