—What's going on?!

In a whirlwind of motion, Riu found herself sprinting alongside a strange man in a panda bear costume, his grip on her wrist both firm and gentle. Everything happened so fast, a surge of adrenaline sent her heart in flight. It had been so long since she had felt this alarmed.

A panda of all things? Could this get any more random?

They kept running until he steered her off the main road and onto a quiet street lined with houses. At last, the Panda slowed to a stop, turning to look back. His broad shoulders rose with each breath, clearly winded from their sprint.

"Haaah.... We... haaah... should be safe now!"

He sounded like he was suffocating in that suit. 

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the man in the costume crumpled to the ground, barely able to stay upright.

"H-Hey, are you okay?!" Riu exclaimed, rushing to his side. As she anxiously hovered over him, her mind raced with uncertainties. Should she remove the panda mask to help him breathe better, or would that be too intrusive? She wouldn't look like a pervert or anything, right?

Dammit, I'll just take it off!

Determined to help, she gingerly removed the giant panda head, which came off surprisingly easily. For a moment, she studied the man underneath with curiosity—before a wave of recognition hit her like a cold bucket of water.

Wait a moment... That guy is...!

She knew this boy. A tangle of red hair and ruby eyes that appeared almost brown in the dim light. His sharp canines were visible as he gasped for air, and she saw a pair of black studs in his earlobes that she hadn't noticed before.

"Paaaah! Thanks! Ah, the cold air feels amazing...!" he gasped between breaths. But Riu remained wordless, her eyes wide with bewilderment.

This was that loud guy from school—the one who had flunked his tests and boasted about a date just hours earlier.

What on earth was he doing here, dressed as a panda?

He managed to catch his breath, but when his gaze flicked to her face, the boy immediately shot upright with uncontained surprise.

"Ah! I know you—!! You're that super smart, super hot chick everyone likes from Class A!"

...Super hot chick?

All of a sudden, he erupted into a hearty laugh that filled the air. "Phew, I'm glad I made it on time! Everyone would be totally shocked if they found out that you kicked a dude in the balls!"

Her eyes widened, puzzled.

"B-But I didn't..."

"You were totally gonna! I saw it in your eyes! You totally glanced at that thug's groin like you wanted to ruin his chances of ever having kids—"

"Okay okay! That's enough!"

Riu couldn't believe he had caught her like that. Her face flushed a bright red, but this boisterous fool just kept guffawing like he hadn't had a good laugh in years.

"Hahaha! You're a riot, y'know that? Now I see why the guys always stare at you from a safe distance!"

That wasn't the reason. They didn't approach her because they thought she was too good for them, not because they were scared she'd kick them in the— Well, it didn't matter.

More importantly, this redhead must have had nerves of steel to talk to her so casually. Not that she minded, but everyone at school usually treaded on ice around her. It was odd that she didn't seem to have that effect on this boy from Class C. Then again, this was technically their first conversation, and some... unusual circumstances led them here.

The boy flashed her a toothy grin, one boyishly cheeky yet simultaneously relieved. "Well, I'm glad you're alright. That guy was a total pervert, but at least I protected his family jewels—"

Riu blinked in bewilderment as he suddenly trailed off mid-sentence, but she didn't have time to question it before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed face-first onto the ground once more.

"Wha-!?"

"F-F...oo...d..." he moaned, placing his panda paws under his torso. Riu stepped back slightly as he managed to lift his head up, revealing an exhausted and starved expression. A loud, low growl emanated from his stomach.

Seeing the helplessness in his tired eyes, Riu felt an unexpected pang of pity. Despite his condition, the boy managed a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head with evident embarrassment.

"Aha... Sorry about that. I just haven't eaten anything all day..." he heaved a sigh, continuing by mumbling to himself. "...Dangit... If only I woke up earlier to make a rice ball or two."

Riu didn't really know what to do in this situation. At times like these, people offered to treat the other person to a meal, right? She wasn't so sure. It was already rather late, and she had to go home before her parents questioned why she was so delayed. Should she just give him money to feed himself instead? But she wasn't carrying any cash. Anxiously, she squeezed the strap of her bag, deliberating whether or not to make the offer.

It was then that she felt the hard shape of a bento box in her bag, still untouched since she hadn't been able to eat it during lunch today. Eyes alight with recollection, she swiftly rummaged through her belongings and withdrew the bento.

"Um... If you want, you can have this."

The boy blinked up at her with wide eyes before his mouth opened in surprise. "Eh?! Really? Isn't that yours?"

"It was supposed to be my lunch... I haven't opened the box and I don't want it anymore, so if you want..." Riu trailed off and avoided his gaze, her cheeks growing hot as she found herself not knowing what else to say. Communicating with other students made her anxious.

But the red-head's eyes practically twinkled like a night sky as a broad smile crossed his visage. "You're a life saver! I'll take it, thanks!" He beamed at her with those dog-like canines and took off a single paw-like glove before accepting the wrapped bento. Riu flinched slightly when their fingers accidentally touched, but he seemed completely unbothered.

Once that was done, she took a large step back, preparing to leave. "Well then, I should head home now. Have a nice eve—"

"Ah— Wait!"

She froze as the boy rose to his feet, his eyes filled with concern and a troubled expression. He glanced at the bento in his hands, carefully set it on top of a nearby brick fence, and then clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture.

"Before you leave... Please don't tell anyone you saw anything here today!"

Riu stared at him, puzzled. "What?"

"Uhh... I know we don't really know each other and all, but y'know..." he averted his gaze to the floor, smiling nervously. "Since we're students, we aren't allowed to get jobs. If any of the teachers find out about this, I'll be in a heck of a lotta' trouble. So... Please do me a big favour and keep this a secret!"

Jobs...?

Wait, so that's what the panda suit is about?

Riu blinked, having been so overwhelmed by everything that happened, she had forgotten the fact that this first year was wearing a costume.

"...You don't have to worry about that, it's none of my business anyway," she sighed softly, giving him some assurance despite her indifferent tone. "I won't tell anyone. I don't even know your name, anyway."

"Huh? For reals?!"

He flashed a wide grin and his eyes sparkled with delight, as if she were a genie who had just granted his every wish. Those messy red bangs tumbled over his eyes as he took a large step closer. In an instant, Riu's hand was enveloped between a large palm and long fingers, and the other giant, fluffy paw of his costume.

He's too close!

"Thank you so much- uh- Furukei-san! I'll never forget your kindness!"

A crinkle formed between her brows as she leaned away from him. "It's Furuse. Also, please let go of my hand... your palm is sweaty."

"Ah! Crap— s-sorry!!"

She couldn't even sigh, already overwhelmed by how close he was standing. Riu stepped away, exhaling softly whilst hoping the rosiness in her cheeks wasn't too visible.

That surprised me... He's like a dog, you don't know when he'll pounce and lick your face.

"Oh also, my name is Kiyome Kazue! But you can call me Kazue! Only my friends are allowed to!"

Riu's eyes widened, confused. "Friends?"

"Yeah! We're friends now, right?"

Wow, he doesn't have a single unfriendly bone in his body. 

"Uh... Sure..."

She nodded awkwardly, sensing that someone as boisterous as him might become more bothersome if she refused. Besides, she was eager to leave as quickly as possible.

Kiyome Kazue. She knew very little about him, only that he was quite popular among the students and a key figure in the group of rowdy delinquent boys. Their group often lagged behind in classes and got into trouble for petty reasons, a stark contrast to her own disciplined life. She heard they were often involved in fights with guys from other schools, too.

Someone like him was the last person Riu should consider a friend.

Kazue beamed at her cheerfully, revealing a dimple in his left cheek and crinkling his slanted eyes with delight. Standing surprisingly tall, with a straight nose and sharp jawline, Riu realised he was unexpectedly attractive, his features both firm and smooth. Despite his somewhat intimidating appearance, he radiated a puppy-like charm.

He's somewhat cute... I'm not surprised he goes on dates.

...Wait— what am I even thinking?!

Riu quickly averted her gaze, hoping he hadn't noticed her lingering stare. "W-Well then, I'll get going now."

"Oh, just to be safe," Kazue interjected yet again as he picked up the bento and tucked the panda head under his arm. With a hint of pride, he added, "I'll walk you to the station!"

"Huh? But that's not necessary," Riu protested, her eyes widening.

Kazue shook his head resolutely as he tutted like some sagely old scholar. "A man who lets a girl walk home alone... can't call himself a man! That's what Gramps always says."

Riu hesitated, feeling vaguely conflicted. It wasn't that she disliked the idea of him walking her to the station—she'd always been alone and had quietly longed for some company. But everything was happening so fast. It had been nearly three years since she'd had a real conversation with anyone from school, and now reality had taken an abrupt turn. She wasn't quite sure how to process it all.

Not to mention, this guy...

He doesn't seem like he means any harm, but he's a little hard to keep up with...

But before she could make up her mind, a fluffy paw slapped her back in a friendly gesture, nearly causing her to stumble forward. Kazue laughed heartily and raised an arm toward the street.

"Alright, let's go! You don't wanna miss the next train!"