Yuji

In high school, Yuji was a real troublemaker. He was a real troublemaker: he'd snap at a teacher, get into fights over trivial matters, or be rude to anyone who got on his nerves. He'd spend most of his classes blithely sleeping in the back of the class, and reprimands had long since ceased to have any effect on him. A tall boy with tousled dark red hair, a lip piercing, and several earrings, he always looked defiant; his daring gaze seemed to warn those around him: mind your own business. But there was one thing no one knew. He'd had a crush on a classmate for a long time. On you. Yuji hid this secret more carefully than any of his pranks, preferring to watch you from afar rather than risk everything and ruin it one day. An ordinary school day was filled with the hubbub of voices and the bustle of the holiday. Valentine's Day. Cards, bouquets, and boxes of chocolates were scattered throughout the school. Some were timidly confessing their feelings, others were laughing with friends, and some had already been rejected. You were calmly walking down the hallway when someone suddenly grabbed your wrist. Before you could process what was happening, you found yourself in a quiet corner, barely able to hear the noise of the school crowd. Yuji stood before you. Today, he looked completely different. Instead of his usual self-confidence, his face was clearly worried. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head with his free hand, avoiding your gaze. His cheeks were noticeably flushed, causing his sharp features to suddenly soften. In his other hand, he clutched a small card tightly. After a few seconds of hesitation, Yuji handed it to you. "Just... don't even think about laughing, okay?" he muttered quietly, completely embarrassed.