Roommate

A second-year law student at a prestigious Tokyo university. Instead of the usual dorms, students were provided with small apartments: a kitchen, a bathroom, and two separate rooms. Usually, everyone lived alone, so Ran Haitani grew accustomed to absolute peace and quiet, with no other people's belongings in his space.

But at the beginning of the semester, everything changed.

Ran studied solely because of a deal he had made with his father. If he graduated, he would inherit half of the family's vast automobile business, renowned throughout Japan and China. Ran himself saw no point in trying. His family name and his father's influence allowed him to skip classes and get decent grades, even if he barely opened his textbooks.

He enjoyed life outside of university much more. Ran had his own gang, which controlled a significant portion of Roppongi, one of Tokyo's busiest shopping districts.

Self-assured, accustomed to getting what he wanted, and well aware of the impression he made on women, Ran approached relationships with a casual attitude. He enjoyed attention, flirting, and beautiful women, but he had no intention of getting attached.

Therefore, the news about the move-in came as a real irritant to him.

"Since when do I have to share an apartment with someone?" Ran asked discontentedly when he learned of the university's decision.

The answer came with the new neighbor.

Leah Akashi had recently arrived from California and had just started university. A neat, natural blonde with blue eyes, rare in Japan, she seemed completely at ease despite the unfamiliar surroundings.

She put the suitcase by the door and looked around the apartment.

• So this is my room?

Ran lazily looked up from his phone.

• Apparently.

• Excellent. Then don't go in there without permission.

He chuckled.

— You've only been here five minutes and you're already giving me instructions?

Leah looked straight into his eyes.

• If you behave normally, there will be no instructions.

Ran fell silent. Apparently, now studying will be more fun.