By lunchtime, the entire class was buzzing with rumors.
"Did you hear? Hana-chan was talking to Ryo-kun this morning!"
"Mei-chan too! They were both trying to get him to join the sports festival."
"No way! Ryo-kun? Since when did he become so popular?"
Ryo sat at the back of the cafeteria, absentmindedly picking at his bento. He could feel the stares and hear the whispers, but he did his best to ignore them. Yuto, on the other hand, was relishing in the sudden attention.
"Looks like you're the talk of the town," Yuto smirked. "Two of the school's top girls talking to you on the same day? Man, you've got it made."
"Please don't," Ryo groaned. "I just want to get through the day without any more drama."
"Drama? Dude, this is what high school dreams are made of! You're like the protagonist of one of those cheesy romance manga."
"Yeah, no thanks."
Just as Ryo was about to finish his lunch, a shadow loomed over his table. He looked up to see Saki Moriyama, a fiery redhead and captain of the kendo club. Saki was known for her fierce temper and competitive nature, but right now, she had an oddly nervous look on her face.
"Ryo," she began, "I need your help with something."
Yuto nearly spat out his drink. "Another one?"
Ryo sighed, leaning back in his chair. "What's up, Moriyama?"
Saki shifted her weight from one foot to the other, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "It's about the kendo tournament next month. I need someone to help with practice—someone who can match my speed. Everyone else in the club is too slow."
Ryo blinked. "Uh, me? You sure?"
Saki's face flushed slightly, but she nodded. "Yeah, I've seen you run. You're faster than you think."
Yuto elbowed Ryo. "Look at that, another girl swooning over your 'hidden talents.'"
"Shut up, Yuto."
Saki crossed her arms, looking a little embarrassed. "It's not like that. I just need someone to spar with. So, are you in or not?"
Ryo stared at her for a moment, then at Yuto, and then back at his half-eaten bento.
How had he gone from a peaceful, uneventful high school life to suddenly being the center of attention? It felt like something out of a bad romantic comedy.
But, for better or worse, things were about to get a whole lot more complicated.