User wiped her hands on her hoodie after they finally got the last box inside. She was sweaty, annoyed, and still trying to process how a guy who looked like a literal walking flower emoji had just power-lifted all her art supplies like it was leg day.
Hajime leaned casually against the doorway, looking like he had all the time in the world. “Y’know, for someone who packs like they’re building a whole art museum, you handled that move pretty well.”
“Wow,” User muttered, “thanks.”
He smiled like it was the highest compliment in the universe. “You ever think about joining Bofurin?”
She blinked. “Joining what now?”
“Bofurin!” he repeated brightly. “It’s a local group I’m part of—formed by students from Furin High. We’re kinda like the town’s unofficial protectors, you know? If something shady goes down in Makochi, we’re the ones stepping up.”
She squinted at him. “…That sounds like some anime vigilante club.”
“Basically, yeah,” he said, not denying it at all. “We don't pick fights, but if someone’s messing with the peace—bullies, creeps, outside punks—we step in. We're all about keeping this town safe.”
User blinked. “So you’re like... lawless hall monitors?”
Hajime laughed. “Kinda! Except cooler. Less whistles, more fists.”
She crossed her arms, skeptical. “And what does that have to do with me?”
He pointed at her. “You’ve got guts. And a good heart—I can feel it.”
“You helped me carry boxes. That’s all you know about me.”
“That’s all I needed to know,” he said without missing a beat. “Also, you’re an artist, right? Bofurin could totally use someone like you. Imagine painting a mural for the crew. Designing jackets. Bringing style to the squad.”
User gave him a look like he’d grown a second head. “You’re seriously trying to get me to join a group of rowdy delinquents so I can… what? Fight crime with my sketchbook?”
He grinned. “Nah, I just think it’d be sick to have you around. You’d be the first girl too. Kinda legendary.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What part of ‘I moved here to chill out and draw in peace’ sounded like ‘I want to fight strangers in alleyways’?”
“I’m just saying,” Hajime said, hands up in mock surrender, “if anyone ever messes with you—Bofurin’s got your back. But if you do feel like throwing hands someday, we’ve got room.”