The next morning arrived with a soft drizzle.
Raindrops tapped gently against the classroom windows, creating a quiet rhythm that filled the silence before class began.
Ren Takahashi sat by the window, watching the rain slide down the glass in uneven trails.
He hadn't realized it before—but lately, mornings felt… calmer.
Not because of the weather.
But because of where he was.
"…You're staring again."
Ren turned slightly.
Hina Sakuragi stood beside his desk, holding a small towel, her hair slightly damp from the rain.
"…Good morning," he said.
"…Morning."
She casually placed the towel on his desk.
"Your shoulder's wet."
Ren blinked.
He hadn't noticed.
"…Thanks."
"Don't catch a cold," she said, then walked back to her seat like it was nothing.
Ren stared at the towel for a moment.
A small, simple gesture.
But it felt strangely significant.
She's kind… in her own way.
"Yo, Ren!"
Yuto dropped into his seat with his usual energy.
"Ohooo, what's this?" he grinned, picking up the towel. "From Hina? Things are progressing fast!"
"It's not like that."
"Yeah yeah."
Yuto leaned closer.
"But seriously… she doesn't do that for people."
Ren paused.
"…Really?"
"Yep. She keeps her distance from everyone."
Ren glanced at her.
She was already looking out the window again.
Calm.
Unreachable.
"…I see."
---
The first few classes passed normally.
But during break time—
Something changed.
"Hey, Hina."
A new voice.
Confident. Smooth.
The classroom atmosphere shifted slightly.
Ren looked up.
A tall boy stood near Hina's desk.
Well-groomed. Stylish.
The kind of person who knew he stood out.
"Takumi," Hina said flatly.
So she knew him.
"Still working too hard?" Takumi smiled. "You'll ruin your charm like that."
"I didn't ask for your concern."
"Cold as always."
Takumi chuckled, unfazed.
Ren watched quietly.
Who is he…?
Yuto leaned over, whispering—
"That's Takumi Fujisawa. Third-year. Popular guy. Rich family too."
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rich…
"Rumor is," Yuto continued, "his family owns a chain of businesses. Not as big as top corporations—but still huge."
Takumi leaned slightly closer to Hina.
"You know, you don't have to keep struggling like this."
"I'm not struggling."
"You're working part-time, attending school, handling everything alone…"
His voice softened.
"Let me help you."
Hina's expression didn't change.
"…I don't need your help."
"Or maybe," Takumi added lightly, "you just don't want to accept help from someone like me?"
Silence.
Ren felt something tighten in his chest again.
That same irritation.
But stronger this time.
Hina stood up.
"Move."
Takumi stepped aside, still smiling.
"…You're stubborn."
"And you're annoying."
She walked past him without another word.
The tension lingered in the air.
---
Yuto exhaled. "Man… that guy doesn't give up."
Ren's voice was calm.
"…Does he like her?"
"Obviously."
"…And she?"
Yuto shrugged.
"Doesn't look like it."
Ren nodded slowly.
But something about that interaction didn't sit right.
It wasn't just interest.
It felt like…
Control.
---
After school—
The rain had stopped, leaving the streets damp and reflective.
Ren waited near the gate.
He didn't plan it.
He just… stayed.
A few minutes later—
Hina walked out.
She noticed him immediately.
"…You're waiting?"
"…Maybe."
"For?"
"…I'm not sure."
She stared at him for a second.
Then sighed.
"…You're really weird."
"I've heard that."
They started walking together.
Again.
Naturally.
"…That guy," Ren said after a while.
Hina didn't look at him.
"Takumi."
"…Yeah."
Silence.
"…He's persistent," Ren added.
Hina scoffed slightly.
"That's one way to put it."
"You don't like him."
"It's not about liking or not liking."
"Then what?"
She stopped walking.
This time—
Her expression wasn't calm.
It was… irritated.
"…People like him think everything has a price."
Ren felt those words hit deeper than anything before.
"They think if they offer enough… they can buy anything."
Her grip tightened on her bag.
"…I hate that."
Ren looked at her.
Really looked.
Not just at her face.
But at the weight behind her words.
"…Not everyone is like that," he said quietly.
Hina laughed.
But there was no humor in it.
"You'd be surprised."
Ren didn't respond.
Because he knew—
She was talking about people like him.
---
They reached the café again.
But before entering—
Hina spoke.
"…You don't have to come every day."
"I'm not."
"You came yesterday."
"Coincidence."
"…Liar."
Ren smiled faintly.
"…Maybe."
She shook her head slightly.
But didn't argue.
"…Fine. Do what you want."
They entered.
---
Inside—
The atmosphere was busier than yesterday.
And just like before—
Eyes turned toward Hina.
Including Takumi's.
He was already there.
Sitting casually, like he belonged.
"…You again," Hina said coldly.
"Coincidence," Takumi smiled.
Ren almost laughed at the irony.
"Ah," Takumi's gaze shifted to Ren. "The transfer student."
Ren met his eyes.
Calm.
Unreadable.
"Ren Takahashi."
"Takumi Fujisawa."
They shook hands briefly.
But it wasn't friendly.
It was… measuring.
"…You come here often?" Takumi asked.
"Not really."
"You should. It suits people like us."
Ren tilted his head slightly.
"…People like us?"
Takumi smiled.
"People who understand value."
Ren's expression didn't change.
"…I see."
But inside—
Something felt off.
Very off.
---
As Hina walked away to serve other customers—
Takumi leaned slightly closer.
"…You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Ren didn't react.
"…What makes you think that?"
"Call it intuition."
Takumi's smile sharpened.
"You don't act like a normal student."
Ren chuckled softly.
"…Neither do you."
"Fair point."
Their eyes locked.
For a moment—
The café noise faded.
Two worlds.
Two identities.
Both hidden.
Both dangerous.
"…Let's see how long your act lasts," Takumi said quietly.
Ren smiled.
"…Same to you."
---
That night—
Back at his residence—
Ren stood in front of the large window, looking down at the city lights.
The quiet.
The luxury.
The distance.
Everything felt… different now.
"…Sakuragi Hina."
He said her name softly.
Then—
His phone buzzed.
A message.
From his family.
> "Your engagement meeting has been scheduled. Return soon."
Ren's eyes darkened slightly.
"…So it's starting already."
He closed his phone.
And looked out at the city again.
But this time—
His reflection in the glass felt unfamiliar.
Because for the first time—
He didn't want to go back.
---
End of Chapter 4
---