𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 | ᴋᴜᴢᴜʀʏᴜ ꜰᴜʏᴜʜɪᴋᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

~𝟏𝟓~

The school library was quiet, the sound of flipping pages and the occasional scratch of a pencil against paper creating a soothing ambiance. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting warm golden light across the room. Hannah sat at one of the large wooden tables near the back, her head bent over a book. Her eyes scanned the words, but her mind wandered, lost in thoughts that had nothing to do with the text in front of her.

Hannah pushed a strand of chocolate-colored hair behind her ear and sighed softly. She had come to the library to escape, to find some peace and quiet, away from the intensity of the Kuzuryus, lurking after her around the school. She was finally feeling like she could relax when she sensed someone approaching. She looked up, and her gaze met that of a girl standing a few feet away.

The girl had short, fiery red hair that framed her face in soft waves, falling just above her shoulders. Her eyes were bright and curious, the color of freshly brewed tea, and they seemed to sparkle with a quiet confidence. She wore a white short sleeved shirt that was crisp and clean, tucked neatly into a light green pinafore. Over her chest was a white and red checkered pattern tie, tied in a perfect knot. She looked neat, composed, and somehow friendly all at once.

Hannah raised an eyebrow as the girl offered a small, tentative smile before speaking.

"Hi," the girl said, her voice light and cheerful. "I noticed you've been here for a while. I'm Mahiru Koizumi." She shifted slightly, one hand gripping the strap of her camera bag that hung over her shoulder. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Hannah blinked in surprise. It was rare for anyone to approach her so directly, especially at school. She studied Mahiru for a moment, taking in her open expression and the way she carried herself, like someone who was used to standing her ground but wasn't looking for a fight. Finally, Hannah shrugged, gesturing to the empty chair across from her.

"Sure, why not?" Hannah replied, closing her book to give Mahiru her full attention.

Mahiru took the offered seat, placing her bag carefully on the table. "Thanks. I've seen you around, but I don't think we've ever really talked before," Mahiru said, leaning forward slightly. "You're Hannah Togami, right?"

"Yeah, that's me," Hannah confirmed, a little wary but curious. "You're in the photography club, right?" Hannah asked, recognising the redhead girl's face plastered on club posters around the school.

Mahiru's face lit up with a smile. "Yep, that's right! I'm the club president, actually. I love capturing moments, you know? It's like freezing a piece of time and keeping it forever." Her eyes sparkled with passion as she spoke, her hands moving animatedly.

Mahiru leaned back in her chair, studying Hannah with a curious tilt of her head. "So Hannah, I've seen you around.. mainly with Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu and Peko Pekoyama." she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if just saying their names might draw unwanted attention. "People say they're dangerous, you know? Like, real mafia stuff. Are you, um.. involved with them?"

Hannah couldn't help but roll her eyes at Mahiru's cautious tone. "Oh, trust me, I'm not 'involved' with them by choice. I'm only staying with them because my clan are on some stupid business trip. It's not like I asked to be shoved into the middle of their crime family drama."

Mahiru's eyebrows shot up. "So, it's true then? About the mafia stuff?"

Hannah shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Well, they're definitely involved in some shady business. Fuyuhiko likes to act like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders because he's the heir or whatever, but mostly he's just controlling and irritating. He thinks he can boss me around just because I'm staying at their manor." She sighed, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table. "He's always telling me what to do, what not to do. Like I'm some little kid who can't make my own decisions."