Ariyama stood outside the main gate of Sasura Academy, the crisp morning air pulling at his clothes and hair. The gate was nearly twice his height, and made of glimmering steel, the light of the morning sun hitting the reflective surface.

It was fairly quiet for such a late starting time. He usually got to school around eight, just to give him plenty of time to wander around and catch up with his classmates, but he was very off today. He had only left the house at eight, and now it was just ten minutes till homeroom. Still, it was reassuring to see other students also going through the main gate at the same time. At least Ariyama wasn't the only one running late on time.

Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Ariyama briskly jogged into the courtyard. It was made of hard concrete; a few patches of grass with trees growing from them were also dotted around the place.

It looked quite barren, as it always did, but Ariyama wasn't one to question the schedules of other students. Anyways, if it was less than ten minutes before homeroom, most of them would already be in class. It was always a good idea to get to your desk a few minutes before the teacher came in, unless you wanted to get badly verbally abused.

As Ariyama approached the set of steps leading to the two glass doors that led into the main ground floor hallway, a voice suddenly called out

“Hey, Ariyama-kun. How come you're so late today?”

At the voice, Ariyama turned as a girl approached from his left, having just grabbed a can from the vending machine perched against the outer wall. Her hair was long and thick, the color of onyx, which contrasted her crystal blue eyes.

Matsune Sasya.

Why was the most popular girl in school suddenly talking to him all of a sudden? Matsune was one of the top performers in the whole of second year, both academically and athletically. It was no wonder there were stories of her getting up to five confessions from different boys each day. All of which she declined in the nicest way possible.

Not only was she smart, good-looking and athletic, she was also very kind. So much so that all the girls wanted to be her friend, and all the boys just wanted her in general.

Ariyama prided himself in being able to stay out of what was considered the ‘norm’ at school, but even he had once fallen for Matsune's charms, back when they were in first year. He'd never tried asking her out, though. Probably because of the ratio of her accepting confessions to declining them.

It had gotten to a point where he'd sort of fallen out of interest in her. She was pretty, and very kind, of course. But there was just something off about her.

“Oh, good morning, Matsune. How come you're not in class yet?”

“Well, as you can see, I was just getting a quick drink from the vending machine. I'm sure Ijichi-sensei won't mind if I'm a little right, right?”

Matsune flashed a bright smile and cracked open her fizzy drink and took a delicate sip. She wore the basic uniform for the girls, all in perfect condition, or course. A blue jacket, black tie and white shirt like the boys, but also a knee-length black skirt and thigh-high tights, which helped show off her perfect legs. The boys in the school sure loved that.

Even the silver bracelet she always wore on her right wrist gleamed in the morning sun.

Still, Ariyama looked at her with an unimpressed gaze. Even though she was, on the surface, a kind and likable person, Ariyama just couldn't help but find her a little irritating. The way she seemingly had all the students, and the teachers, wrapped around her finger just gave him a bad feeling. If it were any other student, Ijichi-sensei would give them a verbal beating. But because Mastune was Mastune, she could get away with things like this.

“Aah… This is some great stuff. Here, Ariyama-kun, I can buy one for you if you'd like.”

Matsune smiled in a friendly manner as she held out her hand, holding a few yen notes. Ariyama gave her a weak smile. It was hard to try and fake emotions for him. People could always see through his guises, and he doubted Matsune was any different.

“Oh, no thanks, Matsune. I need to head to class anyways, so I should probably get a move on. Talk to you later, OK?”

It was subtle, but Ariyama swore he saw Matsune's face fall a fraction when he said that, but she quickly covered it up with another bright, toothy smile.

“OK, OK, Ariyama-kun. I'll see you around, then! If you ever want to grab a drink from the vending machine, come and find me, OK? I'll pay for you. My treat, OK?”

Damn. When she acted like this, all kind and supportive, it made Ariyama feel bad for thinking badly of her. But still he did so anyway, as if it was out of his power to stop.

“Oh, I see… Thanks for the offer, Matsune. If I think of it, I'll keep it up on my end, OK?”

Mastune giggled childishly.

“OK! Talk to you later, Ariyama-kun.”

With that, Ariyama gave her a single nod, then turned away and headed up the steps into the school.

Inside, it was still very barren. Checking his watch, Ariyama saw he had about seven minutes until homeroom. Plenty of time to get to class.

Still, he had a weird eerie feeling as he walked the desolate halls of the school, which were always so busy. It made Ariyama feel oddly alone, as if he was the only person left on the planet.

“It's not time for dumb thoughts like that.”

Ariyama washed away his useless thoughts, as he always did, and continued on. His mind sure did like to wander.

“Hey, wait up, Ariyama!”

Another person interrupting him this morning? Dammit.

Ariyama, putting a passive expression, turned around and saw three guys running up to him from the other side of the corridor. They all looked so nearly identical, people usually thought they were triplets. But no, they were just as unassuming as each other.

All clad in their school uniforms, Kajima, Machira and Sudo all ran up to him.

Wheezing, Kajima – the de facto leader, with his black hair buzzed – looked at Ariyama like he always did; with a look of admiration.

But Ariyama knew his admiration was fabricated.

“Phew… Man, Ariyama, you are one fast guy alright! So how's it going?”

That was from Sudo, the bulkier of the three.

Ariyama wanted to tear the stupid grin off his face.

“Sorry you three, I need to head to class, or else I'll be late. So if you'll excuse me–”

But Kajima blocked him with his forearm.

“Hey, hold on a sec, Ariyama. Please. See, we've got a bit of an issue. We were out last weekend, and went to this new games shop that opened last month. After we searched the place, now we're looking into buying this cool new console…”

Ah, here it comes.

“And seeing as you definitely have some, how should I say, spare change on you, would you be able to lend us some? I promise we'll pay back.”

At that, both Sudo and Machira nodded vigorously.

Ariyama, however, flexed his jaw, trying to stay composed.

“You said that about the last bit of money I lent you, no? And Kajima, I haven't gotten it back since.”

Kajima's face lit up red.

“I-I-I understand… but that was our mistake. I promise it won't happen again, as long as you just give us some cash.”

Ariyama heard the slight irritation growing in Kajima's tone, so he decided to try and exit the conversation before things got too freaky.

“Oh, is everything OK over there, guys?”

At the sound of a female further down the hall, everyone's heads turned back as Matsune Sasya walked in from outside, probably deciding to finally get to class, just on time as she always did.

This was perfect. Because if there was one thing the three idiots loved more than Ariyama's money, it was Matsune.

Blushing already, Ariyama having been completely forgotten, the three bolted for Matsune, calling her name in glee.

Ariyama smirked to himself as he turned to continue down the opposite direction. He felt bad for leaving Matsune to deal with those idiots, but as long as they were off his case, he was happy.

And yet, those three were only some of the people pining for Ariyama's affection, just to get his money. He'd tried to distance himself more and more, as he became more insightful about who was being friends for what reason. But clearly, his efforts were still for naught.

As he made his way to the stairs, he thought back to his encounter with Mastune. It was short, but not exactly sweet. Matsune, as usual, was all bubbly and smiley, while Ariyama had to force his smiles.

Maybe. Maybe she was just genuinely a good person. Everyone in the school thought so, at least on the outside, so even if it did turn out to be all a front, there was no way for Ariyama to prove it, unless he had some hard evidence.

And even that might not work on some of her biggest fans.

Ariyama cursed himself as he reached the second floor, heading across the hallway towards his classroom. How much of an idiot was he being? There was no proof of Matsune being anything more than a sweet girl, so it more reflected on the type of person he was, more than anything.

Why was he blaming Matsune for maybe having something fake about her, when he himself had just the same thing.

But the difference is, if the truth about where his family's wealth had come from got out to the public, would he even still have friends?

Ariyama wasn't too popular, not being invited to parties over the weekend nearly ever, but people still knew of him. They knew him as ‘that one rich kid with a lot of time on his hands.’ He didn't go to any clubs after or before school, so that's probably why they thought that.

But what if everyone figured out how his family's ill-gotten wealth was accumulated? What would they think of him then? Ariyama supposed it would definitely change their opinion, and maybe showcase who was being friends with him for the money, and who was being friends with him for him.

For some people, like the trio who'd corner him just moments ago, it was obvious they wanted his money. But what about his other, closer friends? Did the same apply to them?

If that was the case, all he needed to do was something on his own. Fulfill his own wish, whatever it was. Then, he'd have something to be proud of, something that he could take pride in the fact he did it himself, and didn't rely on others and their underhanded tactics to produce results.

And people would for sure like him, even if his wealth wasn't in the equation.

He wouldn't be like his father. He'd be better, in every way. All he needed to do was accomplish something he himself was proud of.

But he didn't know what that was, his wish. Did it need to be something big? Probably. It definitely did, right? Something so big and impressive that everyone would look upon him and then they'd have no reason to leave him. Even if he lost the wealth his father gained.

At least then, he'd have cemented himself as his own person, without leeching off others’ success. If you could even call his dad's schemes successful.

He finally reached his classroom with a few minutes to spare, and swiftly opened the door that led to the back row, where he always sat, slipped inside.

As he expected, the heating was on to battle the cold air of the winter, and nearly everyone was in, chatting to each other or sitting on their own eagerly awaiting Ijichi-sensei's arrival. Well, eagerly wasn't the right word. Ariyama doubted anyone even liked the stern, no-nonsense history teacher. He was also their homeroom teacher, and so they saw him more than any of the other staff.

Careful to not get called out for his lateness, Ariyama hefted his bag and quickly ran to his desk, the very left of the second-last row.

“Yo, Saato. Little late this time, eh?”

Ariyama didn't have to turn around to know who spoke those words. Apart from his mother and father, there were only two others who called him by his first name. One girl and one boy. And this was a man's voice.

“Hey, Yasuke. I was just a little late, as you said. I suppose I slept in a little too much.”

Yaranagi Yasuke was, in simple terms, a delinquent at school. He wore his shirt untucked, his shoes were not matching his uniform, and he had gotten to the point where he just didn't wear his tie anymore. His red hair was buzzed close to his head and he had an assortment of piercings; three on his earlobe, one on his nose and one on the corner of his eyebrow.

He was also the closest thing to what Ariyama could call a ‘best friend’. They'd known each other since elementary school, and had gone to Sarusa Academy together, which was around the time Yaranagi converted to a different group of people, most of whom were upperclassmen with less-than-superb reputations.

Still, after falling into a crowd of boys much older than him, and going through the full transformation into a thug, Yaranagi still talked to Ariyama like he did when they were kids, even if the stuff he'd talk about sure wasn't kid-friendly.

It still surprised Ariyama every now and then that he still even liked him.

Maybe, just maybe, Yaranagi Yasuke would be one person who'd stick by Ariyama, even if everyone figured out about his family's situation.

Yaranagi leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk, the one at the very left back corner of the classroom. As to why the teachers left the most disruptive student at the most secluded spot in the room. Did they want him to cause chaos in every class? Or maybe it was because of his father.

Yaranagi's father was supposedly a powerful Yakuza member, so if Yaranagi had some complaint about a certain teacher, they'd have a member of the Yakuza to deal with. Ariyama knew Yaranagi wasn't the type of person to tattle to his parents about school life, but the teachers didn't know him as well, so they didn't want to take chances.

“So, Saato, is that really the only reason? Hmm..?”

Yaranagi smirked deviously. Saato could only guess what he was getting at.

“Seriously, Yasuke. That was the only reason.”

“Hm, if you say so. But I did have to go for a bathroom break a few minutes ago, and I just so happened to glance out the window. Guess who I saw? That's right, it was Ariyama Saato talking to the school babe, Matsune Sasya.”

Ariyama couldn't help the blush that formed on his face. It wasn't out of embarrassment, but rather out of frustration. Of course Yaranagi just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

“U-uh, so what if we were talking? I was already later than usual by that point, you know…”

“That so? Well, I didn't see you before that. For all I know, you two were talking for ages. For so long that you forgot the time and ended up just about making it to class.”

“OK, that's complete rubbish. It's a reach if nothing else. I'm telling you the truth. I arrived here with about ten minutes to spare, and just so happened to meet Mastune. We talked for a bit then I left.”

He couldn't help but get a little flustered and angry. He hated when people misunderstood him.

Yaranagi held up his hands defensively.

“OK, OK. No need to get all defensive, bro. But there's no need to deny the fact if you have feelings for her. We both know everyone does. I know I do.”

Ariyama raised a brow and leaned a little closer to him, a mild surprise etched onto his face.

“Well, I'm surprised you're so confident in telling me that. Most guys I know would at least keep it to themselves…”

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Yaranagi just chuckled, his mouth spreading into a wide grin.

“Nah, when it comes to her, I'd never deny the fact I find her smoking hot. I dunno if I'd ever ask her out though. Probably not, since she's known for rejecting anyone and everyone. But I can still admire her from a distance.”

Yaranagi moved his gaze from Ariyama over to the other side of the classroom. Ariyama followed in the direction of his eyes, and saw the one and only Matsune, sitting in a perfect posture at her desk on the right side of the room, at least five girls and boys surrounding her, fighting each other over who got to talk to her first.

Ariyama whistled in fake surprise. It wasn't like seeing Matsune like this was anything special. Like seeing a bird fly or seeing the sun in the sky or seeing Yaranagi manage to break nearly every bit of classroom etiquette every single day.

“Oh wow, Matsune is getting fawned over? No way. I'm so shocked. Don't I look so shocked, Yasuke?”

Yaranagi grumbled and gave him a venomous glare. “Shut up. You really think you're cute, aren't you?”

Ariyama swallowed a little, his face heating up as he blushed softly. “I'm sorry.”

“And stop apologizing. You're acting like I'll beat you up for this or something.”

“Sorry– I mean, right…”

“But to be honest, if you weren't you, and you were someone else right now, I might just beat you up anyways.”

“Wow, Yasuke. It's not cool that you're so mean to nearly everyone who isn't me or your thug buddies.”

“You shouldn't be complaining. You're not the one at risk of being beaten up. Someone like Takemichi on the other hand…”

Yaranahi turned sharply to the boy wearing glasses at the seat right next to him, giving him a dangerous scowl. Takemichi Yuno squeaked in fear like a mouse and turned his attention back to his textbook. Yaranagi looked back at Ariyama with a chuckle and a grin, which was rewarded with a sigh of tiredness.

“Seriously, Yasuke? That poor guy–”

“Hey! There's nothing ‘poor’ about that snot-nosed idiot. I hear he's fairly well off, thanks to his daddy's money.”

Yaranagi suddenly grinned.

“Hey, kind of like me, but my dad's more influential than well-off. In that case…”

Yaranagi looked at Ariyama with a knowing, playful look in his eye. “Yeah, he's more like you, then.”

Ariyama just smiled, but internally he shivered, his hands subconsciously clenching tight like a vice on his lap. He hated when people brought up his wealth, even if it was what most people knew him for. Ariyama just had an anxious feeling and worried that one day someone would mention his family's wealth and then say, “Oh right, all that money you have is from your dad doing some shady stuff, huh rich kid? I guess I'll have to stop being your friend now. I don't want you helping me out with illegal money”.

Even just thinking of someone doing that, publicizing his most close-kept insecurity and leaving him at the will of the power of school society. He'd be demoted for sure, losing all those people he'd known over the past few years. Why else were they all so nice to him, only to ask for a bit of spare change nearly every time. They probably thought he hadn't caught on, but what was worse was that he had caught on, but did nothing about it.

That's why he needed that big opportunity.

If he could do something, of his own accord and without the help of anyone else, it would insure that his classmates would stay friendly with him forever more. Because then it wouldn't matter if they figured out the truth, as Ariyama would be known for so much more than his money by then.

That's what he hoped, at least.

The idea itself didn't seem too challenging. Just do something that makes everyone think he's ‘cool’ and more than just a kid with some extra funds.

The problem was coming up with the action itself. What would be cool and flashy enough to show off his other talents? In fact, what even were his talents?

Ariyama wasn't good at sports like basketball. He could play a little piano, but he knew a piano solo wouldn't be big enough. It had to be something unbelievable, like saving someone's life from an out-of-control vehicle or stopping the school from exploding. But the chances of those scenarios happening were next to zero, so Ariyama had to think realistically.

“Uh, hello? Buddy, are you OK?”

Yaranagi's voice shattered Ariyama's thoughts like glass, and he suddenly jolted to attention.

“Right. Yes, of course. I was definitely listening to you the whole time and didn't zone out after you talked about Takemichi being like me.”

Yaranagi hollered with laughter.

“See? That twerp is a pain to all of us. Now he's got people zoning out from being compared to him!”

“Wha– No. Yasuke, that's not what I meant and you know it.”

Yaranagi laughed it off and waved his hand dismissively.

“Right, right. I'm sorry. I won't get your words twisted in the wrong meaning.”

Ariyama huffed and crossed his arms, glancing down at his watch. Its shiny, reflective surface read 8:28.

“Huh, still two minutes to go. I suppose Ijichi-sensei is taking his time for once. Though, he's not the type of person to be late”

“That's what I'm saying! I bet it's just his mind breaking down. Maybe he's actually a really old guy.”

“But he looks to be in his thirties. If he turned out to be some old guy, all those girls who have weird crushes on him would revolt. Not to mention those few guys who actually like him as a teacher.”

“One of which being you, right?”

Ariyama stared in confusion and disbelief.

“What did you say? Me? Like him? Yeah, as if?”

“Oh come on, we both know you don't hate him as much as I do.”

“That doesn't mean I like him, though. And also that isn't a competition.”

“OK, but if it was–”

“Yaranagi Yasuke, shut the hell up.”

Yaranagi chuckled dryly, his broad shoulders shaking softly as he did so. Whenever he did laugh, which was often at the expense of people weaker than him, Yaranagi seemed almost like a big baby, with lots of muscles, giggling about something incomprehensible.

Just then, Ariyama checked his watch.

His eyes met the watch face and saw it turn to 8:30. At that very moment, almost scarily, the top doors of the room squealed open and Ijichi Morimoto walked in, dressed in his regular attire, consisting of a white button-up shirt, and brown slacks. His jet black hair was slicked back, and his face was lined, even if he was only in his thirties.

Ariyama's heart quickened ever so slightly in his chest at the pure unnatural nature of Ijichi-sensei walking in at exactly the class's start time. A sudden, humorous image of Ijichi standing outside the door, eyes locked on his watch, waiting for the exact turn of the minute to make an entrance, flashed behind Ariyama's eyes.

It was so funny that Ariyama couldn't bite back the sudden single bark of a laugh that he released. And despite being in the second-last row, his laughter traveled all the way to Ijichi-sensei's ears as he set his backpack down on the teacher's desk.

The man turned to face the whole class in one swift motion, and even though Ariyama's heart skipped another best in apprehension, he could see the man more clearly now.

His square glasses over his tired eyes, his sunken cheeks, pale skin, hooked nose and black hair slicked back in a thin sheet of black down his neck.

“So, Ariyama, what was that noise exactly?”

Ariyama's face burned with embarrassment, driven on by Yaranagi's silent giggles behind him.

“Uh, sensei, sorry. I just thought about this thing from before class, you see, and–”

Ijichi held up a hand sharply, silencing the next syllable coming from Ariyama's mouth.

“Enough, Ariyama. It's not like I especially care what your thoughts are about. Just don't interrupt my class. Speaking of which, this class is already behind, so everyone, open their textbooks on page 104…”

As Ariyama was fearing, with a certain knowledge of inevitably, Ijichi-sensei's class dragged on for ages and ages, quickly chipping away at his mental state, until, by the time the bell rung to signal the class had ended, he was face planted on his desk, fingers feverishly fiddling with his pens, mumbling nonsensical jargon to himself.

Yaranagi stood up from his desk, stretching his large arms with a feral yawn, intentionally making it as audible as possible, so even Ijichi might have heard it as he exited the classroom.

Yaranagi knelt down by Ariyama's desk, shaking his friend violently, making Ariyama feel like throwing up.

It was so annoying, when it came to Ijichi-sensei. Ariyama loved history and learning all the dates, the chronology and the big important events on a timeline, but he just couldn't deal with Ijichi. Be it his ice-cold death stares he'd give students from across the room, or his weirdly rude way of speaking, Ijichi never seemed to be happy to teach his class, and that reflected negatively on the class as a result.

One thing Yaranagi hadn't lied about was the fact no one in the class even liked Ijichi. Ariyama didn't exactly have the most apt skills at empathy, but even he could recognise when the teachers weren't being assholes, but were just sick of having to deal with sulky teenagers all day.

But that hint of empathy he was capable of showing didn't ever work on Ijichi. He had tried before, of course, but to no avail.

Ijichi was an anomaly. A depressed, cranky anomaly.

“Get up, Saato! It's lunch already. I know, isn't it crazy?”

Yaranagi’s attempt at humor didn't persuade Ariyama to un-plant his face from the desk.

“Seriously? Come on, Mr Money, I think I need some spare change for my lunch. I forgot my pocket money at home.”

But then there was another voice that entered the fray. A feminine one.

“Oh, come on, Ariyama-kun. It's not healthy to not eat. Even missing one meal can lead to terrible and consistent tummy pains. And I'd hate for my classmate to miss school for a number of days of school over something so avoidable.”

Frowning at the new voice that joined, and the weird fact that even Yaranagi had gone quiet, Ariyama grumbled and brought his head up, turning slightly–

Only to see the smiling face of Matsune Sasya right up in his face, her blue eyes shining like polished gems and her long hair like a mass of darkness.

“Oh, Ariyama-kun, you're awake! Cool! Now run along and get some food in your belly before the hunger monsters come for you. And…”

Her eyes narrowed, her smile turning different somehow.

“...I'll be there too, in a few minutes, so come chat if you want to, OK? Oh, and that stuff about the food monsters was a joke, by the way. See ya!”

She gave him a cheerful pat on the hand, before straightening up and hurrying over to join her harem of boys and girls, who followed her out, flashing back Ariyama disgusted looks.

Seems they didn't like what was ‘theirs’ being with someone else. Huh. Odd.

Just then, Ariyama remembered Yaranagi was right beside him, and turned to look at him, expecting maybe to see a look of pure affection like everyone else.

But he wasn't looking at the retreating Matsune, but instead at Ariyama, a huge grin on his face, shaking his head slowly in disbelief.

“W-what? Why are you looking at me like that…? Yasuke…?”

Yaranagi didn't bother trying to suppress the incredulous chuckle he made.

“You damned lucky bastard…”

“What do you mean? What's going on?”

“I'm saying you're a lucky bastard.”

“How?”

“Damn, dude, are you really that dense? It's so obvious that Matsune likes you.”

At those words, Ariyama's face burned with embarrassment, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“She likes me? Why would she… like me?”

“No clue, but the signs are obvious. Her mannerisms, her tone of voice when speaking to you, and being a little extra smiley when around you. All signs of a girl liking you; not that I expect you to realize it. You're crap when it comes to females.”

“OK, that's mean. And even if she does like me, what do you expect me to do? I told you I don't have feelings for her now, and even if I did, her fanclub would have me executed before they allowed us to start dating or whatever.”

Yaranagi crossed his arms, leaning against Ariyama's desk, mumbling thoughtfully.

“Fair point. Those ones are way too obsessed for you to just walk up to Matsune and ask her out. So instead, it looks like it'll have to be in secret.”

Ariyama frowned, meeting his friend's gaze with a furrowed brow.

“In secret? How will that work?”

“Well, I think I'm fairly scary and intimidating when I want to be–”

“Which is always, I suppose..”

“–so I should have to problem luring those six or so members of her so-called ‘fanclub’ away from her. I just need a good reason…”

“Well, maybe just tell them you have some ‘urgent news’ to tell them regarding Matsune, and that it's important to talk alone.”

Yaranagi snapped his fingers in agreement.

“Awesome, we'll go with that. And while I'm doing that, you head to Matsune and confess your feelings to her. I'm confident she feels the same way.”

“Wha– Dude, I just told you I don't like her. Well, I ‘like’ her, I suppose. She's a nice enough person, but I don't have a crush.”

Yaranagi shook his head sadly.

“You still don't get it, young one. When it comes to a slice of smoking hot like Matsune, you have to take every chance you get. Even if you don't like her, just getting her as your girlfriend would boost your status a hundredfold. It's Matsune Sasya we're talking about, after all.”

Ariyama felt that pang of exaltation in his chest again. He wondered if maybe that was one way to complete something big. If not, it'd at least make him known for more than his money, right? He'd be known as ‘Matsune Sasya's boyfriend’, rather than ‘the boy with too much money, which all came illegally through his sleazebag of a dad’.

But…

Thinking about it, Ariyama wasn't sure which one was better, or which one was worse.

Damn it, why did all his options have to include other things or people, be it money or Matsune? Was it really so difficult for him to make his own goal come true by scoring big on his own.

No, it had to be. He wouldn't allow anyone to help him in making that big chance. Because if he did, it wouldn't be just him who caused it, but some other as well.

Yaranagi scratched the back of his buzzed head.

“Eh, so what do you think?”

But still, Ariyama didn't want to disappoint Yaranagi by messing up his plan. He guessed he might as well humor him, just this time.

“Oh, yeah, OK. I suppose I can give it a shot.”

“Seriously? Geez, you switched up quickly. One second, you were saying you don't have feelings for her, but now suddenly you're all compliant.”

“Yeah, I guess I figured I'd give it a shot, even if I still don't believe she actually likes me.”

Yaranagi grinned, crossing his arms.

“Well, awesome! Alright, I'll lure away those nasty leeches from her, and you head to the cafeteria to catch her. Got it?”

Ariyama swallowed thickly in apprehension.

“Uh, yeah. But Yasuke, how will you get the attention of all those followers?”

Yaranagi didn't answer outright, but instead his smile turned from one of relief to one of mischief.

“I have my ways, Saato. Don't worry about me, I've got this. Now run along, star-crossed lover.”

Ariyama hesitated for only a moment before getting out of his seat, grabbing his bag and running out of the class, into the hallway outside and heading right for the cafeteria.

As Ariyama opened the squeaking door to the cafeteria, the first thing he noticed was the loud rustling of students as they talked together at different tables or got their orders from the counter at the cafeteria.

The cafeteria itself was directly opposite the door Ariyama entered from. There were four pillars on each side of the center of the room, where all the tables were set between them. Most of those tables were empty, save for one right next to the front right column.

Quickly heading there, Ariyama dropped his bag to secure the table as his own and continued on to the queue for the cafeteria. He grabbed a tray from the stack at the edge of the counter and eagerly waited his turn.

When was Matsune supposed to be here?

She said she was on her way, and even left before Ariyama did. But it was probably Yaranagi, doing whatever he had to in order to separate her from her harem. Ariyama couldn't even recall very many times when he'd seen Matsune alone without her group, especially at lunch time.

This morning was an exception, which he didn't expect to experience again.

He pondered the question further as he finally reached the deli. He got his regular order and paid with the money he had spare. He never brought more than just enough when he came to school. Sure, everyone already knew he was rich and all, but he just hoped he could keep the gossip down, as long as he didn't make a show of doing things the ‘expensive way’, like wearing diamond-encrusted watches or paying for only the most expensive items in the cafeteria.

Of course, that led to his ‘regular meal’ consisting of the most basic of options, and nothing too flashy.

As he made his way back to his table, Ariyama noticed there were already three people sitting down there.

Muttering to himself in annoyance, he hesitated a moment, a little worried to approach them. Then he steeled himself and walked over, ready to kindly ask if they could piss off. There was no way to talk to Matsune alone when there were three other students snooping on their conversation.

Wait, why was it like he was actually excited to talk to Matsune? He'd only really agreed to Yaranagi's plan to get him to stop pestering him. But what if Matsune did show up? What would they even talk about?

The conflict inside his head disappeared as he reached the table, him placing down his tray alerting the others, who turned to look his way.

“Oh it's you, Ariyama.”

He knew these guys.

The one who just spoke was Matsuragi Kento who wore his uniform in pristine condition. His rectangular glasses covered his intense gold eyes, and his teal hair fell down his forehead in bangs.

One person over from Masturagi on the bench was a girl with long hot pink hair, tied into a braid, with glittering purple eyes. Odomura Airi.

And in the last seat, after Odomura, was another girl, her tan skin making her stand out, her pale blue eyes blinking cutely, and her bleached hair cut into a bob, like a golden waterfall, with a little pink hair clip. That was Kazura Machi.

There were only two people who were close enough to Ariyama to call him ‘Saato’. One was Yaranagi, of course, and the other was Kazura. He'd been friends with her, like with Yaranagi, since they were young, although Ariyama knew Yaranagi longer.

And while Ariyama and Yaranagi had stayed as best friends for the past few years, Kazura had seemingly split off into her own friend groups.

Yes, groups.

Because her looks and tomboy-ish nature made her so popular – probably second only to Mastune – among the boys, she had been slowly but surely invading other people's circles.

And the one with Odomura and Matsuragi was one of those groups

Realizing he was friendly with the habitants of the seats, Ariyama's scowl of annoyance turned to a smile of recognition, and he sat down next to Matsuragi.

“Matsuragi, Odomura, Machi. I didn't expect to see you guys here. I thought your class was out on a field trip today?”

These three were good friends with Ariyama, but were in a different class – 2A, while Ariyama and Yaranagi were in 2B.

At Ariyama's question, Kazura sighed deeply, turning her pouty face towards her tray and poking at a small box of ramen idly.

“Yeah, Saato-kun, we were supposed to, but then those idiots told us the bus had broken down on the way to the school. So now we can't go! If it had broken down after we left, we'd have at least some

time out of his dumb school, but no!”

Ariyama winced sympathetically at her comment as he began sipping at his carrot soup.

“That's got to suck. Sorry to hear that.”

Matsuragi sighed deeply, his shoulders dropping.

“Yes, it is quite unfortunate. But on the bright side, they said they'd reschedule it for next week. So at least we'll be able to go to that historical museum soon enough.”

“Ah, I see. That's good to hear.”

Kazura turned her attention to Matsuragi, with a huge scowl on her face. She suddenly reached over to grab him by the collar and pulled him in close, knocking the chopsticks out of Odomura's hands, who sat between them, and nearly crushing her with Matsuragi.

“Hey, you listen here, Kento-kun! I don't give a damn if they rescheduled it to tomorrow! I was waiting all week for this trip, and I even packed an extra big lunch because I thought we'd be so long at the museum that we'd skip lunch break.”

Matsuragi struggled in her grip, a nervous look on his face as he was overwhelmed by Kazura's intense behavior.

“I… ah, I see what you mean. But if you had packed lunch, why come here to the cafeteria?”

Kazura paused, looking at Matsuragi like a puppy after being kicked. She even let out a sob before letting him go. He returned to his seat, then gave Odomura a nod, and sighed gratefully as he was released.

Kazura, on the other hand, was shaking at the shoulders and looking down at her lap, her hands scrunching her skirt. She looked like she was about to start bawling and crying.

“I-I also forgot that lunch when we were told the bus broke down. So not only did I not get my museum trip, but my beautiful packed lunch that I made myself for once…”

She shook violently, before pounding her fists on the table.

“AARGH, this isn't fair! This cruel world doesn't like me one bit!”

Odomura chuckled nervously.

“Ah haha… No, I'm sure that's not why, Kazura-chan…”

Geez, Kazura really did want to get on that trip, huh?

Ariyama knew it wasn't so much because of getting to leave school and miss classes for a few hours, but instead because she genuinely loved anything history.

To Ariyama, Kazura didn't seem like the type of girl who'd take a liking to that kind of stuff, but he'd been sorely mistaken.

Along with being in the soccer club, and the art club, Kazura also took part in the monthly History of the Month event in the school, where a group of students from across all classes in second year would work together to create a presentation to show the whole year, about a singular historic figure.

No doubt she needed this trip in order to give her some inspiration for next month's presentation, but Ariyama had been told they had decided to go with Miyamoto Musashi this time around.

And what's not to love about an ancient Japanese swordsman from the Edo-period?

Kazura sighed again and began to eat her ramen for real this time. Whenever she ate, it was the only time she would shut up and not speak for more than thirty seconds.

Ariyama, realizing his own food was beginning to get cold, quickly dug in.

A few words of small talk were exchanged between the group of four as they ate, but it all changed when the double doors opened again, like any time when a student entered the cafeteria, and Matsune Sasya entered. Alone.

Instantly, upon noticing her, Matsuragi fought to swallow his food, his posture suddenly straightening to attention as she walked in. And Ariyama hated to admit it, but he did the exact same thing.

But he didn't like her, he was sure of it. If anything, it was probably because of the promise he made, to both her and to Yaranagi.

Once again, Ariyama thought about what dastardly plan Yaranagi Yasuke had employed to get Matsune alone.

Well, whatever it was, it clearly worked.