Kazama Yuuji is a mystery.

  Not the cool, silent type of mystery.

  More like… a "why does this guy flinch every time I look his way?" mystery.

  It’s been a day since I transferred.

  One day of sitting next to him, watching him drop pencils, nearly choke on bread, and once—once—accidentally call the teacher “Mom.”

  I thought maybe he didn’t like me at first.

  But now I’m pretty sure he’s just... chronically awkward.

  And honestly?

  It’s kind of cute.

  When Mr. Sakamoto announced the project, I saw the panic in his eyes. He looked like he just got drafted into war. And when he realized we’d be working together, his whole soul left his body for a second.

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  I won’t lie—I enjoy messing with him a little.

  Just a little.

  He’s easy to tease. The way his ears go red when I call his name? Hilarious.

  But still... I can tell he’s trying. He shows up on time. Tries not to stare. Tries to act cool (and fails so badly it's charming).

  And he did walk home with me. Even though I'm a total stranger. Like it was the most natural thing.

  No hesitation. Just… said yes and looked away.

  That’s when I started paying attention.

  Now we’re working on this dumb partner project and I get to ask him all kinds of things.

  “Favorite color?” I ask.

  He answers, “Soup.”

  I bite my lip to keep myself from laughing. “Soup blue?”

  He panics, of course. Stammers through a correction.

  He’s so bad at lying, and so bad at being cool, and so… Him.

  He probably thinks I’m the calm, pretty honor student who transferred from a fancy school.

  Truth is, I’ve always been a little weird too.

  Just better at hiding it.

  Later, I see him staring out the window during lunch, like he’s in some sad anime ending.

  I poke his shoulder.

  “Hey. Since we’re partners… wanna walk home again?”

  He looks surprised. Nervous. Like I asked him to commit a crime.

  Then he nods. Just once.

  It’s quiet between us sometimes. But not awkward. I like that.

  Kazama-kun is still a mystery.

  But maybe, just maybe…

  I want to figure him out.

  To be continued…