Ren's transfer to Tenshin University had been swiftly arranged under the orders of Fujiwara Takeshi. As always, Mr. Jin efficiently took care of all the formalities. The next morning, Ren left his house in a sleek black BMW, heading towards his new school—Japan's most elite institution, Tenshin University. This was the kind of place where the children of Tokyo's most powerful businessmen studied.
Before arriving, Ren leaned forward slightly and instructed the driver, "Park the car a little farther from the main gate. I'll walk the rest of the way."
The driver hesitated, unsure. "But, sir… that's not really—"
"It's an order," Ren interrupted coolly.
The driver sighed and obeyed, pulling over at a distance. Ren stepped out with his schoolbag, closed the door behind him, and looked up.
Tenshin Institute was Tokyo's most prestigious private academic complex, owned and operated by a group of elite shareholders—including Fujiwara Takeshi and Mitsui Shigeru. More than just a university, it was a sprawling, five-division institute with interconnected campuses for Pre-School, Elementary, Middle School, High School, and University, each equipped with world-class facilities and tight security.
The campus architecture blended futuristic elegance with luxury. From the outside, it resembled a seven-star resort, with sleek glass buildings, marble walkways, landscaped gardens, and large fountains. The main gate, carved with golden letters, led to wide boulevards lined with cherry trees and smart lighting. Every student building had high-end digital classrooms, lounges, libraries, sports arenas, and rooftop gardens.
The University division, where Ren was admitted, stood as the heart of the institute—twelve stories of cutting-edge lecture halls, research labs, tech-driven classrooms, and executive lounges. It also housed a special shareholder tower, used for board meetings and elite access events. Only students from shareholder families could enter that wing.
Each division operated semi-independently but followed the same strict code: only the most qualified staff were hired—from multilingual professors to polished clerks and security. Even janitors were vetted for professionalism. Teachers were often former diplomats, researchers, or industry leaders.
Security was top-tier, with facial recognition, plain-clothes guards, and restricted access areas. Gourmet cafeterias, meditation rooms, and counseling services made Tenshin feel more like an elite society than a school.
For its students—many children of CEOs, politicians, and celebrities—Tenshin was not just an institution. It was a polished paradise. And into this world of high standards and silent hierarchies, Ren Fujiwara entered quietly, determined to keep his true identity hidden.
Ren had just stepped past the main university gate, taking in the grandeur of Tenshin University for the first time. The towering glass buildings, the well-dressed students, the polished pathways—it all radiated quiet prestige. He walked forward slowly, his schoolbag slung casually over one shoulder, eyes scanning his new environment.
Then, without warning, a hand clapped lightly on his shoulder from behind.
"Yo, bro! You new here?" a cheerful voice said.
Ren froze. His golden eyes narrowed slightly. He turned his head, his expression sharp and unreadable—cool, even hostile. Without saying a word, his face alone seemed to ask:
"Who the hell are you? And why are you touching me?"
The boy who had touched him—a tall, athletic student with a bright smile—immediately felt the tension. He chuckled nervously and removed his hand.
"Whoa—sorry, man. Didn't mean to startle you. I just thought you looked new. I'm Yan." He extended his hand in friendly introduction.
Ren didn't take it. He stared at Yan in silence, his eyes calm but piercing. Yan's smile faltered.
"Uh… okay. Right. You're the quiet type. Got it." He scratched his head awkwardly. "Look, I was just being friendly. I didn't know shoulder-pats were a crime. But hey, your aura's kinda scary, you know that? Anyway—whatever. Good luck, bro."
With that, Yan gave a half-hearted wave and backed off, muttering to himself as he walked away, "Weird guy… acts like he's royalty or something."
Ren said nothing. He simply turned back toward the building and walked ahead, letting the moment fade behind him like a breeze.
Moments later, he stood before a classroom door. As he entered, the room fell silent. Eyes turned—boys and girls alike—captivated by his sharp, movie-star-like looks. For a few seconds, everyone just stared. But Ren paid no mind. He walked calmly to his seat at the back and sat down.
Nearby, a group of three or four boys had gathered in a corner, whispering and casting glances his way. Among them was Yan. Ren could tell they were gossiping about him, but he didn't react. Instead, he pulled out his phone and sent a scenic photo of Tokyo—one he had taken that morning before leaving—to his house. Even though he had left Nada, Ren made sure to stay in daily contact with his grandparents. It was one of the few personal rules he followed.
Ren wasn't naturally antisocial, but his mind was clouded by thoughts. Two days ago, he had made a big decision—to intern at his own family company without revealing his real identity. Now he was second-guessing it. Could he really keep up the act? Was this truly the right choice?
Lost in thought, his fingers idly tapped his phone screen. The atmosphere around him faded into background noise.
Just then, the second floor corridor of the university stirred with attention. A boy, probably fifteen or sixteen, walked by. His Tenshin High School uniform clearly set him apart from the university students. Heads turned as he passed—he was clearly well-known.
A girl's voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"Reo! You came here to meet Yan?"
The boy, Reo, didn't stop. "No," he replied without turning. "I've got something else to do. I'll talk to you later."
With that, he continued walking until he reached a classroom. Peering inside, he spotted someone.
Ren had just settled into his routine, his celestial golden eyes calm but alert, when the commotion of his younger brother Reo's voice echoed down the hallway.
"Aniki! Hey, Aniki, Ren!" Reo shouted from the corridor.
Ren turned slowly, his expression tightening with quiet irritation. He hadn't expected his little brother to follow him to university, and certainly not to draw this much attention.
"What are you doing here?" Ren asked flatly as he approached. His voice was low, almost scolding. "Didn't I tell you to stay in your own building? Don't wander around here and create a scene. This is a university, not your playground."
Reo flinched slightly, then puffed up his cheeks and pouted in that dramatic, fake-hurt way he always did.
"You're so mean, Aniki! I just came to see you because I missed you! You transferred here, and I didn't even get to eat lunch with you yet. Isn't that rude of you? Hmph."
Before Ren could answer, someone else stepped into the picture.
"Little superstar, what are you doing here again?" came a laid-back but teasing voice.
Ren turned his head slightly.
Reo beamed. "Onichan Yan! Hello!"
Yan ruffled Reo's hair casually. "Did you come to find me again? Or are you skipping sports practice?"
Reo shook his head quickly. "No, no. I came to see my brother. He's here! That's him—my Aniki." He pointed excitedly toward Ren.
Yan blinked. "Wait…" He turned slowly to look at Ren, his eyes narrowing in surprise. "You're Ren? As in... Fujiwara Ren?"
Ren said nothing at first. He simply nodded once, his expression unreadable.
Yan looked stunned. "Seriously? You're the guy from this morning? I didn't realize—when you glared at me like that, I thought you were just some cold transfer student…"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "And you touched my shoulder like we were best friends."
Yan chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess I was a little too friendly, huh? But man... I didn't expect you to be that Ren. We used to play together when we were kids, remember? Fujiwara Mansion summers?"
Ren looked away for a moment, recalling vague fragments—laughter in the garden, wooden swords, someone always losing on purpose. His lips twitched faintly, almost a smile.
"You've changed, Yan."
Yan laughed. "So have you. I guess I owe you a proper hello this time." He extended his hand again, more respectfully. "Yan Kisaragi. Welcome back, Ren."
This time, Ren hesitated—but after a pause, he shook Yan's hand with a slight nod.
Reo grinned. "See! I knew you two would get along again. Now let's all go have lunch together! My treat!"
Ren sighed. "Reo, you don't even have money on you."
"I do in spirit!" Reo quipped.
Yan laughed, and even Ren couldn't suppress the faintest smirk. With that, the three of them walked off toward the cafeteria, side by side.
Certainly! Here's a passionate, emotionally rich, and detailed lu
---
[Scene: Tenshin University's Luxurious Cafeteria — Warm lighting, elegant interiors, the low hum of lunchtime conversations. Reo has gone to get drinks. Yan and Ren sit across from each other at a sleek, white marble table near the window. Outside, the camphor trees sway slightly in the breeze.]
Yan (mouth already half-full):
"Mmm—God, the food here is gourmet. Is this even college anymore? I feel like we're in a hotel buffet!"
Reo (grinning):
"Told you. Tenshin University isn't just for studying—it's full-on elite lifestyle training."
Yan (wiping his mouth):
"You know what I realized? If you eat too fast in a fancy place, you look poor. But if you eat too slow, you stay hungry. I'm battling both realities here."
Ren (calmly):
"Some things don't change."
Yan (dramatically):
"Ren! I'm hurt. Is that your poetic way of saying I've always been a disaster?"
Ren:
"It's accurate."
Reo (laughs):
"More like predictably entertaining."
Yan (mock bows):
"I'll take that as praise."
Ren (picking at his salad):
"So, how have you been, Yan? Aside from... performing lunch monologues?"
Yan (smiles, leaning back):
"Busy. My dad's still handling the town cases—small business stuff, property fights, divorces. Mom's pulling night shifts at the hospital. And my sisters? Still stuck to their K-pop posters."
Reo:
"They still call you 'Big Brother Superstar?'"
Yan (groans):
"Ugh, yes. Because I 'made it' to university. Like I'm some idol. I just pass my tests and avoid PE."
Ren:
"That's... surprisingly responsible for you."
Yan:
"Hey, I'm maturing! Slowly. Like cheese."
Reo:
"Smelly too."
Yan (grinning):
"Nice one, kid."
[Reo stands up with his tray.]
Reo:
"I'll get us drinks. Same for you guys?"
Ren:
" Anything."
Yan:
" whatever. If they've got those pudding things, grab one! Please and thank you."
[Reo nods and leaves. Yan leans in, lowering his voice dramatically.]
Yan (grinning as he spoons curry into his mouth):
"Man, I still can't believe it. You—Ren Fujiwara—back in Tenshin after all these years. I thought you vanished into the Nara fog or something!"
Ren (calm, composed, slicing through his omurice):
"Nara isn't that remote, you know. It's still connected to the world."
Yan (chuckling, ignoring the sarcasm):
"Sure, sure. But still! You were like that mysterious transfer student who left without a word, and now—bam!—you're here, in my class, sitting like a prince who walked out of a manga panel."
Ren (slightly irritated, puts down his chopsticks):
"Can you talk without exaggerating everything?"
Yan (pretending to be hurt, hands on chest):
"Oof. You haven't changed. Still the icy king. You always had that scary 'don't talk to me' aura in middle school."
Ren (quietly):
"Because you talked too much, even then."
[They both go silent for a second. Then laugh awkwardly.]
---
Yan:
"But hey... seriously, thanks for not walking out when you saw me at the gate this morning."
Ren:
"I almost did."
[They both laugh again, more genuinely this time.]
---
[A moment of quiet. The elegant clinking of cutlery from nearby tables. A girl in a cream cardigan, Yumeha's best friend, sits alone at the next table, sipping tea and glancing subtly at the trio. She hears Yan's voice, which she recognizes. She also knows Reo from another campus event—but she can't see Ren's face clearly.]
---
Yan (leaning forward conspiratorially):
"By the way, do you know there's this insane rumor going around campus?"
Ren (uninterested):
"There are always rumors."
Yan (lowering his voice):
"This one's juicy. They say the Mitsui family's younger daughter is attending Tenshin. Like… here, right under our noses."
Ren (raising an eyebrow):
"Yumeha Mitsui?"
Yan:
"You know her name?!"
Ren:
"Only heard it. Our families… go way back. The Fujiwaras and Mitsuis have been close for decades. Business allies, old friendships. I've met Geto Mitsui several times."
Yan (mouth falling open):
"You know Geto? The Geto Mitsui? The heir, the genius, the Mitsui dragon?!"
Ren (nonchalantly):
"He's intense. But we get along fine. My father admires his leadership. We've met at some events."
Yan (dramatic):
"I can't believe this. I'm eating lunch with someone who's brushed shoulders with the elite of the elite. Meanwhile, my family still celebrates if we get an early train."
Ren (with a faint smirk):
"Normal isn't bad. I'd trade some of this 'elite' peace for a little less pressure."
---
[Reo returns, carrying three drinks.]
Reo (cheerful):
"Okay, okay, I'm back. I brought melon soda for Yan-nii, but sorry there was a no pudding available , iced matcha for Ren-nii, and water for me—because I'm healthy!"
Yan (taking the soda with delight):
" it's okay but Bless your heart, Reo! If I had a younger brother like you, I'd retire."
Reo (laughing):
"Well, I'm not for sale."
[All three laugh, and for a moment the tension from earlier melts.]
---
Reo (sitting down):
"So what were you guys talking about? You two look like you just shared some ancient family secret."
Yan (grinning):
"I was telling Ren here about the Yumeha rumor. You heard it too, right?"
Reo (shrugs):
"Yeah, but I've never seen her. Not that I'd recognize her even if I did."
Yan:
"Exactly! She's like a ghost. But apparently super smart, gorgeous, polite. Like a dream girl designed by the Mitsui PR team."
Ren (sips his matcha):
"Or maybe she's just a girl who wants to live quietly. Wouldn't you disappear too, if the whole world was obsessed with your family name?"
Yan (thoughtfully):
"True. Must be tough being born into that kind of pressure. That's why I admire people like you two—Fujiwaras. You carry it like it's no big deal."
Reo (smiling awkwardly):
"It's not as easy as it looks. Our family's been under the spotlight since forever. My brother bears most of it though."
Ren (quietly):
"It's just part of the job."
---
Yan (changing the topic slightly):
"Anyway, enough about rich-kid problems. How's college life treating you both so far?"
Reo:
"Busy! Even though I'm still in high school, the branch makes us take extra courses. But I like the vibe here."
Ren:
"Still adjusting."
Yan:
"Adjusting? Please. You walked into class and half the girls whispered like they were watching a k-drama premiere. And you didn't even notice."
Ren (dryly):
"I did. That's why I walked faster."
---
[The girl at the next table lowers her tea, intrigued by the name "Yumeha" but still unable to place who the quiet, handsome boy is. She recognizes Reo and Yan, but Ren's face is mostly turned away.]
Yan (mischievous):
"You know… if this were a romance manga, that girl we were talking about might be sitting right beside us right now, in disguise."
Ren (flatly):
"This isn't a manga."
Reo (grinning):
"But it would make a great plot, huh?"
Yan (laughing):
"I'd read it."
---
[The three boys continue their lunch, the hum of the cafeteria around them. The air is filled with the scent of miso and curry, the quiet clinking of trays, and distant chatter. Outside the large windows, camphor leaves dance under the soft wind—blissfully unaware of the stories quietly unfolding behind the glass.]