Morning sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, warm and sharp against the empty desks. Noelle arrived earlier than usual, her footsteps echoing softly as she entered. Only a handful of students were present, scattered in their own conversations.
Spotting the girl she had been told about, Noelle approached with poise.
"Are you Rhea? The class teacher said I should contact you for any information about school requirements."
Rhea looked up. She was confident, sharp-eyed, the type who spoke without hesitation.
"Oh, Noelle. Nice to meet you. What brings you here? Looking for a club to join, I suppose?"
Noelle blinked in mild surprise. "You're right. I'm looking for a club… maybe something martial arts related. I'd like to learn kickboxing."
Rhea tilted her head. "Kickboxing? You sure? There's Shido—he's in the strength training and muscle club. Honestly, he's the last person you'd want to be grouped with."
Noelle's brows knitted, remembering yesterday. "…Oh. Never mind then."
Rhea leaned closer, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "I think you should go to the same club as Takumi. Since you two are… close. I mean, you sit next to each other."
Noelle paused. Close? Hardly. But… the way he fought yesterday, those moves weren't ordinary punches. They were trained. Refined.
"So," she asked, masking her curiosity, "what club is he in?"
"The literature club."
Noelle's expression faltered. Literature? Him? Impossible. How could someone like Takumi—a fighter—belong to something as quiet as that?
The door opened just then. Takumi entered, silent as always, ignoring her entirely. He sat in his seat, checked his watch, and pulled out a book with a dark cover. Without a glance at anyone, he began to read.
So… he really is in literature, Noelle thought, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Shido was absent that day, nursing his broken nose. The atmosphere was calmer than usual—until a sudden bang of the classroom door broke the peace.
A senior strode in, his presence sharp and menacing. "Do any of you know Takumi Hajime?"
Silence. No one moved.
Takumi raised his hand casually. "That's me."
The senior's response was immediate—a powerful roundhouse kick straight to Takumi's face. The blow sent him staggering, blood trickling from his nose. The classroom gasped, frozen in shock.
Noelle stood instantly, her voice sharp and bold. "Why are you here? Who are you? Why would you attack him like that?"
Takumi, through the pain, thought bitterly, This guy? She doesn't even know my name?
Noelle's glare didn't falter. "I'll complain to the teacher if you don't leave right now."
The senior smirked. "Well, well. Look at this. Are you this baby's girl?"
Noelle's lips parted to respond, but Takumi rose, wiping the blood from his nose.
"You wanted me, right? Let's take this outside."
The senior—Fumiya—grinned, chewing gum as he winked at Noelle. His gaze carried a crude, malevolent edge. Then he followed Takumi out.