«Please welcome Hakuto Tendo, of the Kurotsuki family. Starting today, he'll be your new classmate,» the math teacher, Misaki Yuunami, says.
That's Hakuto's intro to Class 2-B of Tsugumi High School.
Misaki Yuunami, is a striking woman in her forties with an athletic figure and hazel eyes. Her hair is pulled into a sleek bun as she gestures for him to sit.
To his surprise, Hakuto discovered only this morning that Rika is in the same class. Yuzu attends Class 1-A.
Hakuto stands stiffly, squirming under dozens of icy stares. It feels like everyone's thinking the same thing: Who's this guy? Some random the prestigious Narkhalis family picked up off the street?
«Alright then. Let's resume the lesson. Who can solve this logarithmic equation?»
The blackboard looks like it's covered in alien runes. Blame Hakuto's old school—a dump for delinquents in Tokyo.
After Shin lost his steady job, that was all they could afford.
A moment later, Rika—seated at the first desk in front of the teacher—springs to her feet.
At Tsugumi, the girls' uniform is elegant: a crisp white shirt under a black sleeveless jacket with silver trim, paired with black tights that end mid-thigh and a skirt just above. The boys wear sleek black suits with silver accents in the same style.
«Excellent work, Miss Kurotsuki. Brilliant as always.» the teacher praises her, and the rest of the class applauds, calm and composed. Rika solves the complex equation like it's nothing.
«Your stepsister really is exceptionally smart. It's no coincidence she's the student council president, and also the most admired student in the entire school. Living with a genius must be cool, right?»
The voice comes from the seat next to Hakuto.
He turns—and sees a guy with bright carrot-orange hair grinning at him.
«Yeah… I guess it's cool…»
Hakuto is completely caught off guard. He and Rika hadn't even exchanged a word yesterday—let alone talked about their lives. Then again, Yuzu had warned him that her older sister was reserved and introverted.
«Anyway, I'm Itsu Chihane. Nice to meet ya.»
«Mr. Chihane! Mr. Tendo's been here for two minutes and you're already getting him into trouble?! One slacker in this class is more than enough!»
«I'm sorry, Professor Yuunami! I'll be quiet as a mouse, promise!»
Itsu jumps to his feet and bows dramatically. Everyone glares. Especially Rika.
Yep. Definitely not the most popular guy here.
—DRIIN!
The moment the bell rings, the entire class spills into the wide corridors like a broken dam.
As always, poor Rika doesn't even get a chance to enjoy her snack in peace. Students—some even upperclassmen—swarm around her like bees to honey. Everyone wants something: help with studying, advice, or just a chance to talk to the famous student council president.
Hakuto and Itsu—official outcasts of Class 2-B—watch the scene unfold from a distance, casually leaning against a wall.
«Your sister's a total VIP. No denying it. There's not a single soul at Tsugumi who doesn't admire her. I mean… she's got this weird charm, right? Like she gives off a vibe that makes people crazy about her. It's like she's a cat in heat!»
«Watch it. That's my sister you're talking about.»
«Whoa, calm down! You already sound like one of those overprotective big brothers, huh, Hakotto?» Itsu laughs.
«It's Hakuto…»
«Anyway, I'm just saying—look at the way people act around her. You know how female cats in heat give off pheromones that can be sensed from miles away? That's Rika. She doesn't even try—people just gravitate toward her.»
«What kind of messed-up comparison is that…?»
Despite his cold reply, Hakuto can't shake off the words. The truth is, even he feels that strange pull toward Rika. Something he really shouldn't feel for a stepsister. Especially one who barely talks to him.
The crowd around Rika suddenly stirs.
«Trouble incoming…» Itsu mutters.
A tall, hulking guy steps into the clearing in front of Rika. Muscles straining under his uniform, he towers over everyone. That look—half menace, half contempt—sets off every alarm in Hakuto's head.
«What do you want from me, Enjou Kanzuro?!» Rika says.
Her voice is firm. She meets his gaze without a trace of fear.
«Enjou Kanzuro…?» Hakuto echoes, confused.
«Third-year. Heir to Kanzuro Industries—the biggest pharmaceutical company in Japan. Or it was, until your stepmom's Seiryu Biotech crushed it. Now his family's lost its place,» Itsu whispers. «Seriously, you live with one of Japan's richest women and didn't know this?»
Hakuto clenches his fists.
«So… he's not here to offer her a soda from the vending machine, huh?»
«Not exactly.»
«Have you thought about what I said last time, Rika Kurotsuki?» Enjou says.
«There's nothing to think about. I already gave you my answer—and it hasn't changed. I'm not marrying you.»
That guy actually proposed to Rika…? Kinda early to be thinking about that stuff, isn't it? Then again, based on what Itsu told me, it's obvious there are economic motives behind it—like some pharmaceutical dynasty alliance…
«H-How dare you reject me?! I've got girls lining up to marry into the Kanzuro family—you think you're better than them?!»
Rika shrugs.
«Even more reason for you to leave me alone. You've got options—go bother someone else.»
Enjou lunges for her shoulder, but Rika meets him with a flying kick to the stomach. The impact sends him spitting blood.
In that single airborne moment—just as her kick lands—Hakuto catches something. A red glint flashes in her eyes.
He sees surprise in Itsu's face. Was it her martial arts—or that red flash? Neither of them says anything.
She's also a martial arts expert? Is there anything Rika can't do? Anyway, she's handling it… but fighting in the hallway won't help her reputation…
Driven mad by rejection and humiliation, Enjou charges again—this time aiming a punch straight at Rika's face. But before she can even react, Hakuto steps in. He grabs Enjou's wrist, flips him, and slams him down, then pins him with a knee to the back.
♡♡♡
After school, Hakuto, Rika, and Yuzu come home to find a note on the big glass table in the living room.
[We've left for our honeymoon and we'll be away for a few days. Be good and don't slack off with your studies. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. Smack! 💋]
They stare in silence.
«So the honeymoon's on Mom's credit card…» Rika mutters, clearly annoyed.
Yuzu, on the other hand, starts bouncing around the room.
«We've got the whole house to ourselves for days?! This is gonna be the best week of my life!»
Yuzu eyes Hakuto.
«So… can you cook?»
«Why would that matter?» Hakuto asks.
«Seriously?! You don't expect me and Rika to do all the cooking, do you?!»
«Last I checked, I'm the guy and you two are the girls. Obviously, housework is your job.»
«For once, I agree with Yuzu! There's no way we're your maids. We're splitting chores. And since you're not touching my underwear or stepping into my room, the kitchen is all yours.» Rika snaps. Her tone is cold, dead serious.
Hakuto slumps down.
«But I… I only know how to make instant yakisoba…»
Rika shakes her head in disappointment.
«I'd never marry a guy who can't cook. Even if he were the last man on Earth.»
«Big sis, are you saying the key to your frozen heart is a hot bowl of ramen?» Yuzu smirks and elbows Hakuto. «You heard her! Time to learn, if you ever wanna get into Rika's panties!»
«I-I NEVER SAID THAT!!!» Rika explodes, her face red as a tomato. «It was a general comment!!»
Yuzu's already off in her own world.
«Come on, Hakuto! I'll teach you how to make ramen good enough for a restaurant! Leave it to your adorable little sister! Wait here—I've got the perfect outfit!»
Yuzu bolts down the hall at full speed.
Rika sighs.
«I've got studying to do. Call me when dinner's ready.»