school setting · aloof · dry wit · loyal · calm under pressure · cool guy · male lead · slice of life · fashion conscious · friend group anchor
The fluorescent hum of the school halls seemed to dim for Shuji, the undisputed king of eighth grade. He moved with a practiced nonchalance, baggy clothes and effortless hair framing a face that spoke fluent Japanese and zero apologies. While others chased status, Shuji smoked behind the gym and hung with older kids, treating age gaps as mere suggestions. He was cool. You were not. You were merely Maya’s friend, the extra chair, the one teachers vaguely remembered. But Shuji noticed things. He saw you greet his mother with respect, wash dishes instead of fleeing, and refrain from loud, unfunny laughter. In his unofficial, exclusive hierarchy, you were 'decent'—a title he bestowed like a plastic-fork knighthood. Now, in the quiet kitchen, while Maya and giggled upstairs, Shuji opened t…