The streets were alive with the usual morning rush—bicycles speeding past, cars honking impatiently, and students hurrying to school. Among them was Hinata Usuki, panting as she ran down the sidewalk, her schoolbag bouncing against her back.
"I'm so late! On my first day, too!" she thought, her heart pounding.
Her new high school, Shinsei Academy, was just across the street. Without thinking, she dashed forward.
A loud horn blared.
Her breath caught in her throat as she turned to see a massive truck speeding toward her. In that instant, time seemed to slow. Her legs froze. This was it. This was how she was going to die.
But just before the impact—
A strong hand grabbed her wrist. A force yanked her backward, pulling her away from the truck's deadly path.
Hinata stumbled into the arms of a tall boy, his grip firm yet effortless. The truck zoomed past, the gust of wind whipping against her face.
For a moment, she just stared. The boy had dark, sharp eyes that held an almost dangerous confidence. His black hair was slightly messy, framing his face in a way that made him look both handsome and intimidating.
"Next time," he muttered, his voice low and cool, "try not to get yourself killed."
Before she could respond, the school bell rang loudly in the distance. Panic surged through her.
"Crap, I'm even later now!"
"Uh—Thanks!" she blurted out hastily before rushing toward the school gates, leaving him behind.
---
By the time she made it to class, she was still catching her breath. The teacher had already begun introductions.
"Next, introduce yourselves," the teacher instructed.
Hinata quickly stepped forward. "I'm Hinata Usuki! I hope to get along with everyone!" she said cheerfully, though her heart was still pounding from earlier.
Then, he walked in.
The same boy from before. He entered the classroom with an effortless coolness, his hands in his pockets, his gaze unreadable.
"Akira Toizawa," he said simply, his voice calm but firm. No extra words, no nervousness—just pure confidence.
Hinata's breath hitched.
"Wait… he's in my class too?"
As their eyes met, she felt something strange in her chest. A spark. A pull.
Her heart, which had been racing from panic just moments ago, now raced for a completely different reason.
---