Chapter 1: The Encounter
Aya Takahashi walked through the bustling school hallways, her head down as she clutched her books. Her life had always been predictable—perfect grades, polite friends, and a loving (though overbearing) family. Yet, something inside her longed for excitement, for the thrill of stepping outside the lines of her carefully planned life.
During her lunch break, Aya wandered to the rarely used rooftop, seeking solitude. To her surprise, she found a boy lounging against the railing, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. His messy black hair and piercing eyes gave him an air of rebellion, and the faint smirk on his lips only added to his dangerous charm.
"You're not supposed to be here," Aya blurted, startled.
The boy raised an eyebrow, taking a drag before speaking. "Neither are you." His voice was low and teasing.
"I... I was just looking for some peace and quiet," she stammered.
He chuckled, extinguishing the cigarette on the railing. "Well, you've found me instead. Lucky you."
"Who are you?" Aya asked, trying to sound braver than she felt.
"Ren Kuroda," he replied lazily. "And you're the goody-two-shoes who never skips class, right?"
Aya bristled at his teasing but couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him. He was everything she wasn't—reckless, bold, and unapologetically himself.
Before she could respond, the school bell rang. Ren stood up, towering over her. "See you around, princess." With that, he sauntered off, leaving Aya with her heart racing and her mind filled with questions.
As she returned to class, Aya's childhood friend, Hikaru Tanaka, greeted her with his usual warm smile. "Aya, where were you? I saved you a seat."
Hikaru was the opposite of Ren—kind, dependable, and always there for her. She felt safe with him, but today, his smile didn't have the same effect it usually did.
Aya sat beside Hikaru, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the boy on the rooftop. She didn't know it yet, but that chance encounter would change everything.
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