[Ryuu dream Pov]
Flickering firelight. The faint scent of smoke. A shadowed figure reaching out—
"You'll find me… won't you?"
The voice barely echoed before everything shattered into darkness.
Ryuu's eyes snapped open. His breath came quick, his body tense. The faint hum of the city outside grounded him, but the weight in his chest lingered.
He pushed himself up, running a hand over his damp face. The sheets clung to his skin, heavy with sweat.
That dream again.
He glanced at the clock.
4:12 AM.
Too early, but there was no going back to sleep now.
With a slow exhale, he leaned against the headboard, fingers absently curling around the blanket. His mind replayed the fragments—burning wood, that voice, that feeling. It clung to him, vivid and unsettling, like something just out of reach.
His brows furrowed. It wasn't just the dream that unsettled him.
It was the way it stayed.
Like an echo that refused to fade.
And somehow, his thoughts drifted—to that fleeting moment at the festival.
To her.
Ryuu's grip tightened.
Coincidence. It had to be.
And yet, as he sat there in the dim light of his room, heart still unsteady—
He wasn't so sure..
Ryuu exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. Dwelling on this wouldn't change anything.
Ryuu:("It's…just a dream. Nothing more,Ryuu...")
Shoving the lingering unease aside, he swung his legs over the bed and stood. His body felt heavier than usual, but he forced himself to move, pulling out his uniform and heading to the bathroom. The cold water against his skin did little to wash away the unease, but by the time he stepped out, his expression was as unreadable as ever.
By the time he made it downstairs, the scent of breakfast filled the air. Genzou sat at the table, sipping his usual morning tea—only to pause when he caught sight of Ryuu.
The old man raised a brow. "You're up early."
Ryuu shrugged, slipping into his usual spot. "Just felt like it."
Genzou studied him for a beat longer before letting out a huff. "Hmph. Thought the world was ending for a second."
Ryuu rolled his eyes, reaching for his chopsticks. "Tch. Dramatic much?"
Still, as he took his first bite, he could feel his grandfather's gaze lingering—just for a moment longer than usual.
Ryuu set his chopsticks down and stretched, letting out a small sigh. "Thanks for the food."
Genzou, still nursing his tea, gave a grunt of acknowledgment. "Hmph. At least you didn't oversleep for once."
Ryuu stood, grabbing his bag from the chair. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it."
As he made his way to the door, Genzou's voice stopped him. "Oi."
Ryuu glanced over his shoulder.
The old man studied him for a moment before speaking, his tone gruff but pointed. "Don't go walking around with your head stuck in the clouds. Whatever's making you look like you saw a ghost—deal with it."
Ryuu stiffened.
Ryuu:("Was it too obvious?")
He quickly schooled his expression, letting out a scoff. "Yeah yeah what ever old man."
Genzou didn't reply, just gave a small shake of his head as he sipped his tea.
Ryuu lingered for a second before stepping out the door. A crisp morning breeze greeted him, the sky still painted in soft hues of dawn. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his grandfather's words repeating in his head. Did I look that off?
With a small huff, he shook the thought away and started down the familiar path to school.
Ryuu walked at a steady pace, the morning air cool against his skin. His mind still lingered on his grandfather's words, but before he could dwell too much—
"Yo, lover boy!"
A hand clapped onto his shoulder, and Ryuu nearly flinched.
Kenta strolled beside Ryuu, his signature grin plastered on his face. "You're early today. That's rare. Lemme guess—" He gasped dramatically. "Could it be? You had a dream of me?"
Ryuu side-eyed him. "Yeah."
Kenta blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, for real?
Ryuu nodded.
Kenta smirked. "Oh-ho? And what was I in your dream? A hero? A mysterious stranger? The dashing lead in a romance drama?"
"
Ryuu nodded. "You were a fish."
Kenta's jaw dropped. "A… fish?"
"A talking fish," Ryuu corrected. "One that wouldn't shut up."
Kenta burst out laughing. "That's amazing! What kinda fish was I? Something majestic, right? Like a shark or a—"
"A goldfish," Ryuu deadpanned.
Kenta froze. "You're lying..."
"Nope. A tiny, round, bug-eyed goldfish." Ryuu smirked. "Flapping around, rambling nonsense."
Kenta placed a hand on his chest, feigning deep betrayal. "You see me as a goldfish..?"
Ryuu shrugged. "I considered calling you a clownfish, but you don't need the help."
Kenta groaned. "Whoa no need to rub it on my face bro."
Ryuu sighed. "Oh and I was this close to frying you for dinner."
Kenta gasped. "That's murder!"
Ryuu smirked. "Don't worry. I woke up before I could season you."
Kenta narrowed his eyes. "If you did manage to cook me, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life."
Ryuu groaned, shaking him off. "Why am I even friends with you?"
Kenta grinned wider. "Because life would be too boring without me."
Ryuu didn't respond, just kept walking. But despite Kenta's antics, the lingering heaviness in his chest had lessened—if only a little.
As they neared the school gates, the towering walls of Ryokuzen Academy came into view, worn yet sturdy, bearing the marks of a school with history. Unlike the pristine, elegant structures of Hoshizora Academy, Ryokuzen had a more rugged charm—functional rather than decorative, with old brick buildings and large, open courtyards.
The moment they stepped through the entrance, the chaotic energy of the school engulfed them. Students crowded the main walkway, some chatting in groups, others running late and shoving past one another. A few were already messing around—one guy had another in a headlock while their friends cheered them on, and in the distance, a soccer ball flew past, nearly taking out an unsuspecting first-year.
"Damn, morning's already this lively?" Kenta muttered, sidestepping just as a stray backpack came flying their way.
Ryuu barely reacted. This was just another normal day at Ryokuzen Academy, where discipline was more of a suggestion than a rule. Teachers were present but often turned a blind eye to the chaos unless things got out of hand.
At the far end of the courtyard, a group of seniors leaned against their bikes, laughing loudly, while a few underclassmen cautiously avoided walking too close. The hierarchy here was unwritten but well understood—respect was earned, not given. If you were weak, you kept your head down. If you were strong, you made your presence known.
Kenta stretched his arms. "You ever think our school's just one bad day away from turning into a full-blown battleground?"
Ryuu exhaled. "It already is."
A loud crash from behind them made them both glance back. A second-year had apparently tripped over someone's foot, sending a pile of books scattering across the pavement. His 'friends' howled with laughter as he scrambled to pick them up, face red with frustration.
Kenta whistled. "Yep. Just another day at Ryokuzen."
Ryuu adjusted his bag and kept walking. Whatever chaos the school threw his way today, he was already too exhausted to care.
Stepping into their classroom, Ryuu and Kenta were met with the usual morning chaos. Some students were slumped over their desks, half-asleep, while others were engaged in loud conversations, ignoring the fact that class was about to start. A few guys in the back were playing cards, their laughter echoing through the room.
Kenta dropped into his seat with a loud sigh. "Man, I swear, mornings should be illegal."
Ryuu sat down beside him, resting his chin on his hand. "You say that every day, and yet, here you are."
"That's because society forces me." Kenta crossed his arms dramatically. "I was meant to live a life of freedom, not be chained to a desk from morning till afternoon."
Ryuu scoffed. "Right, because you'd totally survive without school."
Kenta smirked. "Hey, I could be a streamer. Or a pro gamer! Oh oh! Maybe even a food critic?"
Before Ryuu could reply, one of their classmates, Daichi, leaned over from the desk in front of them. "A food critic? Please, you'd go bankrupt in a week from eating too much."
Kenta gasped, clutching his chest. "Exuse me? I have a refined palate!"
Daichi rolled his eyes. "Bro, you literally ate expired bread last week just to see if it was still 'good enough.'"
Ryuu smirked as Kenta looked away, suddenly very interested in adjusting his sleeves.
Before their conversation could continue, the sound of the classroom door sliding open made everyone straighten up. Their homeroom teacher had arrived.
"Alright, everyone, take your seats."
And just like that, the morning nonsense was over.
[Later that afternoon in Ryokuzen Academy..]
As the lunch bell rang, the classroom buzzed with movement. Students grabbed their lunchboxes, some heading to the cafeteria, others forming small groups at their desks. Ryuu, Kenta, and Daichi made their way outside, settling under their usual tree in the schoolyard.
Kenta stretched his arms, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Man, nothing beats lunchtime. My stomach was about to stage a rebellion."
Ryuu smirked, unwrapping his sandwich. "You say that every day..."
Daichi chuckled as he opened his bento. "It's a miracle he hasn't starved to death yet."
Kenta scoffed. "Hey, I take offense to that! Food is the essence of life. I'd never let myself reach such a tragic fate."
Ryuu took a bite of his sandwich before glancing at Daichi. "Speaking of tragedy, where the hell were you yesterday? You missed the whole school event."
Kenta pointed at him with his chopsticks. "Yeah! Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to survive without you by our side? I was suffering, man."
Daichi paused for a moment, poking at his rice. "Ah… just some family stuff."
His voice was casual, but Ryuu caught the subtle hesitation. Kenta, on the other hand, was too focused on his dramatics to notice. "You could've at least texted us! I was left with this guy all day."
Ryuu gave him a deadpan stare. "You say that like I'm the problem."
Daichi chuckled. "Heh~Sounds like you two had fun~"
Kenta groaned. "Fun? It was like going to war with no backup!"
Ryuu arched a brow. "So dramatic."
Daichi smirked. "That's Kenta for you."
Kenta huffed, taking a big bite of his rice. "Anyway, is everything okay? You don't usually miss school unless it's serious."
Daichi gave a small shrug. "Yeah,like I said before,I just had to deal with some stuff at home. Nothing major."
Ryuu didn't push, but something about Daichi's tone felt off. Kenta, however, was already moving on. "Alright, I'll let it slide this time. But you owe me for leaving me alone with Ryuu."
Ryuu scoffed. "Like I was thrilled about that, either."
Kenta grinned. "Oh? I thought we had a bonding moment."
Ryuu sighed. "You kept trying to throw me into every event to 'make me socialize.' That's not bonding."
Daichi laughed. "That does sound like Kenta."
Kenta puffed out his chest. "What can I say? I'm a man of the people."
Just as Ryuu was about to retort, the school bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students groaned as they began heading back inside.
Kenta sighed dramatically. "Haa…Back to the trenches we go."
Daichi stretched. "At least it's not PE next."
Ryuu stood up, brushing off his uniform. "Let's go before Kenta starts another speech."
Kenta gasped. "Oi! I heard that!."
The three of them made their way back to class, blending into the crowd of students as the school day resumed.
[Later that afternoon…]
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, students eagerly packed their bags and rushed out of the classroom. Ryuu slung his bag over his shoulder, glancing toward the window. The sun hung low, casting a warm glow over the school grounds.
Daichi had already left in his usual quiet manner. His family's sleek black car was waiting outside the gates, and without much of a goodbye, he'd slipped into the backseat before being driven off. Ryuu watched the car disappear down the road, still mulling over Daichi's vague response from lunch.
Kenta stretched with a loud groan. "Ahhh, finally! Sweet freedom!" He turned to Ryuu with a grin. "Let's go, my socially detached friend. Time to bask in the joys of not being in school."
Ryuu smirked, adjusting his bag strap. "Didn't you say this morning that school was 'a sacred place of learning'?"
Kenta waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, but that was morning Kenta. This is after-school Kenta. He has different priorities."
Just as they stepped out of the classroom and started making their way toward the exit, Kenta suddenly halted in his tracks. His eyes widened in realization before he smacked his forehead. "Crap!"
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Kenta groaned dramatically. "I just remembered—I have to stay after school today! I promised to help with the student council's event prep."
Ryuu blinked. "You? Volunteering?"
Kenta crossed his arms. "What? Do you think I'm incapable of selfless deeds?"
Ryuu gave him a look. "Hooo~?"
Kenta sighed in defeat. "Fine…they roped me in. Something about needing 'extra hands' and 'owing them a favor'—blah blah blah."
Ryuu shook his head. "Sounds like a you problem."
Kenta pouted. "Wow. How could you... At least give me some word of motivation or maybe a "good luck wish"?"
Ryuu turned toward the school gate. "Hahaha ! No."
Kenta dramatically clutched his chest. "You are cold Ryuu..."
Ryuu smirked. "Heh~ Well good luck by the way~"
Kenta sighed, slouching as he started walking back toward the school building. "Ugh, fine. Just know that if I collapse from exhaustion, my ghost will haunt you."
Ryuu waved lazily. "I'll be waiting."
With that, Ryuu stepped out of the school grounds, leaving Kenta to his fate. The streets stretched ahead, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. The walk home would be quiet today.
As Ryuu walked, the wind picked up, rustling the trees lining the street. The sky, which had been clear that morning, was now veiled in thick, heavy clouds. He exhaled sharply, adjusting his bag strap.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the first drop hit his cheek. Then another. And within seconds—
"Are you kidding me?The weather app said no rain today! " he muttered.
The rain came down fast, soaking through his uniform before he could react. Clicking his tongue in frustration, he broke into a quick stride, eyes scanning for shelter. His usual route home didn't offer much cover, but a bus stop stood a little further ahead.
With a low huff, he made a beeline for it.
As he neared, his steps slowed.
A lone figure stood beneath the shelter, her back turned to him. Long, ash-blonde hair cascaded down her back, damp at the ends from the sudden rain. Even through the dim light, there was something undeniably familiar about her posture, the way she slightly tilted her head as if lost in thought.
Ryuu's pulse quickened.
Ryuu:("No way...")
A part of him hesitated, unsure if he was just seeing things. But as he stepped closer, her profile came into view—and the faint glow of the streetlamp illuminated a face he had seen before.
Hana Fujimura.
For a moment, everything else—the rain, the cold, even the frustration from earlier—faded into the background.
What were the chances?
His fingers curled slightly at his sides. He hadn't planned on running into her again, and yet, here she was.
Standing in the rain, beneath the flickering light of the bus stop.
Was it a coincidence? Or it was something more?..
End of chapter 3