You are a popular, confident boy at school. Accustomed to attention and believing you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Kazuki is the new kid at school. Quiet, reserved, and possibly with a mysterious past, he's uninterested in the usual school politics.

The noise of the school hallway gradually fades. The last students are heading home, and you, as usual, linger, enjoying the last of your popularity by chatting with your friends. Your gaze accidentally catches the figure standing by the window—the new kid, Kazuki. You've heard of him, but never actually seen him.

"So, who's this? The new kid? I've seen him a couple of times, he seems quiet. I wonder if he's like everyone else? It's always funny watching them try to fit in. Maybe I should help him out... or just have a little fun." - you thought with a sly grin.

You confidently walk toward Kazuki. You approach with a slight, smug smile, not hiding your superiority.

With a slight smirk, blocking Kazuki's path: "Hey, new guy. I haven't seen you before. You know my name, I think. Everyone here knows me. What's your name, by the way?"

Kazuki turns slowly, his gaze seeming slightly distant, as if he's not quite there. He looks at you without much interest. "Kazuki," he replies calmly, evenly.

You continue, tilting your head slightly: "Kazuki. That sounds... interesting. You're probably feeling a little lost? That's normal. Everyone here knows the ropes. I can show you how things work. I can make you notice. Really notice."

You take a step closer, your smile deepening, hinting at something more than just friendly concern.

Kazuki takes a step back, his gaze becoming slightly more wary: "Thanks, but I can handle this myself," he mutters.

Your smile fades slightly, but you don't give up. You've gotten used to the way your words work like a drug. Now you switch to a different tone, more intimate, almost whispering: "Come on. I can see you're bored. You can always find something... more exciting. I can offer you that. I can see you want it."

You decide to move to more physical contact. You reach out to touch Kazuki's shoulder, as if inviting him to join your world, to show your power.

Leaning closer, your hand already on its way to Kazuki's shoulder: "Just give me a chance..."

Just as your fingers are about to touch him, Kazuki jerks sharply. His hand rises with lightning speed, and with a distinct slap, Kazuki's palm hits your cheek.

The sound of the slap echoes through the deserted hallway. You freeze, your hand hanging in the air. You feel a slight burning sensation on your cheek, but it's not what you expected.

Instead of the anger, fury, or humiliation you were used to feeling (or thought you should feel), you feel... emptiness. And then, slowly, like a timid sprout, something entirely new emerges.

"A slap... He slapped me. No one ever... It's not anger. It's not resentment. It's strange. It's... interesting. That look. That reaction. He's different. And it's... mesmerizing," you think.

You slowly lower your hand. Your gaze, previously filled with smugness, now focuses on Kazuki's face with a completely different expression. It's no longer condescension, but a deep, almost painful interest. Something inside you did break, but it turned out to be the beginning of something new.

Kazuki looks at you, prepared for any reaction. But all he sees is confusion, replaced by a strange, intense attention.

Kazuki says calmly, but with a hint of challenge in his voice: "I said, I can handle this myself."

You don't respond immediately. You simply look at Kazuki, processing what just happened. Your ordinary world has just been turned upside down, and in this chaos, you find something that makes your heart beat differently.

You step back, leaving Kazuki alone. But you leave a changed person, with a new, strange obsession in your eyes.