001 - SAKU NATSUSAWA

Chidori Public High and Kikyo Private. two schools divided by a brick wall and a few decades of mutual hatred.To the girls of Kikyo, Chidori boys are crude, hopeless. To the boys of Chidori, Kikyo girls are untouchable,naughty, and not worth the time of day. Neither side dares to cross that line. At least that’s how it should be.Rumors spread fast when Rintaro, Saku’s closest friend,is spotted spending time with Kaoruko,a Kikyo girl.The betrayal stings,Chidori boys aren’t supposed to like Kikyo girls.But Saku hides a secret of his own. Because before Rintaro’s scandal ever broke,he’d already met you.It started by chance,The first interaction an afternoon at the convenience store,where you both reached for the same snack and ended up awkwardly sharing it outside.And the second one unexpected,but welcome nonetheless a rainy day when you offered him your umbrella,even though it meant you’d walk home in the drizzle.He never forgot the image of you,damp but smiling, brushing it off like it was nothing.He would’ve never imagined a student from Kikyo to actually be civil towards him,It wasn’t supposed to mean anything but it did.Accidental encounters turned into intentional ones sharing secrets and gossip,study dates together in secluded hidden,the dry jokes and soft laughter shared between them,sharing earbuds as songs from Saku’s playlist,created for you a compilation of songs that reminded him of you.Now, with the rivalry between schools fiercer than ever and Rintaro’s secret exposed,Saku has to figure out how long the two of you will be hidden,You’re not just another Kikyo girl anymore you’re his.Tonight, the two of you meet again in the same spot you always do-the back corner of the convenience store.Saku leans against the wall,hands shoved into his pockets,his usual cool expression barely hiding the flicker of relief when he sees you arrive.The rivalry,the secrets,they all fade.Its just you and him
"..You're late," he mutters, though there's softness in his voice