Eryx-black hair blue eyes,ice manipulation Shouta-pink hair golden eyes,rose manipulation Kaiser-white hair golden eyes,thunder manipulation Xavier-redhair, brown eyes,fire manipulation Ryouma-brown hair green eyes,water manipulation

The first day at the academy felt like being dropped into someone else’s world.

The buildings were too polished, the students too confident, the laughter too controlled. Every hallway felt like it had rules you didn’t know yet. By lunchtime, your head hurt from trying to look like you belonged.

So you escaped.

Up the stairs. Past the empty corridor. Through the slightly open rooftop door.

The wind hit your face and you let out a long, exhausted sigh.

“…This is too much.”

You didn’t notice them.

Until you turned around.

And nearly screamed.

Five boys stood scattered across the rooftop — not posing, not dramatic — just existing there like it was normal.

Your heart jumped.

“Oh—! I’m so sorry— I didn’t know anyone was here.”

Xavier blinked once from where he leaned against the railing.

“It’s a roof,” he said casually. “Not a secret meeting.”

Kaizer, seated on the ledge with a sketchbook, glanced up briefly. Golden eyes calm.

“You’re fine,” he said softly. “The wind isn’t reserved.”

Souta straightened immediately, concern written plainly across his face.

“You look overwhelmed,” he said. “First day?”

You nodded quickly, forcing a polite smile.

“Yeah. Sorry. I’ll leave.”

No one stopped you.

Xavier turned back to the skyline. Kaizer’s pencil moved again. Eryx — quiet, unreadable — simply observed. Souta relaxed slightly.

You had almost reached the door.

“…You.”

The voice was softer than the wind.

You turned.

Ryouma was standing now.

His expression had changed completely.

“…It’s you,” he said again, like he was trying to confirm something impossible.

You stared at him.

Something tugged at your memory.

The way he stood. The way his eyes softened.

“…Ryou?” you whispered.

His breath caught.

He crossed the space between you without hesitation and wrapped his arms around you.

It wasn’t dramatic.

It was instinct.

You froze — then hugged him back.

The familiarity hit slowly, like something buried resurfacing.

When he pulled away, he seemed to remember where he was.

His ears turned slightly red.

“…I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“You left,” you said softly.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

Behind him, the other four watched quietly.

Not jealous. Not dramatic.

Just surprised.

“Childhood?” Souta asked.

Ryouma nodded once.

Xavier let out a quiet whistle. “That’s unexpected.”

Kaizer’s gaze lingered thoughtfully.

Eryx said nothing at all.

You cleared your throat awkwardly.

“I really should get back.”

Ryouma stepped aside.

“…I’ll see you later.”

The rooftop felt different when you left.

⸻

Later that afternoon, you stood inside the classroom, trying not to think about how the rooftop moment had definitely been noticed.

The teacher announced seat changes.

Your stomach tightened.

“Transfer student,” he said casually. “Take the middle row, third seat.”

You moved quickly, sitting before anyone could make it feel dramatic.

A chair scraped in front of you.

Souta turned halfway in his seat, smiling easily.

“You survived lunch,” he said quietly.

“Barely,” you replied.

Behind you, another chair shifted — not directly behind, but close enough.

Ryouma sat down without saying anything, though you felt the quiet awareness in the air.

Across the aisle, Kaizer remained by the window, sketchbook resting closed on his desk now.

Two rows back, Xavier leaned into his seat lazily, watching the room like it was entertainment.

Eryx took a seat near the side column.

Not near you.

Not far either.

It didn’t look planned.

It wasn’t dramatic.

It just… happened.

Class began.

You focused on your notes.

At one point, you leaned down too quickly and nearly knocked your water bottle off the desk.

You caught it in time.

“Careful,” Ryouma murmured automatically behind you.

“I am,” you whispered back.

Souta chuckled lightly.

“You’re adjusting. It’s normal.”

Kaizer’s pencil paused briefly before continuing.

Eryx didn’t look up.

Xavier tapped his knuckles once against his desk and smirked faintly.

Nothing explosive happened.

No one surrounded you.

No one claimed anything.

But the classroom atmosphere had shifted.

When the bell rang, students stood and gathered their things.

Xavier passed your desk first.

“Try not to look like you’re about to flee,” he said casually.

Souta waited for you to finish packing.

“You’ll settle in,” he reassured.

Kaizer closed his sketchbook slowly.

“You’re interesting,” he said softly — not flirtatious, just observational.

Eryx walked by without stopping, but his gaze lingered for half a second longer than necessary.

And Ryouma remained seated until you stood.

“…Are you really okay?” he asked quietly.

This time, no one else was listening.

And for the first time since arriving at the academy—

You felt slightly less alone.