The day of the cultural festival arrived.
The school was unrecognizable.
Colorful banners stretched across corridors, laughter echoed everywhere, and the air buzzed with excitement. Students from other schools, parents, and visitors filled every corner.
For most—
It was just a festival.
For Ren—
It was something entirely new.
"…This is insane."
Yuto grinned beside him.
"Welcome to high school life, my guy!"
Ren adjusted his outfit.
"…It's too crowded."
"That's the point."
Before Ren could reply—
"Ren."
He turned.
Hina stood there.
Wearing the café uniform.
But hers was different.
Simple.
Elegant.
No unnecessary frills.
Yet somehow—
She stood out more than anyone else.
Ren paused for a second.
"…You look different."
"…That's obvious."
"…I mean—"
He stopped.
Hina tilted her head.
"…What?"
"…It suits you."
A small silence followed.
Then—
"…You're bad at compliments."
"…I'm trying."
"…Try harder next time."
But she didn't look away immediately.
And that was enough.
---
"Alright everyone!" the class rep shouted. "Positions!"
The café opened.
And within minutes—
It was packed.
"Welcome, master!"
"Right this way!"
"Please have a seat!"
Chaos.
Controlled chaos.
Ren moved between tables.
Taking orders.
Serving drinks.
At first—
Awkward.
Then—
Natural.
"…He's good," someone whispered.
"Yeah…"
"He doesn't even look nervous…"
Girls giggled.
Customers stared.
Phones quietly came out.
Ren didn't notice.
Or pretended not to.
---
At the counter—
Hina watched.
"…He's adapting fast," she murmured.
Yuto smirked.
"Told you. He's built different."
"…That's not normal."
"Nope. But it works."
Hina crossed her arms.
But her eyes stayed on Ren.
---
Meanwhile—
Near the entrance—
Takumi stood with his group.
Watching.
"…So that's him," one of his friends said.
"Yeah," Takumi replied.
"…You don't look happy."
"I'm not."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"…He's getting too comfortable."
---
Back inside—
"Ren!"
He turned.
Hina stood near a table.
"…Help here."
"…Coming."
He walked over.
"…What's wrong?"
"This table ordered wrong items."
Ren glanced at the order slip.
"…My mistake."
"Fix it."
"…Already on it."
Their coordination was smooth.
Natural.
Effortless.
Like they'd done this for years.
A customer smiled.
"You two work well together."
Hina paused.
Ren didn't respond.
"…We're just classmates," she said calmly.
But for some reason—
That answer felt heavier than it should have.
---
Hours passed.
The crowd only grew.
And so did the attention on Ren.
"Can we take a photo?"
"Are you a model?"
"Which class are you from?"
Ren handled it calmly.
But it was becoming… overwhelming.
Hina noticed.
"…Take a break."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
"…It's manageable."
She frowned.
"…You don't have to prove anything."
Ren paused.
Then—
"…I know."
But he didn't move.
Hina sighed.
"…Idiot."
---
A sudden commotion near the entrance.
Voices.
Louder.
More aggressive.
Then—
Takumi walked in.
With a group.
And deliberately—
Sat at one of the central tables.
"…Well," Yuto muttered. "Here we go."
Hina's expression hardened.
"…I'll handle it."
Ren stepped forward.
"…No."
She looked at him.
"…I can deal with him."
"…I know."
He met her gaze.
"…But this time—I will."
Silence.
Then—
"…Don't cause trouble."
"…I won't."
---
Ren approached the table.
Calm.
Composed.
"…Welcome."
Takumi leaned back.
Smirking.
"…So you're really doing this."
"…It's my role."
"…Interesting."
His friends snickered.
"…What would you like to order?" Ren asked.
Takumi rested his chin on his hand.
"…You."
The table laughed.
Ren didn't react.
"…Please choose from the menu."
Takumi's smile faded slightly.
"…You're not fun."
"…I'm working."
A pause.
Then—
"…Fine."
He ordered casually.
But his eyes never left Ren.
---
As Ren turned to leave—
"…Do you think you belong here?"
Ren stopped.
"…What do you mean?"
Takumi leaned forward slightly.
"…People like you don't stay hidden forever."
Silence.
"…Maybe," Ren said calmly.
"But for now—I'm just a server."
Takumi smiled again.
"…We'll see."
---
Back at the counter—
"…What did he say?" Hina asked.
"…Nothing important."
"…I doubt that."
Ren shrugged.
"…Focus on the festival."
She stared at him.
Longer this time.
But didn't push further.
---
Later—
The rush finally slowed.
The sun began to set.
Golden light filled the room again.
Ren stepped outside briefly.
For air.
For silence.
"…You ran away."
He turned.
Hina.
"…Just a break."
"…You looked overwhelmed."
"…A little."
She stepped beside him.
"…You did well."
Ren glanced at her.
"…That sounds like praise."
"…Don't get used to it."
"…Too late."
A small silence.
Comfortable.
Then—
"…Why do people like you?" Hina asked.
Ren blinked.
"…What?"
"You don't try."
"…That's not true."
"…Then what is it?"
Ren thought for a moment.
Then—
"…Maybe I stopped trying to impress people."
She looked at him.
"…That's… surprisingly honest."
"…I try sometimes."
"…You should do it more."
"…Only if you do too."
She frowned slightly.
"…I don't need to."
"…You do."
"…Why?"
Ren looked straight at her.
"…Because people already notice you."
Silence.
Hina's expression softened slightly.
"…You're weird."
"…Again?"
"…Yeah."
But—
She didn't look away.
---
Then—
A group of girls approached suddenly.
"Ren! Can we take a photo?"
"Please!"
Hina stepped back slightly.
Creating distance.
Without saying anything.
Ren noticed.
"…Just one," he said.
Photos taken.
Laughter.
Then they left.
Silence returned.
But something had changed.
"…You're popular," Hina said.
"…It's temporary."
"…Still."
She turned away.
"…You'll leave eventually."
Ren froze.
"…Why would I?"
"…People like you always do."
Her voice was quieter now.
Less certain.
Ren stepped closer.
"…And what if I don't?"
She looked at him.
Surprised.
"…Then… that would be strange."
"…Maybe I like being strange."
A small pause.
Then—
"…Ren."
"…Yeah?"
"…Stay until the end of the festival."
He smiled faintly.
"…I will."
---
But deep inside—
He knew.
This wasn't just about the festival anymore.
---
End of Chapter 7
---