Chapter 1: The Halo is Plastic, Don’t Be Fooled

The bell marking the end of classes rang, and my classmates began packing their things to go home or attend their club activities. I, however, hadn’t noticed. My gaze was fixed on the courtyard outside the school entrance. Another day, dull and lifeless. Ugh, what a bore… I thought, letting out a silent sigh.

“Tanigawa-san, helloooo, Tanigawa-san??” A girl’s voice broke into my thoughts, sharp and cheerful. I snapped out of my daze.

“Yes?” I said, transforming my expression from bored to my brightest, most polite smile.

Three classmates stood before me. Of course I knew their names—not because we were friends, but because a model student like me had to know everyone and be liked by all.

“Classes are over already!” one of them said. “It’s rare not to see you 100% focused in class. Are you feeling okay?”

“Oh, come on,” another chimed in, eyes sparkling. “Tanigawa-san got the highest grades in the entire school again in the quarterly exams. She could skip class for a whole week and still be the best!”

They all laughed. I laughed too, with the most dazzling smile I could manage.

“Oh, come on, girls,” I said, faking warmth while my stomach twisted. Seriously, I’m going to puke from all this sweetness… “You know I work harder than anyone else. I just got distracted for a moment. Don’t be mean!”

They laughed again, delighted.

The third girl piped up, “Hey, Tanigawa-san, why don’t you come to karaoke? We’re meeting some guys from Class A. You’re coming, right?”

“Yes, yes, come with us!” the other two chimed in together.

I smiled politely, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, girls. I’d love to join, but I need to take care of my younger sisters today, and we also need to study. Exams are coming up, and we’re in high school now—we have to be responsible,” I said, the perfect student smile plastered on my face.

“Yes, you’re right, Tanigawa-san,” they agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

God, I want to throttle someone. I thought, letting my eyes roll just slightly once their backs were turned. You’d think after being stuck playing the perfect angel all day I’d get some credit… but nooo, everyone just expects it as a given.

I packed my bag slowly, deliberately, giving myself a few precious seconds to savor the tiny, quiet rebellion of thinking whatever the hell I wanted.

I walked over to my locker to grab my shoes and leave some things I didn’t need. As I opened it, an envelope slipped out. On the front, in neat handwriting, it read: For Tanigawa-san.

“Oh god, not again, fuck…” I thought, silently cursing every demon I could think of.

Of course, it was a love letter—the fifty-sixth one this month, and it was only the 12th. I couldn’t handle it anymore. But a model student like me had to at least reject anyone brave enough to confess properly, I thought, disgusted. Appearances matter more than anything.

The letter instructed me to meet behind the school right after classes. No name was given. Doesn’t matter, I thought—it’s just another loser. Nagisa, go there and reject him so politely that it becomes the best memory of his entire school life.

So I made my way behind the school as the letter said. There he was—a tall, strong boy. Not exactly ugly, but certainly not an Adonis either. I knew who he was: Hiroto Ishikawa, a third-year student, fairly popular in the school, especially with the girls.

I’d never crossed paths with him before, so that piqued my curiosity for a second—but whatever. Half the school had already confessed to me anyway.

I approached him, my usual perfect smile in place. “H-hello,” I said, as bright and innocent as possible, hiding the eye-roll that was dying to escape.

Hiroto bowed slightly, looking a bit nervous. “Tanigawa-san… thank you for meeting me,” he said, his voice firm, yet carrying a hint of excitement.

I tilted my head, giving him the model student polite smile. “Of course. So… you wanted to tell me something?” I asked, acting as if this moment was the most important thing in my perfectly organized day.

Let’s make this quick, Nagisa. I told myself. Reject politely, smile like an angel, send this kid back into the oblivion of his regrets.

“Tanigawa-san… you don’t know me, but I’m Hiroto Ishikawa from Class 3-C,” he blurted out, bowing in an exaggerated, utterly embarrassed manner. “I… I brought you here because I want you to go out with me! Please, be my girlfriend! From the moment I saw you, I knew it was love at first sight.”

I tilted my head slightly, my perfect smile unwavering, eyes soft and kind. Okay, Nagisa, this is your moment.

“Ah, Hiroto-kun,” I said sweetly, letting my voice float like a gentle melody. “I’m truly flattered by your feelings—it really means a lot that you’d gather the courage to tell me. But… I’m afraid I must politely decline. You see, I’m completely focused on my studies and family right now, and I really wouldn’t want to lead anyone on. I hope you understand, and that this doesn’t discourage you from finding someone truly wonderful who can share your feelings wholeheartedly.”

I gave a tiny, encouraging nod, still smiling like sunshine.

Hiroto’s face fell. “W-what!? You… what do you mean!? How can you…!?” His voice cracked, a mix of anger, embarrassment, and frustration.

“I’m sorry, Hiroto-kun,” I said softly, leaning in just slightly. “But I truly think it’s best this way. You’re a wonderful person, really—but… not for me.”

He clenched his fists, eyes blazing, and muttered something I could barely hear: “B-bitch… you’re impossible…” before spinning on his heel and bolting across the courtyard, his dignity trailing behind him like a tattered flag.

“Bitch?” I thought, fuming like a fool. How dare that stupid little bastard…? I watched him storm off, my blood boiling. Calm down, Nagisa. Your image… your image! I told myself, trying to regain composure.

Seriously, how dare that ciliated protozoan with half a brain call me a bitch? Me! The most popular, sweetest girl in the entire school. I was pissed—deeply. Up until now, everyone I’d rejected, boys and girls alike, had accepted my sweetness without question. But that blasted monkey had the audacity to insult me. Unbelievable.

I stomped home, still fuming. Luckily, I lived nearby—one of the reasons I’d chosen this school. I was lazy and comfortable, but nobody needed to know that.

It didn’t take me more than five minutes to reach my house, as usual.

“I’m home!” I shouted as I swung open the door.

I threw my shoes carelessly into the entryway, not bothering to align them properly.

“Oh! Sis!!!”

Before I could even put down my bag, two little arms wrapped around me. My twin sisters, barely six years old, jumped onto me from both sides, their laughter bubbling like tiny bells. “Nagisa! You’re home!” they squealed in perfect unison.

I dropped to my knees to meet them at their level, my irritation melting instantly. “Hey, my little darlings,” I said softly, ruffling their hair. “Did you miss me?”

I dropped to my knees to meet them at their level, my irritation melting instantly. “Hey, my little darlings,” I said softly, ruffling their hair. “Did you miss me?”

“Yes! A lot, a lot!” squealed Himari as she clung to my waist. Her twin sister, Yuzuki, nodded furiously, her small arms wrapped tight around my neck.

“Of course you did,” I said with a soft laugh, hugging them both until their giggles filled the entryway. For everyone else, I was the angel of the school. For them, I was simply Nagisa-neesan.

After a moment, I pulled away gently. “Alright, let me change, okay? I’ll take care of everything after that.”

They nodded, still hanging off me as I headed to my room. Once the door shut behind me, I finally exhaled. I peeled off my pristine uniform and tossed it carelessly onto the chair. My real self came out: I pulled on my favorite black tracksuit, loose and comfortable, with a plain white T-shirt underneath. My worn-out sneakers completed the look. Nobody at school could ever see me like this—dressed more like a laid-back guy than the delicate honor student they worshiped. But this was who I really was, and damn, it felt good.

When I came back out, the twins were waiting expectantly. “Dinner time, you little monsters,” I announced in mock seriousness, and they both burst into giggles.

Cooking wasn’t glamorous, but I was used to it. While our parents worked late—again—I was the one who made sure these two didn’t starve. I pulled out rice, some leftover vegetables, and eggs from the fridge. Quick and simple.

“Yay! Omurice!” Himari clapped her hands as she saw me cooking, while Yuzuki set the table with all the seriousness a six-year-old could muster.

I smirked, stirring the pan. “You two are spoiled, you know that? Only the best for you.”

We ate together, the twins chattering non-stop about their day at school, about a drawing contest, about who had the better handwriting. I listened, nodding and laughing, occasionally adding sarcastic little remarks that made them laugh even harder. For the first time that day, I felt genuinely at peace.

But then, just as I was putting the plates in the sink, Yuzuki tugged on my sleeve. “Nee-san… you forgot.”

I blinked. “Forgot what?”

Himari puffed her cheeks. “The ice cream! You promised! You said after dinner today we’d have ice cream!”

I froze, the realization hitting me like a slap. Damn it. I had promised. But thanks to that idiot Ishikawa and his ridiculous confession, I’d gone straight home without stopping by the store.

I crouched down, guilt washing over me as I looked at their disappointed little faces. “You’re right. I forgot. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Does that mean no ice cream?” Himari whispered dramatically, her eyes filling with fake tears.

“Oh, come on, don’t do that to me,” I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead. Then I stood up quickly, grabbing my wallet from the counter. “Fine! I’ll go right now. Stay here, okay? Don’t open the door for anyone.”

Their faces lit up instantly, the fake tears gone. “Yay! Ice cream!” they cheered in unison.

I slipped on my sneakers, tying them lazily. With my black tracksuit and messy hair, I looked nothing like the angelic honor student from school. More like a delinquent on her way to pick a fight. Not that I cared.

“Don’t wreck the place while I’m gone,” I called over my shoulder, before stepping out into the night. The neon glow of the 24-hour convenience store down the street was waiting for me.

I ran toward the convenience store, the night breeze brushing against my face. It felt good, almost cleansing after the crappy day I’d had.

I was just about to reach the store when a sharp voice cut through the quiet.

“Let me go, you brute!”

I turned toward the sound. Down a narrow alley, I saw a boy in a school uniform gripping the wrist of a girl about my age. I recognized that uniform immediately—it was from my school.

“Oh, come on, don’t be shy,” the boy sneered, pulling her closer against his chest by force.

I knew that voice. My stomach twisted in disgust. You’ve got to be kidding me. Ishikawa? Again? As if one pathetic rejection this afternoon wasn’t enough, now he was harassing some poor girl on the street at night? Oh, this time he’d really pissed me off.

But I couldn’t let him recognize me. Pulling up the hood of my black tracksuit, I covered most of my face until I looked like a stranger.

“Let me go!” the girl cried, trying to hit him, though he was much bigger and easily blocked her movements.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s have some fun somewhere quiet…”

“Hey, you fucking gorilla!” I barked, deepening my voice to make it sound rough and masculine.

Ishikawa whipped his head toward me. “Who’s there? If you don’t wanna get hurt, keep walking!” He puffed out his chest, trying to sound intimidating.

“Get hurt?” I scoffed, spitting onto the pavement for good measure. “The only one who’s about to get hurt here is you, you overgrown sack of donkey shit.”

His eyes widened. “What did you just say?” he snarled, shoving the girl aside as he stepped toward me. “You bastard, you asked for it—”

He didn’t get to finish.

With my hands still stuffed casually in my pockets, I swung my leg up high and slammed the sole of my sneaker straight into his nose. The impact was sharp and merciless, a crack echoing through the alley as his head snapped back violently. He collapsed onto the pavement with a dull thud, blood gushing down his face instantly.

I stood over him in silence, one foot planted firmly, my hood shadowing most of my face. My posture was relaxed, almost lazy—like I hadn’t even tried. Cool enough for you, Ishikawa? I thought darkly, staring down at him.

But the anger bubbling in my chest didn’t stop there. No, not tonight.

I pulled my foot back and kicked him again. Once. Twice. Over and over, the sole of my sneaker slamming into his ribs, his stomach, his jaw. Each strike echoed off the narrow walls of the alley.

“Piece of shit,” I muttered between kicks, my voice low and venomous. “Think you can put your filthy hands on a girl? Hah? You think you’re a man now?”

He groaned weakly, curling up in a pathetic attempt to shield himself. It only made me kick harder, my strikes finding the soft gaps between his arms.

Blood sprayed from his nose, his lip split open, his body twitching with each brutal impact. I didn’t stop until he lay half-conscious, a broken mess on the ground.

Finally, I exhaled, pulling my foot back and spitting onto the pavement beside his head. My hands were still in my pockets, my chest barely heaving. To anyone watching, it looked less like a fight and more like an execution.

I tilted my head, glaring down at him. “Pathetic.”

Shit, I thought, suddenly realizing. The girl… she saw everything. Damn it. I must’ve scared the hell out of her… poor thing. For a split second, regret flickered through me. Better leave without a word.

I turned to glance at her.

She was sitting on the ground, one hand pressed against her chest. But her eyes… they weren’t frightened. Not even close. Instead, she looked at me with this quiet, unblinking curiosity, like she was trying to figure out what kind of creature I was.

And god… she was beautiful. Silver hair, cut at her shoulders, shimmering faintly under the streetlight. Small, delicate frame, pale skin like porcelain, and those brownish, cat-like eyes that seemed to glow in the dark.

She looks like a doll… no, even prettier than that.

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.

“Anyway, I’m out,” I muttered, lowering my gaze quickly. I tugged my hood down further, hiding my face as best as I could.

“Girl, go home,” I said flatly, my voice rough and distant. “It’s late.”

And with that, I turned on my heel and disappeared into the night, heading straight for the convenience store. My hands were still shoved deep in my pockets, but my heart was beating louder than it should have. Ice cream. Just ice cream. Nothing else matters.