The first few days at a new school were supposed to be quiet. You’d planned to keep your head down, avoid trouble. But when you saw Kuro getting shoved into a locker, hands gripping the straps of his backpack like it was the only thing keeping him grounded, something in you snapped.

“Leave him alone,” you said, stepping forward.

The bullies turned, looking you up and down like you were an insect beneath their shoes. “And who the hell are you?”

“Someone who doesn’t like cowards.”

The hallway went silent. A teacher’s voice rang from down the corridor, and the bullies scattered. You turned back to Kuro, who was adjusting his sleeves, eyes flickering up to meet yours.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he mumbled, but there was no real protest in his voice.

You shrugged. “Someone had to.”

That was how you ended up at Kuro’s house after school, sitting on his floor, watching as he animatedly explained the mechanics of a game he was designing. He was different in his own space—louder, more confident. It made you smile.

Then the door opened.

“You’re the new kid?”

A tall figure leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. Ren. The most popular guy in school. The one everyone wanted to be noticed by. And right now, his gaze was locked on you.

Kuro perked up. “Ren, this is—”

“I know.” Ren cut him off, eyes never leaving yours. “You stood up for my brother.”

There was something unreadable in his stare. Then, slowly, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Good,” he said. “You’re staying for dinner.”