The classroom was louder than ever.
Fabric, decorations, papers, and half-finished props were scattered everywhere. Students moved around in groups, arguing, laughing, working.
The cultural festival was only a week away.
And chaos had officially begun.
"…Why am I holding this?"
Ren stared at the frilly black-and-white outfit in his hands.
A maid uniform.
Yuto burst out laughing.
"Because, my friend—you lost."
"…Lost?"
"Rock-paper-scissors," Yuto grinned. "Fair and square."
Ren sighed.
"…This is unreasonable."
"Relax," Yuto said, patting his shoulder. "You'll look great."
"That's not comforting."
Across the room—
Hina stood near a table, organizing supplies.
She glanced at Ren.
Then at the outfit.
"…You're wearing that?"
"…Apparently."
She paused.
Then—
A small laugh escaped her.
Ren froze.
"…You're laughing."
"…It suits you."
"That doesn't sound like a compliment."
"It's not."
But she didn't stop smiling.
And for some reason—
That bothered him less than it should have.
---
"Alright everyone!" the class rep clapped. "Let's do a test run!"
Groans filled the room.
"Already?!"
"We're not ready!"
"Too bad," the rep replied. "We need practice!"
Ren stood awkwardly in the corner.
Still holding the uniform.
"…Go change."
He turned.
Hina stood behind him.
"…Now?"
"Yes, now."
"…You're enjoying this."
"A little."
Ren sighed.
Then walked toward the changing area.
---
A few minutes later—
The classroom went quiet.
"Whoa…"
"No way…"
"Is that really him?"
Ren stepped out.
The uniform fit perfectly.
Clean. Neat.
Unfairly good.
Yuto stared with wide eyes.
"Bro… this is illegal."
"…Don't start."
"No, seriously—you're gonna steal all the customers!"
Ren rubbed his forehead.
"This is a mistake."
Across the room—
Hina looked at him.
For a moment—
She didn't speak.
Didn't tease.
Didn't react.
Just…
Stared.
"…What?" Ren asked.
She blinked.
"…Nothing."
Then turned away quickly.
"…It's fine."
But her ears were slightly red.
Ren noticed.
And for some reason—
His chest felt lighter.
---
The practice began.
"Welcome, master!" one of the girls said dramatically.
"Ugh, cringe…" someone whispered.
Ren stood still.
"…Do I have to say that?"
"Yes," Hina replied. "That's the point."
"…I refuse."
"Then don't participate."
Silence.
"…Fine."
Ren took a breath.
Turned toward an imaginary customer.
"…Welcome."
"…That's it?" Hina asked.
"You didn't say I had to add anything else."
She sighed.
"…Say it properly."
Ren paused.
Then—
"…Welcome, master."
The room exploded.
"HAHAHAHA—"
"No way he said it!"
"That was too calm!"
Yuto wiped tears from his eyes.
"This is gold."
Ren looked completely unfazed.
"…Is that enough?"
Hina covered her mouth.
Trying not to laugh.
"…It'll do."
---
Time passed quickly.
Practice turned into real effort.
Mistakes became improvements.
And slowly—
The class started to come together.
---
Later—
As the sun began to set—
Most students had left.
Only a few remained.
Including—
Ren and Hina.
Again.
"…You always stay late," Ren said.
"…So do you."
"…Only recently."
Hina continued arranging items.
"…Why?"
Ren thought for a moment.
Then—
"…Because it's not boring."
She paused.
"…That's a weird reason."
"…Is it?"
"…Yeah."
But she didn't disagree.
---
A sudden noise interrupted them.
Voices.
Loud ones.
The door slid open.
Takumi.
And a few of his friends.
"…Still here?" he said casually.
Hina frowned.
"…What do you want?"
"To help."
"No thanks."
"Ouch. That hurts."
He walked in anyway.
His eyes moved across the room—
Then stopped on Ren.
"…Nice outfit."
"…Thanks."
"You pull it off well."
"…I've been told."
The air felt tense.
Uncomfortable.
Takumi stepped closer.
"…You're getting close to her."
Not a question.
A statement.
Ren didn't react.
"…We're classmates."
"Is that all?"
"…Yes."
Takumi smiled slightly.
"…Good."
His tone changed.
Subtly.
"But don't misunderstand something."
Ren met his gaze.
"…What?"
"Hina isn't someone you can just casually approach."
Silence.
"…And you are?" Ren asked calmly.
Takumi's smile didn't fade.
"…Someone who understands her situation."
Hina's expression hardened.
"…Stop acting like you know me."
"I know enough."
"No, you don't."
The tension spiked.
Ren stepped slightly forward.
Not aggressively.
Just enough.
"…That's enough," he said quietly.
Takumi looked at him.
Then laughed softly.
"…You're interesting."
He turned away.
"Let's go," he said to his friends.
As he reached the door—
"…Don't get too involved," he added without looking back.
Then left.
---
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Unspoken.
"…Ignore him," Hina said.
Ren looked at her.
"…You're used to that?"
"…Unfortunately."
"…Why?"
She didn't answer.
Instead—
"…Let's finish up."
---
A few minutes later—
The work was done.
Finally.
Hina stretched slightly.
"…Done."
Ren nodded.
"…Yeah."
They started packing their things.
Then—
"…Thank you."
Ren paused.
"…For what?"
"For earlier."
"…I didn't do anything."
"You stepped in."
"…Anyone would."
"No."
She looked at him.
"…Not everyone."
Ren held her gaze.
And for a moment—
Everything else faded.
The classroom.
The noise.
The world.
Just—
Her.
"…You're welcome," he said softly.
Hina blinked.
Then looked away.
"…Let's go."
---
Outside—
The night air was cool.
A soft breeze passed between them.
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…Don't get involved with people like him."
"…Why?"
"…Because—"
She stopped.
Struggling with something.
"…It's complicated."
Ren stepped closer.
"…Then tell me."
She shook her head.
"…Not now."
Silence.
"…Then someday."
She looked at him.
Surprised.
"…You're persistent."
"…Maybe."
A small pause.
Then—
"…I don't hate it."
Ren smiled.
---
As they reached the usual crossroads—
Neither of them spoke immediately.
Something felt different.
Heavier.
Closer.
"…Goodnight," Hina said softly.
"…Goodnight."
She turned—
But didn't move.
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…You're… strange."
"…You've said that before."
"…But…"
She hesitated.
Just a little.
"…I feel comfortable around you."
Ren's heart skipped.
Not fast.
Not dramatic.
Just—
Different.
"…I'm glad."
She nodded slightly.
Then finally—
Walked away.
---
Ren stood there.
Under the streetlight.
Again.
But this time—
The feeling wasn't confusion.
Or curiosity.
It was—
Clear.
> He didn't want to lose this.
No matter what.
No matter the truth.
No matter what happened when she found out.
"…This is getting dangerous."
But even then—
He smiled.
---
End of Chapter 6
---