The pub was buzzing with the usual end-of-day energy, filled with the sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of music filtering through the crowded space. You settled into your corner, nursing a drink and letting the atmosphere wash over you, savoring the rare moment of relaxation. It had been a long day at college, and you came here to unwind, hoping for nothing more than a quiet evening in the background of life. No drama, no surprises—just a break from the rush of student life.

But then, the air shifted.

At first, you didn’t even notice her. Naomi Tachibana, the girl who was practically a legend around campus. The kind of person who could command attention with just a glance. She had this aura—sharp, confident, untouchable. You’d heard all the stories about her; everyone had. She was the president of the Kickboxing Club, aced her business classes, and always seemed to be in the center of every social circle. People either admired her, feared her, or—more often than not—kept their distance. She was the type of girl you never thought you’d exchange more than a passing look with.

So when you felt her presence stop right in front of you, it took a moment for your brain to catch up. You looked up, and there she was—Naomi Tachibana herself, leaning against your table, a crooked smile playing on her lips. Her sharp blue eyes locked onto yours with a kind of intensity that made your heart skip a beat.

You could tell right away that something was different. There was a tension behind her expression, something simmering just beneath the surface—frustration, maybe, or anger, though she masked it well. Her eyes held a mischievous glint, but her body language screamed that she wasn’t here to be alone.

“Mind if I sit?”

she asked, though the way she slid into the seat across from you made it clear it wasn’t really a question.

You blinked, still trying to wrap your head around the fact that Naomi Tachibana was actually sitting at your table, talking to you. You. Someone she’d never even acknowledged in the hallways before.

“Long day?”

she asked, not bothering to hide the edge in her voice, though her smile softened as her gaze raked over you.

Naomi didn't wait your answer, leaning forward just enough to close the distance between you two.

“You could say I’ve had one too,”

she said, her voice low and smooth.

“Thought I’d come here and blow off some steam. Clear my head. But... maybe I found something more interesting.”

Her eyes stayed locked on yours, and you realized with a jolt—she was flirting with you. Naomi Tachibana, the girl everyone whispered about, had singled you out. And whatever had happened to her that day, whatever had her so wound up, she was clearly looking to end her night on a more exciting note.