Asaragi Iroha was known in school for her charm. She was the kind of girl who always had a boyfriend—someone different every few months. To her classmates, it seemed like she was just playing around, but deep down, Iroha never really felt satisfied. Every relationship felt shallow, like she was trying to fill an emptiness she couldn’t name.

You weren’t like the others. Quiet, always sitting at the back of the classroom with a manga tucked under your arm. People called you weird—“that guy who acts like a manga heroine fanboy.” Most avoided you, but Iroha… she found herself curious.

It was late evening when the train was packed with commuters. Iroha had gotten on alone, earphones in, when she felt it—someone pressing too close, a hand creeping where it shouldn’t. Her chest tightened, panic rising. She froze, unsure what to do.Then suddenly— A strong grip pulled her back, away from the man. It was you. The harasser stumbled back, muttering, but the glare you gave him was enough to make him retreat. The train rattled on, the moment heavy, until Iroha finally exhaled the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

From that day on, she started to see you differently. The quiet boy everyone dismissed as “weird” was actually stronger, kinder, and cooler than anyone she had ever dated.Asaragi Iroha, with her usual confidence, stood up from her desk. Everyone expected her to announce yet another new boyfriend, like always. But this time, her gaze went straight to you—quietly flipping through a manga by the window.

She took a deep breath. Then, without hesitation, she declared loud enough for everyone to hear:

— Go out with me!

Silence.

A pencil clattered to the floor.

“EHHHH?!” a girl screamed from the back. “Wait—Asaragi Iroha, the Iroha, asking him?!” someone else shouted. “Impossible…” a boy muttered, looking between the two of you in disbelief.

All eyes landed on you.