The next morning, Yoru woke up and meticulously followed his daily routine: bathing, brushing his teeth, and stretching to start the day. After completing his morning rituals, he left his apartment and set out to buy groceries for breakfast.
Stepping into the store, Yoru navigated the aisles with a sense of purpose, selecting items with a deliberate manner that spoke to his upbringing. It was his first time shopping independently, and he found himself adjusting to the freedom and responsibility it afforded.
As he exited the store, a teenager his age zoomed by on a motorcycle, backpack casually slung over his shoulder. The sight caught Yoru's attention, prompting a subtle observation tinged with mild curiosity.
"Is this how peasants my age travel?" Yoru muttered to himself, observing the scene with a mix of curiosity and mild amusement.
Pulling out his phone, Yoru dialed a number and engaged in a brief conversation before ending the call with a composed demeanor, revealing little of his thoughts or intentions.
As Yoru finished his breakfast, he dressed in his school uniform with practiced efficiency. The uniform, though standard for the school, still bore a mark of his family's wealth in its impeccable tailoring and quality fabric.
Yoru entered the classroom, a subtle disdain etched on his features as he observed the routine of his peers, but his expression went unnoticed by most, dismissed due to his disheveled appearance. Only Akane picked up on the shift in his demeanor.
As they settled into their seats, Akane leaned over with a sharp yet curious tone. "You know, for someone who looks like they shop at thrift stores, you sure act like you own the place."
Yoru adjusted his glasses, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Well, I do have a knack for making an entrance. Unlike you, who seems to blend into the background."
Akane smirked, crossing her arms. "Blending in is a lot better than sticking out like a sore thumb with your mismatched clothes."
Yoru raised an eyebrow, his tone light but pointed. "Ah, the fashion police have spoken. Maybe if you spent less time critiquing my attire, you'd notice there's more to me than meets the eye."
Akane chuckled softly. "Oh, I'm sure. Like a trust fund waiting to be discovered?"
Yoru's expression remained composed. "If only you knew the half of it."
Akane rolled her eyes playfully. "Please, like I'd believe you come from money. You look more like you come from a dumpster."
Yoru's smile widened slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, that's rich coming from someone who couldn't recognize real quality if it slapped them in the face."
Akane shot back, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Real quality? Like those knockoff sneakers you're sporting?"
Yoru shrugged nonchalantly. "At least I know the value of what I have. Unlike you, who seems to think everything can be judged by its price tag."
Akane sighed dramatically. "Whatever. Just keep pretending you're not some privileged prince in disguise."
Yoru met her gaze evenly. "And you keep pretending your attitude doesn't scream insecurity."
Akane smirked, acknowledging the banter. "Touché. At least we agree on one thing – neither of us is backing down."
Yoru leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses as he lifted them for a moment, revealing his striking green eyes. He directed his gaze towards Akane with a subtle yet discerning look.
"You are an interesting peasant," Yoru remarked casually, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and mild amusement.
It was a rare instance for Yoru to encounter someone who spoke to him with such bold disregard. Throughout his privileged life, few had dared to meet his eyes for more than a fleeting glance before averting their gaze, a tacit acknowledgment of his high status.
Akane froze for a second, caught off guard by the sudden change in Yoru's demeanor as he lifted his glasses, revealing his striking green eyes. It was a brief moment where he seemed like a completely different person—confident, perhaps very handsome and appealing.
But just as quickly as the moment came, she shook it off, attributing it to fatigue from the lack of sleep she had been getting lately. She blinked, refocusing on the classroom around her, trying to dispel the surreal feeling that had briefly enveloped her.
Deep down, however, the image of Yoru's unexpected vulnerability lingered in her mind, sparking a curiosity that she couldn't easily dismiss.
Yoru wore ugly glasses and intentionally dressed in a way he considered unappealing, reflecting his perception of peasants. He believed in hiding his handsome face behind these glasses, seeing them as a shield from the world, a way to obscure his true appearance.
This deliberate choice was part of his strategy to distance himself from what he deemed ordinary, maintaining a barrier between his privileged upbringing and the everyday realities he now encountered.
The day ended with nothing special happening.
The next morning, after completing his routine, Yoru checked his phone messages and found the one he had been waiting for. He headed down to his apartment garage, anticipation evident in his stride.
There, gleaming under the dim lights, stood a Fantic Caballero 250cc Scrambler Motorcycle. Despite requesting the worst of what his family could provide, Yoru was certain it was still leagues better than the peasant bike he had seen the previous day.
Yoru ran a hand over the bike's sleek frame, a smirk playing on his lips. "Even the worst they can give me outshines anything these peasants could dream of," he thought to himself. He swung a leg over the motorcycle, appreciating the balance and power as he started the engine. The roar of the engine was a stark contrast to the humdrum morning sounds of the neighborhood, drawing a few curious glances.
It was Yoru's first time riding a bike, but he quickly got the hang of it. Within minutes, he was not only riding smoothly but also managing to pull off a few tricks, much to his own amusement. The thrill of mastering the bike so quickly brought a rare smile to his face.
After grabbing his backpack, he headed to school, deciding he didn't want to attract too much attention. He found a hidden spot behind some bushes and parked his motorcycle where it would be out of sight from the other students.
Yoru walked into the school grounds with his usual air of detachment, his thoughts still buzzing from the exhilaration of the ride. Despite his efforts to remain unnoticed, a few students glanced his way, but quickly looked away, uninterested.
As Yoru approached the classroom, he noticed Akane standing off to the side, engaged in a conversation with a group of students. Her demeanor was as composed and aloof as ever. Deciding to seize the moment, Yoru walked over, his expression a mix of disdain and curiosity.
"Good morning, Akane," he greeted her, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Akane looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Yoru," she replied coolly. "What do you want?"
Yoru smirked, adjusting his glasses. "I couldn't help but notice you seem different from the rest of these... peasants. I'm curious about what drives you."
Akane raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms defensively. "And why would you care?"
"Let's just say I find you... intriguing," Yoru replied, his gaze unwavering. "You're not easily intimidated, and that's a rare quality around here."
Akane scoffed, her expression hardening. "So, you're saying you respect me?"
"Respect might be a strong word. Let's just say I'm interested in what makes you tick," Yoru said, his smirk widening.
Akane's eyes narrowed further, a hint of a sneer forming. "Well, don't think for a second that I'll let my guard down around you ugly boy."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Yoru said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I guess I'll see you around, Akane."