Tiger and Dragon

It was the start of spring.

“Why… why does it always have to be like this!?”

Takasu Ryuuji glared at the mirror with disgust, furrowing his eyebrows as he leaned closer. No matter how many times he washed his face, combed his hair, or smiled politely, his eyes remained the same — sharp, cold, and absolutely terrifying.

He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t irritated. He had just been… born with this face.

A face that could scare off neighborhood kids.

A face that made teachers keep their distance.

A face that made even his own classmates whisper behind his back:

> “That guy… he’s totally yakuza.”

Ryuuji sighed, brushing back his bangs with a towel as the morning sun poured into his room.

It was the first day of second year in high school.

“I’m not a delinquent,” he whispered to himself, shoulders slumping.

---

Downstairs, the sound of clanking pans and loud humming drifted from the kitchen.

“Ryu-chaaaaan! Breakfast’s ready~! You better eat while it’s hot!”

That voice belonged to his mother, Takasu Yasuko — an overly cheerful woman with dyed-blonde hair and a personality louder than life itself. At only 4'11", she didn’t look like anyone's idea of a mother, especially not Ryuuji’s.

Ryuuji sighed again, but smiled faintly. Even if she was a little irresponsible, she was still… his mom.

After a quick breakfast — rice, miso soup, and a burnt-looking omelet (which still tasted good, somehow) — he slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped out of their small apartment.

The sky was clear. The cherry blossoms danced on the wind.

> This year… maybe things will be different.

He didn’t expect much. He just wanted a normal high school life.

But life had other plans.

---

Enter the Tiger

“Move it!”

A blur of brown shot past him as he walked down the hallway of Class 2-C, a small figure charging at full speed like a wild beast.

Thud!

Bam!

Crash!

Chairs toppled. Desks rattled. A boy screamed.

And there, standing in the middle of the chaos, panting with a murderous glint in her eye—

Was Aisaka Taiga.

Petite. Beautiful. Doll-like face.

And absolutely terrifying.

Everyone called her the Palmtop Tiger.

> “Don’t… get in my way,” she growled, brushing her long chestnut hair aside as she turned back toward the door.

Ryuuji blinked.

The tiger had arrived.

---

The Dragon’s New Seat

Fate (and the seating chart) had a cruel sense of humor.

Ryuuji’s seat? Right behind Taiga.

At first, she didn’t even look at him. Didn’t acknowledge him. Nothing.

But then during lunch, when he offered her a tissue (after she sneezed three times in a row), she turned slowly… eyes narrow like a cat ready to strike.

“...Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked flatly.

“I… I wasn’t,” Ryuuji replied, inching back.

She stared at him a moment longer… and then looked away.

It was the start of something… dangerous.

---

The Letter in the Wrong Bag

That night, Ryuuji returned home and, out of habit, started tidying his school bag.

He reached for his notebook — and something fluttered out.

> A love letter?

He opened it slowly. His eyes widened.

It was addressed to…

Kitamura Yusaku.

His best friend.

But the letter wasn’t his. It was—

Taiga’s.

She had stuffed it in the wrong bag.

And now Ryuuji was holding it.

“Oh no…”

---

The Midnight Intruder

That night, as he was brushing his teeth—

He heard a faint sound.

Rustling.

He turned around.

There she was.

In his house. In the dark.

Aisaka Taiga, standing in his living room, holding a wooden sword.

“Give. It. Back,” she said through gritted teeth.

“What the hell!?” Ryuuji shouted, nearly dropping his toothbrush.

She lunged.

He ducked.

She swung.

He ran.

What followed was a chaotic chase around the apartment, furniture crashing, pillows flying — all for one single love letter.

Finally, Ryuuji managed to stop her, panting.

“I’m not going to tell anyone! I swear! Just calm down!!”

She froze, staring at him.

“…Really?” she whispered, cheeks red.

Ryuuji nodded.

“Then…” she murmured. “You have to help me.”

“H-Huh?”

“Help me confess to Kitamura.”

Ryuuji blinked. “You want me to—?”

“You saw the letter! You know now! You have to help me, or else—”

She held up the wooden sword again.

“…I’ll kill you.”

---

Dragon and Tiger, Bound by Fate

And so, a strange alliance began.

The feared delinquent.

The palmtop tiger.

Bound together by secrets, misunderstandings, and a love letter gone wrong.

Little did they know…

This was the beginning of something neither of them expected.

Not friendship.

Not love.

But something far more complicated.

---

To Be Continued…

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