When they entered the campus, Seiji Fujiwara and Utaha Kasumigaoka split up in the hallways, heading to their separate classrooms.
And then—
The headache began.
For the entire morning, Utaha felt like she was drowning in noise.
Just walking in with Seiji that morning had triggered a storm, and ever since, whispers followed her everywhere.
"Did Kasumigaoka really get a boyfriend?"
"And he's a third-year senpai!?"
"Unbelievable, there wasn't a single hint before this!"
"Yeah, and Fujiwara-senpai might be handso, but he's so plain. He looks boring."
The words drilled into her ears no matter how she tried to block them out, making her head pound.
The only blessing was that she didn't have friends at school—no one to swarm her with questions.
Well, except for Mayu Kimura, the class rep.
A kind, earnest girl, sharp-eyed, and always paying attention. Utaha had to admit she wasn't a bad person.
But sotis, people like that were the most troubleso.
All morning, Mayu had turned toward her at least seventeen tis, lips parting as if she wanted to speak, only to falter. Each ti, Utaha's cold, distant aura forced her back into silence.
Yet the girl clearly wasn't giving up.
Utaha was growing restless.
Riiiing—
The lunch bell rang.
The mont it did, Mayu hurried to Utaha's desk, her face filled with hidden worry.
"Kasumigaoka-san! You… you and Fujiwara-senpai this morning, were you…?"
Sothing didn't add up.
From the scraps she'd overheard from teachers, Mayu knew Utaha's family was going through sothing serious. Who would have the heart to date under those circumstances?
And she herself had seen Utaha walk in with Fujiwara that morning.
But the vibe… didn't feel like romance.
I really hate people who notice too much.
Utaha sighed inwardly, rising from her seat.
Thank you for worrying, Kimura. But sorry—I don't need it.
She calmly pulled her bento box from her desk and gave Mayu a polite nod.
"Sorry. I have sothing to do."
Her tone was cool and detached.
With that, she turned and left the classroom.
"Kasumigaoka-san?" Mayu's face fell, stung.
The room fell briefly silent.
But almost imdiately, chatter buzzed again.
"Wait, did Kasumigaoka just grab two bento boxes?"
"Is she going to eat with Fujiwara-senpai?"
"No way, seriously?"
"They're moving fast!"
Speculation spread like wildfire.
Dozens of curious students rushed toward the stairwell, eager to track her movents.
Under all their prying eyes, Utaha walked unhurriedly up to the third-year classrooms.
Excitent rippled everywhere.
"Look! It's Kasumigaoka-san!"
"She really went upstairs!"
"Damn, Fujiwara-senpai's lucky—having such a gorgeous girlfriend coming to get him for lunch!"
The corridor buzzed with envy.
Utaha stopped at the door of Class 3-A.
In that instant, the hallway went dead silent.
Heads poked out from every classroom, from windows and doorways, every gaze glued to her.
Utaha drew in a breath, then quietly slid the door open.
Shhh—
The news had already spread. Everyone inside knew.
The mont the door opened, the entire class turned as one.
Every eye landed on her.
Then shifted to the boy by the window.
Seiji Fujiwara.
He lifted his head slowly, then stood with a smile.
"You finally ca. I've been waiting forever."
"What!?"
The boys in the room nearly fell out of their seats.
The school's untouchable flower had co to invite him to lunch—and he dared to act like she was late?
Unforgivable.
Why Kasumigaoka Utaha? Why would she choose a guy like that?
"I'm sorry, Seiji. I kept you waiting."
Her soft apology, paired with a faintly guilty smile, detonated like thunder in their hearts.
Shock froze them.
Why? Why treat him so well when he was so dismissive?
What charm could he possibly have?
Why wasn't it ?
Boys pounded their desks in frustration, their envy burning so hot it might erupt from their eyes.
"Let's go."
Seiji stood, nodding as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and stepped out of the room.
"The weather's nice today. How about we eat in the courtyard?" Utaha followed gently, almost demurely, like a bride-to-be.
Crash, crash—
The hearts of every boy in the hallway shattered on the spot.
Toyogasaki's ice queen, the untouchable flower, was taken.
The morning's rumors were true.
And the one who had plucked her… was Seiji Fujiwara.
The news spread like wildfire, racing through the school forums and chat groups, a storm none could ignore.
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250 p.s for extra chapter!
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