The soft tick of the clock echoed in the background. Sunlight had barely begun to slip through the narrow blinds when Renji Aikawa opened his eyes.
No alarm. No noise. He just… woke up.
His room was tidy—almost too tidy. Not out of perfectionism, but because he couldn't stand clutter. Not in a world where time felt like it could run away from him any second.
He sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. Quiet mornings like this always made him think a little too much.
Downstairs, he heard the shuffle of slippers against wood and the clatter of plates. A smell soon followed—rice, egg, and something warm and familiar. Miso soup.
He got dressed without much thought, tying his uniform jacket with practiced ease, before heading down to the kitchen.
His mother turned just in time to meet him with a smile. "Morning, Renji. Sit down, breakfast's ready."
"Thanks, Mom."
Her hair was tied back in a neat bun, her apron smudged from cooking. She moved with the kind of rhythm only years of routine could give. On the table were neatly prepared bowls—rice, grilled fish, tamagoyaki. She always made time for this, no matter how busy she was.
His father sat at the other end, already halfway through his meal. Still in his shirt and tie, glasses pushed low on his nose as he skimmed a news article on his phone.
"Up early again," his dad noted, glancing up. "Did you sleep alright?"
"Yeah," Renji replied, grabbing his chopsticks. "I'm going to Hajime's after this. He'll probably sleep through another alarm."
His mom chuckled. "That boy... Still needs you to yank him out of bed?"
"Every other morning," Renji said with a smirk.
His father raised an eyebrow. "You could just let him learn the hard way, you know."
Renji shook his head. "That's not how he learns. He's not lazy. Just... bad with mornings."
They all shared a light laugh. For a moment, the kitchen was peaceful. Safe.
His mother set down a small wrapped bento. "Bring this for him. Tell him it's from me."
Renji blinked. "...You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," she said gently. "You boys stick together. That means something."
He paused for a moment, fingers brushing the edge of the cloth-wrapped lunchbox. His parents never said too much. Never smothered him with praise or pressure. But they noticed things—quietly, in their own way.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll give it to him."
His father stood, adjusting his tie. "I'll see you two tonight. Don't miss the train again."
"I'll be back before dinner."
"Tell Hajime we said hi," she called.
Renji Aikawa stood outside the Nagumo household, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket as the morning chill nipped at his skin. He'd gotten used to waking up early ever since he started hanging out with Hajime, but today was especially cold.
A few knocks on the door, and a sleepy voice responded from inside, "I'm up, I'm up…"
Renji chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe, his impatience barely masked. "It's already 7:30, Hajime. We're gonna be late if you don't get moving."
There was a long, groggy sigh from inside. "Five more minutes," came the muffled reply.
Renji rolled his eyes, but he knew the drill. After all, this wasn't the first time he had to drag Hajime out of bed. He was just about to call out again when the door creaked open. To his surprise, it wasn't Hajime but Shuu, Hajime's dad, standing on the other side.
Shuu gave him a knowing look, shaking his head slightly. "I told him last night to set an alarm, but you know how he is."
Renji smiled and nodded, stepping inside the house. "Guess it's up to me to save the day again, huh?"
Shuu chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. "Well, you two have been best friends for how long now? You should be used to it by now."
Renji shrugged. "Guess I don't mind."
Shuu gestured down the hallway toward the stairs. "His room's on the second floor. I'll handle breakfast. You handle waking him up."
"Got it," Renji said, with a grin. He made his way up the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet house. As he reached the top, he paused for a moment to catch his breath before knocking on the door of Hajime's room.
"Hey, Hajime," Renji called, his voice firm but still light. "You awake yet? You're gonna make us late."
No response. He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair before pushing the door open.
Hajime's room was typical for a teenage boy—cluttered but in a lived-in way that suggested he just didn't care enough to clean up. A desk piled with school papers, unopened textbooks, and a few scattered manga volumes. There were action figures lined up on a shelf, and a large poster of some mecha anime hung crookedly on the wall. A gaming console rested on the floor near a television, wires tangling around it haphazardly. The bed was a mess, the blanket half-draped over the side, revealing Hajime's still form beneath it.
Renji couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was the same every morning. Hajime's room had always been a sanctuary of chaos, and he was a person who thrived in it. It was like his own little universe, where everything had its place—even if it didn't seem that way to anyone else.
Renji stepped inside, careful not to trip over the scattered shoes and bags. He walked to the side of Hajime's bed and gently nudged his friend's shoulder. "Come on, Hajime. We gotta get going. You're gonna miss breakfast if you keep sleeping."
Hajime groaned, rolling over but not fully waking. "Just five more minutes…" he mumbled, voice muffled by the pillow.
Renji shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You've got five minutes every day. Now get up or your mom will throw a fit."
With a grunt, Hajime finally dragged himself out from under the blanket, his messy hair sticking up in every direction as he slowly sat up. His eyes were still half-closed, and his expression was one of pure annoyance. "Renji… You're impossible."
Renji crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Impossible? You're the one still in bed."
Hajime let out a heavy sigh as he rubbed his eyes. "I know, I know… I'll be quick." He started pulling himself together, yawning as he moved toward his dresser.
Renji leaned against the desk, watching his friend fumble around. The room was still relatively quiet, save for the occasional sound of Hajime shuffling. Renji glanced around again at the room's clutter. It was always a bit messy, but it was a good kind of messy. Hajime didn't mind the disorganization; it was part of who he was.
"Hey, if you're done complaining, can you get the game controller I left on the desk last night?" Hajime asked, pulling a hoodie over his head.
Renji snorted. "You and your games…" But he went over to grab the controller anyway, tossing it to Hajime, who caught it without missing a beat.
After a few more minutes of casual banter, Hajime finally managed to drag himself to full consciousness. "Alright, alright. I'm up."
"Good," Renji said, already moving toward the stairs. "Let's go before we really are late."
Hajime followed, still half-dazed but moving faster now. As they both made their way downstairs, the smell of breakfast greeted them. Sumire was at the stove, flipping pancakes, and Shuu was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in hand. He looked up as they walked in.
"Finally decided to join the living?" Shuu asked, half-teasing, half-serious.
Hajime let out another tired groan. "Yeah, yeah. I'm up now."
Sumire smiled as she set down a plate of pancakes in front of him. "Eat up, Hajime. You need to fuel yourself for the day ahead."
Hajime looked at the pancakes for a moment, his stomach growling in response. "I swear, Mom, your pancakes are the only reason I get up some mornings."
Renji just shook his head. "If that's what it takes to get you out of bed, maybe we should just start bringing pancakes to school."
Hajime smirked, a hint of his usual energy returning. "Don't tempt me."
As they all sat down to breakfast, Renji felt the familiar comfort of being with the Nagumo family. It wasn't just the food—it was the warmth and ease of being surrounded by people who cared. It made mornings like this one a little easier to face, even if Hajime was still half-asleep.
With breakfast out of the way, the two of them left the house together, making their way to school, where another day of high school awaited. Another routine. But, for Renji, it was the kind of day that he looked forward to. And as long as Hajime kept being Hajime, it was a routine he didn't mind sticking to.
The early morning sun bathed the quiet streets of Tokyo in a soft amber hue, casting long shadows behind the two figures walking side by side.
Renji Aikawa walked with calm precision—his school bag neatly slung over one shoulder, uniform pristine, hair just tousled enough to seem effortless but presentable. His presence exuded quiet confidence. Students from nearby neighborhoods often whispered as he passed, referring to him as the "model student," the top of the class, the golden boy of Year 2. His grades were flawless. His speeches in school events were sharp, calculated, and elegant. Teachers praised him, classmates envied him, and the student council relied on him. He was the kind of student who didn't just succeed—he defined expectations.
And right beside him, matching his pace with a tired, almost reluctant gait, was Hajime Nagumo.
Hajime's shirt was slightly wrinkled, his tie undone in a lazy knot. Sleep clung to his eyes like a shadow, and his bag hung low on his back like he hadn't packed it properly. To most students, he was the outcast otaku. The guy who barely made it to class on time, who preferred fantasy worlds to reality. Rumors painted him in every shade of loser—gross, weird, hopeless. He was the walking embodiment of "wasted potential."
And yet... here he was, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Renji Aikawa.
"You pulled another all-nighter?" Renji asked without looking.
Hajime yawned. "You know me. One click led to two, and next thing I knew, it was almost four."
Renji smirked faintly. "Same. I was going over thesis drafts for the student council. Got caught up reorganizing half the proposal."
That was the quiet irony no one seemed to notice. Renji, the perfect student, and Hajime, the classroom's scapegoat, both suffered from the same affliction—habitual overthinking and chronic sleep deprivation. One spent his nights in academic loops. The other, in digital worlds and speculative fiction. Both, in their own ways, were chasing meaning.
And that's what made their bond real.
Renji admired Hajime's creativity, his passion for the things he loved, and the way he never pretended to be something he wasn't. He was honest in a way few people dared to be. And Hajime—though he'd never say it aloud—respected Renji's discipline, his effortless intelligence, and how he never looked down on him like the rest of the class did.
The school gates loomed ahead, with students beginning to flood in. Conversations hushed the moment the two walked in.
"Aikawa-kun! Good morning!"
"Oh, he's with him again…"
Renji responded with polite nods to the greetings. He had long grown used to the sideways glances and hushed tones. Some found his closeness to Hajime strange, even disappointing. He was supposed to be the perfect student, after all—why waste time with a so-called nobody?
But Renji didn't care.
Hajime, meanwhile, pretended not to hear the whispers. He never flinched, never looked down. He just walked with that same tired, unapologetic energy.
The moment they entered their classroom, it happened again. Heads turned. The familiar tension returned—some mixture of curiosity, judgment, and quiet disdain.
Renji made his way to his seat near the front, placing his bag down with mechanical ease. Hajime drifted toward the back, sliding into his chair with a soft grunt.
But not before Renji glanced over his shoulder.
And not before Hajime gave him a small nod in return.
It wasn't a grand moment. It wasn't a speech. But in that brief exchange—eyelids heavy with sleep, minds still tangled in midnight thoughts—there was an understanding deeper than words.
In a world where reputation was everything, where appearances ruled the hallways, and where people clung to the surface… Renji and Hajime found their bond in the quiet space beneath all that.
One, the golden boy.
The other, the forgotten outcast.
Both, insomniacs of a different breed.
And together, in that classroom filled with labels, they were simply… them.
First period had barely begun, but the tension in Class 2-B was already simmering.
Homeroom was routine, the teacher's voice droning on about committee sign-ups and the approaching practical exams. Hajime leaned back in his chair, half-listening, doodling some kind of spell circle into the margin of his notebook. Renji, up front, sat with perfect posture, jotting notes with focused calm.
But in the back of the room—where shadows lingered and the teacher's gaze rarely lingered—eyes had already started to narrow.
Hiyama Daisuke.
A name that, to most of the class, meant nothing more than another athletic, good-looking guy in Kouki's orbit. But for Hajime, he was something else entirely.
Daisuke wasn't loud. He wasn't the type to throw fists or shout across the room. No—he was more dangerous than that. His words were sharp, his smiles deceiving, his cruelty subtle enough to avoid punishment but potent enough to poison.
The first strike came during lunch.
"You bringin' one of your weird otaku snacks again?" Hiyama asked, loud enough for the nearby desks to hear. He leaned against Hajime's desk, his arms crossed, wearing that smug, lazy grin. "What is it this time? Tentacle-flavored chips?"
A few students snorted. The same usual crowd.
Hajime didn't look up. "It's curry bread."
"Ohh, fancy. Bet you think it gives you mana or something."
Another chuckle.
Renji looked back from the front, eyes narrowing.
Hajime stayed quiet. He always did. Responding only gave Hiyama more to feed off. But Daisuke wasn't satisfied with silence.
He reached forward and casually knocked the curry bread out of Hajime's hand. It hit the floor with a soft thud.
"Oops."
That word, that voice—so casual, so indifferent—it lit a quiet fury behind Renji's eyes.
He stood up.
The room quieted just a bit.
"You're wasting food," Renji said plainly, his voice calm but firm.
Daisuke blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected Renji Aikawa to get involved.
"Relax, Aikawa. Just messing around. You know how Nagumo is. He likes this kinda stuff."
Renji didn't blink. "He's a classmate."
"And?"
Renji stepped away from his desk, walking down the aisle toward them. Every pair of eyes followed.
"You ever try focusing on your grades as much as you focus on this petty nonsense?" Renji asked coolly. "Maybe then your name would be on the board beside mine instead of collecting dust on the midterm list."
Laughter—sharp, from the other side of the room. Someone whistled low.
Hiyama's smile faltered.
Hajime looked up, eyes meeting Renji's for just a second.
That glance held no gratitude. No dramatic moment. Just the same tired look, with a flicker of something unreadable underneath.
Recognition.
After a tense pause, Hiyama clicked his tongue and backed off with a mutter. "Whatever. You're no fun."
Renji bent down, picked up the curry bread, brushed off the wrapper, and set it quietly on Hajime's desk.
He didn't say a word. Didn't look around.
He simply returned to his seat like nothing happened.
Hajime watched him go, then stared at the bread.
Still warm.
Still his.
Hajime stared at the curry bread on his desk.
It had a slight tear from the fall, a corner of the wrapper crumpled, but it wasn't the damage that made him hesitate—it was everything behind it.
He was used to people stepping in to make a scene. Used to being the center of unwanted attention. But Renji… he didn't make a scene. He just acted.
The bell rang. Chairs scraped. Students shuffled off to lunch, in groups, in pairs. Hajime stayed seated.
He wasn't hungry anymore. Not for curry bread, at least.
He reached for the wrapper anyway, sighing—
A quiet rustle slid across his desk.
A neatly packed bento box.
"…?"
He looked up. Renji stood beside his desk, already looking away as if nothing had happened. No grand gesture. No explanation.
"She made extra," Renji said simply, referring to his mom.
Hajime blinked, stunned. "…You didn't have to."
Renji started to walk away, but paused halfway, hands in his pockets.
"She said I should stop pretending you don't come over just to game all night," he added with a small shrug. "Told me to give you something real to eat."
Hajime stared at the bento box.
It was the kind his mom used, too—sturdy, a little worn, but clean and packed with care. The kind only a parent would prep without a second thought.
He peeled it open slowly.
Rice still warm. Tamagoyaki cut into neat rectangles. Fried karaage that smelled like it came straight from the pan. Pickled radish, even a few green beans. Balanced. Homey.
Too good for someone like him.
He looked at the back of Renji's head across the room.
"…Tell her thanks," Hajime murmured under his breath.
Renji didn't turn around. Didn't need to.
"I already did."
The classroom slowly filled with chatter and clatter as students returned from lunch. Some brought food back to their seats. Others lingered in clusters, laughing, chatting, gossiping. Hajime sat quietly, chewing slowly through Renji's mom's home-cooked karaage, eyes lowered, ears open.
He'd learned to stay small in a room like this. Quiet. Out of sight.
But that was never quite possible when she was around.
"Good afternoon, Nagumo-kun!" came the bright, cheerful voice from the front.
Kaori Shirasaki. The sunlight of the class. Every syllable she spoke seemed to lift the mood. Her smile always looked effortless, her presence always felt soft—like a breeze through a heavy room.
Today, her raven hair was tied back into a soft ponytail, her white headband holding back any loose strands. She cradled a thermos and a hand towel in her arms.
"Did you eat lunch already?" she asked, noticing the open bento in front of him.
"Y-Yeah," Hajime answered, wiping his mouth with the corner of the napkin. "Renji's mom made extra…"
Kaori's smile warmed even more. "That's so nice of her. You're lucky to have a friend like Aikawa-kun."
"...I know," Hajime muttered, casting a glance toward Renji.
Renji, still slouched in his seat beside him, offered nothing more than a shrug as he drank from his water bottle. As always, unreadable. Unbothered. Watching everything.
"Oi, Kaori, you're doting on him again," a louder, more confident voice chimed in.
Kouki Amanogawa stepped in, tall and charismatic, the sort of guy who always walked like he knew where he was going—and expected people to follow. He placed a hand on Kaori's shoulder as if to remind everyone watching that they were childhood friends.
Hajime resisted the urge to sigh.
Kaori turned toward Kouki with her usual easy warmth. "I'm just checking on him. He always forgets to take care of himself."
"I dunno," said Ryutarou Sakagami, walking in with his usual energy, a rice ball in one hand and a sports bag in the other. "Nagumo doesn't look that helpless. Maybe he just doesn't want help."
"Let him be," another quiet, more composed voice added.
Shizuku Yaegashi entered behind them. Cool, elegant, with her arms folded and hair tied up in her usual no-nonsense ponytail. She glanced toward Hajime once, then gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
She never bullied him. Never coddled him either.
But it was enough.
Kaori turned back to Hajime and bowed her head a little. "Anyway, I'm glad you ate properly today. If you ever need anything, I'm happy to help, okay?"
"...Thanks," Hajime replied, barely above a whisper.
Renji nudged him with his foot under the desk. "Speak louder. You sound like a ghost."
Hajime gave him a quick glare, cheeks lightly flushed, but it faded into the smallest smile. Maybe.
Kouki, meanwhile, frowned slightly at the exchange—an almost imperceptible crease in his brow.
But like always, he said nothing.
Renji Aikawa wasn't the type who needed attention. He didn't crave it, didn't command it like Kouki did, and didn't naturally draw it like Kaori. But people noticed him regardless—not because he stood out, but because he didn't try to.
He was sharp. Quietly brilliant.
By second year, his grades were consistently among the highest in the class, right up there with Shizuku's. Teachers praised his essays, envied his math sense, and even the more apathetic students respected the fact that he never acted superior about it. When the top five rankings were posted on the bulletin board after midterms, his name always sat comfortably near the top. And he never said a word about it.
That's what earned him his reputation: "Aikawa? Oh, he's the quiet genius."
Kaori knew him well enough to greet him every morning with a smile. She didn't hover or act overly familiar—Renji wasn't the type you casually got close to. But she often offered him snacks from her lunch, or asked for help with trickier homework. Renji always helped, short and direct, but never cold.
She once said to Hajime, "Aikawa-kun reminds me of a book you don't fully understand, but still love reading."
Kouki, on the other hand, had a slightly competitive streak when it came to Renji—though he'd never admit it out loud.
They'd been in the same class since first year, and while Kouki had charisma and strength, Renji had poise and discipline. They weren't rivals per se, but there was a quiet tension whenever group rankings or gym scores were posted. Kouki was used to being the best, and Renji being right beside him—without even trying—was something he never quite figured out how to feel about.
Still, Kouki respected him. Even asked his opinion from time to time—though he'd never do it in front of others.
Shizuku respected him, too, but in a different way.
They had a mutual understanding—born of similar study habits, shared silence in the library, and a similar way of reading the room. Both preferred order. Both didn't speak unless they had something worth saying. Sometimes, they would spend study halls seated at opposite ends of the same table, never speaking, never interrupting—and yet, it was the most comfortable kind of quiet.
As for Ryutarou Sakagami
"Aikawa, let's hit the gym after this. You up for it?" Ryutarou's grin was wide, and he was already halfway out of his seat, clearly excited.
Renji glanced over at his gym buddy, still stretching his arms. Ryutarou had been pushing him to work out with him for months now, ever since Renji transferred to the school. And though Renji had resisted at first, it had become a regular part of his routine. There was something strangely satisfying about the grueling workouts that they pushed each other through.
"Yeah, alright," Renji replied casually. "But if you make me do those leg presses again, I swear—"
"You love it!" Ryutarou cut in with a laugh. "Come on, you need it to keep up with me."
Renji rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small grin. "I'm not sure about that. You're way too energetic for me."
The two of them exchanged a quick glance before walking out of the classroom together, joining the rest of their group. Kaori, Shizuku, Kouki, and Nagumo were already gathering by the door, the usual chatter filling the air.
"Going to the gym again?" Kaori asked, noticing the gym bags slung over their shoulders. She raised an eyebrow, her smile warm but amused. "You two sure have turned it into a routine, huh?"
Renji nodded, glancing over at Ryutarou. "It's mostly Ryutarou dragging me along. I've actually gotten used to it now. Feels weird when I miss a day."
Shizuku, who had overheard the conversation, laughed. "I'm surprised. I thought you were the type to avoid anything that involved getting sweaty."
Renji shot her a playful glare. "Not when I've got someone like Ryutarou pushing me. Plus, it's kind of nice. It's become more like... competition. We've been gym buddies long enough now that it's not just about lifting weights anymore."
Ryutarou chimed in, his grin mischievous. "Exactly. Aikawa's actually pretty strong once you get him into the groove. He's just too lazy to admit it."
Renji rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smirk. "I'll admit it once I can beat you on the pull-ups. Until then, I'll stick to my routine."
Kouki chuckled from the side. "You two have really turned the gym into a battleground, huh?"
"Pretty much," Ryutarou agreed with a laugh, his voice loud enough to get a few looks from nearby students. "But seriously, Renji's got way more potential than he lets on. I'm making him into a monster."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Careful what you say. I'll show you monster when I beat your high score on squats."
Nagumo, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up, his tone casual but with a hint of amusement. "Well, if you two are serious, you might as well make it official. You could probably compete at some local meets with how hard you've been working."
"That's the plan eventually," Ryutarou said, his voice full of confidence. "We've got a pretty solid routine going now. Right, Aikawa?"
Renji gave him a short nod. "Yeah, I'll admit it. It's a good workout. Plus, I get to hang out with Ryutarou, so it's not all bad."
Kaori chuckled, clearly amused by their banter. "You two really have a unique dynamic. You're like gym partners and rivals at the same time."
Renji shrugged. "Pretty much. It's fun."
As the group made their way toward the cafeteria, Renji felt the familiar comfort of being surrounded by his friends. The teasing, the challenges, and the occasional trash talk had all become a normal part of his life. Despite his usual preference for keeping to himself, the camaraderie he'd found here—whether it was in the classroom, during lunch, or at the gym—felt right.
"So, same time tomorrow?" Ryutarou asked as they headed out of the building after lunch.
"Yeah, same time," Renji replied. "But I'm going to beat you this time."
"I'm looking forward to it," Ryutarou grinned, his competitive spirit alive and well.
As they walked out together, Renji couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Not just from the gym, but from the friendships he'd made. He might have started this school year keeping to himself, but now, with people like Ryutarou around, he had a new routine. And somehow, he had grown to like it.
The bell for the end of lunch was ringing, signaling the last few minutes before students rushed back to their classrooms. The chatter in the classroom was buzzing as usual, but Renji Aikawa was casually finishing his lunch when a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hey, Renji-kun," Yuuka Sonobe said as she approached, a small smile on her face. She leaned casually against his desk, hands tucked in the pockets of her jacket. "Got a minute?"
Renji looked up and nodded, flashing her a grin. "Of course, what's going on?"
Yuuka gave him a look, one that was both teasing and slightly earnest. "Well, I'm a bit short-handed tonight at Wisteria, and I could really use your help in the kitchen. You think you can come by?"
Renji raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a playful smirk. "Wisteria again? You really love dragging me into your family business, huh?"
Yuuka shrugged nonchalantly, though her eyes glimmered with amusement. "It's not dragging, it's just asking for help," she retorted with a grin. "I know you're good at handling the prep work when it gets busy, so why not?"
Renji chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "I guess I can't argue with that. You are pretty good at running the kitchen yourself, though. I figured you'd be all over it by now."
Yuuka nodded, a bit of modesty in her voice as she spoke. "I can handle most of it, sure. But you know how it gets during rush hour, things can get a little out of hand. Besides," she added with a small, teasing smile, "you've got a good eye for the details, like the veggies. Can't say no to that."
Renji grinned, knowing exactly what she meant. "The veggies, huh?" he teased, shifting in his seat. "Well, I do have a reputation for making things look pretty in the kitchen."
Before Yuuka could respond, the sound of a voice calling from across the room interrupted them.
"Oooh, Renji-kun and Yuuka-chan talking shop again?" Nana Miyazaki chimed in with a mischievous grin, as she leaned forward from her seat. "What's going on now? Is it another one of those 'helping in the kitchen' sessions, or is Renji-kun cooking up something special for you?"
Yuuka flushed slightly, her face taking on a light pink hue. She shot Nana a mock glare but couldn't quite suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Nana, don't start. It's just help in the kitchen. That's all."
Suzuki Tanaguchi, who was sitting next to Nana, leaned in with a grin of her own. "I'm sure Renji's 'helping' in more ways than one," she teased. "Are you sure it's just the cooking? Because it sounds like Renji's becoming a regular in the kitchen these days."
Renji laughed softly, his amusement growing at the teasing. "Hey, I'm a great help in the kitchen," he said, looking at Yuuka. "If I didn't step in, I'm pretty sure she'd have a breakdown by now."
Yuuka, no longer embarrassed, shot him a playful smirk. "Oh, I'd be fine without you," she replied, though there was a hint of affection in her tone. "But you do make things run a lot smoother. I can't argue with that."
Renji chuckled, leaning forward again. "Alright, alright, I'll come by. You don't need to keep flattering me, though." He smiled at her teasingly. "But just so you know, I'm not doing any more vegetable chopping unless you get me a better knife."
Yuuka laughed, rolling her eyes. "You're impossible. But fine, we'll see what we can do," she said, smiling brightly. "But don't think I'm going easy on you just because you helped out once."
Renji winked at her. "Never said you would. I know what I'm getting into." He gathered his things, getting ready to head back to class. "I'll see you later tonight, then?"
Yuuka gave him a nod, her tone softening. "Yeah, I'll see you there. And thank you for agreeing to help."
Renji flashed a final smile as he stood up. "No problem. Just don't put me on dish duty again."
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and students began to gather their belongings. Yuuka gave him a quick wave before returning to her seat.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, the classroom began to fill again, students trickling in, some still munching on snacks as they settled back into their seats. Hajime, who had barely survived the awkward standoff with Kaori and the sudden interruption from Renji, leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face. The tension had eased, but it still lingered just beneath the surface.
Renji, sensing the mood, gave him a quick look before speaking in his usual laid-back tone. "Ready for the next round? Or are you planning to sleep through the rest of the day?"
Hajime shot him a glance, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. "I'll be fine. Barely," he muttered, eyeing the front of the room where the teacher was preparing to start.
Kaori, who had been chatting with some of the other students, noticed the exchange but didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but there was something about the way Hajime and Renji interacted that made her pause. It was different from the usual dynamic.
Hajime took a deep breath, mentally bracing himself for the afternoon classes. Renji's presence had helped take the edge off, but it was still going to be a long day.
Renji leaned over again, keeping his voice low. "You know, you don't have to always keep to yourself. We're all here, you know?"
Hajime nodded, grateful for the offer, even if he wasn't sure how to fully respond. "Thanks," he muttered, before the teacher's voice snapped him back to attention.
The classroom fell into its usual rhythm, and the noise from lunch faded away as they all settled back into the grind of school. The pressure of the day wasn't gone, but with Renji around, it didn't feel quite as heavy.
There was a low murmur as everyone settled in, the atmosphere light and casual, until the door swung open, and in walked Ms. Hatayama Aiko with a bright smile on her face.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" she called out, her cheerful voice ringing through the classroom. Aiko was a petite woman with a childlike figure that made her look younger than her age. Her short brown hair framed her face neatly, and her green eyes sparkled with an energy that seemed to light up the room.
Her outfit was professional yet soft—she wore a white dress shirt with a grey blazer, the soft pink of her neck scarf a subtle contrast against the rest of her attire. Her brown skirt and stockings gave her an approachable look, and her heeled shoes clicked lightly as she walked toward the front of the room. Despite her quiet, unassuming appearance, there was something undeniably charming about her.
The students, many of whom had already grown used to her presence over the past few months, couldn't help but smile at her warm demeanor. She had this way of making even the dullest days feel a little brighter. Some of the boys exchanged glances, a few of them muttering about how cute she looked when she smiled like that.
"Alright, everyone," she continued, her tone light and friendly as she set down her bag. "Let's get started! I hope you all had a nice lunch. I certainly did. Did anyone try that new bakery down the street? I heard their cream puffs are amazing!"
The class chuckled lightly, the usual morning tension melting away as Ms. Hatayama's cheerfulness filled the room. Even the students who normally drifted off during lessons found themselves paying just a little more attention. It wasn't just her energy—it was her ability to make everyone feel like they were part of the same team.
"Okay, now that everyone's settled…" Aiko clapped her hands together, a big grin on her face. "Let's review the material we went over last week! It won't take long, I promise!"
The class groaned good-naturedly, but there wasn't a single student who wasn't fond of her. In fact, for many, Ms. Hatayama was one of the few teachers who seemed to genuinely care about making lessons interesting.
Hajime, still half-asleep from his lunchtime nap, let out a quiet sigh. He glanced over at Aiko, her bright smile giving him a brief flicker of warmth. No matter how sleepy he was, it was hard not to appreciate her charm.
"Alright, let's get started, shall we?" she said, her cheerfulness infectious as she picked up a piece of chalk. The students sat a little straighter, the familiar rhythm of her class quickly taking over. Despite the lesson ahead, it felt like the kind of day where everything was going to be just fine.
The lesson continued, and Ms. Hatayama's bright energy kept everyone in a good mood. Even the students who normally struggled with staying focused found themselves more engaged than usual. The air was lighter than usual, thanks to the playful energy of their homeroom teacher. Every now and then, someone would giggle at her quirky remarks, and even Hajime, who usually sat with his head in his hands, found himself chuckling every time she'd make one of her silly faces.
"Alright, everyone," Ms. Hatayama said, clapping her hands together to grab their attention. "Let's wrap up with a quick review of the past chapter. I'm sure you all remember the major events—no sleeping on me now!"
As the class fell into their routine of answering questions and taking notes, everything seemed like any other day. Hajime was barely keeping his eyes open, zoning out as he let his thoughts wander. It was hard to stay awake with Ms. Hatayama's voice in the background, so soft and friendly, like a gentle lullaby. His pen tapped idly on his desk as he began to drift off, the noise of the classroom becoming a quiet hum.
And then, it happened.
Without any warning, the classroom suddenly grew colder. The steady murmur of the class died down, replaced by an eerie silence. Hajime's pen stopped moving, and his head snapped up, the odd chill running down his spine. A cold, unnatural feeling filled the room, and for a moment, it was as if time itself had paused.
Aiko froze mid-sentence, her smile faltering as she looked around, confusion written across her face. "What...?"
Then, the lights flickered. A low, deep hum reverberated through the room, followed by a flash of light so bright it forced everyone to shield their eyes.
"Everyone—!" Ms. Hatayama started to shout, but her voice was lost in the sudden surge of energy that coursed through the room.
Before anyone could react, a tremendous force swept through the classroom, swirling like a violent storm. The students clutched their desks, trying to steady themselves against the unseen pull. Some tried to speak, but no words came out. The air was thick with tension, an overwhelming presence descending on them.
In a blink, everything changed.
The classroom—what was once their familiar schoolroom—was gone. They were no longer surrounded by desks or the scent of old textbooks. Instead, they stood on a vast, open field, surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of unfamiliar creatures in the distance.
Hajime's heart raced as he took in the new, strange surroundings. His classmates seemed just as disoriented, some already starting to shout in confusion, others too stunned to move.
Ms. Hatayama, still in shock, stood frozen beside them. She seemed even smaller in this unfamiliar world, her bright smile replaced by a look of uncertainty. "What… What just happened…?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
There was a moment of stunned silence as the group of students tried to process what had just occurred. Hajime blinked, his head still reeling from the sudden change in scenery. The warm classroom they'd just been in seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by the cold, unfamiliar world they now found themselves in.
And then, as if the summoning event had been some sort of bizarre introduction, a voice echoed from nowhere—a booming, commanding voice that shook the very air around them.
"Welcome, chosen ones, to the world of Tortus."
The students exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was happening or what to do next. But Hajime's heart sank as the voice continued.
"You have been summoned here to aid in the battle against the Demon Lord."
A heavy silence followed, pressing down on all of them like the calm before a storm. Something in the pit of Hajime's stomach twisted. As if, deep down, he already knew that this was only the beginning.
A moment frozen in time—one that would change everything.
This incident caused quite a stir in the public as it was a mass disappearance that occurred at a high school in broad daylight, but that's a story for another time.
For now…
They were gone.
And the real story had only just begun.
To be Continued