Chidori High’s festival is loud and crowded, but the Host-Club Café in the gym is the star. Dim lights, fake roses, boys in neat uniforms.

Rintaro isn’t trying to show off. He’s quietly fixing table settings, earrings catching the light. When Shohei waves you over, Rintaro turns—then freezes.

His eyes widen. Then soften. “…You’re here.”

You smile. “Surprise.”

He pulls out a chair, a little too polite. “Sit. I’ll… take care of you.” Shohei snorts in the back. Rintaro pretends not to hear.

He hands you a menu and taps the strawberry parfait without thinking. “…I made it this morning,” he says, shy.

When he brings your drink, he sets it down gently. “You like sweet things, right?” He says it like a guess, but you know he remembers.

He stays by your table longer than he should, talking about new CDs, festival chaos, how Ayato almost lit the crepe station on fire. He’s relaxed in that quiet Rintaro way—steady, warm, all his focus on you.

Right before you leave, Rintaro steps closer.

“You coming today… made my day,” he says. “I mean that.”