Rumors spread faster than truth.
By the next morning, the entire school knew my name.
Not because of achievement.
Not because of talent.
But because of a single photograph.
I stepped through the school gates, immediately feeling the weight of countless stares.
"That's him."
"The guy from the photo."
"He's the one sitting with Aizawa-san."
Their whispers followed me like shadows.
I tightened my grip on my bag and kept walking.
Just ignore them.
That was the plan.
It had always been the plan.
But plans rarely survived reality.
Inside the Classroom
The moment I entered, conversations died down.
Every eye turned toward me.
Some were curious.
Some were mocking.
Most were hostile.
I quietly made my way to my seat, pretending not to notice.
Then—
"Good morning."
Her voice was soft, like a gentle breeze.
I looked up.
Aizawa Reina stood beside my desk, her usual calm smile on her lips.
"G-Good morning," I replied, trying not to stutter.
Gasps echoed around the room.
"She's talking to him again!"
"They're not even hiding it now!"
Reina ignored them and sat gracefully in the seat next to mine.
"As expected," she said lightly.
"As expected… what?" I asked.
"You look troubled."
"Well, I wonder why," I muttered.
A faint giggle escaped her lips.
That single sound made the tension around us intensify.
From the front row, Kurosaki Yuna watched in silence.
Her sharp eyes glimmered with unreadable intent.
The Summons*
"Excuse me, could you come with me?"
The homeroom teacher stood at the door, his expression unusually stern.
My heart sank.
"Yes… sir."
The whispers followed me as I left.
"Told you he'd get called out."
"He's in trouble now."
"Serves him right."
I didn't look back.
But I could feel Reina's gaze lingering on me.
The Staff Room*
The air inside the staff room felt heavier than usual.
Several teachers glanced at me as I entered. My homeroom teacher gestured toward a chair.
"Sit down."
I obeyed.
He placed his phone on the table and turned the screen toward me.
It was the photo.
The same one circulating in the class group chat.
"Do you know why you're here?" he asked.
"…Because of that picture?"
"Yes," he replied. "There are rumors that you're harassing Aizawa Reina. Some students have reported feeling concerned."
My mind went blank.
Harassing her?
"That's not true!" I said quickly. "She chose to sit beside me. I didn't force her—"
The door opened.
"I can confirm that."
All heads turned.
Aizawa Reina stepped into the room.
Her posture was poised, her expression calm yet resolute.
"I sat next to him of my own free will," she continued. "He has never harassed me."
The teachers exchanged glances.
My homeroom teacher sighed. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Reina replied firmly.
The tension in my chest finally eased.
"Thank you for clarifying," the teacher said. "You're both dismissed. However, be mindful of your behavior. Rumors can damage reputations."
We bowed politely before leaving.
The Hallway*
As soon as we stepped outside, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
"Thank you," I said. "You didn't have to do that."
Reina smiled gently.
"But I wanted to."
She met my gaze, her eyes warm and sincere.
"I won't let others misunderstand you."
For a moment, I forgot about the whispers.
About the rumors.
About everything.
Then—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, deliberate applause echoed down the hallway.
We turned.
Kurosaki Yuna stood by the window, her elegant figure bathed in sunlight.
"How admirable," she said coolly. "Defending him in front of the teachers."
Her eyes shifted toward me.
Sharp. Assessing. Dangerous.
"You're more interesting than I thought," she added.
Reina frowned slightly. "Kurosaki-san, what are you implying?"
Yuna smiled faintly.
"Nothing at all."
She stepped closer, her presence commanding.
"But be careful, Aizawa-san."
Her gaze flickered toward me.
"People who shine too brightly tend to cast long shadows."
With that, she turned and walked away.
A chill ran down my spine.
Reina remained silent beside me.
"…I have a bad feeling about this," I whispered.
She looked at me, her expression calm yet determined.
"Whatever happens," she said softly, "you won't face it alone."
My heart skipped a beat.
Perhaps this nightmare wasn't entirely hopeless.
But deep down—
I knew something worse was coming.
End of Chapter 3
Preview of Chapter 4:
A malicious post spreads across the school forum.
The protagonist faces his first public humiliation.
Yuna's true intentions begin to surface.