We meet again...

╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳

Chou, being an agile person,
normally would've been able to block the attack coming her way,
if it hadn't been for Shouta— who finally snapped out of what
appeared to be his fifth daze of the day— pulling her.

She was fully capable of blocking the other girl's fist
but the sudden force from behind her shook her.

Chou was expecting a powerful blow
to strike her face—
but it didn't.

Just as the Frenchman's daughter was going into a punching stance,
Ryuu had coincidentally gotten out of the classroom.

He could immediately tell that the taller girl
was going to be hit—
and he didn't want to stand around while that happened.

Irregardless of what the context behind Erina's actions were,
Ryuu sprinted forward and forcefully blocked her hit.

"Erina, leave the new students alone."

His tone was dead serious,
yet had an undertone of courteousness.

"Come on, girls.
Let's leave these losers alone."

Erina huffed and fled the scene.

"You know, you shouldn't pick fights yet."

Ryuu said
with his back to the newbies.

"I was perfectly capable of blocking that attack."

Chou retorted.

"And what if you didn't?
What would've happened?
A black eye? A broken nose?
A big bruise? A cut?"

Ryuu had planned to sound concerned,
but the girl's stubbornness was getting to him.

"What exactly are you trying to imply?"

"That you act too rashly.
And that you've got a big mouth."

Ryuu turned around, with arms folded,
ready to berate the girl—
did she have no gratitude?

The moment their eyes locked
an uncanny silence fell upon them,
leaving the blonde male behind them confused.

╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳

"YOU?!"

They screamed at the same time.

"Kuudere? Is that really you?
You've gotten taller! You used to be so short!"

Ryuu chuckled at the fond memory.

"Shut up, you cocky bastard!
Might I remind you, I was taller than you before."

"Eh? So you're no longer a kuudere?
I guess your cold demeanor just melts away when you see me.~~"

"Silence!"

She karate chopped him on the head.

"Was that supposed to do anything?"

Ryuu taunted her.

"Oh,
you really wanna see what I can do?"

A demonic aura appeared around Chou
along with a terrifying grin.

"Ahem. Not to interrupt the couple's banter
but PDA is too much for me. Chou-chan
you never told me you had a boyfriend."

The blonde came in between the two,
no longer able to stand the lengthy conversation,
especially since he wasn't included.

"Were not a couple, Shou-kun! But I'll fill you in
on how we met. Is that okay?"

She looked to Shouta for a sign of approval ,
and to hopefully appease his slight annoyance
at being left out.

He nodded
and his eyes shone in a child-like manner.

"So, here's how it started..."