Chapter 1
Spring in Izu. The sea breeze, thick with salty moisture, slipped through the open window and gently ruffled Amemura Ren's golden hair—hair that shone brighter than the sunlight itself.
Kitahara Iori was convinced that ninety percent of the disasters in his life could be traced straight back to the guy lounging in front of him right now.
"So tell me… why the hell are you here too, Amemura Ren?!"
He jabbed a trembling finger at the young man sprawled lazily across the tatami, voice dripping with pure despair.
The guy finally turned his head, slow and unhurried.
On a face so perfect it made professional models want to quit, the real show-stopper was his heterochromatic eyes—one deep ocean blue, the other a shimmering amber-gold. When they narrowed just a little, that lazy smile could make a person's heart skip a whole beat.
"Yo, Kitahara."
Amemura Ren's lips curved upward, his voice carrying that signature lazy magnetism.
"Surprise?"
He said it like it was nothing.
Like he'd just bumped into someone at a convenience store instead of crashing straight into another person's university life.
He propped himself up on one elbow, chin resting on his hand, and gave Iori a half-smile.
"Didn't we promise we'd go to the same university? I specially took the exams to come here for you."
"Who promised you that?! And stop saying stuff that sounds so freaking misleading!"
Iori was already losing his mind.
"Besides, your scores were high enough to get into Tokyo University! Why the hell would you come here?!"
"Of course it's because—"
Amemura Ren sat up slowly and leaned forward just a bit.
A mysterious glint flickered in those mismatched eyes.
He smiled.
"Getting a little closer to Nanae-neesan and Chisa is nice, right? Makes it easier for me to stay by their side."
"…You're just trying to make a move on Nanae-neesan, you scumbag Ren!"
"How rude."
Amemura Ren blinked innocently, deliberately dragging out his words with exaggerated hurt.
"We grew up together, you know."
He tilted his head slightly and glanced toward the doorway.
"Is that kind of bond really so worthless in your eyes—Nanae-neesan?"
"Ren-chan."
A soft, gentle voice came from the doorway.
At some point, Kotegawa Nanaka had appeared there, holding a plate of fresh fruit.
The way she looked at Amemura Ren was overflowing with affection, almost glowing with fondness.
"It's so wonderful to see you two together again."
She smiled softly, the corners of her eyes curving in that gentle way only she could manage.
"Ren-chan is still so handsome… like a living doll."
"Nanae-neesan…!"
Iori's voice was pure defeat.
But Amemura Ren had already stood up and casually taken the fruit plate from her hands.
"Nanae-neesan is still the nicest to me."
He flashed a dazzling, unrestrained smile.
Even Nanaka, who had seen that smile a thousand times, couldn't help but blush a little.
This was Amemura Ren—
Kitahara Iori's so-called "best friend" and the single greatest catastrophe in his entire life.
The guy had a face blessed by the gods, a brain that could ace any test, and athletic skills that were stupidly overpowered.
Too bad his personality was that of a professional troll who loved stirring up trouble and messing with the atmosphere.
And worst of all—
This bastard seemed to have a weird fixation on the girls around Iori… especially Kotegawa Chisa.
It wasn't exactly "like."
It was more like… habitual teasing.
"Don't worry, Iori."
Amemura Ren speared a piece of honeydew with a fork and mumbled around it.
"I won't do anything to Chisa."
"Every single time you say that, I'm the one who ends up screwed!"
"This time I mean it."
Amemura Ren swallowed the melon slowly, his heterochromatic eyes turning to Iori with a glint of amusement.
"After all—"
His tone was relaxed and playful.
"Teasing you is way more fun than going after Chisa directly."
"ε=ε=(╬ﾟ◥益◤ﾟ)ﾉ You absolute bastard—!!"
Right then, the sound of a key turning came from the front door.
Followed immediately by Kotegawa Chisa's usual cool, clear voice.
"I'm home. Iori, what are you yelling about…"
Chisa stepped inside.
Her gaze swept over the frantic Iori, then her gentle older sister, and finally landed on the golden-haired, heterochromatic young man.
She froze.
She clearly hadn't expected to see him here.
"…Ren? Why are you here?"
Amemura Ren was already on his feet.
He walked straight up to her, bending slightly so their eyes were level.
His usual teasing smile softened.
It looked strangely sincere.
"Chisa, long time no see."
His voice was low and gentle.
"I came to keep the promise I made when we were kids."
"To be your dive buddy."
As he spoke, those heterochromatic eyes locked onto her with complete focus.
As if, in that moment, the whole world had shrunk down to just her.
Chisa's cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.
She quickly looked away, fingers twisting nervously at the hem of her shirt.
"…Who wants a frivolous guy like you as a dive buddy, anyway?"
Iori, watching from the side, was stunned for half a second before he exploded.
"You bastard! Stay the hell away from Chisa! And quit with that sleazy player act!"
But Amemura Ren acted like he hadn't heard a word. He kept smiling softly at Chisa, voice gentle.
"You're still as cute as ever, Chisa."
He chuckled.
"No wonder Iori's always so protective."
A thick vein popped on Iori's forehead.
—This guy was definitely doing it on purpose.
"You—"
Chisa instinctively took a step back.
She knew exactly what kind of person he really was.
But that focused, almost affectionate look paired with his unfairly perfect face was way too powerful.
Her eyes darted everywhere, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Hey! Do I not exist anymore?!"
Iori lunged between them, arms spread wide like he was shielding her from a biohazard.
Amemura Ren finally took a slow half-step back.
He peered over Iori's shoulder at Chisa and shrugged innocently.
"See?"
His tone was pure innocence.
"Kitahara's still full of energy."
"With him around, university life definitely won't be boring."
"Your definition of 'not boring' is literally my definition of 'I'm screwed'!"
"Iori-kun, don't be so mean to Ren-chan."
Nanaka walked over, voice still soft and gentle.
"Isn't it great that Ren-chan could join us?"
Suddenly her eyes lit up, as if she'd just remembered something.
"Oh, right! The diving club is short on members."
"Ren-chan, would you like to join?"
"Diving club?"
Amemura Ren raised an eyebrow, a flicker of real interest flashing in his mismatched eyes before the usual teasing look returned.
"Sounds pretty nice."
He smiled lightly and deliberately glanced at Iori.
"Diving together with Nanae-neesan and Chisa… that's basically paradise."
"No way in hell!"
Iori's hair practically stood on end.
"I'm not letting this walking disaster ruin the last pure place left!"
"The diving club will be destroyed if he joins!"
"Kitahara, you really misunderstand me."
Amemura Ren sighed, looking wounded.
"I just want to relive those childhood days we spent playing by the sea."
"Remember?"
"You almost got swept away by the waves, and I pulled you back."
"That was years ago!"
Iori's forehead veins were throbbing.
"And you were the one who pushed me in the first place!"
Chisa watched the familiar chaotic scene and let out a helpless sigh.
She cleared her throat.
"Diving isn't a game. It requires proper training and testing."
She looked at Amemura Ren, trying hard to keep her voice steady.
"If you're really interested, you'll have to pass the test first."
Amemura Ren's lips curved up.
In the sunlight, those heterochromatic eyes looked even more captivating.
"Whatever you say."
He deliberately drew out the words.
"Chisa-senpai."
Chisa's face exploded into a deep red. She spun around instantly.
"D-do whatever you want!"
Before the words even finished, she was already hurrying upstairs.
"Little Chisa's embarrassed."
Nanaka cupped her cheek with one hand and giggled softly, then turned to Amemura Ren.
"Ren-chan, stay for dinner, okay?"
"Then I'll be imposing, Nanae."
Amemura Ren gave an elegant nod.
Kitahara Iori stared at the picture-perfect "happy family" scene in front of him and felt his vision go black.
He could already see it—
His dream university life.
Sunshine. Beaches. Bikini girls.
All of it slowly being dyed pitch black by this golden-haired, heterochromatic demon.
And the demon himself was currently lounging back on the tatami, calmly eating another piece of honeydew melon.
Iori collapsed onto the floor, clutching his head.
"My university life… is over…"
Amemura Ren lay back down on the tatami.
He closed his eyes.
But the corners of his mouth curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
The sea breeze drifted into the room again, making the curtains sway gently.
Like the first sign of incoming trouble.