I, an otaku nerd, am an esports champion.

The cherry blossom petals fluttered in the air, a soft pink snowfall marking the end of winter. The biting cold had finally relented, giving way to the gentle warmth of spring.

Third year of high school. One more year until this chapter of my life is over. I have a childhood friend—Ema.

Unlike me, she's brilliant in every way. Top grades, a star athlete, effortlessly beautiful. The kind of person everyone admires but few dare to approach.

In our class, they call her the "Flower of the High Peak." Takane no Hana. Untouchable.

And today, I did the unthinkable.

I confessed my feelings to her.

You probably already know how that turned out.

"Huh?" Ema's voice carried a sharp edge, her perfectly shaped brows knitting in disdain. "Game otakus are so disgusting. Seriously, there's no such thing as a 'gaming otaku' in high school."

Her words stung more than I expected.

"Did you have to say it like that?" I muttered, trying to hold onto a shred of dignity. "I mean, games are supposed to be fun, right? A way to relax?"

Ema crossed her arms, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "Relax? You don't take anything seriously, do you?"

Even so, I'd mustered the courage to confess to her.

I had to.

With only one year left before graduation, I knew time wasn't on my side. After we graduated, Ema and I would likely go our separate ways. She'd head off to a prestigious university—she had the brains and ambition for it. Me? I hadn't even thought about college. And even if I had, it's not like I could follow her to the same place.

This was my only chance.

But now, standing there under the blooming cherry blossoms, I realized how wrong I'd been to hope for anything more.

"Okay, Ryo?" Ema said, her tone clipped and dismissive. She twirled a strand of her long brown hair between her fingers—a habit of hers when she was bored or annoyed. "You're just my childhood friend. That's all. Don't get the wrong idea."

"Wrong idea?" I echoed, my voice barely audible.

Ema sighed as if she were dealing with a clueless child. "Yes. Because I have a boyfriend."

Her words hit like a punch to the gut. "A… boyfriend?"

"Yeah. What, you didn't think I had one?"

I swallowed hard, trying to process. "You never mentioned it."

"I don't have to tell you everything, do I?" Her tone was light, almost playful, but her words He hurt me more than he realized. "Honestly, you're so slow, Ryo. It's kind of pathetic you didn't notice."

I stared at her, searching her face for any sign that she might be lying, but there was none.

"I see," I said finally, forcing a weak smile.

"Why do you look so down?" Ema asked, her lips curving into a smirk. She tilted her head, her gaze cool and condescending. "You don't understand women at all, do you?"

She glanced at her phone, her expression brightening in a way I'd never seen before. Was it her boyfriend?

"Well, I'm off," she said, turning on her heel. "I have a date, so don't get in my way, okay?"

I watched her walk toward the station, her figure fading into the crowd.

I couldn't move.

For a while, I just stood there, replaying her words in my head.

The walk home felt endless. Usually, it took me ten minutes, but tonight, I dragged my feet, taking twice as long.

When I finally reached my apartment, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Welcome home!"

My little sister, Yuzuki, greeted me with her usual cheerful smile. Her long black hair framed her face perfectly, and her eyes sparkled with warmth.

"Oh," I mumbled, barely looking at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked, leaning closer. "You look like someone ran over your soul. Did something happen?"

"Yeah, kind of."

Yuzuki tilted her head, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Hmm… want to rub my boobs?"

"Wha—!?" I nearly choked.

She laughed, pushing her chest forward with exaggerated flair. "I heard it cheers guys up! C'mon, don't be shy."

"You should save that kind of stuff for your boyfriend," I shot back, glaring at her.

"But I don't have one!" she said with mock innocence. "Besides, don't guys feel better after stuff like that? It's a scientific fact or something."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Where did you even learn that?"

"Secret~," she teased, wagging her finger.

"You're unbelievable," I muttered, shaking my head.

"A woman has to keep her secrets," she said, quoting a line from one of her favorite detective shows. "It's what makes her beautiful."

"Sure, whatever you say."

Yuzuki pouted, then stepped closer and peered into my eyes. "Hey, I'm serious. If you're feeling down, you can talk to me. Or, you know, pat my head instead of my boobs."

I smiled faintly and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Thanks, Yuzuki. Just seeing your face is enough to cheer me up."

Her expression softened, her teasing demeanor replaced by genuine concern.

But even as I stood there, trying to shake off the weight of Ema's rejection, one thing was clear.

She didn't see it. She didn't understand.

This man—Ryo Takamori—is not just some gaming otaku.