Kaito Igarashi had exactly two options.
1. Transfer to a new university.
2. Fake his own death.
At this point, both seemed equally viable.
Because after accidentally turning down a confession like a feudal warlord, his already ridiculous reputation had evolved into something unstoppable.
New rumors had surfaced overnight.
- "Kaito Igarashi rejects women with honor."
- "Kaito refuses to date because he's waiting for his one true love."
- "Kaito is secretly engaged to a childhood friend."
Kaito nearly threw himself into traffic when he heard that last one.
But worse than the rumors?
The stares.
Everywhere he went, people whispered.
Girls glanced at him like he was some rare, mythical creature.
Guys gave him looks ranging from jealousy to admiration.
And Kaito?
Kaito just wanted to vanish.
Which was why he found himself executing a survival plan.
The university library was the one place on campus where social interaction was illegal.
Nobody spoke. Nobody stared. Nobody asked you about your nonexistent love life.
It was perfect.
Or at least, it should have been.
But as Kaito stepped inside, relief washing over him, he heard something terrifying.
A whisper.
"…That's him."
Kaito's soul left his body.
He turned.
Two girls were sitting at a nearby table, eyes wide.
One of them quickly looked away. The other did not.
Kaito froze.
And in that moment, he made the worst possible decision.
He nodded.
Just a small, polite nod. Nothing special.
And yet—
The girl gasped.
And then, she blushed.
And then, she whispered something to her friend.
And then—
Kaito turned and speed-walked to the farthest corner of the library.
He collapsed into a seat, heart racing.
"This is a nightmare," he muttered.
And that was when he realized—
He was not alone.
Mika sat across from him, grinning.
Kaito nearly had a heart attack.
"What—why—how did you even get here before me?"
Mika smirked. "I followed you."
Kaito stared.
"…Why?"
Mika leaned forward. "Because watching you struggle is my new favorite hobby."
Kaito sighed deeply.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" he asked.
Mika shrugged. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
Kaito frowned. "…This *is* my break."
Mika's smirk widened. "Same."
Kaito didn't believe her.
But he was too exhausted to argue.
Mika rested her chin on her hand. "So. How's life as the campus heartthrob?"
Kaito groaned.
Mika chuckled. "You know, running to the library isn't going to solve your problem."
Kaito glared. "And why not?"
Mika smirked. "Because girls study too."
Kaito felt actual fear.
"No," he said.
"Yes," Mika said.
"No."
Mika grinned. "Oh, yes."
Kaito stared at her.
Then, slowly—
Painfully—
He turned his head.
And sure enough—
There were at least five girls sneaking glances at him from different corners of the library.
Kaito nearly blacked out.
Mika leaned back, satisfied. "Told you."
Kaito buried his face in his arms. "I hate my life."
Kaito knew he had one option left.
If running didn't work, then he had to become invisible.
It was time to activate stealth mode.
Which meant:
- No eye contact.
- No sudden movements.
- No reacting to people at all.
If he stayed perfectly still, maybe—just maybe he would cease to exist.
So he sat there.
Motionless.
Expressionless.
As if he were a lifeless mannequin.
And it almost worked.
For about three minutes.
Until Mika ruined everything.
Mika leaned in.
And then—
Loudly.
She said:
"Kaito. I can't believe you broke my heart."
Kaito's soul left his body.
The entire library went silent.
Every head turned toward them.
Kaito's brain malfunctioned.
"Mika," he said slowly. "What the hell are you doing?"
Mika gasped, dramatically clutching her chest.
"Oh, Kaito," she said, voice dripping with fake emotion.
"You don't have to pretend anymore. Just tell me the truth."
Kaito stared at her, horrified.
Mika's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I just want to know," she continued. "Was I not good enough for you?"
Kaito wanted to die.
People were staring.
Mika looked devastated.
And Kaito—
Kaito had no idea how to stop this.
So, in a last-ditch effort, he did the only thing he could think of.
He grabbed his bag.
Stood up.
And walked out of the library.
Without a word.
Without looking back.
And as he left, he heard Mika laughing hysterically.
He was never going to forgive her.
When Kaito finally made it back to his dorm, he locked the door.
He needed a break from reality.
But the universe had other plans.
Because the moment he sat down—
His phone buzzed.
A message from Haru.
[HARU]: Bro. You're trending on the campus forum.
Kaito froze.
Slowly—
Dread filling his stomach—
He clicked the link.
And there, at the top of the page—
A post titled: "WHO BROKE KAIRO IGARASHI'S HEART?!"
With hundreds
of comments.
Kaito stared at the screen.
And then—
Very calmly—
He turned off his phone.
Laid down.
And screamed into his pillow.