"Shizunomiya," Rai Hikaru said in a patient but strained tone, "it's been several minutes now. You can get off me anytime."
He could feel her—every soft curve—pressed full‑body against him in a hold that screamed both fear and accident. Only, this particular accident involved her ramming straight into him as if she were a professional soccer forward, and then repeatedly dribbling him.
If life had referees, she would've earned a red card on the spot.
Rai cleared his throat meaningfully. "Penalty warning."
Maybe it was the sharpness in his voice or the brief flash of his "disciplinary stick" (a prop he half‑jokingly waved to scare her straight), but Natsuka immediately went limp, face blazing red, and finally climbed off him.
"S‑sorry!" she squeaked. "I was just… really scared, that's all!"
Rai waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. Come on, we're going to miss second period."
They started walking toward the building. Natsuka trailed just behind him, heart pounding faster the longer she looked at his back.
Scaling the school wall, landing in his arms—it was all so reckless, so unlike anything she'd ever done. For a straight‑laced girl who used to cite the rulebook as gospel, it felt sinful… and exhilarating.
Like a devout nun realizing she'd just broken her vows—and liking it.
No wonder she'd been watching all those risqué movies lately. It wasn't about lust; it was about the thrill.
And now Rai—the one who'd pulled her into this forbidden excitement—had unknowingly carved himself deeper into her heart.
And Rai‑kun… he's so strong…
Her eyes locked on his back again, remembering the easy way he'd leapt the wall, the solid, unshakable grip with which he had caught her mid‑air. And when she'd clung to him, face buried against his chest, she'd felt it—something terrifyingly real and… impressive.
Her cheeks heated all over again.
That kind of boy… isn't he exactly the type every girl dreams about?
Perfect… utterly perfect.
A faint pink shimmer flickered in her crimson eyes before Rai's voice jolted her back.
"Shizunomiya, hurry up. Second period's starting any minute."
"Ah! R‑right!"
She snapped out of her daze and jogged to catch up, slapping her burning cheeks with both hands. "No, no, stop it! What am I thinking?! Rai‑kun and I could never—!"
Her mind whipped stubbornly back to her original promise. I already told Yuta that once he got into high school, we'd be together. I'll keep that promise. I only like Yuta. I only like Yuta! Yes. Definitely…
They reached the classroom moments before the second period began.
Most students didn't even glance their way, too busy with their own chatter. Only three girls sitting in the back—bright‑haired, tanned, and clearly part of the "gyaru" crowd—took discreet notice, exchanging curious looks.
When the bell rang for the end of second period, Rai leaned back on his desk, ready to sneak in a nap.
Then came noise. Loud, grating noise.
He turned his head and saw them—the same three flashy girls—from earlier. All three had a smaller, timid boy backed against the wall of the classroom.
"Hey, Imazumi," drawled one of them, a blonde with shoulder‑length hair and glossy lips. "Didn't you say you'd bring your console today? We were gonna play together."
Her tone was anything but friendly.
"I—I moved out recently," the boy stammered. "I don't have money to buy another one yet…"
The red‑haired gal beside her frowned sharply. "What's that supposed to mean? You promised, Imazumi! We brought all our game cartridges today."
"Y‑yeah, but I just moved into my own place," Imazumi murmured helplessly. "I can't afford a new console right now…"
The third girl—white‑haired, twin‑tailed, eyes glinting with mischief—grinned. "Ohhh? So you're living alone now, is that it?"
"Y‑yes! If you don't believe me, you can come see!" he said quickly.
The blonde laughed coldly. "Fine then. But if you're lying, you're dead. After class, we're—"
"Do you mind keeping it down?"
The words sliced through her sentence like a blade.
Four heads turned in unison toward the voice.
A tall boy stood beside them, black hair neat, expression calm but dangerous. His sharp gaze swept over the scene from above, assessing—annoyed.
Rai Hikaru.
Avenger of sleep disturbed. Defender against petty bullying. Pure Love enforcer.
"Hey, mind your business," the blonde snapped, unbothered that he was a full head taller. "We're just talking with Imazumi. What's it to you?"
But before she could say more, the redhead pulled on her sleeve, whispering urgently, "Reina, that's him—the guy who beat up Kaede Masaru this morning!"
At that, Reina's eyes lit up with interest.
Meanwhile, the white‑haired twin‑tail's gaze had gone glazed and hungry, fixed squarely on Rai's face. She actually licked her lips.
Reina gave him a long, deliberate look before smiling coyly.
"So you're Rai Hikaru, huh? We're having a friendly chat with Imazumi. You got a problem with that?"
Rai didn't bother responding to her tone. "Yeah. You're noisy, and I don't like seeing classmates gang up on someone. Especially when it's three against one."
Reina let out a sharp laugh. "What, you think you're some kind of hero? Hah! What if I am being noisy? What if we are bullying him?" She leaned forward, sticking her tongue out playfully. "What are you gonna do—fight me? Go on. Hit me, 'Justice‑kun.'"
Even the other two girls froze, eyes wide. They might've acted tough before, but provoking Rai of all people? That was insane.
Rai smiled faintly. "Tell me, Reina—do you actually think I won't hit a girl?"
She smirked, flourishing a fist. "Try me, then! You don't have the guts—wah!"
Before she could finish the taunt, she suddenly let out a sharp gasp and winced, clutching her arm dramatically. "Owww! Rai‑kun, that hurt! You're so strong!"
Then—to everyone's disbelief—she stumbled forward and collapsed right against his chest.
"I get it, I get it," she moaned theatrically, pressing even closer. "Don't hit me anymore, Rai‑kun, be gentle~!"
Rai blinked, utterly nonplussed.
He hadn't even moved.
Yet there she was—flushed, clinging to him, arms looped around his back as if seeking comfort.
What the hell...?
I didn't even touch her, and she's already fallen for it?!