"I am Ooka Momiji, who transferred from the Johto region. Please take care of me from now on."
The classroom went silent for a beat — then exploded in whispers.
"From the Johto region? Which Ooka family is she from…?""Incredible…""Her looks, figure, and background are all SSS-tier! She's number one for sure!"
"Quiet!"
Kirisu Mafuyu's icy voice sliced through the air like a blade. The teacher's sharp glare instantly silenced the class, and several boys found themselves standing outside the door moments later.
"Alright," she said, flipping through her roster. "Ooka-san, you can sit next to Yukinoshita-san."
Yukinoshita Yukino blinked, caught off guard.That empty seat beside her — she'd assumed no one would ever take it.
While Yukino was still processing, Momiji walked toward her with elegant confidence. Her long maple-red hair gleamed faintly under the fluorescent light, and her faint smile carried a calm warmth that instantly softened the surrounding air.
"Yukinoshita-san, please take care of me," Momiji said, bowing politely.
Yukino's cool gaze flickered for an instant, quietly assessing the new girl. There was poise in Momiji's every movement — a quiet strength wrapped in grace.And yet, Yukino couldn't help but feel a small pang in her chest — a silent acknowledgment of a rival she hadn't expected.
"Hello…" Yukino replied evenly, standing to greet her. She pulled out the chair beside her with polite precision."Thank you, Yukino-San," Momiji said, smiling again.
For a moment, something subtle changed between them — not hostility, but a gentle current of mutual awareness.
And so, the day passed in the glow of whispered rumors, admiring stares, and the faint sound of Momiji's calm voice each time she answered a teacher's question flawlessly.
When the final bell rang, the classroom erupted into chaos once more.
"Miss Momiji, where do you live? Do you want me to walk you home?""Miss Momiji surely has her own butler!""Please, let me treat you to dinner!"
Momiji raised her hands softly. "Everyone, please calm down."
Her eyes, however, had already found Kaisen — who stood near the back of the room, quietly packing his things. When their gazes met, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I already have my own protector," she said sweetly, her voice carrying just enough to reach the crowd."Right, Kaisen-kun?"
The room froze.
"No way!""So fast…!?"
The despair among the boys was palpable. She had only transferred today — and already claimed him?
Even the girls looked shaken. Kaisen was their school idol — calm, talented, mysterious — and yet this new girl had effortlessly drawn close to him.
Kaisen adjusted his bag calmly. "Let's go, Momiji, Ran."
"Ah, right!" Ran said quickly, startled from her daze as she followed after them.
As the three left the school together, Sonoko watched from the corridor, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. Beside her, Kato Megumi sighed softly.Meanwhile, Yukinoshita Yukino simply turned her gaze toward the window — her expression unreadable.
She wasn't jealous. Not exactly.She just knew that whatever path Kaisen walked, it would never be ordinary.
Outside, the sun had begun to set, painting Saffron City in golden hues. The faint shimmer of psychic barriers and floating vehicles glided past in the distance as they walked toward the park by the gate.
They stopped beneath a wooden pavilion surrounded by wisteria blossoms, their violet petals swaying gently in the evening breeze.
"So, Momiji," Ran began, curiosity sparkling in her tone. "Where are you staying now?"
Momiji set down her bag and answered with quiet composure, "No. 39, Wisteria District, Saffron City."
Ran blinked. "Wait— isn't that…?"
"Yes," Momiji replied, smiling softly. "It's Kaisen's house. I bought it recently. From now on, I'll be his landlord."
"Landlord!!!" Ran's voice echoed across the park.
At that precise moment, a blonde girl with twin ponytails appeared from the path — Eriri.She froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing as she processed what she'd just overheard.
"Tsk! What's this 'beautiful landlord' nonsense?" she said, crossing her arms, her small fang showing as she glared at Kaisen. "What's going on with you, Kaisen!?"
Kaisen groaned quietly. "It's not what it sounds like."
Ran, still wide-eyed, turned to Momiji. "Then what exactly is your relationship?"
Momiji didn't hesitate. She stepped closer and gently linked her arm through Kaisen's."I'm Kaisen-kun's future wife," she said with a serene smile. "Isn't that right, Kaisen?"
"…That's right," he said without missing a beat.
"Wife!?" Eriri and Ran shouted in unison.
Eriri's cheeks flushed crimson. "K-Kaisen, you can't just—! You've known her for one day!"
Momiji chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear."It's not sudden. Kaisen and I made a promise as children — to marry when we grew up."
Ran blinked, processing the words. "Wait, you mean you've known each other since—?"
Momiji nodded gently. "Since before he awakened his Meteor bloodline."
Eriri crossed her arms. "So what? Childhood promises don't mean anything."
Kaisen's eyes sharpened slightly. "Then you've never heard of the Meteor Clan's vows, have you?"
Eriri faltered for a moment. "…Meteor Clan, huh? So that's the special bloodline everyone keeps whispering about?"
Kaisen smiled faintly. "My path won't be limited to just one wife."
"You—!" Eriri sputtered, her tiger tooth glinting as she scowled. "You're a walking red flag, you know that? Ran, back me up here!"
But Ran didn't. She just looked at Kaisen quietly, her expression softer than before.
After all this time with him — after all his battles, his victories, his impossible aura — she'd realized something: people were simply drawn to him. Fighting that was pointless.
"Tell me," Ran said calmly, "Sonoko's change… it's because of you, isn't it?"
Kaisen nodded once. "Yes. Sonoko made the same choice as Momiji."
"I see," Ran whispered.
Images from the past drifted through her mind — Sonoko's bashful smiles, her endless teasing, her quiet admiration for Kaisen. Ran had always known her friend's feelings but chose not to interfere.Now, knowing that Sonoko had found happiness in her own way, Ran felt no jealousy. Only relief.
"In that case," she said with a small smile, "I hope Momiji and I can be good friends."
Momiji blinked, surprised for the first time. Then, her expression softened."Of course," she said warmly. "I'd like that very much."
"R-Ran, are you serious!?" Eriri gasped. "You can't just—!"
Ran smiled playfully. "And you too, Eriri. It's not like your feelings are subtle."
"Who—who likes this guy!?" Eriri turned away, cheeks flaming. "You're imagining things! Anyway, I'm going home! Alone!"
With that, the tsundere stomped off, her twin ponytails bouncing furiously behind her.
Kaisen sighed, half amused. "Classic Eriri."
Ran laughed softly. "She'll come around eventually. Just… don't mistake her pride for rejection."
"I won't," Kaisen said gently, patting her shoulder. "Thanks, Ran."
She nodded, smiling faintly as the evening light caught her hair. "We'll head back first. You said you were visiting Mei, right?"
"Yeah," Kaisen said, glancing toward the horizon where the city lights began to glow. "I won't be long."
Momiji looked up at him, her voice soft and sure."Then I'll wait for you at home, Kaisen-kun. After all…" She smiled, her tone light but her gaze steady."As your landlord, I must ensure you return safely."
Ran groaned. "You're enjoying this too much."
Momiji giggled. "Maybe a little."
Kaisen shook his head, hiding a smile as he turned toward the fading sunlight. The wind carried the faint scent of wisteria through the park — sweet, nostalgic, and fleeting.
Somehow, that fragrance felt like the beginning of something new.
Momiji tilted her head curiously, her maple-colored hair swaying in the breeze. "So, President… what's the name of the girl you're going to visit?"
Kaisen paused for a moment, then answered softly.
"Misumi Uika."