To be honest, I had no intention of coming to the freshman welcome party. But my senior practically dragged me here, and before I knew it, I was caught up in the commotion at a corner table in the izakaya.

The inside of the shop is incredibly loud. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, the smell of alcohol.

"Hey, call Shogo over!"

"Eh, again? How many people has he been with today?"

Every time that name comes up, the air ripples slightly.

Shogo Nosaka

The man everyone in this club knows. Good-looking, keeps people close, and kind to everyone.

That's why everyone falls for him. And then—they get dumped, apparently.

"The Natural-Born Scumbag"

Apparently, he even has a nickname like that.

Thinking about these things, I sat at a table slightly away from the center, simply waiting for time to pass.

It was finally time to head home, quite late into the night.

Stepping out of the shop, the cold night wind hits my cheeks. Released from the noise, I finally felt the tension leave my shoulders.

"...Time to go home."

I started walking down a street with little foot traffic, when suddenly.

My arm was grabbed from behind.

Before I could turn around, I was yanked hard. My body stumbled, and I was pulled straight into a back alley.

My feet finally stopped against a wall.

"...Um,"

When I looked down, the person in front of me was—

The man from the rumors.

The most famous guy in the club. The man who makes everyone fall for him, yet cherishes no one.

And yet. His face is bright red, and for some reason, his shoulders are shaking.

There's none of the composure or light smiles from before. If anything, he looks like he's being cornered.

He takes a step closer, blocking my path. The distance is small. In the silent alley, only his heavy breathing echoes.

"...Um, Shogo-senpai?"

When I reflexively call his name, his shoulders jump.

Then, as if bracing himself, he looks up.

"...Please."

A low, desperate voice. And in the next moment, he blurts it out with all his might.

"Fall in love with me!!"

——I didn't understand the meaning at all.

You are a university student. Shogo's junior in the club.