Meanwhile, on the other side of Rin Yuki's classroom, in another second-year class at Raizen High School…
A girl with short blue hair sat quietly at her desk.
Her bangs fell straight over her forehead, partially obscuring her amber-yellow, gemstone-like eyes. Her gaze remained fixed on her phone screen.
Ding.
A notification chimed, and her account lit up with a new transfer.
¥1,000,000—Deposited.
A rare flicker of emotion passed through her usually impassive eyes.
This blue-haired girl was none other than Yamada Ryou, the same girl who had borrowed money from Rin Yuki.
A student of Class 2-E at Raizen High, Ryou was known for her cold, aloof demeanor. She rarely spoke, but if someone brought up rock music, her passion would ignite, and she'd suddenly become talkative.
Despite coming from a wealthy family, she was always short on cash—mostly because she spent it all on music equipment.
That's why, ever since meeting Rin Yuki, she'd frequently borrowed money from him.
As for why she didn't just ask her parents? Simple—she wanted to minimize their control over her life.
Growing up, Ryou had been spoiled rotten by her parents. But by age 10, she'd started rebelling against their suffocating affection. That was when she discovered rock music—the polar opposite of her parents' refined tastes.
What began as teenage defiance turned into genuine passion.
Not only did she fall in love with rock, but she also developed exceptional bass skills, even joining a band at one point.
Unfortunately, due to personality clashes, she eventually quit.
Now, she was band-less—but not for lack of trying.
After sending Rin Yuki a quick "Thanks.", she immediately opened a shopping site and placed an order for her latest obsession.
On Rin Yuki's end, he read her message and chuckled.
"Ryou-chan… Just wait until you remember how much you owe me. I wonder what kind of face you'll make then?"
Shaking his head, he pocketed his phone.
Maybe I should meet her in person sometime.
They'd only ever talked online. If they passed each other at school, he'd recognize her—but would she even remember him?
With that thought, Rin Yuki cheerfully decided: Time to collect his debt face-to-face.
Soon, the rest of the class trickled in.
Several girls greeted Rin Yuki warmly, and he responded politely.
Then—
"Rin Yuki-kun! Good morning!"
A bright, energetic voice called out to him.
Kitagawa Marin, her golden hair styled in a trendy gyaru fashion, beamed at him.
"Good morning, Marin."
His lips curled into a gentle smile, warm as sunlight.
Marin froze.
For a second, she felt like she was being pulled in by that smile.
Then—
Snap out of it!
Her cheeks flushed pink as she hurriedly stomped down the sudden flutter in her chest.
Dammit! Rin Yuki-kun's smile is too unfair! How am I supposed to resist that?!
Her mind short-circuited.
"Uh—uh! D-Did you eat breakfast yet?"
The words tumbled out before she could stop herself.
…Immediately, she regretted it.
Stupid! Of course he ate breakfast! Why did I even ask that?!
Just as she was about to cringe at her own awkward attempt at conversation—Rin Yuki actually responded.
"Yep, I ate!"
His voice was warm, his smile still gentle as he looked at Marin.
Instantly, she felt a rush of gratitude.
He didn't give me a weird look for asking something so obvious…
Her impression of him shot up even higher.
"So, Rin Yuki-kun… what do you usually like to do for fun?"
"Any hobbies?"
She steered the conversation toward interests, then immediately panicked—Was that too forward?
"O-Of course, if it's too personal, you don't have to answer!"
Seeing her flustered backtracking, Rin Yuki chuckled softly.
"Not at all. Like I said during introductions yesterday, I'm into a lot of things—and good at most of them."
"Honestly, whatever you can think of, I've probably tried it. Feel free to ask me anything."
"Really?!"
Marin's face lit up like a firework.
"Of course."
"We're friends, aren't we? No reason to lie."
He nodded casually.
Friends.
The word sent a tiny electric jolt through Marin's chest, ripples spreading in her heart.
"Then… since we're friends… can I call you Yuki-kun?"
She tested the waters, voice hopeful.
"Sure. In return, I'll call you Marin."
"YES! Please do!!"
Her grin could've powered the sun.
This was progress. In her mind, they'd just leveled up their relationship.
"Ah! Yuki-kun, wait a sec—"
She hurriedly dumped her bag at her seat, then dashed back to his side.
"So, Yuki-kun… do you read manga or watch anime?"
As she rested her arms on the desk (which happened to belong to Tobiichi Origami, currently absent), her chest gently pressed against the surface. Her large, soft breasts molded slightly as they squished against the hard top, making the desk tremble ever so slightly.
The movement brought her cleavage right into Yuki's line of sight.
His gaze lingered—just for a split second—before he mentally noted:
…Not bad at all.
"Well, of course—"
Rin Yuki was about to answer when a cool, flat voice cut in.
"No. He only watches me."
Even before seeing her, Rin Yuki already knew who it was.
Marin blinked in surprise, then quickly turned around.
Standing behind her was a petite girl with short white hair and an expression as blank as a porcelain doll.
Tobiichi Origami.
Her emotionless gaze bore down on Marin like a judge delivering a silent verdict, an unspoken pressure radiating from her.
"O-Oh! Origami-san! S-Sorry for using your desk!"
Flustered, Marin slowly straightened up.
Origami's eyes flickered downward—just for a split second—landing on Marin's ample assets.
Tch.
A barely audible click of her tongue. A flash of something dark in her stare.
"It's fine."
Then, as if nothing happened, she walked past Marin and slid into her seat.
But instead of sitting normally, she immediately latched onto Rin Yuki's arm, pressing herself against him like a possessive koala.
No words. No explanation.
Just a steady, unblinking glare aimed directly at Marin.
Marin's smile stiffened. The air turned to ice.
"I-I'll just… go back to my seat now…"
Defeated, she retreated, though her eyes lingered on Rin Yuki with palpable longing.
So close! I was this close to getting his LINE or maybe even a weekend hangout!
She mentally cursed her luck—and Origami's terrible timing.
Meanwhile, from across the room, Kirino Kosaka watched the entire exchange with an unreadable expression.