Momozuki Shiro

The cloudless sky and bright full moon illuminate Tori city as if the typhoon never happened.

Shizuka is still unable to sleep after the recent drama that occurred.

I messed up! I shouldn't have done that! She saw me crying like a child out there! Shizuka, you fool!

Shizuka is feeling embarrassed about what happened earlier, and as a result, she hits both of her cheeks. She cried out in front of her grandma and expressed her anger towards her, which is something she doesn't usually do. This behavior has left her feeling even more embarrassed.

What should I do? What should I say to her? Sh**!

She heard a knock at the door and pretended to be asleep, fearing it was her grandma.

A few minutes had passed, but Shizuka still couldn't fall asleep. Since she hadn't had dinner yet, she got up and tiptoed towards the door.

She regrets telling her grandmother that she wasn't hungry because now she's starving and would eat anything, even her grandma's flesh. She cautiously opens the door, trying to avoid making any noise. The door creaks as she opens it, so she peeks her head out first to check the hallway.

"All clear."

As she attempted to move quietly, her foot accidentally made contact with an object on the ground. Initially, she didn't realize what had happened, but then she noticed a tray placed next to her door which she had almost knocked over.

"Wha . . Is this food? Food . . . A food!!!!"

The tray has a bowl with a lid and a glass of water next to it.

She quickly brought the tray into her room as she was starving.

Excitedly, she placed the tray on her study table and removed the lid from the bowl.

"A . . Ramen?"

As she was about to eat, Shizuka noticed a small piece of paper underneath the warm bowl. Upon inspection, she found out that it was a note from her grandmother.

Eat it before it gets cold.

-From the old hag who lives in this house

Shizuka hastily grabbed a chopstick and shoved the noodle into her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She beamed with delight after slurping a mouthful of noodles. Her mouth was full as she curved it upwards.

I still love her food afterall

Her grandmother's name is Fujino Takiko. Takiko has an elderly appearance with short white hair, similar to a man's haircut, sapphire blue eyes, and light Japanese skin. She is two inches shorter than Shizuka and always wears a duster. Even though she has wrinkles, it's easy to notice that she used to be as beautiful as her granddaughter.

Takiko is Shizuka's grandmother on her mother's side. Since her mother died years ago, Shizuka uses the last name "Fujino", which comes from her mother's side, as she has been living with Takiko ever since.

Their relationship is strained, but Granny loves Shizuka deeply. Takiko expresses her affection by scolding Shizuka, but she rarely expresses appreciation for anyone, not even her husband.

The next day, despite not getting any sleep and having puffy eyes from crying all night, Shizuka decided to go to school.

She yawned and stretched her arms wide.

"I guess I'll have to go to school soon. I've been feeling out of it lately."

Shizuka rarely attends school as she finds it uninteresting. Despite being intelligent, talented, and athletic, she prefers spending her time in computer shops.

Today is different for Shizuka as she feels the need to attend class to catch up and mature like her grandma Takiko advised.

Shizuka is brushing her teeth while looking disheveled with messy hair and an unkempt appearance. She appears drowsy as she tries to fight off the sleepiness. In an effort to brighten up her room, Shizuka opens the curtains. She has been absent from school for three weeks, and now she needs to come up with a credible excuse.

"My grandmother was admitted to the hospital and nealy died. I have been staying by her side since I am her only family member. I apologize for not informing the school, but unfortunately . . er . . I mean fortunately, she is now doing well."

"Really? What's her illness this time, Fujino Shizuka?" asked the principal sarcastically.

"Well, . . . I believe. . . its. . . Uhmm. . ."

"Ms. Fujino, I'm sorry to interrupt but . . ."

"She almost had heart failure."

This girl, she doesn't want her grandma to die right?

"And she's gone crazy afterward..."

F*ck! I can't think of any excuses!

"Fujino-san, I'm sorry, but I don't buy into your sh*t."

"Yeah, I know."

". . . You don't want your grandma to die, right?"

"Well, she won't die easily even with a heart condition. Evil seems to have a longer life, so I won't need to visit her daily."

". . . You don't want her to die, right?"

Shizuka is attempting to come up with believable excuses while standing in front of the principal's desk at St. Agnes School. The principal, Mr. Gabyo Hakato, is seated comfortably while enjoying his tea.

Gabyo Hakato is the principal of Shizuka's School and has been dealing with her for a while. Despite his age, he has a good-looking appearance. He is a middle-aged man with peanut brown hair that is swept-back and beginning to turn white, as well as his beard.

"Ms. Fujino, your grandma has been calling me these past 3 weeks. I told her that you've been gone and nowhere to be found. I guess she got worried, so she came back to your place. Where the hell have you been? Is it fun not attending school?" The principal calmly asked Shizuka while sipping his tea. Shizuka stood in front of him, remaining uncomfortably silent and avoiding eye contact.

"All of your talents and skills may go to waste if you frequently skip class," said the principal.

"I Understand, Mr. Principal."

"No. You don't understand, Miss Fujino."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"I should have expelled you a long time ago, especially after the incident involving the Izumo gang. But I didn't do it because I knew you had a bright future ahead of you."

Shizuka felt guilty and lowered her head.

"I don't have any reasons for that, Mr. Principal. . ."

Hakato stood up and sighed deeply as he gazed out of the window behind his desk.

Shizuka chose to remain silent, seeming ready to accept any punishment that might come her way.

"Since you are graduating now, I'll let you finish this semester."

"Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Principal."

"However . . "

". . ."

"For your punishment, you will stay after class to clean every room on this floor."

"Until when?"

"Until your graduation, I think?"

"Every room? You mean even the restrooms?"

"Yes. Even the restrooms. Especially the males' restroom."

"Just suspend me, Mr. Principal! I'd rather get kicked out of this school than clean this pig's mess," Shizuka pouted in disappointment.

"As I thought. I chose the best punishment for you. Good luck."

"Hmph!" Shizuka exclaimed while crossing her arms, displaying a clear attitude.

"That short temper of yours is quite intriguing, Miss Fujino. You are in your third year and only have two months left before graduating from junior high. If you wish to leave this place, you must follow the rules, and then your future will be yours to shape. Choose the path that best aligns with your interests."

Shizuka realizes how time flies and is yet to choose her path. School bores her, and she never took studying seriously.

With a sarcastic tone, Shizuka replied, "Sure, I'll do my best, Mr. Principal."

"Now, it's time to attend your classes. Hurry up, or you'll be late."

St. Agnes Academy is a typical Japanese public school that has three buildings surrounding a large soccer field. Shizuka was given the responsibility of cleaning the third floor of one of the buildings where her classroom and the principal's office are located. She is the only cleaner assigned to that floor.

As the bell rang, empty classrooms began to fill with students, and the soccer field cleared out, signaling the start of class.

After the bell rang, Shizuka left the principal's office and walked through the crowded hallway. She couldn't help but think about what her principal had said and what path she would take after graduating.

'A doctor? A lawyer? An office lady? What shall I be? "

Shizuka was lost in thought, but suddenly bumped into someone.

"Hey, watch where you go. .!!"

"Shizuka, are you okay?" The man asked in a deep, alluring voice as he touched both her shoulders.

" . . ing . ."

Shizuka was left speechless and unable to speak when she saw the guy she had accidentally collided with.

Shizuka couldn't help but blush intensely at the sight of his attractive and handsome face, complemented by his gleaming smile. He had light skin and silver dyed hair, and wore an eyepatch over his right eye for some reason. However, his sharp gaze from his other eye was enough to captivate the hearts of many girls.

"Long time no see, Shizuka. How have you been? Please tell me everything's okay and you're not facing expulsion."

"Shi . . Shiro sempai?. . Well . . Ehem . . Mi . . Mind your own business" Shizuka maintained her composure but her flushed face betrayed her attraction to the guy; she avoided eye contact.

"I guess you're fine with the way you talk." Shiro attempted to make Shizuka feel more at ease by using teasing humor.

"Shu . . Shut up!" Shizuka flusteredly shouted and awkwardly brushed off Shiro's hands from her shoulders.

Shiro and Shizuka were childhood friends, although he was five years older than her. Despite the age difference, they were in the same school batch since Shiro entered school late. Shizuka disliked men, except for Shiro, who was her only male friend. However, as they grew older, Shizuka's feelings for Shiro grew too. She tried to avoid him because she was afraid that men would hurt her someday, just like what her father did to her mother.

The young women in the audience suddenly took notice of the attractive man conversing with Shizuka.

"Wait, is that Momozuki Shiro?"

"Yes, that's him! Kya!"

"He's so darn cute up close!"

"*Punish me, sempai!"

Momozuki Shiro is a well-liked student at school. Almost all the female students in the campus have a crush on him. On the other hand, Shizuka used to be very popular with girls in her class because of her sweet, kind, and gentle nature. However, her popularity declined after the "Izumo gang incident."

Shizuka bullies male students in her class, but treats female students kindly. There are rumors that she may not be straight.

After the Izumo gang incident, Shizuka changed a lot because everyone feared her and kept their distance.

"Are they close or something? Why are they talking like that?"

"That's Fujino Shizuka, right?"

"Oh yeah, I remember. The rebellious Kendo champion. Everyone knows about that story"

"Yeah. She's scary."

"They can't be lovers, right? She's a tomboy, after all."

Although the crowd murmured, Shizuka and Shiro could hear them clearly. Shiro stared pitifully at Shizuka, who seemed helpless.

"Are you oka . . . "

"Enough. Don't talk to me like that again, Shiro sempai." Shizuka left Shiro, although he appeared to want to cheer her up.

Shiro tightened his fist before leaving the hallway.

"Don't talk to her like that, huh?"