Kaito sat still for a moment, staring at the phone. Then his gaze shifted toward the window.
The sunlight danced across the glass, and his reflection stared back at him faintly.
He took a deep breath, stood, and began collecting the dishes. Every motion was quiet and deliberate.
The plate scraped lightly as he picked it up.
Clink…
He washed the utensils, the plate, and the pan. The water ran smoothly over his fingers.
His hands were steady from the practiced grace of a few years.
After drying everything and setting it in perfect order, he walked back to his room and stood before the uniform once again.
He stripped his comfortable clothes and reached for the school attire.
The shirt clung to his chest, each button clicking into place, fitting snug against the lean muscle beneath. Then the blazer slid over his shoulders, hugging his shoulders.
Click... click... click...
He adjusted the collar, straightened the cuffs, and looked at himself briefly in the mirror.
He was unrecognizable from the boy he once was, and yet still hiding the man he had become.
His fingers brushed his tie, tugging it into place before he picked up his bag and walked to the entrance.
He stepped into his shoes, which were polished and placed precisely.
The key twisted in the lock.
Click…
After he made sure he was done, he climbed into the elevator.
The elevator dinged softly as it opened to the grand marble lobby of the hotel. The interior gleamed with golden accents and modern luxury, all under Kaito's quiet ownership.
He stepped out.
"Good morning, Kaito-sama~!"
"Good morning, Kaito-sama~!"
Two voices chimed in unison.
At the reception stood two young women, both dressed in elegant uniforms, their smiles wide and genuine.
Kaito offered a gentle nod. "Morning, Asumi, Mika."
They blushed slightly at his attention.
"You look so sharp today," Mika said, her eyes trailing slightly down his frame before she caught herself.
"Always refreshing to see you in uniform, sir," Asumi added, her tone more professional but still affectionate.
Kaito smiled faintly, brushing his fingers through his hair. "Thanks. I'll be back by the usual time. Handle any inquiries through Ayaka if something urgent comes up."
"Understood," They chorused.
As he stepped through the revolving door, the cool and crisp morning breeze welcomed him.
The streets were still quiet, the occasional passerby glancing his way, none knowing who he truly was.
For them, he was just another student walking to school.
He could have taken a car, could have had a driver, or even a convoy.
But he chose the simplest way of living, walking to his school himself.
Each step on the sidewalk echoed lightly, rhythmic and calm.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Beneath that calm, thoughts churned.
Why am I still pretending this is normal? This life... This role... This uniform...
He passed a vending machine, its neon lights flickering faintly.
A cat brushed past his leg and darted into an alley.
He kept walking.
The weight of the school bag on his shoulder didn't compare to the one in his chest.
Ayaka's voice…It almost made me want to speak.
But he couldn't, he was not ready yet.
Some truths were still too raw, and some wounds were too deep.
His hands were tucked into his pockets, shoulders square, posture relaxed—but it was all a crafted lie.
Inside, something trembled.
Not from weakness.
From the effort of holding everything back.
The walk toward the school always felt longer.
Kaito moved with unhurried steps, head slightly lowered, the city's morning rhythm a low hum around him. The streets bustled as adults darted toward subway stations, some sprinting to catch buses.
Their faces were drawn, tight with responsibility.
They were crushed underneath the deadlines, regrets, and responsibilities. Most of them didn't even look up.
Teenagers in wrinkled uniforms hurried down the sidewalks, earbuds in, grumbling about homework or whispering about someone's crush. A group of girls passed him, giggling at something on their phones.
"Wait—look at him," One of them murmured, her voice barely above a breath.
"He's so handsome," Another whispered, eyes wide.
"He looks like a model…"
"Who's going to ask for his number?"
"Not me! You do it!"
"Ugh, I'll do it if no one else will—don't test me."
They huddled tighter, trying to contain their excitement, sneaking glances over their shoulders as they walked past. A blush-colored ripple moved through the group.
From not far away, a pair of boys watched the scene unfold, one scoffing under his breath.
"Tch. He's not that good-looking," One grumbled.
"What's he even done? Just walking past like that, looking all… cool and mysterious or whatever," The other muttered, bitterness lining his tone.
"They only like him 'cause he doesn't care."
Kaito heard every word. The soft giggles, the breathless comparisons, the sharp envy laced in the boys' voices. He heard it all—and ignored it. Hands in his pockets, eyes forward, he walked on like the world around him didn't exist.
His mind was elsewhere, thinking about something far more important.
Everyone looks like they know where they're going… Running, chasing, stumbling toward something.
Yet, here I am... I feel so empty and lost. I have so many skills yet don't want to return to my old ways... just want to live a fulfilling life.
The morning breeze brushed against his cheek, cool and fleeting. He breathed in deeply but felt nothing fill his lungs.
He approached the school gates, the huge building rising like a cold reminder of routines and expectations.
That's when he heard it.
"Kaito! Wait up!"
A voice—warm, boyish, with a bit of excitement.
Kaito turned and saw a young man jogging towards him, his usual calm demeanor accompanied by a rare smile.
"Tetsu!"
Tetsu... Tetsu Kuroko, his good friend, stood out in the crowd with ease, not through flamboyance or overt charisma, but through a quiet presence that commanded attention.
He possessed an unassuming yet striking appearance. His hair, a deep shade of indigo, was kept neatly trimmed, with bangs that subtly framed his sharp, observant eyes. Those eyes, a piercing steel gray, held a depth that often made others feel as though he could see right through them.
His complexion was fair, hinting at limited exposure to the sun, and his facial features were refined, with high cheekbones and a straight nose.
Standing at an average height for his age, Tetsu's build was lean and athletic, a testament to his dedication to his love for sports and the school's rigorous basketball training regimen. His posture was impeccable, reflecting both discipline and confidence.
Adhering strictly to the school's dress code, Tetsu wore the traditional Teikō Junior High male uniform—a crisp, navy blue gakuran. The jacket, buttoned up to the collar, featured the school's emblem on the brass buttons. His trousers were neatly pressed, and he wore polished black loafers.