Near their new home, there's an entrance to the subway, so Masashi, Kazumi, and Nagakawa Rumi switched to commuting to school by subway. Notably, to take care of the ditzy young girl, Masashi suggested that Rumi move in with them. With Rumiko's silent consent, Rumi joyfully moved into Masashi's new place. To avoid complications, Masashi advised Rumi to tell anyone who asked that Rumiko was a distant relative temporarily staying there. Although the explanation was a bit flimsy and late, it was better than nothing.
Almost two months had passed since the start of the semester, and with the end of this term, they would move up to the third year. Some studious students had already started enrolling in extra tutoring classes. Meanwhile, Masashi noticed that more and more couples were forming in his class and other grades. There were even rumors about who was going to hotels with their boyfriends or girlfriends, which people no longer found shocking. Among the girls, there was a strange belief that it would be embarrassing to graduate high school without losing their virginity.
The openness of the culture left Masashi speechless. But then again, it was understandable in Tokyo—a city where adult content was readily available, making it hard to stay unaffected.
"Hey, what are you thinking about? Hurry up and eat," Kazumi grumbled. She had even cooked Masashi's favorite dishes today, but he was too lost in thought to notice.
"Oh, right." Masashi glanced at Rumi, who was eating with gusto, and teased, "You eat like you just got released from jail."
"What do you mean, 'just released'?" Rumi asked with wide eyes.
"Don't mind him. If it tastes good, eat more," Kazumi said, rolling her eyes at Masashi.
"Little twerp, you're all high and mighty now with a backer," Masashi said as he stretched his chopsticks to steal a shrimp.
"Hey, that's my shrimp! Kazumi, he's bullying me again," Rumi complained, looking at Kazumi pitifully.
Kazumi comforted her, saying, "Masashi, you're getting more and more shameless."
"Trying to be proper is easy, but life's too exhausting that way. Better to go with the flow," Masashi replied while eating.
"I heard there's a new transfer student in your class today?"
"How'd you know?"
"Word around school. They say he's really handsome and arrives in a fancy car. What's someone like that doing at our school?"
"Maybe his family just went bankrupt. Who knows, he might be taking the subway tomorrow."
"That's a bit harsh, no? Having money isn't a crime."
"Regardless, there's something strange about that guy."
"Is that jealousy? Handsome, rich, riding a luxury car—the modern-day prince charming. No wonder people are envious. So even you're human after all, huh?" Kazumi teased.
"It's rare to see someone like that, but I'm not petty enough to envy a spoiled rich kid. Although, it seems some guys in class are taking it that way. It won't be long before someone picks a fight with him."
"People can't stand others having a better life, I guess," Kazumi sighed.
"Why the philosophy? Look at Rumi—she's always happily eating."
"What do you mean 'happily eating'? Do you think I'm a pig? You're so mean!" Rumi pouted, ready to pounce.
"Come on, bring it on," Masashi said, amused.
Rumi held back, clenching her teeth in annoyance, while Kazumi, used to their antics, simply sipped her tea.
Masashi went back to his classroom before the lunch break ended, planning to take a nap.
"Hello, you must be Gennai Masashi?"
The new transfer student, whom Masashi and his sister had just talked about, approached him.
"Yes, I'm Gennai Masashi. What can I do for you?"
"You're well-known, Masashi, so I wanted to introduce myself." The boy, Nagasaki Meiichi, smiled warmly.
"You're flattering me. If there's nothing else, I'd like to take a nap. Excuse me."
"It seems Masashi doesn't like me much," Nagasaki followed up.
"You're absolutely right; I don't."
"Can you tell me why?" Nagasaki asked, clearly intrigued.
"I dislike men who wear cologne."
Nagasaki laughed. "That's your reason?"
"You can have a thousand reasons to like someone, but just one is enough to dislike them."
"A profound thought. Still, I find you very interesting, Masashi."
"Sorry, but I'm not interested," Masashi replied as he returned to his seat.
This time, Nagasaki didn't follow but simply watched him with a strange smile.
Masashi couldn't believe how bold high schoolers had become.
For an entire month, girls confessed their feelings or wrote love letters to Nagasaki almost every day. The transfer student's response was to welcome every girl with open arms, never directly accepting or rejecting anyone but leaving each one feeling special, as if he were interested.
With so many admirers, tensions escalated, and even fights broke out between girls. Two girls even brawled publicly over him.
Meanwhile, guys without girlfriends grew increasingly resentful. Eventually, a few jealous boys tried to cause trouble for him, but after seeing Nagasaki's bodyguards, they didn't dare approach him again.
"Humans really are such pathetic creatures, don't you think, Masashi?" Nagasaki asked, resting his chin on his hand, smiling at Masashi.
"Including yourself?"
"If I could, I'd rather not be human."
"It's not too late. This is the third floor—if you land headfirst, you'll get your wish pretty quickly."
"So you're telling me to die? Masashi, you're really breaking my heart."
Masashi found this guy unbearable.
"You seem to enjoy watching others fight over you. Is it really that fun?"
"So you noticed." Nagasaki smiled like a child with a new toy. "Isn't it amusing? I don't have to do anything, and the girls come running like mice, while the boys grow increasingly envious. What could be more entertaining?"
"I should record that for everyone to hear. You really are insufferable."
"Contrary to your feelings, I actually like you, Masashi. You're completely different from them. I'd love to see you get mad—it would be so interesting."
Masashi, unwilling to continue this pointless conversation, got up and left.
Nagasaki kept smiling, watching him walk away.