If you looked up "normal day" in the Class 2-B dictionary, it would just say: "Ren started it."
That was true nine out of ten times.
And today, unfortunately for Aika Fujimoto, she was the one out of ten.
She sat in the third row from the back, trying to finish her kanji worksheet when a sharp thwack smacked her forehead. A paper airplane. With perfect aim. Again.
She didn't even look up.
"Rin, hold me back," Aika muttered.
Her best friend, Rin Saito, flinched softly. She was a delicate presence — shoulder-length brown hair, eyes like warm tea, and the general vibe of a cinnamon roll with perfect grades.
"From what?" she asked sweetly.
"From launching that desk at him," Aika growled, rubbing the red spot on her forehead.
At the back of the class, Ren Sakamoto was already leaning back in his chair, arms behind his head, looking annoyingly satisfied. He was the school's unofficial heartthrob — tall, black messy hair that somehow looked styled, sharp jawline, and a smile that said, Yes, I'm trouble. You're welcome.
"She's gonna combust," muttered someone.
"Ten yen says she throws the blackboard eraser again," added another.
Haru Takeda, Ren's best friend and the class's cool commentator, pushed his glasses up with one finger.
"You're asking to be murdered," he said to Ren.
Ren grinned. "If I die by her hands, it'll be iconic."
---
Classroom Crosstalk
> "Ren and Aika are fighting again." "Do they ever stop?" "Honestly, I'd pay to watch this every day." "I think I ship them." "You what?"
---
Just then, the classroom door slid open dramatically.
Enter Kaito Yamazaki — tall, loose uniform, the softest smirk in the school, and the vibe of a boy who knew exactly how good he looked but never bragged about it. He carried a melon bread between his teeth and looked around like he owned the room.
"Yo. Am I late or is the drama just early today?"
"You're always late, Yamazaki," said Aika without looking.
"And you're always glaring. If I didn't know better, I'd think you missed me."
Rin giggled nervously, trying not to make eye contact.
"Don't mind him," Aika sighed. "He's all talk."
"Flattered you think I talk about you so much."
She turned a little red.
Enter the Weirdos
Two more students walked in behind Kaito —
Yumi, who believed she was a witch (probably wasn't), and Tomo, who brought pickles to class in a pencil case.
Yumi: "The moon said there will be blood today."
Tomo: "I brought kimchi."
Everyone: "..."
Kaito took the desk next to hers instead of his own. Ren's brow twitched.
"You're in my seat, flirtbait," Ren muttered.
"I'm exploring," Kaito replied smoothly. Then, with a glance at Aika
"What? Huh?"
After during lunch break
☆●Rooftop Echoes and Rumbling Feelings
Aika narrowed her eyes as Kaito casually stretched out across the bench, unbothered as always. The breeze ruffled his perfectly annoying hair.
Aika: "Do you even have a class you belong to?"
Kaito (eyes closed): "I go wherever the wind takes me. Like a free spirit."
Rin (whispering): "I think he's skipping math again…"
Aika: "And he's proud of it."
Kaito peeked at her from under his lashes, a little smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Kaito: "You know, Aika-chan… you're cute when you're annoyed."
Aika (blushing): "Say one more word and I'm feeding you to the pigeons."
He chuckled but didn't push. That's the thing with Kaito — he always knew when to stop.
Ren would've kept poking until she turned into a fireball.
Rin gently tapped her shoulder with a rice ball.
Rin: "Eat something before your blood pressure explodes."
---
Meanwhile... In Class 2-B
Ren leaned back in his chair, chewing a Pocky stick with maximum attitude. Haru sat beside him, scribbling random kanji into his notebook.
Haru: "You've been scowling since lunch break started."
Ren: "Not scowling."
Haru: "You look like you want to punch the sun."
Ren: "...Just don't like Kaito's face."
Haru (grinning): "Or the fact that he's with Aika right now?"
Ren snapped the Pocky in half with his teeth.
Ren: "She's annoying. He can have her."
Haru: "Uh-huh. And I'm the Emperor of Japan."
---
Back on the Rooftop
Aika wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up, brushing off crumbs. Her heart still beat annoyingly fast. Not because of Kaito. Of course not. Definitely not.
Aika: "Let's go back. Before Ren steals my seat and replaces my desk with a trapdoor."
Kaito (softly): "Don't let him mess with you too much, you know."
She paused. Turned halfway.
Aika: "I can handle him."
Kaito smiled again — the real one, the warm one that slipped out sometimes.
Kaito: "I know."
---
Afternoon Chaos: Back to Class
The moment Aika entered, the eraser she'd left on her desk was now stuck to the ceiling.
Aika: "...Ren."
He looked up from his manga, completely unfazed.
Ren: "You left your stuff lying around. I helped with vertical storage."
Aika (through gritted teeth): "I will end you."
Classmate A: "We're taking bets again!"
Classmate B: "I say she tackles him before the bell."
Classmate C: "This is better than the drama club performance."
Rin sighed.
Rin: "Why can't she fall in love with someone peaceful?"
Kaito (appearing behind her): "I am peaceful."
Lunch break ended and all the classmates settle down
Miss hoshino started class and as usual Ren is again sleeping peacefully
Final Bell – Cleaning Duty
Miss Hoshino tossed the chalk down with the force of a hammer.
Miss Hoshino: "Fujimoto. Sakamoto. You're on cleaning duty. Again."
Aika groaned into her desk.
Ren stood up, stretching like a cat.
Ren: "Best part of the day."
Aika: "I'll mop your face."
As the classroom emptied out, only the two of them remained — plus faint sunlight streaking across the desks. Aika swept furiously, Ren pushed brooms in circles.
Ren: "So serious, Pocky."
Aika: "Stop. Calling. Me. That."
He leaned on the broom.
Ren (quietly): "If I stop annoying you, who else will?"
She paused.
Aika: "Isn't there someone else you can flirt with?"
Ren: "Nope. You're the most fun."
Aika's face warmed — not because she liked it. Obviously.
Obviously.
As she finished wiping the last corner, she whispered, mostly to herself:
Aika: "Why do I feel like this school year is gonna be hell…"
From behind her, Ren grinned.
Ren: "I heard that."
Aika stacked the last chair onto the desk with a huff and turned to leave—
—and slammed straight into Ren's chest.
Aika: "Ugh—move, mophead!"
Ren: "Hmm… nah."
Before she could sidestep, he stepped in. One hand hit the wall beside her head — close enough that the sound echoed in the empty classroom. The other hand casually toyed with her loose necktie ribbon.
Ren (low): "You always bark so loud, Pocky. Ever wonder what'd happen if I bit back?"
Aika (blushing): "I—You—I will call the teacher!"
Ren: "Cute."
And then—
He leaned in.
Slowly. Casually. Dangerously close.
His face hovered near hers, their noses nearly brushing. She could feel the heat off his skin, the scent of something sharp and clean like aftershave and trouble.
Ren (soft, teasing): "Bet your heart's racing."
Aika (whispering): "I—I hate you."
Ren: "Then why aren't you moving?"
She froze. Eyes wide. Fists clenched. Brain completely blank.
Just as suddenly, he leaned back — grinning.
Ren (playful): "Later, Pocky."
He turned and walked off like nothing happened, hands in his pockets, whistling.
Aika stood pressed to the wall, blinking like she'd seen a ghost. Her legs felt like jelly.
Aika (muttering): "I am going to drop out. Of the planet."