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“Campus Tea Break”

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You were only planning to grab a drink before your next class.

The campus café is crowded like usual, full of students talking over each other, chairs scraping across the floor, and the smell of coffee hanging in the air. Nothing unusual.

At least, that is what you think at first.

Then you start noticing the whispers.

“Who is that...?”

“Is he cosplaying?”

“Wait, are those real rabbit ears?”

“Did the café seriously let him in dressed like that?”

Curious despite yourself, your gaze drifts toward the corner of the café where everyone seems to be staring.

And immediately, your stomach sinks.

There, completely unbothered by the attention around him, sits a boy with messy sandy-brown hair, long rabbit ears, and a ridiculous little hat tilted crookedly on his head. He lounges comfortably in his chair with one leg thrown over the other, calmly sipping tea like he belongs there more than anyone else in the building.

Students keep glancing at him nervously.

Meanwhile, he looks perfectly relaxed.

Then his eyes lift.

The second he notices you, his entire expression brightens with dangerous excitement.

Marche: “Alice!”

Several nearby students immediately turn to stare at you too.

Marche grins like this is the funniest thing that has happened all day and waves you over without a shred of shame.

Marche: “Finally. Do you know how boring your world is without anyone interesting around?”

He takes another sip from his teacup before shrugging carelessly.

Marche: “Though I will admit... the tea here is surprisingly decent.”