Delusions, Collisions, and the Softness of Reality

Next day

Shit! Shit! Kusoo! (Damn it!)

"I'm late again! My legend as the 'King of Tardiness' is becoming too real!"

Reikou was sprinting down the sidewalk, his lungs burning. "I have to run faster! The gates are still open... I can make it!"

FAST! FASTER!

On the other side of the entrance, Meiyu Sazanami walked with her usual, ethereal grace. Beside her was the ever-watchful Akihiro-san. She carried a water bottle and two heavy textbooks, her bag draped elegantly over her shoulder. Her expression was a calm lake no panic, no tension.

Clink

"Hmm? Ah—oops."

A small, soft whimper escaped Meiyu lips as her water bottle slipped from her grip and tumbled toward the pavement.

At that exact microsecond, Reikou came barreling around the corner. He wasn't looking. His right foot twisted on a loose pebble just as Meiyu bent down to retrieve her bottle.

THUD!!

Reikou crashed directly into a figure, sending them both sprawling to the ground.

For a moment, the world dissolved. No students. No school. No security. Just the two of them in a void of swirling cherry blossoms.

Reikou stared deep into Meiyu emerald eyes.

"Meiyu-san I fell in love with you the moment our eyes met," Reikou said, his voice dropping into a smooth, dramatic baritone. "I wanted to show you how beautiful the world is outside of your cage."

He leaned over her, looking like a hero from a shojo manga. "And now, look... I’ve fallen completely for you."

Meiyu blinked, her cheeks dusting with a soft pink. "Reikou-kun... I also fell... for your soul. You're my hero."

Their gazes locked. Reikou leaned in, his heart beating Doki-Doki. "I love you, Meiyu-san."

"I love you too, Reikou-kun..."

Their lips were inches apart. Just a little closer... just a little more

...And the Reality

SMACK!!

A heavy school bag slammed into Reikou’s face with the force of a falling brick.

"YOU PERVERTTTTT!!" Meiyu shrieked, her face a fiery red not from romance, but from pure, unadulterated rage. "Are you trying to kiss the air?! What is wrong with you!?"

Reikou, rubbing his throbbing nose, realized the horrifying truth. He hadn't fallen on Meiyu.

He had fallen directly on top of Akihiro-san.

The Handler was pinned to the ground, staring up at Reikou with eyes that promised a slow and painful death.

"NO! I WASN'T—!" Reikou scrambled backward, his face turning a shade of red that defied physics.

"Shut up, you hentai!" Meiyu barked. She snatched up her bag and bottle, her eyes flashing with embarrassment, and stormed toward the building.

Akihiro-san stood up slowly, dusting off his pristine suit. His voice was a low, chilling vibration. "This is your final warning, student. You are lucky I was the one who cushioned your fall. If you had touched Sazanami-sama... I would have kicked your soul out of your body. Waka-teru-ka? (Understand?)"

Akihiro-san turned and followed her, leaving a trail of cold air behind him.

"What the hell... my imagination again?" Reikou groaned, staring at his hands. "Why do I always get lost in these fantasies?"

Around him, students were whispering and giggling. To them, it just looked like a clumsy boy had tackled a bodyguard and started puckering his lips at the sky.

"Did that bag hit you too hard, Reikou-san?"

A voice whispered in his ear as a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

"Huh? GRRRRR! Why is it that whenever I'm embarrassed, YOU are right there!?" Reikou spun around and grabbed Ryuuto by the collar.

"Chill, dude!" Ryuuto laughed, holding up his hands. "Don't take your romantic frustration out on me! Everything is fair in love and—"

"Finish that sentence and I’ll kill you," Reikou snapped.

"Yo! Reikou-san!"

Another hand landed on his other shoulder. It was Kiyoshi Shenzuki.

"What's the drama? Why are you bullying poor Ryuuto-san?" Kiyoshi asked, flashing his signature, high-wattage toothy grin.

Reikou narrowed his eyes. "Kiyoshi-san why do you always smile like that? It's like you're trying to blind people with your teeth."

Kiyoshi smirked even wider. "Aww, don't be jealous of perfection, Reikou. Not everyone is blessed with this Kirakira (sparkling) smile! Hee-hee-hee!"

"UGH! STOP!" Reikou groaned. "Your breath smells like a locker room!"

Kiyoshi’s smile vanished. An angry vein popped on his temple. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?! SAY IT AGAIN!" He grabbed Reikou’s collar and began shaking him like a ragdoll.

"HELLOOOO!"

A sweet, melodic voice cut through the violence. Yueko appeared, sliding her arm through Kiyoshi’s.

Kiyoshi froze. His arm was suddenly pressed against something incredibly soft. His brain immediately short-circuited. ‘IT’S SO SOFT—MY ARM IS MELTING INTO HEAVEN!’

"Where are you lost, Kiyoshi-kun?" Yueko asked, tilting her head innocently.

"Huh!? Nothing! Uh... why are you so close?" Kiyoshi squeaked, his face turning bright red.

"Oh, sorry. I thought you guys were fighting, so I wanted to stop you," she smiled.

"Fighting? Who said we were fighting?" Kiyoshi laughed awkwardly, looking at the others for backup. "Right, guys?"

"NO," Reikou and Ryuuto answered in perfect, deadpan unison.

"They're both lying bastards," Ryuuto thought to himself.

"Good! Then let’s get to class!" Yueko cheered, leading the way.

[End of Chapter 5]