"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Royal Tokyo High School. For your information, Royal Tokyo not only focuses on academic excellence but also on extracurricular activities. I, Kiyoko Onabara, will be your homeroom class teacher for the next three years."
The students exchanged confused glances.
"If anyone has a question, please ask," Kiyoko invited.
A student raised his hand and spoke up, "What kind of extracurricular activities?"
Kiyoko smiled. "Excellent question. As you may know, while other high schools primarily focus on academic studies, Royal Tokyo places equal emphasis on etiquette, dance, sports, leadership, unity, cooking, art, and craft, among others."
As Kiyoko explained, the students listened intently, except for Ryu, who gazed out the window.
"You will also be required to pass in these skills," Kiyoko added.
Another girl raised her hand. "What do you mean by 'pass in these skills'?"
Kiyoko clarified, "According to our school's rules, you must pass in these extracurricular activities as well. Royal Tokyo aims to develop not only your mind but also your personality and shape you into a better person."
Kiyoko asked, "Are there any other questions?"
The students looked at each other, and when no one spoke up, Kiyoko continued, "Very well, then. Let's begin introducing ourselves."
As each student took turns introducing themselves, Yui grew increasingly nervous.
"Oh no, I didn't prepare anything! What will I say?" she thought to herself.
Just then, the girl sitting next to her nudged her. "Hey, it's your turn."
Yui's face turned bright red as she quickly stood up and blurted out, "My name is Yui Nakahara!"
Everyone stared at her.
Next, it was Ryu's turn. He stood up, his voice low and clear. "I am Ryu Watabane."
The class fell silent, with all eyes on Ryu.
Kiyoko forced a smile. "O-okay, next please."
Timeskip to Lunch
Yui sat alone in the cafeteria, nursing her lunch and berating herself mentally. "I'm really an idiot. I made a fool of myself twice already."
Just as she was starting to feel sorry for herself, a gentle hand touched her shoulder. She turned to see a girl from her class smiling at her.
"Hey, if you don't mind, can I join you?" the girl asked, her voice soft and polite.
Yui shrugged, feeling a little relieved at the interruption. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" She slid over to make room for the girl.
"I'm Emiko Matsumoto," the girl said, sitting down. "And you are...?"
"Yui... Yui Nakahara," Yui replied, feeling a little more at ease.
As they ate and chatted, Yui found herself feeling more comfortable around Emiko. They talked about everything from school to thier hobbies .
Before long, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Yui and Emiko gathered their things and headed to their next class.
As they entered the classroom, Yui's eyes landed on Ryu, who was sitting in his usual seat, staring out the window with an air of quiet contemplation.
"Hey, was he here the whole time?" Emiko whispered to Yui, nodding towards Ryu with a knowing glance.
Yui whispered back, "He's really strange, isn't he?"
Emiko's expression turned sympathetic, her eyes filled with a deep understanding like she knows why is he like that . "You're right," she said softly.
Just then, their teacher's voice cut through the chatter. "What are you both doing in the doorway?"
"NOTHING!"
Yui and Emiko quickly took their seats, trying to compose themselves.
After school, Yui walked out of the school gates and made her way home. As she reached her house, she opened the door and called out, "I'm back, Mom!"
She removed her shoes and placed them in the shoe stand, then walked into the living room where her mother was waiting.
"Welcome back, dear," her mother greeted her, smiling. "How was your day?"
Yui shrugged, taking a seat next to her mother. "It was fine."
Her mother peeled an apple and handed Yui a slice. "Did you make any friends?" she asked.
Yui thought for a moment before responding, "Ah, uhm, yes... I made one."
Her mother's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? What's her name?"
"Emiko Matsumoto," Yui replied, taking a bite of the apple.
Her mother's expression turned thoughtful. "Matsumoto... isn't that the name of a restaurant?"
Yui's eyes widened in realization. "I didn't think of that."
Feeling a little self-conscious, Yui got up from her seat. "Really, I'm the odd one out in school," she thought to herself.
"I'm going to change, then I'll go to the cafe," she said aloud, heading upstairs to her room.
In her room, Yui dropped her bag and changed into a white turtleneck t-shirt and skirt.

She grabbed her handbag and headed downstairs to the shoe rack.
"I'm leaving, Mom," she called out, opening the door.
Her mother's voice came from the kitchen. "Take care, come back soon."
**********
Ryu entered the Watabane mansion, where he was greeted by the butler, Mr. Tanaka. "Welcome back, young master," Mr. Tanaka said with a deep bow. "I hope your day was good."
Ryu nodded, his voice low and firm. "Yes, it was fine."
He headed towards the stairs, and Mr. Tanaka followed. "Did you want any snacks, sir?" Ryu nodded again. "Just bring tea."
Ryu went directly to his room, dropped his bag, and headed to the bathroom. After a while, he came out wearing light brown shorts and a blue t-shirt.
He saw Mr. Tanaka setting tea and cookies on the table near the couch, which was beside his bed. Ryu's eyes landed on the cookies, and he looked at Mr. Tanaka. "Mr. Tanaka, I don't remember asking you to bring cookies."
Mr. Tanaka gave a soft, kind smile. "I thought you must be hungry."
Ryu cut him off. "Okay, pour the tea."
Mr. Tanaka took the teapot and began to pour tea into a cup. Ryu took the cup and took a sip. "Thank you, Tanaka. You may leave now."
Just then, six-year-old Akira burst into the room, shouting "Oni-chan!" loudly and jumping into Ryu's lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Oni-chan, you're drinking tea! I want some too, please!" she exclaimed.
Ryu smiled slightly. "Okay, okay."
He looked at Mr. Tanaka. "Mr. Tanaka."
Mr. Tanaka smiled and poured a cup of tea for Akira. "Here's your tea, Miss Akira." He handed her the cup and a cookie. "A sweet cookie for a sweet girl."
Akira's eyes lit up, and she took a sip of her tea, then bit into the cookie. Ryu watched her with a warm smile.
"It's really good!" Akira giggled, taking another sip of her tea. "Thank you, Mr. Tanaka."
"My pleasure, Miss Akira," Mr. Tanaka replied with a smile.
Ryu nodded. "You may leave now."
Mr. Tanaka bowed and left the room, leaving the siblings to finish their tea. After a while, they put their cups on the table, and Akira looked up at Ryu with sparkling eyes.
"Oni-chan, can we play?" she asked, still snuggled up on his lap.
Ryu hesitated, taking her off his lap and setting her on the couch. He stood up, trying to sound firm. "I have homework to do."
Akira's face fell, but she quickly recovered, making a puppy face. "Please, Oni-chan, just for a little while?"
Ryu turned his head, trying to resist her charms, but Akira jumped off the couch and stood in front of him. "Please, Oni-chan?"
Ryu sighed, unable to resist her persistence. "Okay, but just for a little while, got it?"
Akira's face lit up with excitement. "Thank you, Oni-chan!"
She jumped into his arms, and Ryu caught her, spinning around in a circle as she giggled with delight.
As Ryu spun Akira around, they both lost themselves in the moment. Ryu's reserved expression softened, and a rare genuine smile spread across his face. Akira's laughter echoed through the room, her eyes shining with joy. Together, they twirled, carefree and lost in their own little world.
It was all for this chapter cupcakes 🧁 see you soon again take care 🥰🥰
Bye bye cupcakes 🧁