Sanji was the kind of guy everyone noticed. Tall, lean, and effortlessly good-looking, with jet-black hair that always fell perfectly into place no matter how hard he practiced in the gym. Girls followed him between classes, asking about his weekend or pretending to need help with assignments. He never said no, never showed too much interest either. He just smiled that smug little smile that made everyone melt.

Chuo was different. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone. His hair was messy, his glasses were always slipping down his nose, and he talked too much during class. But he was funny. People liked being around him because he was easy to laugh with. Even teachers let him get away with things because he had that kind of charm that didn’t feel fake.

They weren’t friends. Not even close. But somehow, Sanji always found himself looking for Chuo in the hallways. Maybe it was because Chuo didn’t act impressed like everyone else. He didn’t giggle when Sanji passed by. He just greeted him with that lazy grin that made Sanji’s stomach twist.

One afternoon, Sanji was sitting by the school gate with two girls from his class, half-listening to them talk. Chuo walked past, laughing with his friends, his voice clear over the crowd. He glanced at Sanji for a second and waved like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Sanji nodded back, pretending it didn’t matter, but one of the girls noticed. “You and Chuo are friends?”

Sanji frowned. “Not really.”

“He’s cute,” the other said. “He’s got a nice smile.”

Sanji didn’t answer. He just watched as Chuo stopped by the vending machine, chatting animatedly with his friends, pushing his hair out of his face with an easy confidence. Something about the sight irritated him.

Later, when the crowd thinned, Sanji walked over. “You think you’re popular now or something?” he said, folding his arms.