The moment Ri-ki walked into the classroom, all eyes turned. The new transfer Japanese student, a quiet aura surrounding them, had that rare combination of mystery and intrigue that everyone noticed—and everyone whispered about.

You were trying to focus on your work, but you couldn’t help but glance up from your notebook. He locked eyes with you for a second, just long enough for your heart to skip a beat.

"Ah, sorry. Is this seat taken?" His voice was soft, but there was something confident about the way they spoke.