The day began like any other—with Rei Tachibana flashing a grin that had already left three girls blushing and one tripping over her own feet.
Iris house's Casanova strutted through campus with her uniform slightly askew in that deliberate way that screamed rebellion. Her energy was magnetic, reckless, and impossible to ignore. Every few steps, she'd toss a wink, throw a teasing line, or offer a casual compliment that felt too personal to be generic—but too fleeting to mean anything.
"Looking radiant as always, Kanna," she called out to a girl from Primrose Union, who clutched her book to her chest and walked faster.
"Rei! I swear, stop stealing hearts on a school day," Chihiro called from somewhere behind her.
Rei simply grinned wider and blew a kiss over her shoulder.
But the real disruption came moments later. The halls grew quieter. A different kind of admiration stirred the crowd as Haruka Fujinami stepped onto the main campus path.
Elegant, poised, and untouched by chaos, Haruka moved like someone carved from serenity. The fencing captain of Primrose Union didn't just walk—she glided. Even some of the rowdier Iris House students straightened up as she passed, unsure whether to swoon or salute.
And then it happened.
Haruka and Ayane met up in front of the rose courtyard, the two standing beneath a flowering archway. Just talking. Nothing special.
But it was a moment. The campus stopped.
Rei, mid-flirt, fell silent. The girl she had been charming noticed the change.
"Rei?"
But Rei had already walked away, brushing her bangs from her eyes, expression unreadable.
---
Later that afternoon, Rei sat slouched on a bench near the back of the greenhouse, shaded by ivy and soft golden light.
For once, she wasn't smiling. Her foot tapped slowly. Her eyes were distant.
"Should've known..." she muttered to no one.
"Oh," came a voice. "You're here. You're usually... taller when you're cocky."
Rei glanced up to see Saki standing in front of her, tilting her head.
"Very funny," Rei said, weakly. She let the silence settle a little too long.
Saki narrowed her eyes. "You okay?"
"Hey, Saki..." Rei said, eyes still distant. "What would you do if someone you keep teasing... actually made your heart skip for once?"
Saki blinked. "Uh... are we still talking about teasing? Or are we having a crisis disguised as sarcasm?"
Rei chuckled dryly. "Doesn't matter. You wouldn't get it."
And like a switch, her usual glint returned. She shot up to her feet, tousled Saki's hair playfully, and flashed that dazzling grin again. "You're too cute when you're worried. Thanks though."
"What the hell," Saki muttered.
"There she is!" Riku arrived with exaggerated fanfare, followed by Minami and Chihiro.
"What's going on here?" Minami asked, sipping a milk tea she definitely didn't buy from the cafeteria.
Chihiro crossed her arms, eyeing Rei. "You were moping. Saki saw it. Confess."
"I was resting," Rei argued.
Riku leaned into Saki with a mischievous grin. "Bet she saw Ayane again. With Haruka. You know how that gets her."
Minami raised a brow. "Oho... the campus prince strikes again."
Rei froze for half a second before dramatically scoffing. "Please. If I were jealous, I'd say something."
Chihiro nodded solemnly. "Which is why you've said nothing. Got it."
"You all are impossible," Rei groaned.
"But you love us," Riku said sweetly.
---
By late afternoon, the rose garden buzzed with Primrose Union students. Under the ornate white trellis, Ayane sipped tea with quiet grace, surrounded by admirers and fellow club members.
Her serene posture, perfect uniform, and the delicate ceramic cup in her hands made her look untouchable. Unbothered.
Until Rei appeared.
"Fancy seeing you here, Princess," Rei drawled, her voice carrying just enough to catch the attention of nearby students.
Whispers rippled.
Ayane looked up, expression unreadable. "This garden is open to all students. Even those without manners."
Rei clutched her chest mockingly. "Ouch. Your words wound me, Lady Ayane."
A few Primrose girls gasped at the informality. Rei took a step closer.
"But I gotta say," Rei continued. "You wear composure like armor. Makes me wonder... what kind of war you're hiding under all that elegance."
Ayane didn't flinch, but her grip on the teacup tightened just slightly. "You should concern yourself with your own battles, Tachibana."
Rei smiled lazily. "Trust me, I am."
From the distance, the glint of Yukiko's sash appeared. The student council was heading this way.
Rei took the hint. "Duty calls, I suppose. Don't miss me too much."
She sauntered off, the murmurs around the garden growing louder.
Ayane let out a soft exhale, placed her cup down, and ignored the flushed faces staring at her.
But her thoughts refused to quiet.
--