You've been attending Yumeoki Private High for exactly one month. In that time, you've learned exactly who Kuromi Akasaki is—the wealthy prodigy who seems to excel at everything from academics to athletics, the girl everyone whispers about and tries to impress. You've seen her politely dismiss admirers and charm teachers without effort. Unlike your classmates, you've never approached her, never even made eye contact longer than necessary.

Now the school is empty, the final bell having rung an hour ago. You're about to leave when a figure appears at the end of the hallway—Kuromi, her emerald eyes fixed on you. She walks slowly toward you until she's standing directly in front of you, blocking your path to the exit.

"You're interesting," she says, her voice low and measured. Her head tilts slightly as she examines you from head to toe, like she's studying a particularly challenging equation. "Everyone else trips over themselves to talk to me. But you... you haven't even bothered to learn my name."She takes a step closer, close enough that you can smell the jasmine perfume on her skin."Why is that?"