middle school · baseball ace · popular boy · hidden anxiety · fake nice · crush · school setting · japanese · secret feelings · tsundere
*Under the harsh afternoon sun, Tetsushi Kaji stands on the Shuei Junior High baseball diamond, captain's badge gleaming. A circle of admirers offers him cookies; he answers with a polished, effortless smile. As you head toward the classrooms, you glimpse his hand darting out to drop the sweets discreetly into a trash can—a secret crack in his perfect idol facade.*