Ren stepped into the vast exam hall, calm and composed, eyes scanning the neatly arranged desks and students settling in. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patterns on the polished floors.
Rows of students whispered nervously, flipping through notes or checking their pencils. Ren cataloged everything silently: who seemed confident, who was anxious, and who might overthink the questions.
Kaito slid into the seat next to him, grinning.
"Ready for this?"
Ren's reply was cool and precise.
"Focus. That's enough."
The clock ticked steadily on the wall. The exam began.
Ren worked with efficiency, his mind sharp and methodical. He analyzed the problems carefully, solving the simpler ones first and planning strategies for the trickier ones. Minutes passed, and his paper began to fill faster than anyone else in the room.
Kaito scribbled frantically beside him, whispering numbers and formulas under his breath.
"How… how are you so fast?" he muttered.
Ren glanced at him, expression unreadable.
"Concentration matters more than speed," he said softly.
Across the hall, Mei worked with the same calm precision. Her pencil moved gracefully, solving problem after problem. She finished slightly after Ren, placing her answer sheet on the desk quietly, without drawing attention.
Neither Ren nor Mei raised their hands immediately. They didn't need to. They weren't here to be noticed. Their success was quiet, deliberate, and invisible to the rest of the room.
By the time the clock ticked down, both had completed the exam with time to spare. Other students handed in their papers nervously, some confidently, but Ren and Mei's performance was subtle, hidden behind calm composure — excellence in plain sight.
Kaito, still scribbling, whispered in awe:
"Unbelievable… you guys are amazing."
Ren returned his focus to the room, scanning quietly. Better to blend in. Success doesn't need applause, he thought.
The exam hall buzzed with nervous chatter as pencils were set down and chairs creaked.
"Time's up," the proctor announced, collecting the last of the answer sheets.
Ren leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly. The test had been long but fair — nothing he couldn't handle. Around him, students whispered frantically, comparing answers, relief and regret mixed in every voice.
He stood up calmly, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Outside, the spring sunlight filtered through the school gates, painting soft shadows across the path lined with cherry trees. The faint hum of the city returned as he walked toward the station — alone, as usual.
"Man, that exam was brutal," Kaito groaned. "Did you see that last math question? I swear it was made by a demon."
Ren adjusted his bag strap. "It wasn't that bad."
"Not that bad? Bro, you say that about everything." Kaito sighed dramatically, throwing his arms up. "You're lucky you're smart and calm. I was sweating bullets in there."
"Worrying won't change anything" Ren said plainly.
Kenta frowned. "You make it sound easy."
Ren didn't respond. He simply looked ahead — at the scattering petals drifting through the air, the faint scent of spring lingering around him.
"Still," Kaito said after a moment, hands behind his head, "if we both make it in, that'd be great. Seiryu High, huh? Can't believe we actually went for that."
"You chose it too."
"Yeah, because you did. Didn't wanna be left behind."
Ren gave him a sidelong glance. "That's a dumb reason."
Kaito grinned. "And yet, it works."
Ren sighed quietly through his nose — the kind of sigh that sounded like half-annoyance, half-acceptance. The kind that meant this was fine.
By the time he arrived home, the quiet of the Hayashi residence greeted him.
The shoes neatly lined by the door, the soft ticking of the clock, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea — everything felt normal.
Akari was seated at the dining table, still in her uniform, reading a magazine. She looked up as Ren entered.
"Welcome back," she said, smiling slightly. "How was the exam?"
Ren placed his bag down by the wall and loosened his tie.
"It's over."
"That's not an answer," she said, amused. "Hard? Easy? You'll pass?"
Ren shrugged. "Probably."
Akari leaned her cheek on her hand. "You never change. You know, most people would be nervous until the results come out."
"I'm not most people."
She chuckled softly. "Yeah, I know."
For a moment, the house was quiet again. The late afternoon light filtered through the curtains, painting faint gold lines across the wooden floor.
"You did your best, right?" she said eventually.
Ren paused before answering. "…I did enough."
Akari smiled faintly, shaking her head.
"Then I guess that's enough."
She stood and poured him a cup of tea. "Drink this before you rest. You've earned it."
Ren accepted the cup silently. The faint warmth spread through his hands, the quiet sound of the city drifting faintly through the window.
Another ordinary day — except this one marked the start of something new.
And then, a few days later, Seiryu High posted the results.
The courtyard of Seiryu High School buzzed with students clustered around the results board, whispering and pointing.
Ren scanned the list with his usual calm, unreadable expression.
Hayashi Ren — Accepted. Top 3.
Beside him, Kaito nearly jumped. "Bro! Top three?! Are you kidding me?"
Ren replied evenly, almost shrugging. "I didn't expect it though "
Kaito groaned. "Humble as ever huh, I'm jealous."
Ren's eyes flicked down the board.
Sakuragi Mei — Accepted. Top 2.
He remembered her from the exam hall: composed, precise, unshaken by pressure. She hadn't made a scene, yet her score confirmed her brilliance.
For a brief moment, their eyes met across the crowd.
Mei's gaze was calm and steady, just as he remembered.
Ren gave a subtle nod, acknowledging her quietly, then looked away. No words were needed.
His phone buzzed.
"Passed."
Seconds later, a reply:
Akari: "I knew it! Don't move — I'm coming!"
Before he could respond, a voice called out across the courtyard.
"Ren!"
Heads turned.
Hayashi Akari appeared, chestnut hair catching the sunlight, accompanied by her cheerful friend.
Whispers began among the nearby students:
"She's gorgeous…"
"Upperclassman, right? I heard she's famous in the school"
"Woah… look at that sibling…"
"That's her brother right? the top 3..."
Akari rolled her eyes lightly. "All eyes on me again. Not him."
Her friend leaned in, whispering softly:
"Wow… your brother. Beautiful face sure runs in your genes huh... and he's top 3? Impressive."
Akari laughed softly. "He won't believe you even if you told him."
Ren exhaled quietly. "I don't need anyone to notice."
"Okay, Okay" Akari replied with a playful smirk.
"Alright," Akari said, linking her arm with Ren's, "let's go celebrate. My treat. Taiyaki, or anything you like."
"I'm not hungry," Ren replied calmly.
Akari laughed. "Too bad. You're coming anyway. And Kaito—come with us. You worked hard too, right?"
Kaito blinked, surprised. "Uh… yeah! Sure, I'll come! Thanks!"
Her cheerful friend walked beside them, chatting about school life and laughing at Kaito's dramatic reactions. Ren stayed quiet, observing, his calm aura contrasting with the lively group.
They strolled down a cherry blossom-lined street, petals drifting gently in the spring breeze. The city felt warm and alive, and for once, Ren allowed himself to enjoy it — quietly, as always.
As they passed the gates of Seiryu High, Ren noticed a familiar figure leaving the courtyard:
Sakuragi Mei.
She walked with a calm composure, her friend beside her, chatting lightly. Their voices were soft, blending into the background.
Ren's and Mei's eyes met for a brief instant — silent, observant. No words, no smiles, just recognition.
Then, as naturally as it began, the moment passed. Ren continued with Akari, her friend, and Kaito, while Mei and her companion disappeared into the crowd.
The fleeting connection lingered quietly in Ren's mind: someone who shared his composure and skill, yet remained a mystery.
Akari, oblivious to the silent exchange, kept chatting animatedly with her friend. Kaito laughed loudly, trying to lighten the walk, and Ren simply walked beside them — calm, composed, and quietly aware of everything around him.