I was still in the café.
Even after everything, even after Mii-chan had left, I was still sitting here, gripping my now-empty cup like it held the answers to my problems.
…There was no reason for me to stay.
I should leave.
I was just about to push myself up from the seat when—
"Oh? Leaving so soon, Love-girl?"
My body tensed.
That voice.
Slowly, I turned my head toward the source.
Koenji Rokusuke.
He was lounging at the far end of the café, exuding the usual ridiculous level of self-assurance. Two girls sat beside him, practically draping themselves over him, their eyes locked onto him with fake admiration. Yet, despite all that attention, he was looking at me.
I narrowed my eyes.
"…Why are you calling me?" I asked, keeping my tone cold.
Koenji smirked. "Oho? That sharpness… That crisp tone… What a contrast! Just moments ago, you were so utterly lost in love, and now you're all thorns." He chuckled. "Such a fascinating duality."
I stiffened.
The words struck me like a direct hit, my mind immediately flashing back to my own reflection—my flushed face, my hazy eyes.
No. Stop.
I inhaled sharply, pushing that memory far away.
For now.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, keeping my expression unreadable. "And if that's all you wanted to say, then I'll be—"
"My, my~ so cold." Koenji reclined lazily in his seat, his smirk never wavering. "Not long ago, you were gazing into space with such passionate longing. Such a breathtaking display of young love~! And yet, here you are, acting as if nothing happened. How fascinating…"
I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into fists at my sides.
This guy.
Even before today, I had found him aggravating—his arrogance, his theatrical speech, the way he carried himself as if the entire world existed for his amusement. But now? Now he was openly mocking me.
He's provoking me.
He's testing my reaction.
Stay composed. Give him nothing.
I exhaled slowly, straightening my posture.
"…If that's all you wanted to say, Koenji, then I'll be leaving." I turned away, already stepping forward.
"But really, now," Koenji's voice trailed after me, light and amused. "For someone so intelligent, you certainly are slow, aren't you?"
I froze mid-step.
"What?"
I turned back toward him, my gaze sharpening.
Koenji simply rested his chin on his palm, looking every bit as entertained as ever. "You act as though this newfound feeling of yours is something shocking, something unthinkable. But isn't it quite obvious?" He tilted his head. "Or do you mean to tell me that someone like you never considered the possibility? I have heard many rumors about you recently. It's hard not to, even for someone like me."
I stared at him.
What was he—?
…Wait.
Wait.
My stomach twisted.
Koenji.
He knew.
He knew.
I didn't know how. I didn't know when he noticed. But somehow, this frustrating, infuriating, smug excuse for a classmate knew.
And he was playing with me.
My fingers tightened.
I exhaled slowly, pushing down the frustration curling in my chest.
"You're awfully talkative for someone who spends half his time admiring his own reflection," I blurted out without thinking, my voice cold. "Did your mirror finally crack from overuse, or did you just get bored of looking at yourself?"
Koenji's smirk widened, utterly unfazed. Instead of responding right away, he chuckled—a rich, amused sound, like he had expected nothing less.
"Ohoho~! How sharp. As expected of you, Love-girl." He leaned back in his seat, lacing his fingers together. "But if I were so fragile as to be wounded by mere words, I wouldn't be Koenji Rokusuke, now would I?"
I rolled my eyes, already regretting engaging with him. "If you have nothing worthwhile to say, I'm leaving."
But Koenji only hummed. "Now, now. No need to be so impatient." He tapped his temple lightly. "You see, there was a reason I called out to you."
I crossed my arms. "And?"
His grin didn't waver. "In class, during your little… speech, shall we call it? For a brief moment, I found myself so entertained that I actually set my mirror aside and laughed."
I blinked, thrown off for just a second.
That time...
He had actually stopped admiring himself for even a moment?
I raised a brow. "And why exactly should I care?"
Koenji smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "Because, my dear Love-girl, I never leave a debt unpaid. You amused me, and so now, allow me to repay the favor."
He lifted his hand with a theatrical flourish.
I furrowed my brows.
"…I'm almost afraid to ask."
Koenji chuckled, tilting his head in amusement. "My, my, how naive. To consider my guidance something to fear… That alone tells me you have much to learn."
"Still," he continued, gesturing grandly, "I see that the Goddess of Love has begun to grace you with greater beauty. There is something different about you—undeniably so. But you still lack majesty, the natural radiance that allows one to achieve whatever they desire without even lifting a finger."
He folded his arms, his smirk growing. "That is why I shall bestow upon you my wisdom. Will you heed my words?"
This is ridiculous. He's toying with me. What could I possibly gain from listening to him? Leave this place.
But Mii-chan hadn't been able to help me.
So maybe…
Maybe Koenji could?
Even if every part of me screamed that this was a terrible idea, my body moved on its own.
I took the opposite seat and posed myself.
Almost immediately, I felt the weight of two sets of eyes boring into me—the upperclassman girls Koenji had been with. They looked mildly surprised but ultimately uninterested, returning their attention to him as if I didn't matter.
I shifted slightly, resisting the urge to shrink under their gaze.
"Just get to the point, Koenji," I said firmly, crossing my arms. "I don't need a drink. Just say whatever nonsense you were planning to say."
Koenji let out a laugh, clearly enjoying my impatience. "Ohoho! So direct. Very well, then."
He leaned forward slightly, his golden locks catching the café lights as he fixed me with a knowing smile.
"Now then, Love-girl… let me teach you how to seduce the one you have your eyes on."
I felt my entire body freeze.
"…E-Excuse me?"
Koenji simply grinned.
"You wish to capture the heart of your beloved, do you not? Fret not—I, Koenji Rokusuke, am the pinnacle of attraction and perfection, and thus, I shall impart upon you the secrets of irresistible allure."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he raised a finger.
"First and foremost—presentation is everything." He swept a hand over himself as if to illustrate the point. "It is not simply about beauty, but aura. Confidence. The way you carry yourself."
I blinked, still trying to process the absurdity of this situation.
Koenji leaned back with a smug look. "Tell me, Love-girl, do you believe the world would have no choice but to look upon you, entranced, the moment you step into a room?"
I stared at him.
What kind of question was that?
"Uh… no?"
Koenji tsked, shaking his head. "That, my dear, is your first mistake."
What.
Koenji continued, "Confidence, Love-girl. You must exude it. Make the world believe you are someone worth desiring, and it shall follow suit. That is the power of absolute self-assurance."
I deadpanned.
Koenji went on, flipping a strand of his golden hair, "Now, onto the second point: Exclusivity. A true prize is never too easily attained. If you wish to captivate your beloved, you must become a rarity—something precious, just beyond reach."
Play... hard to get?
"Not quite," Koenji corrected as if reading my mind. "It is not about avoidance—it is about making them yearn. Give them more glimpses of your true self. Leave them wanting more."
I swallowed. That…
That actually sounded—
Ludicrous. Idiotic idea. Stop listening to this gibberish.
I shook my head. No. No way. I am not taking advice from him.
Koenji smirked, clearly noticing my conflicted expression. "And now, the third and perhaps most crucial rule of attraction." He leaned in slightly, his voice taking on a dramatic edge.
"Never chase. Make them come to you."
I narrowed my eyes. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"
Koenji let out a theatrical sigh. "Oh, Love-girl, you truly are a beginner in these matters. The key is mystique. The unknown is irresistible. You must ensure that every interaction leaves them with questions, a desire to understand you more."
That… sounded suspiciously like what Ayanokouji did all the time.
…Was that really the case?
Koenji, oblivious to my spiraling thoughts, continued. "You are far too undecided. That is your fatal flaw. If you wish to pull someone into your orbit, you must let them believe they are the ones trying to unravel you."
I clenched my hands into fists under the table.
He's not wrong. I hate that he's not wrong.
Koenji smirked. "Now, tell me, Love-girl… are you beginning to see the brilliance of my ways?"
ㅤ
PING!
[New Quest: The Koenji Method – Path to Ultimate Allure]
Objective: Accept the divine wisdom of Koenji Rokusuke.
Exude confidence worthy of a true monarch.
Master the art of exclusivity—become a treasure just out of reach.
Create an air of mystique that will leave them desperate to uncover your secrets.
Maintain dignity while enduring Koenji's insufferable smugness.
Bonus Objective: Avoid getting brainwashed into Koenji's personal cult of self-worship.
Reward: ? (Enlightenment? A headache? Eternal regret? Who knows!)
ㅤ
SYSTEM!
[What!? He speaks truth!]
Koenji laced his fingers together, his ever-infuriating smirk widening.
"Well then, Love-girl, it's time to put my teachings into practice. To truly grasp the essence of my wisdom… you must pass my trial. Listen carefully..."
ㅤ
[New Sub-Quest: The Koenji Trial – Baptism of Magnificence]
Objective: Prove yourself worthy of Koenji's secret knowledge.
Gracefully run across campus while maintaining an aura of untouchable elegance.
Give someone a "meaningful glance" in true Koenji fashion and make them question their entire existence.
Refuse help at least three times, while looking as if you know something they don't.
Find a mirror and stare into it for at least ten minutes, silently contemplating your limitless potential.
Bonus Objective: Deliver a dramatic monologue about your own beauty under the night sky.
Reward: Blessing of Koenji.
ㅤ
I stared at him, eyes wide in disbelief.
"…You're not serious."
Koenji chuckled and gestured to himself. "Do I look like a man who jokes about matters of such importance?"
Yes. Absolutely, yes.
Clown.
I exhaled sharply, leveling him with a glare. "There is no way I'm accepting something that ridiculous."
Without another word, I turned on my heel and marched toward the exit, refusing to entertain this nonsense any longer.
Behind me, Koenji's voice carried after me, completely unbothered.
"That is your choice, of course," he mused, his tone light, almost amused. "But remember, you can always return. If you truly find another way, I won't stop you… But you may come to realize that my method was always the superior one!"
I clenched my fists.
"And if you prove me wrong…" Koenji continued, voice rich with amusement. "Then you shall have my respect for all eternity!"
I didn't dignify that with a response.
Instead, I pushed through the café doors and stepped into the cool evening air, glaring straight ahead as I made my way toward the dorms.
The nerve. The sheer arrogance.
Who did he think he was?!
I huffed, picking up my pace. The more I thought about it, the more my irritation boiled over, until—
Thwack!
Without thinking, I kicked a nearby pebble with far more force than necessary, sending it skidding violently across the pavement. It bounced off a lamppost, ricocheted onto a nearby bench, and finally rolled to a pitiful stop in the grass.
…Pathetic.
Just like this whole situation.
I crossed my arms, my steps quick and purposeful.
Koenji. His nonsense. His ridiculous challenge.
I was done with all of it.
I stepped into my dorm, shutting the door behind me with a little more force than necessary.
The room was quiet, dimly lit by the faint glow of the streetlights outside. I exhaled, running a hand through my hair before my gaze flickered toward the mirror.
My reflection stared back at me. Normal. Unbothered. As it should be.
I scowled at it anyway.
I took a deep breath, letting my irritation settle.
[So…why did you refuse?]
I froze for half a second before narrowing my eyes.
Shut. Up.
Without waiting for a response, I turned toward my fridge, yanked it open, and grabbed the first thing I saw—ice cream. Slamming the fridge shut, I toed off my shoes, climbed onto my bed, and switched on the television.
I didn't even glance at the screen.
Instead, I pried open the ice cream container, dug my spoon in, and took a big bite.
Cold. Sweet. Slightly numbing.
Good.
[Oi oi, what the hell are you doing?]
I ignored it.
[Just because you've never had a crush before doesn't mean you have to act like some tragic heroine in a soap opera.]
I froze mid-bite, my grip tightening on the spoon.
Oh, I really hated this thing.
I opened my mouth, ready to snap back at the system when my gaze drifted downward.
My feet.
I blinked.
The bruises were nearly gone. The ache that had kept me holed up, that had forced me to stay still, to wait—had faded. I could walk freely again. Go out. Move forward.
So why did I feel stuck?
Something heavy settled in my chest. My thoughts felt clouded, tangled with something I didn't know how to name.
Koenji. His words. His stupid, infuriating, infuriating words.
I clenched my jaw. "He pissed me off," I muttered. "That's all. I don't know why, but—" I exhaled sharply. "It happened."
I lifted my spoon again, ready to shove another bite of ice cream into my mouth, only to pause when I felt the faintest bit of cold against my lips.
I touched my fingers to them, slow, absentminded, brushing away the lingering sweetness. My tongue flicked out to catch the last traces, savoring the taste for just a moment longer than necessary.
My stomach twisted, though I didn't know why.
I turned my head, eyes landing on my phone resting beside me.
For a long moment, I simply stared.
Then, before I could talk myself out of it, my fingers moved, scrolling through my contacts until they stopped.
I hesitated.
Then, with a sharp inhale, I tapped the name and pressed the phone to my ear.
My heart pounded. Heat crept up my cheeks, crawling up my neck. This was stupid. This was—
"Eh, moshi moshi? Horikita-san?"
A voice on the other end. Light. Curious.
I swallowed, gripping the phone tighter.
"…Karuizawa-san," I said, forcing the words out before I could lose my nerve.
"I need your help."
