Leo's morning started with a fortune cookie.
He hadn't even eaten breakfast yet—it was shoved into his locker by some mysterious hand. The paper inside read:
> "Today, hearts will collide. Choose your seat wisely."
Leo blinked at the message.
> That's… concerningly specific.
---
Today was elective preview day, where students could try out various optional classes before formally enrolling. Leo had picked "Creative Writing," mostly because it sounded quiet.
He arrived early, took a seat by the window, and exhaled.
Peace.
That lasted roughly forty-seven seconds.
"Yo, anyone sitting here?"
A voice.
Male.
Leo looked up and saw a tall guy with slightly messy brown hair, an unbuttoned uniform collar, and a crooked grin. He plopped into the chair beside Leo without waiting for an answer.
"I'm Kai. You're the new guy, right? Leo Something?"
"…Leo Shen."
"Cool. You looked lonely. Figured you needed a friend."
Leo blinked. "…Thanks?"
Kai leaned back in his chair, already chewing gum. "So, how's transfer life? I heard you're collecting girls like Pokémon."
Leo choked on his water. "W-What?!"
Kai grinned. "Hey, don't blame me. I'm just repeating what I heard. Ice Princess Rin, Radio Queen Yuki, and Track & Field Beast Hana. You're, like, the talk of the dorm forums, dude."
"There's a forum?!"
"Duh. You're trending."
Leo buried his face in his hands. "I haven't even done anything…"
Kai shrugged. "Doesn't matter. You're tall, quiet, and look like you're carrying tragic backstory energy. That's enough."
---
Class began, and Kai turned out to be... surprisingly insightful. He critiqued a sample story with casual accuracy, using phrases like "emotional undercooked" and "dialogue pacing off."
Leo started to respect him.
After class, they walked out together.
"So," Kai said, "you got lunch plans?"
"I was going to just grab something from the vending machine and—"
"Nope," Kai interrupted. "First week friend bonding time. Cafeteria. Real food. Let's go."
Leo opened his mouth to object—
But someone else beat him to it.
"Leo."
He turned.
Rin was standing nearby, holding a wrapped bento box.
"I made extra," she said quietly. "Would you… like some?"
Kai's eyebrows rose. "Ohhh."
Leo blinked. "Uh—Rin, this is—"
"Hi," she said, barely looking at Kai.
"I'm Kai," he said, smiling. "Leo's new wingman."
"…Okay."
Before Leo could respond—
"Leo~!"
Yuki popped up from literally behind a tree holding two drinks. "I got the melon soda you liked! Took forever to find a machine with stock!"
Rin stared.
Kai stared.
Leo, internally: I'm going to die.
"I also got curry bread!" Yuki added brightly. "Wanna eat together?"
"…Actually, I was—" Leo began.
Then—just because life clearly wanted him to suffer—
A soccer ball bounced nearby.
A few seconds later, Hana jogged over in her training gear, wiping sweat off her brow.
She stopped when she saw the gathering.
"…Huh. What's this? Group date?"
Leo raised both hands in surrender. "I just wanted food!"
Hana laughed. "You poor thing."
Then she pointed at Kai. "Who's this?"
"I'm Kai. Witnessing what appears to be the slow birth of a harem anime."
Yuki snorted. Rin narrowed her eyes. Hana smirked.
Leo: "Can we not call it that?"
---
Eventually, through some miracle (and Kai's aggressive diplomacy), they all ended up sitting at the same lunch table.
It was… quiet.
Too quiet.
Rin silently opened her bento.
Yuki enthusiastically unwrapped curry bread.
Hana casually stole a chicken skewer from someone's tray.
Kai watched like it was the best soap opera he'd ever seen.
Leo stared at his untouched tray.
Kai leaned toward him and whispered, "Bro. I know you're suffering, but this is amazing content."
"You're not helping."
"Oh, I know."
---
After lunch, Leo trudged back to class, Kai walking beside him.
"So," Kai said casually, "you're doomed."
Leo sighed. "Thanks."
"But," Kai added, "if you ever need an emotional support bro, I got you."
"…I appreciate it."
Kai threw an arm around his shoulder. "Now, let's survive high school without being stabbed in a love triangle."
Leo wasn't sure that was possible anymore.