Y/N had always prided herself on being the kind of student who knew what she was doing. From a young age, she had learned to keep things organized, to plan ahead, and to manage her time wisely.

She had responsibilities, things that mattered, things that required her full attention. And to her, it was just easier to get things done right the first time rather than make mistakes and fix them later.

That was how Y/N approached everything in her life. She didn't like things to go out of order. She knew exactly what she wanted and how to achieve it. No distractions. No surprises.

Other students had noticed this about her. She was the class rep, the one everyone turned to when things needed organizing.

Y/N was often seen walking around, clipboard in hand, making sure the classroom was tidy, that homework was being done, and that every project was on track.

Some of the other students, though, found her a bit too bossy. She was straightforward, direct, and didn't tolerate excuses.

But the thing about Y/N was that even though she appeared strict, those who really knew her could see that she's not all that. They knew that behind that bossy exterior was a girl who genuinely cared for the well-being of others.

She was reliable. She was someone they could turn to if they needed help with something.

It wasn't just her classmates who saw this side of her; it was the teachers too. They often praised her for her level-headedness, her responsibility, and her maturity beyond her years.

But in all honesty, it was easier for Y/N to focus on these things than to focus on anything else. She avoided unnecessary drama and kept herself busy with her work. After all, she had enough to worry about.

But there was one thing she could never quite figure out, the boys in her class. To her, they were a mystery, a mystery she preferred to avoid altogether.

She had observed them for years, and the pattern was always the same. They were immature, loud, and always seeking attention.

Most of the time, they did things just to make each other laugh or to show off. She didn't understand why they acted that way.

Why were they so intent on being childish and irresponsible? After all, weren't they supposed to be growing up soon? Were they not on the verge of becoming men?

But to Y/N, they didn't act like men. They acted like boys who were too concerned with impressing each other, too focused on meaningless competition. And so, she made up her mind. Boys, in her opinion, were self-centered creatures who couldn't be trusted.

She didn't need any of them in her life. She had everything figured out on her own, and that was enough.

-

One afternoon during lunch break, Y/N sat in her usual spot by the window, reading her textbook and preparing for the next class.

She liked the quiet. It helped her focus. But just as she turned the page, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey, Y/N! You wanna play cops and robbers with us?"

It was Naito, one of the guys Y/N found annoying to even talk to because he always has too much energy, always making a mess and teasing people.

"I'm not really into those kinds of games," Y/N replied, not looking up from her book. She wasn't in the mood for it. She had too much to do.

"Come on, it'll be fun! You never know, maybe you'll even find it interesting!" he said, practically pulling her out of her seat.

With a heavy sigh, Y/N closed her book. There was no getting out of this now. "Fine. But I won't be playing for long."

The game started off with Y/N trying to keep her distance from the chaos of it all. As a "robber," her goal was to avoid being tagged by the "cops." She was fast and careful, calculating every move as she darted between buildings and trees.

Eventually, she found a spot to hide. It was perfect, quiet, tucked away, and out of sight from the roaming "cops." She crouched down behind a set of bushes, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

But just as she was about to settle in, she noticed someone else already hiding in the same spot.

It was Kou Tanaka.

At first, she was going to leave and find another hiding place. After all, it was a bit awkward to be sharing a space with him, especially when she didn't know him that well. But before she could move, Kou caught her eye and flashed her a smile.

"You can hide here too," he said, his voice gentle, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Y/N blinked in surprise. She wasn't used to boys being so considerate, especially not in a game like this.

Most would have claimed the spot for themselves, not giving a second thought to anyone else.

But Kou wasn't like the others. He didn't act as though he were the center of the universe. He was offering her the spot without any hesitation, without any selfishness.

She hesitated for only a moment before sitting down beside him.

They stayed hidden together in silence, occasionally stifling giggles whenever the "cops" passed by. Y/N couldn't help but notice how different Kou was from the other boys she had encountered.

He wasn't loud or boastful. He wasn't trying to prove anything. He was simply kind and considerate in a way she hadn't expected.

For the first time in a long time, Y/N found herself genuinely enjoying someone's company. She hadn't realized how much she had been missing out on until now.

-

After the game of cops and robbers, Y/N couldn't stop thinking about Kou Tanaka. The way he had invited her to share his hiding spot, without hesitation, had left a lingering impression on her.

It wasn't just the act itself, but the way he had done it. It was a level of thoughtfulness she didn't often see in boys, and certainly not in the classmates who normally surrounded her.

For the next few days, whenever she walked through the schoolyard, Y/N's gaze inevitably drifted to Kou. It wasn't that she was staring at him, it was more like a subconscious pull.

She had always kept her distance from boys, especially those who seemed to get along with everyone effortlessly, like Kou.

But there was something different about him, something that made her want to understand him better. It was confusing. Was she actually interested in him? Or was it simply that she had misjudged him like she had with every other boy before him?

One afternoon, as Y/N walked home alone, she noticed Kou once again walking in her direction. He wasn't with his usual group of friends this time.

He walked casually, almost as though he were lost in his own thoughts. As he approached, he raised his hand and waved to her, a friendly smile lighting up his face.

"Hey, Y/N! You live around here too, huh?" Kou said, sounding genuinely surprised.

Y/N nodded, forcing herself to hide the faint blush that crept up her neck. "Yeah, I do. I usually walk this way."

"That's cool. Actually..." Kou paused for a moment, scratching the back of his neck. He seemed almost shy. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Summer Festival with me."

Y/N blinked in surprise, completely taken aback by the sudden question. She wasn't sure how to respond at first.

She had never been asked to a festival by a boy before. Sure, Naito had invited her to play games, but this... this felt different.

She had to admit, there was a small part of her that wanted to go, that wanted to see what it would be like to spend time with him outside of school.

Maybe, just maybe, she could learn more about the side of Kou that intrigued her so much.

Without thinking too much, Y/N found herself answering, "Okay, sure. I'll go."

Kou grinned, his eyes bright with excitement. "Really? Awesome! I'll meet you by the station at 6 PM, okay?"

Y/N nodded, feeling a strange sense of warmth settle in her chest. She wasn't entirely sure what she had gotten herself into, but she knew she had agreed to it because she wanted to see where this would lead.

Perhaps, for once, she could break away from her self-imposed rule of never involving herself with boys. Maybe Kou was different.

As the day of the festival approached, Y/N found herself increasingly nervous. It wasn't the kind of nervousness she usually felt before an important exam or a big presentation.

It was something else entirely.

She hadn't realized how much she had been looking forward to the festival until now. She had told herself it was just an invitation, nothing special, but now that the day was drawing nearer, she could feel her heart racing each time she thought about it.

Y/N spent the afternoon getting ready, staring at her closet, unsure of what to wear.

She wasn't the type to put a lot of thought into her appearance, but for some reason, today felt different. She wanted to look nice, not to impress anyone, but because she realized that she wanted to feel good about herself.

After rummaging through her clothes, she finally settled on a simple, white dress that she had worn only once before. It was light and comfortable, and it seemed perfect for a summer evening.

She checked the time: 5:45 PM. Kou had said he would meet her at the station at 6. She wasn't late, but the minutes seemed to drag on forever.

As she stepped out of her house and walked toward the station, her mind raced with thoughts.

What if he didn't show up? What if he had changed his mind? She quickly shook the thoughts away. No, Kou wasn't like that. He seemed different. He had to be.

Arriving at the station, Y/N stood at the designated spot, scanning the crowd. She checked her watch. 6:00 PM on the dot. And then she waited. And waited.

Minutes passed, and Y/N's stomach twisted into knots. She checked the time again:,6:15 PM. Still no sign of Kou.

She forced herself to stay calm, but with every passing minute, the knot in her stomach tightened.

Could he really have forgotten? Was he just playing with her feelings? The questions lingered, and with them, a sinking feeling began to form deep within her chest.

By 6:30 PM, Y/N felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She stood at the spot where they had agreed to meet, eyes glued to the entrance, trying to find any sign of Kou.

But the minutes continued to stretch on endlessly, and by now, she was certain he wasn't coming. She told herself it didn't matter, it shouldn't matter. It wasn't like she had gotten her hopes up or anything.

But as she began walking home that evening, the familiar bitterness crept back into her heart.

She had been right all along. Boys were selfish creatures. They always said one thing and did another. They never followed through. They never took responsibility for their actions. They were all the same, immature, unreliable, and completely self-absorbed.

She spent her summer vacation with her family and in her room. Going to vacations, spending some time alone in her room. Doing anything until the next semester started.

-

"Tanaka transferred schools?! He moved over the summer?" One of the guys yelled out the first day back of school.

"What? We didn't hear anything." Another guy commented.

Y/N froze. Tanaka... gone? That was when the truth hit her with full force, Kou hadn't stood her up out of disrespect. He hadn't been selfish or immature.

he moved to a different town, something that was completely out of his control. She had never even considered that possibility. And now it was too late.

As Y/N walked home that day, she couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness in her chest. She had wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was someone out there who was different.

Someone who wasn't like the others. But now, with Kou gone, the weight of disappointment settled in, heavier than ever. It was easier this way. It was safer to believe that all boys were the same.

From that moment on, Y/N resolved to shut herself off from people. She couldn't afford to be hurt like that again. She didn't need anyone. She could do everything on her own, just like she always had.