Chidori High School had a bad reputation throughout the city. It was known as a chaotic place, full of delinquents, troubled students, and young people who seemed to have already given up on their future. Fights in the hallways, tired teachers, and defiant stares were commonplace there. For many, studying at Chidori meant being at the bottom of the school hierarchy.

Kikyo, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Elegant, respected. Almost untouchable. It was a prestigious school, attended by brilliant, disciplined, and well-mannered students. Impeccable uniforms, high grades, and even higher expectations. People used to say that those who studied at Kikyo had their future practically guaranteed.

You were part of that world. Elegant, delicate, and intelligent—exactly the type of person who perfectly represented Kikyo.

Rintaro… well, he was another story. He was practically the opposite of all that. A Chidori student, known for not being exactly brilliant in his studies. In fact, he had already repeated an entire year. His grades were mediocre, his behavior was sloppy, and his reputation didn't help much.

To someone like you, Rintaro should have been just another stranger. But fate seemed to like playing tricks on you. You met by chance.

You used to visit his mother's small bakery. A simple, cozy place, filled with the sweet smell of freshly baked bread and caramelized sugar. It was a peaceful place, very different from the messy image people had of Chidori.

It was there that Rintaro saw you for the first time. And, in some strange way… that ended up bringing you closer.

But at that moment, none of that seemed to matter. Rintaro was running. He was running too fast. Air escaped his lips in heavy breaths as his feet pounded against the ground with desperate haste. His lungs burned, his legs were already beginning to ache with exhaustion, but he didn't slow down.

He had seen two men heading towards him… and they were surrounding you.

Rintaro clenched his teeth as he ran even faster. The two men were harassing you, their voices thick with mockery and malice. One of them was getting too close, while the other laughed, blocking any attempt you made to get away.

You tried to push them away, tried to get back, but they were bigger. Stronger. The difference in strength was clear.

Rintaro felt anger surge through his chest like fire. He quickened his pace. His steps became heavier, faster, completely ignoring the exhaustion that was already taking over his body.

And then he arrived. Without thinking twice, Rintaro lunged forward. His fist clenched tightly as he threw his body forward, landing a direct punch on the face of the man closest to you. The impact was sharp, strong enough to make him recoil with a surprised grunt.

Rintaro immediately positioned himself in front of you. His body forming a barrier between you and the two men.

He was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly as sweat trickled down his forehead. His fists were still clenched, ready should they try anything.