The entire day passed faster than Airi expected.
Classes were long, the teachers spoke way too fast, and by lunch she already missed Japanese food.
At least, she thought, I survived without Renji Kim showing up again.
But fate clearly didn't like her that much.
When the final bell rang, students ran out cheering like they'd just escaped prison.
Airi took her time, neatly closing her notebook. She wanted to leave quietly and enjoy five minutes of peace.
She stepped out into the orange evening sunlight, finally smiling a little.
> Ah… freedom.
Then—
> "Hey! My fiancée's escaping again!"
Airi froze mid-step.
That voice.
Turning around, she saw Renji Kim, standing at the school gate with that annoying grin and his tie half-loosened.
> "You again?" she sighed. "Don't you have a life?"
> "Of course I do," he said proudly. "You're my life."
> "Then I suggest you get a new one."
Renji clutched his chest dramatically.
> "Ouch! You wound me every time you speak."
> "Good," she said dryly. "Maybe you'll stop talking."
Renji laughed. "Not a chance. You're too fun to tease."
He started walking beside her again, hands in his pockets.
> "Come on, let me walk you home."
> "No thanks."
> "What if someone kidnaps you?"
> "They'll return me the moment you show up," she said flatly.
> "You're mean, you know that?"
> "You're annoying. It's balanced."
Renji burst out laughing, which only made her roll her eyes harder.
> "Renji Kim," she said, stopping and facing him, "just because our parents are friends doesn't mean I belong to you. Stop calling me fiancée. Stop following me. And please, stop acting like you're in a romantic comedy."
For a second, Renji actually went quiet. He looked at her seriously — something rare for him.
Then, of course, he smirked again.
> "You know," he said softly, "you're cute when you threaten me."
Airi let out an exhausted sigh. "You're impossible."
He grinned. "That's what everyone says."
> "Goodbye, Renji."
> "Already? Aww, I'll miss you!"
> "BYE."
She turned around sharply and walked off before he could say another word.
Renji laughed to himself and waved lazily.
> "See you tomorrow, fiancée~"
Airi didn't even look back.
> "Finally, he's gone," she muttered, letting out a small sigh of relief.
She started walking toward her house, her steps slow but her mind still spinning from the day.
> "What a crazy first day," she whispered, though a tiny smile tugged at her lips.
From the corridor window above, Na-ri Choi had been watching the whole time.
Her eyes followed Airi until she disappeared around the corner.
> "So that's the girl," Na-ri said quietly.
"The one who makes him act like that…"
A small smile appeared on her lips — calm, but not kind.
> "Let's see how long she lasts."