As soon as the bell rang for recess, Yue was surrounded.
"Ah! She's so cute!"
"Is your hair natural? It's so soft and golden."
"Be careful around the guys, okay? There are a few perverts here…"
"Wanna eat with us? We could be friends!"
Not only were there way too many voices, but they also got way too close. Yue blinked silently, glancing at the girls that had crowded around her seat.
Internally, she was already wondering if all the students were this energetic. In fact, what she was thinking about most wasn't making new friends, but something completely different.
Where's Yuu?
Yeah. Because even before recess started, she'd already planned to spend the break with him. The girls kept talking, but her eyes were scanning the crowd, searching for the one face she wanted to see.
"Mm… sorry." She apologized in her usual flat tone. "I already have someone to spend recess with. Maybe another time."
She wasn't interested in making friends with strangers. And it felt odd that these girls,, who didn't know her at all, wanted to be friends so quickly.
It was her first school recess, but was this normal?
At least the girls knew where to draw the line. They didn't want to cause trouble with Yue.
So, as soon as Yue spoke, even though they still wanted to be her friends, they stepped aside without complaint, making way immediately. Yue slipped past them with calm steps and walked over to Yuu, who was waiting for her by the door.
The girls looked at each other, stunned.
"Huh…?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the classroom…
"Tch…"
"That guy's so lucky…"
"How'd he do it?"
"Think if I dye my hair white it'll work?"
The guys could only watch with envy.
After all, Yue wasn't just cute. She had a mysterious aura that made any teenager lose their cool.
Many dreamed of getting close. Some even imagined a "romantic accidental fall" just like in manga.
But now, they stared in shock and surprise as the beautiful transfer student walked right up to Yuu like she knew him.
×××
Excited student voices echoed down the second-floor hallway during recess.
"Phew… that was suffocating." Yue sighed, walking beside Yuu.
"Did they bother you?"
"Mm. Not too much. But I'm surprised they're so persistent… is it always like this?"
Yue kept her usual neutral expression, but from her tone… she sounded kinda mortified.
"Yeah, that's how it is on the first day. If anyone really bothers you, don't hesitate to punch them."
"Punch… got it."
For a second, Yuu paused.
'…Am I raising this vampire wrong?'
The image of Yue as a quiet, well-mannered little vampire was slowly being replaced in his head by one who kicked people.
But hey, maybe that wasn't so bad. Maybe she'd put them in their place.
"Ah." Yuu suddenly muttered, looking toward the end of the hallway. "That girl…"
Since it was recess, a few students were coming and going. Some threw curious glances at Yue. Well, of course they did—her looks stood out a lot. Plus, she was walking hand in hand with a guy. That alone was juicy gossip fuel.
That's when Yuu noticed a familiar figure wobbling under a pile of books. Or more like, a mountain of books. The stack was so high it covered her face. Still, he recognized her instantly.
'Now that I think about it…'
When recess started, the teacher had asked that girl to carry books to the library.
Wouldn't be a surprise if she tripped any second now.
Especially considering how that anime was set up…
"Ahh—waaah…! C-carefuuul!"
And just as Yuu was thinking that, a brown-haired guy came flying down the hallway. His arms flailed like he was trying to fly, and his face was pure panic.
"Don't run in the hallway, Yuki Rito!"
"Kotegawa-san?! S-sorry! I can't stop my legs!"
Yui, standing behind the book tower, snapped into strict Public Morals Committee mode and yelled at the flailing brown-haired guy. But he couldn't stop.
She realized which direction Rito was headed and—
"Eh? W-wait! Stop right there!"
But it was too late.
—Crash!
Yuki Rito slammed straight into the book tower.
Yui screamed and the books went flying.
It all happened in a flash, but it was easy to imagine what would've happened. The guy would fall right on top of her, and his face would, without a doubt, land between her boobs based on the angle.
But that situation never came.
Instead, she felt something firm and warm catch her tightly.
"…Eh?"
Yui slowly opened her eyes.
In front of her was the face of a boy with snow-white hair. His expression was calm, and a light smile played on his lips.
"Ah…" Yui blinked, stunned.
Meanwhile, Rito groaned on the floor among the scattered books.
"You alright?"
Yuu asked that while still holding Yui by the waist.
"I-I'm… yeah… thanks…"
She couldn't hold his gaze for long and looked down. Which meant her eyes ended up staring at his chest, which was partially visible through the top buttons of his shirt. She also noticed the light, natural scent his body gave off. Her cheeks turned faintly red.
At that moment, Yue leaned over from Yuu's side, watching the scene with narrowed eyes.
"Mm… Yuu, do you know this girl?"
"Just a little. She's in our class, y'know?" he replied casually.
"I see."
Yue nodded once. Her expression didn't change, but Yuu felt the faintest chill next to him.
The accident naturally drew a lot of attention, and now a ton of students were watching them. Yui, hearing the growing chatter, frowned, clumsily pushed at Yuu's chest, and stepped back.
Or, at least, she tried to push him away to get out of his arms. But she couldn't—she couldn't move his arm at all!
She looked up and realized he didn't even seem aware he was still holding her. Her face turned bright red from embarrassment. Everyone was staring at her right now!
She wanted to say something, but Yuu was looking at Rito, still lying on the ground.
He recognized him, of course, even if it was the first time seeing him in real life.
Yuki Rito was the protagonist of To Love Ru, the romantic comedy anime where he always ended up in ridiculous, awkward situations. No wonder he was flat on the floor now. If Yuu hadn't intervened, Yui would've ended up under him in some ecchi scene.
Yuu asked:
"You alive?"
Rito groaned, rubbing his head.
"I-I don't know… I think I took the full hit…"
Yuu smirked and gave a thumbs-up.
"Nice job, man. You make a great human shield. Do you always fall like this?"
"W-what kind of intro is that?!" Rito protested as he sat up.
Yui, still in Yuu's arms, pouted slightly.
"You can let me go now…"
"Oh, right. Sorry."
Though judging by the smile on his face, he didn't seem sorry at all.
They separated just as Yui turned to start scolding Rito, probably to escape the embarrassment of being seen in Yuu's arms.
"Yuki Rito! What were you doing running through the halls?! Someone could've gotten hurt! I'm deducting points from your discipline record!"
"I-I'm sorry! It was an accident!"
As the two argued, Yuu calmly stepped in.
"Here you go." With a smile, he placed half the books in Yui's arms.
"Huh? You already picked them all up…?" She got distracted from Rito and murmured, slightly dazed.
"Seriously, you should let someone else carry these."
"I can do it myself…"
"Not today. You take half. I'll carry the rest. Now come on—take me to the destination."
"…Fine. But don't think I owe you anything. Hmph!" She huffed and turned to walk ahead.
Still, she whispered softly:
"T-thanks…"
No one else heard her—it was way too quiet. But of course, Yuu caught every word. His hearing wasn't normal.
"Huh? Did you say something?"
Still, Yuu wanted to tease her, so he asked.
"N-nothing!" she replied with a frown.
As they walked, Yue moved closer to Yuu and whispered:
"…That girl turned red when you grabbed her."
"Yeah. That's what happens when you're handsome, y'know?"
Yue stared at him silently… then pinched his arm.
Rito, meanwhile, had already vanished down the hallway. Probably running from more scolding.
×××
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