Lunch break arrived. Naturally, I hadn't brought anything with me, but I had enough money to buy something from the cafeteria—just like most students.
I pushed my chair back and stood up, only to notice Miku still seated at her desk. I hesitated.
Should I take the chance and ask her to have lunch with me?
It didn't look like she had any plans with her sisters today.
*Thump.*
My heartbeat quickened as I slowly walked toward her. I was absurdly nervous. Not wanting to startle her by suddenly tapping her shoulder, I stopped in front of her desk, hoping to catch her attention.
"He's doing it again," I heard someone whisper as a few students walked by. More eyes turned toward me, their attention sticking like needles to my back.
I ignored them.
"Erm, d-do you—"
Before I could even finish my sentence, Miku stood up and simply walked away without a word.
"Wait—" I reached a hand toward her, but she was already gone.
"He should just give up," a couple of students laughed as they passed.
"Yeah, anyone would get scared if someone like him tried to approach them."
I glanced down at myself.
Was it really because of my appearance?
Sure, I knew I looked a bit rough around the edges… whatever, if that was the problem, then fine. If changing myself was what it took, I didn't mind doing so.
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The next day, a boy walked into the classroom and immediately drew everyone's attention.
Black hair, neatly styled into soft curtains.
Red eyes that seemed clearer than before.
The piercing on his ear was still there, though the earring itself was gone.
The buttons of his shirt were properly fastened, the fabric neatly tucked into his pants.
He still had his sleeves casually folded, but that wasn't against the dress code.
"Who is this guy?" a girl whispered to her friend, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"He's so handsome," her friend agreed.
"Another transfer student?" someone speculated.
The newcomer walked quietly to his seat, not reacting to the murmurs around him. But when he pulled out the chair and sat down, the entire class froze.
"No way!" a guy shouted.
"I didn't even recognize him…"
Shock rippled through the room. The person everyone had thought as a new transfer student is now sitting in the desk of the delinquent Ren Hayama—transformed beyond belief.
"So this is what they mean by love changes people…" someone muttered in awe.
Just then, Miku Nakano stepped into the classroom. The chatter died instantly.
Ren's eyes met hers for a brief heartbeat, but she looked away almost immediately, slipping quietly to her seat with her headphones still on.
Ren let out a quiet sigh, muttering under his breath, "This doesn't seem to have any effect on her." He stared down at his hands resting on the desk.
"Hey, Hayama."
A soft voice called from his side. Ren glanced over to see a boy—his deskmate, whom he had never bothered to look at before.
"Yes?" he replied.
The boy grinned. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Kundo Shiraki. Man, you've changed overnight. Do you really like that new transfer student?"
Ren didn't recognize him—probably just an extra—but it seemed his new appearance had really made it easier for people to strike up conversations.
Ren's gaze lingered on Miku's back. "Like is an understatement," he muttered softly. "She's one of the lights in my dark world."
Kundo opened his mouth to ask about the other lights but hesitated, sensing it was better not to.
"You seem to have some history with her," he finally said.
"Not really," Ren replied, with a small smile. "It's one-sided. She doesn't even know who I am."
"I don't know him," Miku said flatly.
Some girls, sharing Kundo's curiosity, asked if they knew each other, but her reply silenced them. It wasn't that Miku was being rude or annoyed—she was simply shy, speaking only when she needs to. She leaned toward the anti-social, a little gloomy by nature, and the only people she felt truly comfortable around were her sisters.
"Forget that. What do you think of him?" the other girl asked, brushing aside her first question.
Miku paused, as if weighing her thoughts. "I… don't know," she muttered quietly. "I don't know him as a person, and honestly, I'm not actually interested."
--------
After finishing my lunch, I headed for the rooftop. Students technically aren't allowed up there, but the lock has been broken for who knows how long, and plenty of people sneak in—some to relax, others to enjoy a bit of secret alone time with their lovers.
As for me, I am going up there to destroy something.
I pushed the door open, and the first thing that greeted me was the wide, endless blue sky. Warm sunlight spilled across the rooftop, carried by a gentle breeze.
And beneath that calm scenery stood Miku. She turned toward me at the sound of the door creaking open.
In front of her stood a scrawny guy with black bowl-cut hairstyle, two awkward spikes sticking up at the back of his head. His eyes were a shade of yellow—almost golden, like my previous hair color.
He is Uesugi Fuutarou.
The protagonist of this world.
Right now, he is doing his best to convince Miku to study, having been hired by their father as a tutor—with five times the normal pay—with the condition to help the sisters graduate successfully.
"Pardon my intrusion," I said flatly, already pulling the door shut behind me.
"Stop!"
Her voice froze me mid-motion. I pushed the door open again just in time to see Miku walking toward me.
"I'll go with you."
"W-wait, Miku! You can't just run off again!" Fuutarou called after her, but she ignored him completely, leaving him standing alone on the rooftop.
This was no coincidence on my part. I knew she'd seize the chance to run—she had zero motivation to study, especially from a guy her own age. That applied to at least four of the sisters; Yotsuba support Fuutarou from the start, but she is an airhead when it comes to study.
Anyway, the reason I stepped in was simple: if I let things play out, today would mark the beginning of her feelings for Fuutarou. And I had no intention of letting that happen.
I know this contradicts what I said about some loves remaining unrequited, but I told you already—I'm selfish. If she falls for him, she'll only end up hurt in the end. I don't want to see her cry again; my chest still tightens every time I remember that ending. I won't let her go through a love that will only laugh at her in the end.
Yes, she grew because of him. She changed, improved, discovered new sides of herself. She lived some of the happiest moments of her life because of that love. And it wasn't just her—her sisters blossomed too.
But falling for him isn't the only requirement for that kind of growth.
I can support them where they're lacking.
I can solve their conflicts and shoulder their insecurities.
I can change their world too.
And I can give them just as many unforgettable moments—if not more.