The encounter with Rin had left Haruki's nerves frayed. Seeking a place where no one could drop books or freeze him with a stare, he headed for the roof of the Humanities Building. It was a restricted area, but the lock on the heavy steel door had been broken for years—a well-known secret among students looking for a quiet escape.
As he pushed open the door, the wind caught his hair, smelling of salt and spring. But he wasn't alone.
Leaning against the chain-link fence, her golden-brown hair dancing in the breeze, was Aimi. She looked like a scene from a movie, staring out at the city skyline with a melancholic expression. When she heard the door creak, she turned, and her face instantly brightened.
"Haruki-kun! You found my secret spot," she said, her voice like a soothing melody that immediately washed away the stress of the library.
"Aimi-san? I didn't mean to intrude," Haruki stammered, walking over to join her at the fence.
"It's okay. I come here when the world feels a bit too loud," she whispered, looking back at the horizon. "Sometimes, everyone expects me to be the 'perfect' girl, the cheerful one. Up here, I can just... breathe."
Haruki looked at her, seeing a hint of loneliness behind her beauty. "I think I understand. Today has been... a lot."
Just as a comfortable silence settled between them, the rooftop door slammed open with a violent BANG.
"I knew it! I knew you'd be hiding up here, Haru!" Hana marched onto the roof, her eyes flashing. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Aimi standing close to him. The atmosphere shifted instantly from peaceful to electric.
"Oh," Hana said, her voice dropping an octave, losing its playful edge. "I didn't realize you were busy with the 'Campus Idol'."
Aimi didn't flinch. She offered a polite, graceful bow. "Hello, Hana-san. We were just enjoying the view."
"The view, huh?" Hana stepped between Haruki and Aimi, putting a protective hand on Haruki's arm. It was a clear claim of territory. "Haru and I have been best friends since we were in diapers. We have our own 'view' to talk about—like which clubs we're joining together."
Aimi's smile didn't fade, but her eyes sharpened slightly. "Longevity of friendship is wonderful, but sometimes new connections can be just as meaningful, don't you think?"
Haruki felt like he was standing in the middle of a high-tension power line. "Uh, guys, maybe we should all go grab some tea?"
Before either girl could respond, a cold, monotone voice drifted from the doorway.
"The rooftop is a common area, not a stage for a low-budget soap opera."
They all turned to see Rin Takahashi standing there, holding a small electronic tablet. She didn't look at them with anger—just sheer, clinical boredom.
"Takahashi-san?" Haruki gasped, his heart skipping a beat in fear.
"I came here for the signal strength to download a research paper," Rin said, adjusting her glasses. She looked at Hana's hand on Haruki's arm, then at Aimi's composed posture. "The sheer amount of emotional projection in this small space is inefficient. If you three intend to compete for the attention of this... unremarkable specimen... please do it quietly."
Hana turned red. "Unremarkable?! Who do you think you are?"
Rin didn't even blink. "I am someone who values time. Something none of you seem to understand." She turned on her heel and walked back toward the stairs. "And Haruki? Try not to trip over your own feet on the way down. The stairs are steeper than the library floor."
With that final icy jab, she vanished.
The silence that followed was heavy. Hana was fuming, Aimi looked thoughtfully at the door, and Haruki simply wanted the ground to swallow him whole. The lines were drawn. The "Childhood Friend," the "Campus Idol," and the "Cold Queen" had all officially entered his life, and Haruki realized his quiet university days were over before they had even begun.
Coming Next: Chapter 5 - The Club Fair Chaos
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