One day, Kiyotaka was summoned by the principal.
Without questioning it, he made his way to the office.
What he didn’t realize, however, was that Yuzuki had quietly followed—and was now listening from outside.
Inside the room, the principal spoke of a certain student.
“Kenta Kawazaki… has been absent for an entire semester without any notice,” he said, his tone heavy.
“I want you to check on him. Bring him back if you can… or at least, convince him.”
After leaving the office, Yuzuki immediately approached him.
“When are we going?” she asked.
“This afternoon,” Kiyotaka replied calmly.
Later that day, the two of them rode bicycles to Kenta’s house.
It was farther than they had expected, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood far from the school.
When they arrived, they were greeted by a woman—Kenta’s mother.
“Who are you?” she asked cautiously.
They introduced themselves politely.
“I’m Kiyotaka Masachika.”
“And I’m Yuzuki Nanase. We’re Kenta’s classmates.”
After hearing their purpose, she allowed them inside, her expression softening with relief.
“Please… help him return to school,” she pleaded.
Kiyotaka made his way upstairs and stopped in front of a closed door.
“Kenta,” he called out, knocking lightly.
“Let’s go back to school.”
A voice answered from within.
“…Who are you?”
“It’s Kiyotaka. Yuzuki is here too.”
“…Why are you here?”
“We want you to come back.”
But the response was harsh.
“I’m not going. Just leave me alone.”
No matter what Kiyotaka said, the door remained shut.
In the end, he sighed and turned back.
“I’m sorry, ma’am… we couldn’t convince him.”
But before they could leave—
A sharp sound shattered the air.
Yuzuki had climbed up to the balcony… and broken the window.
Inside the room, Kiyotaka faced Kenta directly.
“Why haven’t you been going to school?”
There was a long silence.
“…Because I got rejected,” Kenta finally admitted.
“Rejected?”
“By the girl I like.”
“…Why?”
“…Because I’m bad at socializing. And I suck at sports.”
Yuzuki stepped forward.
“Then why do you like her?”
“…Because she can cosplay anything.”
Kiyotaka let out a quiet breath.
“If you want someone like that… then you need to change.”
Kenta froze.
“Become someone she would choose.”
Silence filled the room once more.
“…Then… I’ll change.”
Kiyotaka nodded.
“Start with how you communicate.”
He began listing simple, but meaningful advice:
Find people who share your mindset.
Learn the difference between jokes and serious conversations.
Stay calm—don’t panic.
Be confident.
Choose good friends.
“…I understand,” Kenta said quietly.
“Next… your physical condition,” Kiyotaka continued.
“You need to take care of your body. If you’re not confident yet, I’ll give you a week. As for diet… ask Yuzuki.”
Yuzuki stepped in.
“You don’t need anything extreme,” she said gently.
Cut back on sweets and excessive carbs—but don’t starve yourself.
Don’t overwork your body—balance your activities.
Exercise regularly.
Then she added, after observing him closely,
“And… about your face. You have quite a bit of acne. Don’t squeeze it—it’ll only get worse. And try not to stress too much.”
Before leaving, they made a promise.
“We’ll come back in two weeks.”
Two weeks later
When Kiyotaka and Yuzuki returned, they were greeted by a different sight.
Kenta… was exercising.
This time, they weren’t alone.
They had brought Ryen, a third-year student and the vice president of the student council.
After a brief introduction, Ryen immediately began helping Kenta train—starting with soccer.
Yuzuki guided him through basketball drills, while Kiyotaka taught him the basics of baseball.
Since it was a holiday, they trained until evening.
At six o’clock, they parted ways.
Kenta stayed behind, continuing his routine.
Ryen headed off to his karate practice, while Kiyotaka and Yuzuki walked home together.
Halfway through their journey, Kiyotaka felt it again.
A presence.
Three… maybe four people.
Watching them.
Without hesitation, he took Yuzuki’s hand.
“Let’s go.”
They quickly entered a nearby café.
Inside, Kiyotaka approached the cashier.
“Excuse me,” he said in a low voice.
“We’re being followed.”
The cashier’s expression changed instantly.
“How many?”
“Three or four.”
Meanwhile, Yuzuki ordered drinks as usual, acting as if nothing was wrong.
“Stay normal,” Kiyotaka whispered.
The cashier quietly informed a coworker.
“Should we call the police?” the coworker asked.
“…Not yet. Let’s confirm first.”
Kiyotaka stepped outside to check.
But in an instant—
A hand clamped over his mouth.
He was dragged into a narrow alley beside the café.
There, one of the stalkers revealed himself.
“Yuzuki-chan belongs to me,” he said coldly.
“No one else gets close to her.”
Kiyotaka struggled.
“Help! Call the police!”
His voice echoed just enough.
Inside the café, the staff heard him—and immediately contacted the authorities.
Panicking, the stalkers fled.
Kiyotaka rushed back inside.
Yuzuki was safe.
Only then did he allow himself to breathe.
Once things settled, they returned home together.
At Yuzuki’s house, he was once again invited inside.
As always, her father greeted him with a sharp, intimidating gaze… while her mother welcomed him warmly.
Then, out of nowhere—
“How about you two just get married already?” her mother said casually.
Yuzuki’s face turned bright red.
“T-That’s too soon… it’s not time for that yet…”
Her mother laughed softly.
“Ara ara~”
Then she turned to Kiyotaka.
“I’d like to meet your parents.”
Kiyotaka stiffened slightly.
“…They might be busy.”
But without hesitation, she picked up her phone and called them anyway.
After a short conversation, everything was decided.
They would meet on Saturday night.
“In that case,” she said with a smile, “you should stay here until then.”
As if on cue, a delivery arrived—bringing Kiyotaka’s belongings, already sent over to the house.
And just like that—
Kiyotaka had no choice but to stay.
Until Saturday.