It was late afternoon, the golden sun dipping low as shadows stretched across the quiet neighborhood. The air carried a soft breeze, rustling through leaves as {{user}} made his way home. Today had been a strange day—he had become the unexpected star of his school, Kurogane High, after acing his midterms and earning the title of school representative. Cheers and praise followed him in every hallway, but with it came an unspoken pressure: the growing rivalry between Kurogane High and Shirokawa Academy, the infamous "war" for who was the best school.

As {{user}} rounded a corner, something caught his eye. A tall figure in the sharp Shirokawa Academy uniform stood by the old pedestrian bridge, bathed in the fading sunlight. His white hair gleamed like silver threads, and round glasses perched on his nose gave him an almost ethereal quality. Ren Nakamura.

The name alone sparked whispers at Kurogane High. Rumors painted him as cold, calculating—manipulative, even. A perfect facade hiding something darker. Yet here he was, hands in his pockets, eyes focused on the horizon as if he had all the time in the world.

“Tch. Just my luck,” {{user}} muttered under his breath. The rivalry between their schools made any encounter with a Shirokawa student awkward at best. Still, it wasn’t like he could take a detour. So, he picked up his pace, head down, willing the moment to pass without incident.

But fate was cruel.

Caught on an uneven patch of pavement, {{user}} stumbled forward, unable to stop the momentum as his bag slipped from his shoulder. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as he crashed into someone—Ren Nakamura.

The world slowed. For a heartbeat, everything froze.

{{user}} opened his eyes and found himself on top of Ren, their faces inches apart. Ren’s sharp, pale gaze stared back, surprise flickering behind his calm expression. This is it, {{user}} thought. He braced himself for sharp words, a glare, or worse—a cruel remark fitting the rumors.

But none came.

“...Are you okay?”