The announcement came unexpectedly.
"Attention everyone! The annual cultural festival will be held in two weeks!"
The classroom buzzed instantly.
Excitement spread like wildfire.
"What should we do?"
"Let's do a maid café!"
"No, haunted house!"
Ideas flew in every direction.
Ren sat quietly, observing the chaos.
So this is… a festival.
He had attended grand corporate parties, elite gatherings, and high-profile events his entire life.
But this?
This loud, messy enthusiasm—
It was completely new.
"Yo, Ren!"
Yuto slammed his hand on Ren's desk.
"What do you think? Maid café or haunted house?"
"…I don't have an opinion."
"Lame. You gotta participate, man!"
Ren gave a faint smile.
"…Then pick something interesting."
"Everything is interesting!"
Before Ren could respond—
"Let's do a café."
The room quieted slightly.
All eyes turned.
Hina.
She stood near her desk, arms crossed.
"A café?" someone repeated.
"We already know how it works," she continued calmly. "Less risk, easier to manage, and we can actually make profit."
Yuto snapped his fingers. "That's smart."
"Right?" Hina said. "Instead of trying something fancy and failing, we do something simple—but do it well."
Murmurs of agreement spread.
"Yeah, that makes sense."
"Let's do it!"
The decision was made quickly.
"Alright!" the class rep announced. "Café it is!"
Everyone cheered.
Ren looked at Hina.
She's reliable.
Not flashy.
Not loud.
But someone people naturally followed.
"…She's amazing, right?" Yuto whispered.
"…Yeah."
---
"Next—roles!"
The class rep started assigning responsibilities.
"Cooking team…"
"Decoration team…"
"Finance…"
Then—
"Servers."
Several girls raised their hands immediately.
Excitement sparkled in their eyes.
"…Of course," Yuto muttered. "Everyone wants attention."
Then suddenly—
"Ren Takahashi."
Ren blinked.
"…Me?"
"You'll be a server."
The room buzzed again.
"Of course he would!"
"He's perfect for it!"
"Customers will love him!"
Ren sighed quietly.
I should've stayed invisible…
"And Hina Sakuragi."
Silence.
Then—
"Hina?!"
"Wait seriously?"
She frowned slightly.
"…Why me?"
"You have café experience," the rep said. "You'll be perfect."
Hina hesitated.
Then—
"…Fine."
Ren glanced at her.
For some reason—
He felt relieved.
---
After school—
The classroom was filled with activity.
Tables moved.
Plans discussed.
Energy everywhere.
Ren stood near the window again.
"…You're not helping."
He turned.
Hina stood beside him.
"…I don't know what to do."
"Then start by doing something."
"…Like?"
She handed him a notebook.
"Take orders. We're planning the menu."
Ren looked at it.
Simple.
But unfamiliar.
"…Alright."
For the next hour—
Ren worked.
Really worked.
Writing.
Asking questions.
Listening.
It wasn't perfect.
But it was… real.
"…You're slow," Hina commented.
"I'm learning."
"…At least you're trying."
Ren smirked slightly.
"Is that praise?"
"…Don't push it."
But there was no irritation in her voice.
---
As time passed—
The classroom grew quieter.
Students started leaving one by one.
Until—
Only a few remained.
Including them.
"…You can go," Hina said, stacking papers.
"You're still working."
"I'll finish this."
Ren paused.
Then—
"I'll help."
She looked at him.
"…Why?"
"…Because you helped me earlier."
Silence.
Then she sighed.
"…Fine. Don't slow me down."
---
The sun had already begun to set.
Golden light filled the classroom.
For a while—
Only the sound of paper and pens remained.
Then—
"…Why do you try so hard?" Ren asked.
Hina didn't look up.
"…What do you mean?"
"You work. You study. You do everything alone."
"…So?"
"You don't have to."
She stopped writing.
Slowly—
She looked at him.
"…You sound just like him."
Ren froze.
"Takumi," she said.
Her voice was colder now.
"He says the same thing."
Ren frowned.
"…I'm not him."
"Then don't say things like that."
Silence.
"…Sorry."
Hina exhaled softly.
"…It's fine."
She looked back at her work.
"…I don't have a choice," she added quietly.
Ren watched her.
"…Everyone has a choice."
She smiled faintly.
But it wasn't a happy smile.
"…Not everyone."
---
A few minutes later—
Hina suddenly stood up.
"…I'm hungry."
Ren blinked.
"That was random."
"I skipped lunch properly."
"…Let's eat then."
She paused.
"…You?"
"I'm hungry too."
That was a lie.
But he said it anyway.
Hina stared at him for a moment.
Then—
"…There's a small place nearby."
---
The shop was simple.
Warm lights.
Quiet atmosphere.
Very different from his usual world.
They sat across from each other.
"…This is normal food," Hina said. "Don't expect anything fancy."
"I'm not."
Food arrived quickly.
Simple.
Hot.
Real.
Ren took a bite.
And paused.
"…It's good."
"Of course it is."
He smiled slightly.
"…Yeah."
For a while—
They ate in silence.
But this silence felt different.
Comfortable.
Then—
"…Why did you transfer here?" Hina asked suddenly.
Ren froze.
"…Personal reasons."
"Like what?"
"…Just wanted a change."
She narrowed her eyes.
"…You're hiding something again."
"…Maybe."
"…You're annoying."
"But you're still here."
She didn't respond.
Instead—
She took another bite.
"…You're right," she said after a moment.
Ren blinked.
"…About what?"
"…I could stop doing everything alone."
He looked at her.
"…But I won't."
"…Why?"
She looked straight at him.
Because—
"For once," she said quietly,
"I want something in my life that I earned myself."
Ren felt those words deeply.
Not pride.
Not ego.
But determination.
Real.
Strong.
Unshaken.
"…I understand," he said softly.
And for once—
He meant it.
---
As they walked back—
The streets were calm.
Streetlights flickered on one by one.
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…Why do you stay?"
He looked at her.
"…What do you mean?"
"You don't belong here."
His heartbeat stopped for a second.
"…That's harsh."
"I'm serious."
She turned slightly.
"…You feel different."
Ren stayed silent.
"…Maybe," he said finally,
"I'm trying to find where I belong."
Hina looked at him.
Longer this time.
Deeper.
"…That's a stupid reason."
"Maybe."
"…But…"
She looked away.
"…I get it."
Ren smiled faintly.
---
As they reached the usual crossroads—
Hina stopped.
"…Goodnight."
"…Goodnight."
She turned—
Then paused.
"…Don't be late tomorrow."
"…I won't."
"…And…"
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
"…Don't disappear."
Ren blinked.
But before he could respond—
She walked away.
---
Ren stood there.
Under the streetlight.
Her words echoing softly.
> "Don't disappear."
He looked down at his phone.
At the message still waiting.
At the life he hadn't told her about.
"…I might have to."
But for the first time—
That thought didn't feel acceptable anymore.
---
End of Chapter 5
---