sweets ✧ r.kaji ˣ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

36: the truth

"isn't that that one famous second-year?"

"yeah, i think so! the dude who fixed up this town!"

"really?! so cool..!"

"wait, what's he doing here?"

the incessant murmurs circulated around the classroom like flies to a decaying corpse. you thought it wasn't that big of a deal, but then reconsidered it as not everyone could freely talk to the umemiya hajime casually anyway.

your steps were light and young as you slunk into the classroom behind the large frame of the white-haired boy. still dressed in your own school's uniform, you scrunched your nose when you saw the messy graffiti everywhere.

"who's that girl behind him?" someone whispered.

you put on a cool, unbothered expression to hide your pride. wow, young you had quite the ego.

"hello, everyone!" umemiya suddenly yelled, causing some to jump. his loud voice was something he had from birth, huh... "as you all know, i'm umemiya hajime!"

there was an awkward silence. you stood stiffly next to the laidback umemiya, letting your eyes scan the front row of the class. there was a cute pale-blonde boy with headphones, one with unruly brown hair you found silly, and a taller one with half-shaved eyebrows he probably did himself to make him look cool.

w-wait! you suddenly thought, widening your eyes. isn't that... what was his name? ka... kenji? no no, k...kaji?!

"you must be wondering why i'm here, right? well, i just wanted to give you a special welcome!" umemiya spoke up again before you could react, flashing them a charming grin. "and also, i wanted to introduce to you guys y/n!"

"wha—" you had no time to resist when he pulled you against him, hand on your shoulder. "ume-nii..."

"she's like my little sister, so treat her well, got it? even though she's a girl, she'll be going to bofurin as your new class secretary!" you remembered the way he introduced you so clearly. it felt like you had a loving older brother bragging about you to his friends. even if it made you feel warm, it was embarrassing as hell.

"sir!" a boy with funny dyed blue hair who you would soon know to be kenichi raised his hand. "she's gonna be a class secretary, but from what i remember, aren't there only the positions of grade captain and the two vice-captains?" he asked.

umemiya let you squirm out of his grip. "great question! the position of class secretary does not exist. however, y/n here is my close friend, so she gets a new made-up job from me!" some boys made faces of judgement, understanding, or both. "now, be nice to each other and make friends! i should be going up for the official broadcasting and welcoming."

to your dismay, he cruelly left you standing in front with only a little "bye!" from the door. you set your gaze to the boys and stood open-mouthed staring at them. although bofurin's rules and schedules were clear now, they seemed blurry and awkward back then when you looked back. what were you supposed to do after the only person you knew in the whole building left?

"u-uhm... kaji-kun, right?" you quietly asked, making eye contact with the boy in the front row.

with the lollipop still in his mouth, he brought his headphones down from his ears to his neck. deep blue eyes caressed your soul. "ah...l/n...san?"

somehow, his recognition made you feel relieved. at least you knew someone here. "yes! from the convenience store... hey, you look like a whole new person with that hair. so much that i think i should greet you again." you willed yourself to smile a little as you recollected the memories of helping him dye his hair the last time you met. "so, nice to meet you, kaji ren!"