Saturday – Tenkaichi Elite Academy, Event Hall
The school was buzzing.
A "Weekend Culture Activity" had been announced: a class-based cooking showcase, designed to strengthen teamwork between years and encourage bonding.
In a world where men were rare — 1 in every 4 people — schools with male students often treated them like rare cards in a limited deck. Aeron had always hated that. The stares. The attention. The pressure to be someone just because he existed.
He'd spent years hiding behind indifference.
But today… hiding wasn't an option.
"Kael-san! You're joining, right?" one of the event committee girls asked, practically glowing.
"No."
"Oh, come on! We need a guy on the team to even qualify for the presentation stage. Rules are rules!"
Tatsuki leaned over. "You might as well. If you say no again, they'll cry."
"I don't care."
But he did care — when the second-year volunteer walked in with a clipboard, golden ponytail swaying.
Ayaka.
She froze when she saw him.
Then, she smirked.
"Oh. Aeron. You're here early."
"I wasn't planning to join."
"Too bad. You're already signed up." She held up the sheet, his name already in ink.
"I didn't—"
"I forged it. Sue me."
Tatsuki laughed too hard.
---
Preparation Room – Midday
Teams from different classes were scattered around with bowls, pans, and cutting boards. Some groups had triplets of girls. Others had pairs.
Aeron stood by the ingredients table with his arms crossed.
Then she walked in.
Yume.
She wore a cute apron with pale red trim, her usual bright smile lighting up the room. "Oh, Aeron! You're participating too?"
He blinked. "You too?"
"Yeah. I was actually hoping to—"
"Yume," a voice cut in sharply.
Ayaka.
She appeared beside them, holding two aprons and glaring like a storm cloud in heels.
"You're in the wrong group. Aeron's already paired."
"With who?" Yume asked, tilting her head.
Ayaka held up the second apron.
"Me."
Yume paused, smile dimming just a bit. "…Oh. I didn't know."
"You do now."
---
Classroom Kitchen – 30 Minutes Later
Ayaka chopped onions at lightning speed while Aeron focused on plating technique.
They worked like a machine — no wasted motion, no small talk.
Yume watched from the other end of the room, paired with a girl from Class 1-A. She kept glancing toward them.
Especially toward Aeron.
> He's so calm. So focused. He makes cooking look beautiful.
Her chest tightened.
> And he's right next to her.
---
Judging Time – Auditorium
When Aeron and Ayaka presented their dish — a golden egg roll with delicate sauce drizzle and rose-shaped fruit on the side — the crowd clapped louder than expected.
Even the judge, a professional chef brought in from the city, raised an eyebrow. "Did the boy do the plating?"
Ayaka replied instantly, "Yes."
A murmur rippled across the room.
> "He's really talented..."
"That's the quiet one from Class 1-B, right?"
"His hands are so steady—"
Aeron tuned it all out.
But even he couldn't ignore the look in Ayaka's eyes when she stood beside him.
Soft. Warm.
> She wasn't pretending anymore.
---
After the Event – Rooftop
Aeron sat alone again.
But not for long.
Yume stepped through the door, cheeks pink from wind or nerves — he couldn't tell.
"You did amazing today," she said, gently.
"Thanks."
"And… Ayaka," she added, her smile faltering slightly. "She really looked happy being beside you."
Aeron stayed silent.
Then he said something unexpected.
"She's trying."
Yume nodded.
"Are you?" he asked.
She blinked.
"Trying… to get closer?"
Yume looked away, just for a second.
Then met his eyes again.
"I never stopped."
---
Side Story – Mirei's Office, Night
Mirei sipped her tea slowly as she read through the school event report delivered by her assistant.
She saw the names. The rankings.
The judges' remarks.
And then… the photo of Ayaka and Aeron standing together.
> He's changing.
She tapped her polished nail once against the desk.
> "I can't let them get too close."
She picked up her phone.
"Get me the full schedule for Class 1-B next week. And have my driver ready."
"Yes, President."