Chapter 5 – Confidence is Threatened

The morning sunlight streamed into the classroom, warm and bright, but Haruto barely noticed it. His fingers drummed nervously against the edge of his desk. After yesterday’s assessment, he had felt… capable, even if just a little. Today, that tiny confidence felt precarious, like a delicate vase teetering on the edge of a table.

“Class,” Mr. Fujimoto said, clapping his hands to get attention. “We have another new transfer student joining us today. Please welcome him.”

The door opened, and a tall boy with sleek hair and a perfectly straight uniform stepped in. He moved with a casual confidence that made the room glance up instantly.

“I’m Kenta Arai,” the boy said smoothly. “Nice to meet you.”

Whispers rose immediately.

“Wow, he’s handsome.”

“Is he serious?”

“Another transfer?”

Haruto’s stomach tightened. He tried to focus on his notebook, but his eyes kept flicking toward Hana.

Kenta’s gaze, however, didn’t linger on anyone else. It stopped on Hana.

She was leaning casually against her desk, twirling a pen, pretending to ignore the attention. Their eyes met, and she gave a polite smile. Kenta smiled back. It was effortless, like a spotlight had landed on her.

Haruto’s chest clenched.

Her smile… it’s for him now.

By lunchtime, the tension was impossible to ignore.

Kenta had chosen Hana’s table without hesitation. Haruto tried to stay on the other side, nibbling at his sandwich quietly, pretending not to notice.

“You’re Hana, right?” Kenta said smoothly. “I noticed you in class earlier. You’re… lively.”

Hana laughed, brushing it off with her usual playful tone. “Lively? That’s one way to put it.”

“You’ve got a presence,” Kenta said casually. “Not many people can catch attention that way.”

Haruto’s hands froze around his chopsticks. The words burned like fire against his chest.

Presence?

Attention?

He’s talking about her… not me.

Hana tilted her head, amused. “That’s flattering.”

“Seriously,” Kenta said, leaning a little closer. “You’re unlike anyone else here.”

Haruto felt himself shrink into his seat. He wanted to say something. Anything. But his voice refused to come. He wasn’t the village boy from yesterday anymore. He had survived, proven himself—but suddenly it felt meaningless.

During the afternoon, Haruto’s notebook became a shield. Every laugh Hana let out toward Kenta, every subtle glance, every smile that wasn’t for him, made him overthink. His thoughts looped endlessly.

I’m still just the village guy.

I can’t compete.

Why does she even talk to me?

Hana noticed him acting differently. He avoided eye contact, answered questions less eagerly, and even flinched when she brushed his shoulder accidentally.

During break, she leaned across his desk. “You’ve been awfully quiet today.”

“I’m fine,” he said, forcing a smile.

“You’re lying.” She smirked. “Why? Jealous?”

He choked on his reply. “…I’m not!”

Her grin widened. “Oh, that was fast.”

Haruto glared down at his notebook. She wasn’t letting him hide anything. She never did.

The walk home was worse.

Haruto stayed a step behind, staring at the sidewalk. Hana noticed, of course.

“You’re lagging,” she said. “Were you following a snail?”

“I’m… just tired,” he muttered.

Hana walked backward in front of him, teasing as usual. “You’ve been off all day. What happened to your post-assessment confidence?”

He froze. “…It’s not gone.”

She tilted her head. “Really? Because it looks like it ran away screaming.”

Haruto sighed. “…I just… I don’t like how you’re acting around him.”

Hana blinked. “…Him?”

“Kenta. The new guy. You’re… paying attention to him.”

Her expression softened for just a second before returning to playful mischief. “Relax, village boy. He’s just a classmate.”

Haruto’s ears burned, and he looked away, his jaw tight. She didn’t understand—it wasn’t that simple. But before he could speak, she nudged him lightly. “Don’t worry so much. You’re still the one I get to tease.”

Haruto felt a flutter he couldn’t explain. The words were teasing—but somehow, they were comforting too.

That night, Haruto lay on his futon, replaying the day.

Kenta’s smooth smile. Hana laughing. The way she leaned in closer to Kenta without realizing he was watching.

Even after yesterday… even after the assessment…

I’m still just the village boy next door.

Next door, Hana leaned against her wall, arms crossed. She replayed the day too—Haruto’s sudden quietness, the way he avoided her.

“…Idiot,” she muttered softly.

She didn’t know why it bothered her so much.

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