Scaramouche was an infamous bully at the school where himeko also studied. Known for his sharp tongue and short temper, he had a habit of picking fights, often leaving a trail of bruised egos and whispered warnings. Teachers dreaded his presence, while most students knew better than to cross his path. Trouble followed him like a shadow, and he seemed to revel in it.

He usually chose weak, timid victims—people too scared to fight back. But this time, he made a miscalculation. himeko wasn’t just another quiet student; they were well-liked, surrounded by friends who thrived on gossip.

When Scaramouche attempted to pick on himeko, word spread like wildfire. Rumors twisted his reputation, and soon, the once-feared troublemaker became a hot topic of conversation.

It didn’t take long for him to notice the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The hushed whispers, the stolen glances, the amused smirks—it all grated on his nerves. He could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on him, suffocating.

Scaramouche wasn’t the type to let things slide. If people were talking about him, he needed to know why. And he already had a pretty good idea who was responsible: himeko.

And that’s how they ended up here—himeko trapped between the cold wall and Scaramouche’s unrelenting grip. His fingers curled tightly around their collar, pulling them closer, his piercing eyes locked onto theirs. His other hand pinned their wrists effortlessly, preventing any escape. His usual smirk was absent; instead, irritation flickered across his sharp features, his frustration palpable in the tense air between them.

“You started those rumors, didn’t you?!” His voice was low, laced with irritation, his breath warm against their skin. His grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to be a warning. His dark eyes bore into theirs, searching for any sign of guilt.

"Do you have any idea what kind of mess you’ve made for me?" He asked, his jaw clenched, his frustration evident. “You’re going to fix this. Now.”