Chapter 35: Boyfriend
Haruto was slumped against the wall of the main building, picking at a loose thread on his uniform pants. Beside him, Jun was practically vibrating with energy, gesticulating wildly as he recounted some epic tale of virtual heroism. Miki, ever the pragmatist, was meticulously polishing her glasses with a small cloth, occasionally interjecting with a dry, sarcastic comment that usually went right over Jun’s head.
"And then, get this," Jun was practically yelling, oblivious to Haruto’s disinterest and Miki’s subtle eye-roll, "I pulled off a triple-kill with just a single grenade! Boom! Boom! Boom! They didn’t even know what hit ’em! My KDR must have gone through the roof!"
Haruto let out a noncommittal grunt. "Yeah, yeah, Jun. You’re a gaming god. We get it."
"Hey! Don’t you ’yeah, yeah’ me! This was a legendary moment! You should’ve been there! It was pure tactical brilliance!" Jun puffed out his chest.
Miki sighed, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Jun, you talk about video games more than you talk about actual schoolwork. It’s a miracle you haven’t been held back yet."
"Ah, but that’s my charm, Miki-chan! My raw, untamed passion!" Jun struck a pose, earning him a few bewildered glances from passing students.
Just then, a ripple went through the crowd. Heads started to turn, whispers started to spread, and the usual schoolyard din began to quiet down, replaced by a collective "Ooooh" and "Ahhh." Haruto, who usually couldn’t care less about school gossip or new faces, instinctively glanced up.
A girl was walking across the schoolyard. And she wasn’t wearing the school uniform. That alone was enough to make her stand out, but it was how she wasn’t wearing it that really caught everyone’s attention. She was dressed in what looked like incredibly expensive, custom-made streetwear – a sleek, dark jacket, form-fitting pants, and boots that probably cost more than Haruto’s entire monthly allowance. Her hair, long and a deep, rich indigo, swayed gently as she walked. And her face... well, even Haruto had to admit she was striking. There was an elegance to her movements, a quiet confidence that made her seem like she was floating rather than walking.
The students around them were practically gushing. "Wow, who is that?" "She’s so pretty!" "Is she new? She looks like she’s from a magazine!"
Haruto took a quick look, acknowledged her beauty in a detached way, and then his gaze drifted back to the loose thread on his pants. Whatever. Not his problem.