POV: Asuka Minami – 15 years old, first year at Hanamori All-Girls High
The incident happened three days ago. But my heart?
Still like jump at higher building every time I think about it.
I didn't mean to bump into someone. I was just walking through the park after cram school, sipping my melon soda, when—
Wham.
I bumped into a guy so hard I nearly dropped my drink. He turned around. I looked up.
And it was like someone turned on the slow-motion button.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Soft-looking hair. Sharp jawline. Golden skin from training in the sun. Those eyes? Not just serious—focused. Like he was analyzing the entire universe and decided I was worth noticing.
…So I panicked but.
"Ah, sorry," he said calmly, stepping back.
"It's okay," I replied with a soft smile. "My fault too. I wasn't paying attention."
They paused for a beat. Masaki's gaze lingered, not out of habit, but curiosity.
I blinked. I laughed. He laughed. And I don't know what came over me, but—I asked for his number.
Me. Asuka Minami. Professional shy girl.
⸻
It didn't hit me until I got home.
What did I just do? What if he thinks I'm weird? What if he gives me a fake number? What if he's actually—gasp—famous?!
He texted me a simple:
[Hi! It's Masaki. The boy from the taiyaki stand]
[Thanks for not thinking I'm a criminal for bumping into you haha…]
I replied with:
[Hey, no worries.It is also my fault not focus.]
But then he replied back
[By the way, you actually so funny and cool during that time and i find it cute.]
He said… I am cute?
HE SAID I'M CUTE
I may have rolled off my bed, onto the floor, and screamed into my pillow.
⸻
Now, three days later, I'm sitting in my desk at Hanamori All-Girls High, surrounded by my nosy friends who all seem to have a sixth sense for love drama.
"Okay, spill," says Mei, my best friend since middle school. "You've been spacing out for three hour."
"I—I just bumped into someone," I say, sipping my peach tea like it'll hide my red face.
They all lean in. Even the class rep pretends to organize her notes while secretly eavesdropping.
Mei: "Bumped into someone…?"
I sigh. "Yeah someone. But like it really by accident."
My other friend, Yuka, fans herself dramatically. "Is he cute?"
"He's… yeah," I say, trying to sound casual. "Like, ridiculously."
"What's his name?" Mei asks.
I hesitate. Then I say it.
"Masaki Renjirou."
…
The silence is so loud I think time just stopped.
Yuka drops her pen. Mei chokes on her bento.
"YOU MEAN THE MASAKI RENJIROU?!" they both yell at the same time.
I blink. "Um… maybe?"
"MASAKI RENJIROU WHO SCORED THE FINAL GOAL AGAINST FRANCE?!"
"MASAKI RENJIROU WHO HAD THAT FULL-PAGE AD IN FOOTBALL KINGDOM MAGAZINE?!"
"MASAKI RENJIROU WHO WAS ON NATIONAL NEWS FOR BEING THE 'GENIUS OF FOOTBALL'?!"
"Oh," I say softly. "So that's why his name sounded kinda familiar…"
They both faceplant into their desks.
Mei looks up, half crying. "You bumped into him. Then you asked him for his number. Asuka. ASUKA. WHO ARE YOU?!"
"I panicked!" I yell. "I wasn't thinking!"
Yuka grabs my shoulders. "This is fate. Destiny. Your love story just got published by the Football gods."
"I just thought he was cute," I mumble.
Mei: "Asuka, you just casually matched with Japan's teenage football legend. You win. We're done."
⸻
After lunch, I'm still reeling. Masaki Renjirou. Football genius. Apparently extremely famous.
I scroll back through our texts.
[Training today was brutal. The coach made us do sprints in the rain. I feel like a sea creature.]
[Nana says I'm banned from eating pudding. Again.]
He's actually funny. And warm. And… normal. Not like the perfect prince-type everyone thinks he is.
In one picture he sent, he's smiling while holding a stolen jelly cup. His little sister in the background is pointing at him like he's a criminal. Caption:
[The Great Dessert Heist]
My heart kind of melted. A little.
Okay, a lot.
⸻
On the way home, I stare out the window on the train and wonder if I'll ever see him again in person. Or if I totally blew it and he'll forget I exist by next week.
But then my phone buzzes:
[Hey. Nana says she wants a rematch. This time with actual pudding. Wanna come referee? 😅]
I cover my mouth and giggle like a crazy person on the train.
My friends were right.
This does feel like a romcom.