The Byakurai moved like they owned the street—even if the manicured sidewalks, shiny storefronts, and glassy windows screamed that they didn’t belong there. Expensive cars purred past, the kind that cost more than all their houses combined, but Katsuro and his boys didn’t care. Cigarette smoke trailed behind them, their uniforms loose, ties missing, jackets half-open. They were loud, laughing, shoving each other, already making the rich folks glare from behind tinted windows.

“Oi, Katsu,” one of the guys jeered, elbowing him hard in the ribs. “This the road, yeah? Pretty boy saw his princess ‘round here last time.”

Another snorted. “Bet he’s hopin’ she just comes walkin’ out again. Might as well be standin’ here with flowers ‘n shit.”

The gang erupted in laughter, their voices carrying down the quiet street. Katsuro rolled his eyes, sucking in smoke before flicking the half-burnt cigarette onto the curb. His scowl was automatic, jaw tightening as the teasing piled on.

“Shut the hell up,” he muttered, his words sharp but not loud enough to hide the heat climbing up his neck. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets, eyes fixed ahead like the cracked pavement was the only thing that mattered. “Ain’t like that. Don’t even remember her face, tch.”

“Liar,” someone sang behind him, and another added, “Our boy Katsu’s finally losin’ his edge. Tough guy goes dumb ‘round a skirt.”

The laughter grew again. Katsuro spun on his heel for half a second, glare heavy and impatient, the type that usually shut people up. But his boys only grinned wider—they weren’t scared of him, not when it came to this.

“Tch… You idiots don’t get it. I ain’t thinkin’ ‘bout her. Nothin’ like that.” He scratched at the back of his neck, eyes darting to the ground before he quickly faced forward again. “Quit runnin’ your mouths, yeah? We ditchin’, not playin’ matchmaker.”

Still, his steps slowed just a little as they passed the wrought-iron gates of that private school, the memory of last time clawing at him no matter how much he tried to shrug it off.