Protocol, Pink Hair, and the Definition of Love

Before Reikou could even process the boy's confession

SLAP!!

A sharp, stinging sound echoed through the entire canteen. The room went dead silent. Every student froze mid-bite, their eyes wide.

Meiyu had just delivered a perfect strike.

Reikou stood there, his jaw practically touching the floor. The boy who had been slapped clutched his burning cheek, his hands trembling with a mix of shock and humiliation.

“I-I like you… why did you slap me?!” he stammered, his eyes welling up. “Is this some kind of... reward for my love?! I’m from a wealthy family too! I can make you happy!”

Meiyu’s cold, diamond-sharp voice cut through his desperate babbling.

“Do you even know the meaning of 'real love'?” Her voice rose, echoing off the high ceiling. “Love is the one thing we cannot buy with your family’s money!”

“Real... love?” Reikou repeated the words in a whisper, the phrase vibrating in his chest.

The boy gritted his teeth, his face twisting in rage. “You’ll regret this! You bratty girl... I’ll see you later!” He spat the words out before storming off, the crowd parting for him.

Meiyu didn't even give him a second glance. As she turned to leave, her emerald eyes collided with Reikou’s.

“Why does your face look like a donkey?” she deadpanned, her voice like ice. “Move. You're in my way.”

‘DONKEY?!’ The word echoed in Reikou’s head like a funeral bell. He stepped aside quickly, his soul leaving his body for a brief moment.

Before the students could even start whispering, the temperature in the room plummeted.

A figure in a dark suit stepped into the doorway, his silver-rimmed glasses glinting under the fluorescent lights. It was Akihiro-san. He moved through the crowd with the proprietary grace of a predator, stopping directly in front of Meiyu.

“Sazanami-sama,” Akihiro’s voice was low, yet it carried to every corner of the room. “Protocol has been breached. We must discuss immediate damage control regarding this public display of your image.”

Meiyu flinched a tiny, nearly invisible twitch of her shoulder before her mask returned. “Understood, Akihiro. We’ll discuss it in the vehicle.”

As they turned to leave, Akihiro-san paused. He turned his head, his cold, clinical gaze landing squarely on Reikou. Reikou felt the full weight of the Sazanami empire pressing down on him. It wasn't hate it was the way a giant looks at an ant.

“Keep your distance, students,” Akihiro-san announced with chilling clarity. “Protocol 1 demands a minimum separation of 0.5 meters from Sazanami-sama at all times. Do not mistake curiosity for opportunity.”

He didn’t wait for a response. He simply escorted Meiyu out the private exit.

“Told you, right?” Ryuuto nudged Reikou. “She’s not exactly the romantic type. And now you’ve got a professional hitman threatening you.”

Reikou gulped, but his eyes were burning with a new fire. “She’s... different.”

Ryuuto stared at him for a long beat, then looked away with a sigh. “What are you looking at me like that for?”

Ryuuto rubbed the back of his head and pointed a finger at Reikou. “Sorry... for a second there, I was just wondering How can a donkey talk?”

Reikou’s veins popped in his forehead. “YOU BASTARD!”

TWACK!

One punch later, the two of them grabbed their lunch trays and scouted for a seat.

“Over here!” Ryuuto called out.

Reikou followed and saw a girl already sitting there. She had her cheek rested on her hand, a gentle, observant smile on her face. Her short pink hair seemed to glow under the canteen lights, and her eyes sparkled like polished diamonds.

“Hey, Shiori-Chan!” Ryuuto greeted her.

“Hmm? Oh, Konichiwa,” she replied softly.

Reikou cleared his throat, feeling a bit awkward. “Ah—I’m—”

“No need for introductions,” Shiori interrupted with a mischievous giggle. “I already know you, Reikou Shion-kun.”

Reikou blinked. “Ehh? How?”

“I know all about your ‘Three Rules,’” she said, resting her chin on her hands. “I’m Shiori Lanfen. We’re in the same class, silly.”

“Nice to meet you, Lanfen-san,” Reikou said, shaking her hand hesitantly.

As they began to eat, Ryuuto suddenly smirked. “So, Reikou... what’s the plan? You’re going to confess to Sazanami-san next, aren't you?”

“PFFFT—!” Reikou choked on his rice. “WHAT?! WHO SAID THAT?!”

Shiori leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling. “Shion-kun... did you actually fall in love with Sazanami-chan?”

“N-NO! I mean—MAYBE?!”

“Ooooh~?” Shiori hummed playfully. “Come on, we’re friends now. You can tell us.”

‘One more friend...’ Reikou thought, his heart thumping. He looked down at his tray and closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the noise of the canteen faded into a dull hum. In his mind’s eye, he saw her.

Meiyu stood before him in a field of white light. Her dark, silky hair flowed like a whisper in the wind. The world seemed to slow down just to admire her.

‘The way her hair moves... it’s like the wind itself is afraid to touch her.’

In his dream, he reached out. Their fingers brushed.

‘When I look into her eyes... I feel like I’m sinking into an emerald sea. Her presence... it feels like heaven.’

In his mind, she raised a hand, her touch light against his neck.

‘I feel something I can’t explain. I’ve never felt this before. This is—’

“LOVE!”

Ryuuto’s loud voice shattered the vision like a hammer through glass.

“HUH?! AM I DREAMING AGAIN?!” Reikou bolted upright, staring at his friends.

Shiori giggled into her hand while Ryuuto grinned like a shark. “So... tell us...”

Reikou took a deep breath, his heart finally steadying.

“Love...” He looked down at his calloused hands. “What exactly is... love?”

[End of Chapter 3]