The rain had long stopped, but its lingering chill clung to Ryuu's skin as he made his way home. The rhythmic drip of water from the rooftops filled the quiet streets, matching the thoughts swirling in his mind.
Hana's laughter.
Her teasing yet composed voice.
And most of all… that smile.
Ryuu: (What kind of smile was that…?)
It wasn't just polite. It wasn't just friendly.
It felt… different.
A warmth lingered in his chest—faint yet stubborn, refusing to fade no matter how much he tried to push it away.
Before he realized it, he was already home.
Sliding the door open, Ryuu barely had time to step inside before his grandfather, Genzou, greeted him with a sharp, knowing gaze.
"You're late," Genzou noted, scanning him up and down. "Did something happen?"
Ryuu quickly shook his head. "Nah, just… I was sheltering myself from the rain."
Genzou hummed in response, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "Your face is red."
Ryuu stiffened.
Huh?
Instinctively, his hand shot up to his cheek—only to feel the lingering warmth still clinging to his skin.
Ryuu: (Was I blushing this whole time?!)
Before he could scramble for an excuse, Genzou clicked his tongue.
"Hmph. You must've caught a cold, standing out in the rain like an idiot. Go take a hot shower before you make it worse."
Ryuu blinked.
"...Huh?"
"Shower. Now."
Realizing this was the perfect escape from the conversation, Ryuu nodded hastily. "Oh! Y-Yeah! Right! Good idea."
Without another word, he practically bolted toward his room, ignoring the suspicious glance Genzou threw his way.
As he turned on the shower and stepped under the warm water, a deep sigh left his lips.
The warmth should've been comforting, washing away the cold from the rain—but his chest still felt oddly tight.
And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the memory of her from surfacing again.
That smile.
His fingers twitched. A faint, unfamiliar flutter stirred in his stomach.
Ryuu: (Damn it. I'm overthinking this.)
Shaking his head, he forced the thoughts away and focused on the present, letting the hot water chase away the chill.
---
After drying off, he threw on a fresh set of clothes and made his way to the dining area, where the familiar scent of a home-cooked meal filled the air.
Genzou was already seated, his usual no-nonsense expression in place as he glanced at Ryuu.
"Took you long enough."
Ryuu scoffed, sliding into his seat. "You're the one who told me to take a shower."
"Hmph." Genzou grunted as he picked up his chopsticks. "Eat before it gets cold."
They ate in silence for a moment, the soft clinking of dishes filling the room. The warmth of the meal was familiar, grounding, yet Ryuu found his thoughts drifting back to the bus stop.
After a while, Genzou spoke, his tone casual.
"How's school?"
Ryuu, mid-bite, paused briefly before shrugging. "Same as always."
Genzou raised an eyebrow. "And that means?"
Ryuu sighed. "Boring, mostly. Classes, lunch, dealing with Kenta being an idiot while Daichi cheers him on. Nothing new."
Genzou huffed in amusement. "Hmm. Sounds about right."
Ryuu continued eating, but after a moment, he hesitated before adding, "Though… something kind of unexpected happened today."
Genzou glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Oh?"
Ryuu opened his mouth—but the words caught in his throat.
Should he tell him?
About the moment at the bus stop. About Hana's laughter. About the strange, lingering warmth still stubbornly clinging to him.
But then he shook his head. "Never mind. It's nothing."
Genzou didn't push. He simply gave Ryuu a knowing look before returning to his meal.
And just like that, dinner continued as usual—at least, on the surface.
But deep down, Ryuu knew today hadn't been just another ordinary day.
---
Later that night…
After dinner, Ryuu placed his dishes in the sink, muttering a quick "Thanks for the meal" before heading to his room. His body felt heavy, weighed down by the events of the day.
All he wanted was to collapse onto his bed and let sleep take over.
The second he flopped down, sinking into the mattress, he exhaled deeply. Finally—some peace.
Or so he thought.
Because the moment he shut his eyes—
Hana's smile appeared in his mind again.
His breath hitched.
That soft curve of her lips. The delicate way she covered her mouth when she laughed. The way her eyes shimmered when she teased him—
It played so vividly in his head, as if she were right there, smiling at him all over again.
His fingers twitched, gripping the blanket. His chest tightened.
Ryuu: (Haa… Just what is this feeling…?)
He turned onto his side. Then onto his back. Then onto his side again. Restless. Uneasy.
Ryuu: (No. This is stupid. It's just a smile. Just a damn smile.)
He pressed a hand over his face, willing the heat away. But the memory clung to him like an annoying song stuck in his head—refusing to let go.
His pulse quickened. His thoughts spiraled.
And then—
"AAGGHHH!!"
In sheer frustration, he grabbed his pillow and shoved his face into it, kicking his legs against the bed like a child throwing a tantrum.
From the other side of the house, Genzou's gruff voice roared.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON UP THERE?!"
Ryuu froze, jolting upright like a guilty criminal caught in the act.
"NOTHING! EVERYTHING'S FINE!" he blurted, his voice embarrassingly higher than usual.
Silence.
Then—
"THEN STOP MAKING SO MUCH DAMN NOISE!"
Ryuu groaned, collapsing back onto his pillow, his arms flopping over his face.
This was bad. Really bad.
And the worst part?
He wasn't sure if it was because of embarrassment… or something else entirely.
Tired,Ryuu then rest himself by laying on his bed.
Just as Ryuu was about to close his eyes, his phone vibrated on the nightstand.
Bzzzt.
He groaned, lazily grabbing it and squinting at the screen. A new message popped up in the group chat with Kenta and Daichi.
Kenta: Oi, you alive?
Daichi: Did you make it home in one piece?
Ryuu frowned at the oddly concerned messages.
Ryuu: Uh… yeah? Why wouldn't I?
Kenta: Dude, it was raining hard as hell. Thought you might've drowned or something.
Daichi: Pfft. Ryuu? Dying from rain? Please. He's too stubborn to die that easily.
Kenta: That's… I mean you have a point.
Ryuu sighed, rubbing his temple.
Ryuu: I'm fine. Must I update everything I do to both of you?
Kenta: Come on man. We're just worried about you.
Daichi: Are you sure? Nothing… unusual happened?
Ryuu narrowed his eyes at the screen. Something about the way Daichi worded that made him suspicious.
Ryuu: What do you mean?
Daichi: Oh, nothing~
Kenta: Daichi, why do you sound so suspicious?
Daichi: I just have a feeling~
Ryuu's eyebrow twitched.
Ryuu: Quit acting weird…
Daichi: Me? Acting weird? Never.
Kenta: Yeah, Daichi. Spill it out man.
Ryuu sighed, already regretting checking his phone.
Ryuu: Look, I got home fine. Stop being weird.
Daichi: Mmm, fine. We'll let you off the hook… for now~
Kenta: Anyway, since tomorrow's the weekend, how about we go out and blow off some steam?
Daichi: Oho~ Kenta actually planning a boys' day out? Is this the same guy who once said, "I'd rather rot in bed than go outside" ?
Kenta: Shut up. That was during exams. I just figured it's been a while since we did anything fun.
Ryuu: Define "fun."
Kenta: I dunno, arcade? Grabbing some food? Maybe even karaoke?
Daichi: Ohhh, Ryuu singing? It's been a while I haven't heard him singing~.
Ryuu: Nope,over my dead body.
Kenta: C'mon, man! Don't be a killjoy. We can't have Daichi singing alone, that'd be cruel.
Daichi: Excuse you, I have the voice of an angel.
Ryuu: More like a banshee going through a breakup.
Daichi: Wow. I have feeling too ya'know.
Kenta: Alright, then! Let's also hit the arcade! Loser buys drinks.
Ryuu: Not falling for that. You two rig games.
Daichi: Rig the game? Sounds more like you have a skill issues to me.
Kenta: You literally tripped last time and somehow got the high score.
Daichi: And that, my friends, is called "Luck"!
Ryuu: Pfft, Yeah right.
Kenta: So, we doing this or what?
Ryuu: ...Fine.
Daichi: That's the spirit! Boys' day out, let's go!
Kenta: Meet up at noon, then?
Ryuu: Yeah, yeah.
Daichi: Sweet! Now, go to sleep, Ryuu. Wouldn't want you looking like a zombie tomorrow.
Ryuu: Screw both of you.
Kenta: Love you too, princess.
Daichi: Sleep tight~ I hope we both were gonna be in your dream~
Ryuu: DELETE THIS CHAT RIGHT NOW.
Kenta: Screenshotted.
Daichi: Archived.
Ryuu: Tomorrow,will be the last day you both gonna live.
Laughing to himself, Ryuu tossed his phone aside, groaning into his pillow. Those two were absolute menaces.
Ryuu shifted under his blanket, letting out a deep sigh as he finally felt the weight of the day settle in. His eyelids grew heavy, and his mind began to drift into that hazy space between wakefulness and sleep.
But then—
That smile flashed in his mind again.
Hana's smile.
His eyes snapped open as warmth crept up his neck. He could still hear the soft melody of her laugh, see the way her eyes shimmered when she teased him. It was different from how he had first seen her—the composed, almost distant girl from the school event. Back then, she carried herself with grace, a picture-perfect example of elegance and refinement. But today… today she had been different. More natural. More herself.
The way she laughed, unguarded and full of life—he hadn't expected that. And it made her even more breathtaking. She wasn't just beautiful in an untouchable, high-society kind of way. No, she was something else entirely. Adorable. Pretty. And still, somehow, undeniably elegant.
Ryuu groaned, rolling onto his stomach and burying his burning face into his pillow. "What the hell is wrong with me…" he mumbled, voice muffled.
He forced himself to take a deep breath.
Ryuu("Calm down, idiot. Stop overthinking.")
But no matter how much he tried, the image of her smile refused to leave him.
Ryuu's breathing slowed as the weight of sleep finally pulled him under. His thoughts, tangled with lingering images of Hana's smile, faded into a quiet stillness.
And then—he dreamed.
But this time, it was different.
No war. No chaos. Just a peaceful scene, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun.
He stood in a vast field, the tall grass swaying gently in the breeze. The air was warm, carrying the soft scent of blooming flowers. And in front of him stood a girl. Her features were hazy, blurred as if his mind refused to fully grasp them. But there was something unmistakably familiar about her.
She smiled—a serene, knowing smile.
Ryuu found himself saying, his voice carrying a warmth even he didn't expect. "I'm glad I fell in love with you."
The words left his lips effortlessly, as if he had spoken them a thousand times before.
The girl's expression softened, her gaze holding something deep and unreadable. Ryuu felt his heart tighten, his chest aching with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
Slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing the air between them, inching closer to her cheek—
But before he could touch her, she began to drift away.
His eyes widened. "Wait—"
The distance between them grew, the golden light fading into darkness. The girl's expression turned desperate, her lips parting as she called out—
"Ryuu!"
His name rang through the void. A voice filled with longing, with urgency—
And then—
Ryuu's eyes snapped open, his breath caught in his throat.
Ryuu jolted awake, his breath ragged as if he had just surfaced from drowning. His chest heaved, his entire body damp with sweat, the fabric of his shirt clinging uncomfortably to his skin. His pulse pounded in his ears, and for a moment, he just stared at the ceiling, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Ughh..That stupid dream again..but this time…it's a bit different huh??" he muttered, running a shaky hand through his damp hair.
It was the same dream—yet completely different.
No battlefield, no war. Just a quiet, golden field… and her.
That mysterious girl.
His fingers twitched as he recalled the sensation of reaching out for her, the warmth in his chest when he spoke those words. And then—her voice. Calling his name with such urgency.
He exhaled sharply, sitting up as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. His heart was still hammering against his ribs, the lingering emotions from the dream refusing to fade.
But then his gaze flickered to the clock on his nightstand.
3:47 AM.
Ryuu groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Seriously…? It's way too early for this."
Shaking his head, he threw himself back down onto his bed, rolling onto his side. He wasn't about to lose sleep over some weird dream—no matter how unsettling it was.
With a deep breath, he shut his eyes. "Forget it… I'm going back to sleep."
And just like that, he forced himself to push the thoughts aside, letting exhaustion pull him under once more…
End of chapter 7