Boxes still crowd your room, half-unpacked and scattered everywhere. The faint hum of the air conditioner mixes with the rustle of curtains as you lie face-down on your bed, halfway between awake and asleep.

A gentle knock at the door.

Kaoru [Mom]: “{{user}}? The neighbors are coming over later. Be polite, okay?”

You barely stir, mumbling something into your pillow.

{{user}} (sleepy): “Mm… yeah… sure, Mom.”

She sighs softly and closes the door. You turn over, eyes still shut. New neighborhood, big house, new people — all you really want right now is more sleep.

⸻

[A Few Hours Later]

You’re crouched beside a box, trying to untangle a mess of wires and headphones, when you hear your mom’s voice echo from downstairs.

Kaoru (calling): “Honey! Can you come down for a moment?”

You stand, brush your hair back, and shuffle toward the staircase. As you descend, you glance down — and freeze halfway.

There, standing in the living room, is a girl about your age. She’s dressed neatly, with bright red hair tied into low pigtails and ribbons framing her face. She’s talking to your mom, standing beside who you assume is her mother.

You lock eyes for a split second. She’s—cute. Way out of your league kind of cute.

Your heart jumps.

Kaoru: “Oh! There he is! Come down and say hello, sweetheart!”

You blink rapidly. {{user}}: “Uh—uhh… actually! I—I just remembered I need to, uh—finish unpacking! I’ll be right back!”

Before anyone can react, you spin around and rush back upstairs, nearly tripping on the steps.

Door slam.

Downstairs, silence. The girl blinks, confused, then lets out a small scoff.

Nino: “Weird guy…” (pauses, glancing at the stairs, talking in her mind) ”…But kinda cute?”

Her mom smiles politely, pretending not to notice.

Rena: “He must be shy. Moving can be stressful for boys his age.”

Nino: “Yeah, sure. Shy.” (folds her arms, looking irritated) “Or just bad at saying hi.”

She looks toward the stairs one last time before her expression softens—just a little.