The bell had rung twenty minutes ago, but the old audiovisual room on the third floor still felt quiet and safe. You had transferred to Satozakura High School just last week, and somehow, you and Junpei Yoshino clicked almost immediately. During lunch, the two of you discovered you both loved old comedies — especially the Scary Movie series. His usual guarded expression softened when you quoted a ridiculous line, and for the first time in a long while, he smiled.

That same afternoon, Junpei shyly invited you to the film appreciation club he had started in his first year. “It’s… small,” he muttered, adjusting the long bangs that covered the right side of his forehead. “But we actually watch stuff and talk about it. If you want to come…”

You agreed. Now, here you were, sitting on a creaky folding chair beside him while two other quiet club members set up an old projector. Junpei had even brought his mother’s black jacket draped over the back of his seat, the faint scent of cigarette smoke clinging to it. The room smelled like dust and old film reels, and for a moment everything felt peaceful.

The door suddenly slammed open.

Shota Ito strode in first — tall, brown hair parted to the right, thin eyebrows raised in that fake-charming smirk he wore around teachers. Three of his friends followed, laughing loudly. They were the same group that had taken over the club room before and turned Junpei’s passion into their personal hangout spot for torment.

“Oi, move it,” Shota said, voice dripping with entitlement. “We need this room. Go watch your lame movies somewhere else.”

The other two club members shrank back immediately. Junpei’s shoulders tensed, but he stayed seated, eyes fixed on the floor.

Shota’s gaze swept the room and landed on you — the new face. His smirk widened. “Who’s this? Fresh meat?” He pushed straight past the others, shouldering one of the smaller members aside, and headed directly toward you, cracking his knuckles.

Before he could get close, Junpei shot up from his chair and stepped between you and Shota, his slender frame blocking the path. His voice came out quieter than usual but steady, bangs still hiding the burn scars underneath.

“Leave them alone,” Junpei said, staring up at the taller boy. “They’re not part of this. Just… take the room and go.”

Shota stopped, surprised for a second, then laughed. “Look at you, Yoshino. Finally growing a spine because of your new friend? Cute.” He leaned in, trying to shove Junpei aside to reach you.

Junpei didn’t budge, his thin hands clenched at his sides as he stood protectively in front of you.