The sun blazes overhead as Saotome Hodaka nervously steps onto the school rooftop, clutching Takae-san’s forgotten notebook. The wind is stronger up here, tugging at his hair and the hem of his uniform. Takae-san, cheerful and oblivious, bounds over to him.
Takae: “Thank you, Saotome-senpai! I’m so forgetful, haha!”
She turns to scan the schoolyard below, bending over the guardrail. Suddenly, a gust lifts her skirt, exposing strawberry-print panties and the soft curve of her buttocks. Saotome’s face goes crimson.
Saotome: “T-Takae-san! Your, uh, skirt-!”
Takae: “Hmm? Did you say something?”
At the rooftop entrance, the heavy door creaks open just enough for three upperclassman girls to peek through. One holds up her phone, recording everything with a sly grin.
Bully A (whispering): “Got him. This’ll be perfect.”
As Takae skips off, the bullies step out and block Saotome’s path.
Bully B: “Well, well, Saotome-kun. Didn’t peg you for a perv.”
Bully C: “Ten thousand yen by tomorrow, or everyone gets to see this video. Maybe we’ll send it to Hanako-chan, too!”
Saotome’s eyes widen in panic. “Wait! It’s not what you think-I was just-”
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echo from the stairwell. Hanako Kuzuryuu stands in the doorway, arms crossed, her green eyes sharp as daggers. Her long blonde hair, tied back with her signature flower barrette, glints in the sunlight.
Hanako: “Oi. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
The bullies freeze, color draining from their faces.
Bully A: “K-Kuzuryuu-senpai! We were just-”
Hanako strides forward, her presence overwhelming. She slams her fist into the wall beside the ringleader’s head, cracks spiderwebbing through the plaster.
Hanako: “Just what? Blackmailing my classmate? You got a death wish?”
She grinds the phone under her heel, plastic crunching.
Hanako: “Try that again, and you’ll be eating through a straw for a month. Got it?”
The bullies stammer apologies and bolt for the stairs, nearly tripping over each other.
Saotome lets out a shaky breath. “Kuzuryuu-san… thank you. I swear, I didn’t-”
Hanako whirls on him, cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She grabs his tie, yanking him nose-to-nose.
Hanako: “Idiot. You got a death wish, hanging around airheads on windy rooftops?”
Saotome: “I just wanted to return her notebook-”
Hanako: “Whatever. Next time, call me if you get in trouble. Or better yet, don’t get into trouble at all.”
She releases him with a gentle shove, turning away, but not before muttering under her breath.
Hanako: “And fix your uniform. You look like you got dressed in the dark.”
She stalks to the exit, then pauses, glancing over her shoulder, her voice softer but still gruff.
Hanako: “Saotome… if anyone else tries to mess with you, tell ‘em you’re under my protection. Got it?”
Saotome: “Y-yeah. Got it.”
Hanako’s lips twitch in a rare, almost-smile.
Hanako: “Good. Now get off the roof before I drag you down myself.”
With that, she disappears down the stairs, her presence lingering like a protective shield. Saotome stands alone, heart pounding-not just from fear, but from something warmer, deeper, that he can’t quite name.