It was mid spring and almost the start of the new school year already. I was walking along the hallway trying to find my way heading towards the registration faculty to complete my enrollment.

The room was enveloped in a serene silence, the kind that settles like a soft blanket over everything. A gentle breeze fluttered through the open window, causing the curtains to sway slightly as if dancing to a rhythm only they could hear. The air was cool and soothing, carrying with it the faint scent of rain.

Suddenly, piercing through the calm, a muffled sound broke the stillness. The quiet was shattered by the soft, heart-wrenching sound of someone crying. The sobs, though faint at first, grew more distinct, filling the room with an emotional weight that seemed to press against the walls. Each sob echoed in the stillness, contrasting starkly with the earlier peaceful atmosphere, turning the once tranquil room into a space of raw, unspoken sorrow.

I thought at first this would be a different path and void to fill, but I didn’t expect it to be this — should I say, unique.

At first, I thought this would be a different path—something to fill a void—but I didn't expect it to be this… unique.

I noticed a guy wearing the school club jacket, sitting on the corner of the hallway step. He had some medals hanging around his neck, suggesting he might have been a top student. In his hands, he clutched a piece of paper tightly against his chest. I couldn't help but wonder: What could be written on that piece of paper that left him so shattered, as fragile as the paper he held?

I did my best to stay unnoticed, completing my tasks and slipping away quietly.

And just like that, it’s April 1st—spring’s end and the official start of the new school year. Over the past few days, I kept seeing the man in my dreams sitting on the corner of the hallway step. My curiosity about the mysterious paper he held was unrelenting.

It’s the first day of school, orientation day, and I’m feeling quite anxious. Everyone is gathered on the school grounds, lined up by year and section. After a few announcements, we’re given some time to explore the school’s facilities and check out the various clubs.

As I wandered around, trying to decide where to join, I couldn’t help but search for him.

“Oh my God—Kenji? Is that really you?” I heard a loud voice exclaim as it drew closer. Turning around, I saw a girl with a familiar face. “It’s really you!” she said, hugging me tightly.

“Yeji! Wow, you’re still so small,” I replied with a smirk.

She playfully punched my shoulder and pouted. “So, that’s how you’re going to respond to my excitement, huh?” I laughed and pinched her cheeks, telling her I was just joking and that I was really happy to see her.

Yeji is an old friend from a few years back. We were classmates in dance class and became close with our fellow members. Before I knew it, she was introducing me to a bunch of people, and I was managing it like a pro. It turned out, I didn’t need to be so nervous about this new chapter in my life.

While walking back to our assigned classroom, I spotted him—the guy from the corner of the hallway step. But it wasn’t the real person; it was just a picture. As I suspected, he was a famous grandmaster of major clubs in our school.

“Hey, are you okay?” Yeji asked, noticing where I was looking. She followed my gaze and added with a grin, “Oh, you’re looking at my boyfriend, huh?”

I was momentarily stunned but managed to stay composed. “Can you believe it? A little girl like you is in a relationship?” I said playfully, patting her head and messing up her hairstyle.

“Yes! My boyfriend is like a prince charming—tall, fair, with great features, and really smart,” she boasted proudly.

“So, he is your boyfriend?” I asked, this time more seriously.

“Nope! Hahaha, I was just daydreaming. He’s the national heartthrob of Sakura University. Argh, he’s totally out of our league. For now, I’ll just date Sakura University’s Mafia Prince,” she said, grabbing my arm as we headed towards our classroom.

When we entered, all eyes were on us. I couldn’t tell if this was a usual occurrence, but the atmosphere didn’t seem hostile—just curious.

“And who’s the S.U’s mafia prince?” I asked again while we were seated. “You!” She said while giggling “And why is that? Why is that guy in the picture the prince and I am whaattt? Mafia? The bad one?” I surprisingly ask her, this time I can sense that everyone is pretty much either minding their own business or looking at us “Kenji, I said Mafia Prince, not just a simple mafia. Duh! Your features are more strong and you have a very manly aura Yu —”

She was unable to complete her sentences because the home room teacher got inside the classroom already and she asked us to fill out some required forms, tons of them.

Just like that, we completed the first half of our first day of class. Our homeroom teacher, Ms. Toma, called me up to introduce myself since I was new to the school. Most of the students had been here since grade school and would likely continue through their university days.

“Ohayo! My name is Kenji Yanai. I’m originally from Osaka. I completed my grade school years abroad, but we returned here as my parents decided to move back. I’ll be in your care from now on, and I hope we can get along well,” I said, giving a brief introduction.

Afterwards, Ms. Toma invited the class to ask me questions, which caught me off guard.

“What’s your height?” a girl asked.

“I’m about 6’2”,” I replied.

“Are you one of the star students?” a guy inquired.

Puzzled, I looked at Ms. Toma, who explained, “Star students are those who have gained entry to S.U. through either an academic scholarship or as part of a sports varsity team.”

After thanking Ms. Toma, I turned back to my blockmates and said, “I’m neither of those at the moment.” The group looked confused until Ms. Toma added, “Kenji has excellent grades and is a potential varsity player for our swimming team, though that’s still undecided.”

“Wow! Are you interested in men?” a girl suddenly asked. I was too stunned to respond immediately and chose to smile casually. Just as I was about to answer, someone unexpectedly entered the classroom.

It was him.

The room was bathed in the soft, golden light of the afternoon sun, streaming through the large windows and casting a warm glow over everything. The air was filled with a pleasant hum of background conversations and the occasional laughter of students. Desks were neatly arranged, adorned with colourful notebooks and pens that added a cheerful touch. Bright posters and student artwork decorated the walls, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere.

At the front of the room, I spotted the person I’d been searching for. In that vibrant and friendly classroom, the moment felt perfect for reconnecting and sharing a genuine moment of joy.

Am I being too dramatic with my last thought? I asked myself.

“Sorry, Miss Toma, sorry everyone. I’m late on our first day,” the guy said, bowing in apology.

“Yuri, don’t worry about it. I know you've been here since 6 am this morning. Please take your seat,” Ms. Toma replied.

I followed him with my eyes, and it felt like the universe was playing a trick on me as he sat in the chair right next to mine. I noticed Yeji’s loving gaze and saw the same admiration in the eyes of my other blockmates. It became clear why he was known as S.U.’s national boyfriend.

During the brief fifteen-minute break, Yeji and I, along with some classmates, headed to the vending machine for a snack. As we chatted casually, I glanced over at Yuri.

So, his name is Yuri? It’s a nice name.

He was quietly working on his tablet, not engaging in conversation. When my blockmates asked him questions, he would respond with no more than a few words and a timid smile.

“Ugh, look at him… When he looks at someone, it’s like he’s already making love to them,” Yeji said. I pinched her nose and replied, “Watch your words, Yeji.”

Our blockmates noticed how close Yeji and I were and asked if we were dating. Yeji quickly clarified that we were just friends, emphasizing that we were comfortable around each other because we’ve been friends since grade school. She concluded with a firm declaration that we weren’t dating since she was Yuri’s girlfriend.

The other guys laughed, understanding that Yeji’s final comment was a clear sign of her interest.

Yuri was indeed a striking figure, like a character straight out of a romantic manga. He seemed to be about 5’8” or 5’9”, with a soft, manly voice and an almost perfect appearance.

I swear I mean no harm with my curiosity, but every time I see him, I’m reminded of the day I saw him crying.

“Seems you had a good time today, Ken,” my dad remarked as he saw me smiling unconsciously while eating dinner. “I made some new friends and even ran into Yeji, my friend from dance class,” I shared, recounting a bit more about my first day at school.

“By the way, I asked them to prepare your car, and it’s non-negotiable—you’re not driving a motorbike here,” Dad said before heading to his office for a late-night meeting.

Just after our conversation, I received a message from my mom saying she had already arranged for my new motorbike at our condo.

I mean, that’s a bit crazy, right? Dad is so protective, while Mom is incredibly supportive.

Yuri’s POV

*Alarm clock ringing

3 am, I geared up as I am taking my morning run. I have a lot of things running on top of my head and getting back to school was just a torturing feeling for me. I mean school reminds me of so much emotions.

Nothing new…

I took my phone and saw a reminder that I have to be in the uni before 6 am, there’s a separate meeting with the star students compared to the other regular students. After completing the orientation, we were given a good amount of time to look around and check the clubs where we can join. In my case, I am good, I have several already and I will just take this time to take a break.

I saw a girl gushing over an unfamiliar student in the school grounds, I find it intriguing. I have to hide, there are many people roaming again, I ended up staying in the book club room and decided to read a thing or two.

Last leg of our meeting, and I headed to our assigned classroom. I noticed that there’s an inviting energy inside. From a distance, I saw him.

*“Ohayo! My name is Kenji Yanai. I’m originally from Osaka. I completed my grade school years abroad, but we returned here as my parents decided to move back. I’ll be with you all from now on, and I hope we can get along well,”

I was listening from a distance until someone asked an awkward question, uncomfortable if I may say.

*“Wow! Are you interested in men?”

I think that was insensitive and too personal to ask but I guess that's how it works, after all, common sense is not so common. I decided to get inside just the right time to break the ice from the awkward silence inside the room.

When I saw him, I was momentarily paralyzed, my heart racing as if it had skipped a beat. The sight of him was so unexpected and captivating that it felt like time had stopped. His presence was magnetic—every detail, from his striking features to the effortless way he carried himself, seemed almost too perfect.

A rush of admiration and disbelief surged through me, leaving me momentarily speechless. It was as if a wave of astonishment had crashed over me, rendering me unable to process anything beyond the sheer impact of his appearance. My usual composure melted away, replaced by a mixture of awe and flustered confusion.

In that instant, I felt a strange blend of admiration and self-consciousness, as if I had been abruptly pulled into a world where reality and admiration blurred together. It wasn’t just his looks that left me stunned, but the undeniable aura he radiated, making it hard to reconcile the image before me with my own sense of reality.

Alright, maybe I was being too dramatic. I was just trying to express how strikingly good-looking and tall he is.

That day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. It’s not unusual to sense being observed, but this time there was something different—an unfamiliar aura seemed to linger in the eyes watching me.

I was reviewing our advanced lecture materials for the major subjects. I know it sounds boring, but it’s my way of escaping the distractions around me. I noticed Kenji, that’s his name, talking to Yeji, one of our classmates. They seemed very close, chatting happily with others. Their ease and comfort with each other were so evident, it almost seemed like they were a couple.

Weeks passed, and the sensation of being watched persisted. It was particularly unsettling one day when I felt someone’s gaze while I was dozing off in the Book Club room. I just couldn’t figure out what was going on.

“Hey, Yuri! Let’s meet after class at the Building A library to work on the project and revisions for tomorrow,” a girl’s voice called out.

Turning around, I saw Kenji. “Over here!” the voice called again. Looking down, I noticed Yeji, the petite girl who seems to be the fantasy of many men. “I’m sorry, Yeji, I didn’t see you there,” I said. Kenji laughed at my comment, and Yeji turned red, likely embarrassed. “I didn’t mean it that way. My apologies. So, Building A library, right?” I said, feeling awkward and wishing I could take my words back.

I don’t usually find myself in such situations, but there was a refreshing change in the air, so I decided to join them.

“See you there!” Kenji said.