Chapter 7 — Old Memories, New Wounds

The trio passed through the main gate, their footsteps syncing with the murmur of the early morning crowd. Soon, they began to split off, each heading toward their respective classroom wings.

The second-year students were grouped by academic track.

Class A-2 was home to the elite—top scorers, driven minds, and textbook prodigies. Naturally, Akane Takahashi belonged there.

Class B-2 was the general studies section. A blend of decent grades and decent energy. Shinichi found his place here.

Class C-2, known for its liveliness and physical excellence, was where athletes thrived. Megumi, competitive to her core, was a proud member.

As they reached the intersection where the wings branched off, students began to scatter.

"I'll see you two later," Akane said with her signature composed smile before striding off toward the A-block. Her posture remained flawless to the last step.

"Later," Megumi replied, raising a hand in a lazy wave. Then, as if on instinct, she turned to glance at Shinichi—eyes flickering with something soft and unreadable—before disappearing down her own corridor.

"Yeah… later," Shinichi murmured, watching them go.

With a small sigh, he adjusted his backpack and entered the B-2 classroom.

The room was already half full. Sunlight spilled through the tall windows, casting warm gold across the polished desks. The faint scent of chalk and floor polish hung in the air—familiar and oddly comforting.

He made his way to his seat: first row, window side. Sliding into his chair, he rested his chin on his palm and let his eyes drift out toward the sky.

'What was it Megumi wanted to tell me…?'

His mind wandered.

'Maybe…'

He imagined her standing nervously in front of him, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, a soft blush on her cheeks.

"Shinichi… there's something I've been meaning to tell you… I like you."

His cheeks instantly turned red.

"…Heheh."

He let out a small, bashful giggle—only to immediately slap his cheeks with both hands.

"Get it together," he whispered to himself. "You're not twelve."

Still… it wasn't impossible, was it?

After all, they had history. They shared something most people didn't understand. And with that thought, the memories returned—soft and sudden.

[Flashback — Six Years Ago]

He was crying. Again.

Curled up near the shoe lockers, knees hugged to his chest, small fingers trembling as he wiped at the tears falling down his cheeks.

The older boys had mocked him.

His soft voice.

His delicate face.

His long eyelashes.

"Are you a girl or something?"

"Crybaby."

"Useless."

Their words echoed in his ears, louder than the clatter of shoes or the laughter in the halls.

He thought no one would come.

Then—

"I dare you to say that again."

A voice—sharp, furious, and way too brave for its size—cut through the air like lightning.

Megumi. Back then, smaller than him, her hair in wild pigtails, her knees scraped from playground battles. She stood between him and the bullies like a tiny knight in wrinkled gym shorts.

The older kids laughed at first.

So she kicked him in the groin.

He fall to ground groaning in pain clutching his private in hands. The others backed off real quick.

And just like that—they were gone.

Megumi crouched in front of him, hands on her hips, her face smug.

"You okay?"

Shinichi sniffled. "Y-You didn't have to…"

"Shut up. We're friends, aren't we?"

He nodded, wide-eyed.

That day, Megumi wasn't just his friend.

She became his hero.

[Back to Present]

Shinichi smiled faintly.

'That's when I fell for her… That moment.'

'But feelings like that were dangerous. Telling her could ruin everything.'

Still, the ache in his chest was real. That longing, too familiar.

'Maybe… maybe someday.'

His thoughts were abruptly cut short when a shadow loomed over his desk.

"Oi, little princess."

The voice was mocking. Sharp. Familiar.

Shinichi looked up to see Riku Tsurugi leaning on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, smirk plastered across his face.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with sun-kissed skin and unruly dark blond hair, Riku looked like the poster boy of high school sports. He was on the soccer team, popular with the girls, and oozed arrogant confidence.

But underneath the charm was a bitter streak.

Shinichi didn't need to guess the reason—Riku had a thing for Megumi. And Megumi had rejected him… harshly. Ever since, Riku had redirected his wounded pride toward the closest target: Shinichi.

Shinichi glanced away, trying to ignore him.

But Riku leaned in, voice dropping.

"What was that little smirk earlier, huh? Don't tell me you were thinking about some girl… maybe Megumi?"

Shinichi's breath caught.

"No way," Riku grinned wider. "I was right, wasn't I? Hah! You've got it bad."

Then his grin turned venomous.

"You seriously think a girl like Megumi would ever want you?"

Shinichi stiffened.

"You're a joke. No guts. No muscles. That girly face of yours—what exactly do you have going for you, huh?"

"She only hangs out with you 'cause you're harmless. Like a damn lapdog. Cute and forgettable."

The words hit harder than Shinichi expected. And what hurt more was the way a few classmates chuckled. Others just pretended nothing was happening.

No one ever steps In.

He clenched his jaw. His fists. Anything to keep himself from breaking.

Riku scoffed. "Pathetic."

Just as he opened his mouth to say more—

SLAM!

The classroom door burst open.

"All right, everyone! Take your seats!" the homeroom teacher barked, entering with a stack of books under one arm.

The room fell quiet.

Riku clicked his tongue and strutted to his seat at the back without another word.

Shinichi released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

He turned back to the window, eyes distant.

Outside, the wind danced through the trees.

But inside…

A storm was beginning to brew.