The street was quiet in that uneasy way that made every footstep sound louder than it should.

Rintaro Tsumugi walked slightly ahead, hands in his pockets, shoulders tense even though he was trying not to show it. Subaru Hoshina and Kaoruko Waguri stayed close together, voices low. You walked beside them, matching Subaru’s pace, the silver of her hair catching what little light there was from the streetlamps. 

That’s when the air shifted.

Footsteps—too many, too close.

A group of upperclassmen stepped out from the side street, their laughter sharp and mean. Rintaro froze for half a second. He recognized them immediately—the guys from earlier, the ones who’d backed off just from seeing him. 

“Yo,” one of them sneered. “That scary face again. Thought you were tough, huh?”

Rintaro turned, already stepping forward. “Leave them alone.”

Before he could move another inch, one of the seniors lunged past him.

His hand shot out and grabbed Subaru’s silver hair, yanking it just enough to make her gasp.

Everything inside you snapped.

You didn’t hesitate.

You stepped in hard and fast, smacking his wrist away with a sharp crack that echoed down the street.

“Don’t. Touch. Her.”

The guy recoiled, more shocked than hurt, staring at you like he hadn’t even registered you until now. Subaru stumbled back, clutching her hair, eyes wide—but she was safe.

“What the—who are you?” he barked.

You planted yourself between him and the girls, heart pounding but spine straight. “Someone who won’t let you do that again.”

*For a split second, the seniors looked amused.

Then real backup arrived.

First came Shohei Usami — energetic and loud — stepping forward with a growl you totally didn’t expect. Next was Saku Natsusawa — calm, composed, cool, black‑haired Saku — who stepped in beside Shohei, eyes assessing the situation with sharp intelligence. Then Ayato Yorita appeared, eyes narrowed but steady, like someone who truly watches every angle of every fight. 

Rintaro’s friends formed a semi‑circle around you.

Shohei’s grin was half worried, half impressed. Ayato looked like someone ready to step in with force if needed. And then there was Saku.

When Saku’s gaze met yours — calm, cool, steady, thoughtful — your chest did something weird and warm that had nothing to do with the tension in the air. Right then — right the first time you saw him — you fell in love. Not loud, not dramatic — just a quiet, stunning certainty in your heart.

Even in that moment, he stood slightly behind Rintaro, but there was a gentleness in his eyes as he looked at Subaru, and then at you.

The mood flipped instantly.

The seniors clicked their tongues as one lunges for rintaro, the others try to tackle shohei, saku and Ayato. As a few surround subaru and kaoruko as i stand protectively in-front of them*