"Ha~ I'm a little hungry. Can't believe I slept this long… kinda slacking off today, huh."
Staring at the sunset, Shiro rubbed his empty stomach uncomfortably. He hadn't eaten all day.
Last night, he got carried away playing with that black beast—it was just too fun, and before he knew it, the sun had risen.
By the time he woke up, it was already almost evening...
As for class?
Geniuses have the right to skip class!
Besides, he couldn't understand German anyway—better to use that time for something meaningful!
And sleeping was very meaningful.
Skipping German meant missing a skill, but skipping sleep could cost your heart!
After giving himself a little pep talk, Shiro, stomach growling, walked into a cozy-looking restaurant.
His original plan was to mooch a meal off GB since he heard there was a girls' gathering happening there. Unfortunately, his stomach couldn't wait that long.
"Welcome~"
Just as he stepped inside, a sweet and slightly "green tea" voice greeted him. The tone somehow felt oddly familiar to Shiro.
He turned to look at the waitress—right as she looked up too.
Their eyes met—
{{(°△°; "}}!
"Busujima?!"
"Shiro?!"
They stared at each other in shock—neither of them expected to meet again here!
Busujima Sakurako was stunned, gazing at that flawless face and sinking into deep memories.
Back in high school, she had a passionate, unforgettable romance!
She'd fallen for a very handsome boy and had managed to "snag" him within a few days. She thought their love would last forever.
But then, some sharp-tongued, ponytail-wearing tomboy came knocking!
Only then did she realize that "snagging him" had all been one-sided. Sure, someone got snagged—but it was her!
She, who prided herself as a top-tier hunter, had been played like a fool. Unforgivable!
That sparked an intense war between the "tomboy auntie type" and the "green tea cutie" type. The two of them were constantly scheming to embarrass the other and monopolize Shiro.
And the result?
The bastard ran off and flirted with an underclassman!
Just thinking about it made Sakurako's chest ache. Too evil!
Wait a second!
Sakurako suddenly remembered something—she'd heard rumors about a ridiculously handsome new guy at Izu University. She had planned to go check him out soon.
Now it was obvious—that damn guy was him!
And that idiot Kiyoko Kamio must've known all along! No wonder she'd been giving her weird looks lately!
Damn it!
That shameless tomboy!
"Long time no see, Sakurako. Never thought we'd run into each other again like this~"
Shiro gave her a soft, spring-breeze-like smile, completely unbothered by the past.
(づ︶ど)
Sakurako's face flushed red. Looking at Shiro's perfect, handsome face made her heart flutter despite herself.
Even though she'd been burned once before, she had to admit—those were the most beautiful days of her high school life.
She thought she'd moved on… but damn it, his looks were just too unfair!
Aaaaahhh!
Why was Shiro so relaxed? Didn't he feel any awkwardness? After all, their past was... like that!
"Wave wave~"
"...Sakurako? Sakurako!"
Shiro's gentle voice snapped her back to reality—she hadn't realized she'd been staring blankly.
"Tired? Want to sit over there and rest? I can ask the boss to give you a break. Or I could cover for you?"
"N-No need, I'm just… a little surprised."
Sakurako's gaze turned dreamy—yeah, this was so typical of Shiro, always so thoughtful.
Her mental filter turned on, and she started imagining a grand romance:
"Separated in high school due to unforeseen circumstances (Kamio Kiyoko), the two star-crossed lovers are reunited by fate at university beside the beautiful seaside. The handsome male lead has reformed his playboy ways, and now devotes himself wholly to the female lead~"
Ah!
So exciting!
(;´＿｀)
Watching Sakurako's ever-changing expressions, Shiro quietly walked over to the manager. He figured she might not be in the right state to keep working…
The manager looked back and forth between the two. A handsome guy and a beautiful girl—he was hit with a wave of nostalgia for his youth.
He immediately gave Shiro a big thumbs up and gave his beloved employee the rest of the day off.
After all, if he ruined Sakurako's romantic moment… the restaurant might not survive!
And so—
Still lost in her daydreams, Sakurako was gently "arranged" by Shiro and the boss.
By the time she came to her senses, she found herself walking hand-in-hand with Shiro along the beach.
Looking at the beautiful seashore, Sakurako felt peaceful again—as if they were once more walking through their high school campus together.
"Long time no see, Shiro."
"Why so distant now?"
Sakurako smiled and tilted her head. Her soft pink hair made her look even more adorable and lively.
She was living proof that pink hair didn't always mean dangerous fighters—Sakurako was clearly the sweet, understanding little sister type~!
"It has been a long time…"
Sakurako let go of his hand and walked ahead. Just when she thought she had moved on, the man she once loved suddenly reappeared.
And her heart still fluttered.
Even though she had already set her sights on someone new...
Shiro hugged her from behind. "Yeah, it's been a while… Sakurako… I've been thinking about you. There were so many nights I regretted losing you. I wanted to run back to you without a second thought. But… but I was afraid."
As he spoke, Shiro buried his face into her neck, like a wounded little animal.
They both stopped walking, their shadows stretching and eventually overlapping under the setting sun.
"Huu…"
Sakurako turned around, gently cupping Shiro's face with her right hand.
Just as Shiro thought this was it—that they were finally back together...
"OW OW OW—!"
Sakurako yanked on his cheeks, stretching his face out painfully.
"How many women have you said that line to?! And didn't you already meet up with that tomboy Kamio?!"
{{(°△°; "}}!
Shiro looked utterly shocked. This wasn't the Sakurako he remembered—wasn't she the delicate type before?
What the hell happened in these past few months?! Why is she yanking my face?!
(?????)
It hurts…
Also—how did she know he'd met up with Kiyoko?!
He was starting to panic. Wasn't this basically a confession?!
"..."
The air grew awkward for a moment.
Sakurako kept twisting his face. She knew he was lying just now.
If she hadn't just seen a ponytailed girl that reminded her of Kamio, she might've been completely fooled!
"Hmph! I'm leaving!"
After a while, she finally let go and stormed back toward the restaurant in a huff.
Shiro quietly followed her. Only a fool would walk away at a time like this!
Besides…
He was hungry!
He'd been so focused on Sakurako he completely forgot—he still hadn't eaten!