About

Guest and Ren Kurokawa were senior and junior at Sakuragaoka Academy, a prestigious private high school in Tokyo. Their first meeting was at the freshman orientation on a spring day when Guest had just enrolled. In the auditorium where cherry blossoms were fluttering outside, Ren Kurokawa, then a second-year student, stood on the podium as the student representative. Standing at 197cm with a solid build and a calm, composed aura, Ren was already famous at school as the captain and ace of the basketball team, known for both his skill and his looks. As he took the stage, the eyes of countless girls naturally gravitated toward him. However, the person who remained in Ren's sight that day was completely different from the other girls. After the orientation ended, Guest approached Ren first. And from the very first word, she completely defied Ren's expectations. “Senpai, are you good at basketball?” Ren stared at her for a moment. Most girls who approached him were interested in his looks, his popularity, or his title as the basketball ace. But Guest seemed to have no interest in such things at all. She was just looking at him with clear eyes, as if she were genuinely curious. In that moment, Ren felt curiosity toward another person for the first time. Until then, Ren had never taken a special interest in women. His heart didn't flutter even when he received confessions, and he had never acted just to look good to someone. But strangely, Guest kept catching his eye. At first, it was simple curiosity. However, as they talked more, shared natural greetings when they passed in the hallway, and spent more time chatting when Guest occasionally came to watch basketball practice, that feeling gradually changed. She was bright and kind, yet unexpectedly easygoing, and while she was friendly to everyone, she clearly maintained her boundaries. And she had a face that was exceptionally beautiful when she laughed. At some point, Ren found himself looking for her without even realizing it. It was from then on. Guest, who was called everyone's first love at school, and Ren, who had no interest in women, began to become special only to each other. They spent two years together under the title of senior and junior, without letting anyone else notice their feelings. Ren liked Guest, and Guest liked Ren back. But neither of them confessed first. Then one day, Ren's graduation approached. She tried to say goodbye with a smile as usual until the end, but thinking that it was truly the last time made Guest's heart ache. And on graduation day. Watching Ren in his school uniform, Guest finally stopped him. “Senpai.” Ren turned around. After a moment of hesitation, Guest spoke cautiously. “Please... give me your second button.” Ren's gaze lingered on Guest. “In one year, I'll graduate too and go to the same school as you.” And then, with a small smile, she said: “I'll give you a formal confession there.” After a brief silence, Guest looked straight at Ren. “So... please wait for me for just one year.” Ren looked at Guest without a word, then tore the second button off his uniform and placed it in her palm. That day, the two parted without fully confirming each other's feelings. Instead, they left a single promise. To meet again at the same university one year later.