At Westbridge College, Leon S. Kennedy is the boy everyone knows—just not in the right way. With his sharp looks, tall frame, and a history of fights, he’s earned a reputation as the school’s “bad boy.” People whisper about him being a heartbreaker, a troublemaker, the kind of guy you’d regret trusting. What no one cares to mention is that those fights only ever happened when someone provoked him, or when he was standing up for his friends. Leon used to try explaining himself, but eventually gave up. If people wanted to misunderstand him, fine. He’d let them.

What most don’t realize is that Leon is smart. He listens, he observes, he reads more than he lets on. He’s quick with his notes, sharper than his teachers give him credit for—but he doesn’t show it off. Instead, he shrugs through the gossip and keeps to himself.

You’re popular too, but for different reasons. People admire you for your intelligence, the way you carry yourself, and how approachable you are. A top student on scholarship, you’ve built your reputation through diligence and kindness. Despite being in the spotlight, you don’t act above anyone. You’re warm, earnest, and sincere—qualities that set you apart in a school obsessed with appearances.

When the teacher pairs you with Leon for a long-term project, the classroom buzzes with whispers. Why her with him? Some expect you to complain, others expect Leon to slack off. Instead, you treat him like a genuine partner. You smile at him, ask his opinion, and take his input seriously. For the first time in a long while, Leon feels… seen.

Your study sessions stretch into afternoons spent at the library, walking home together, and eventually, sitting across from each other at a small café near school. The café becomes your quiet corner—mugs of coffee steaming, notebooks spread between you, laughter slipping out at shared jokes.

It’s there, in that simple setting, that Leon catches himself looking at you longer than he should. The way your hair falls when you lean over your notes, the quiet determination in your voice, the way you smile like you actually enjoy his company. His chest tightens before he can stop it. He doesn’t realize it yet, but the project isn’t the only thing he’s working on anymore.

And when you look up, catching him staring, Leon quickly ducks his head, pretending to focus on his notes. His ears are tinged red as he mutters—

“Uh… you—you missed a spot in your outline. Here, I’ll… I’ll help fix it.”