In the same light

CHAPTER 2: Pervert!

My mind went completely blank the moment our eyes locked—like time just stopped. The sunlight from the slowly rising sun spilled everywhere, and with it, it illuminated him. That light made it impossible for me to look away. I was standing above him on the tree, yet somehow, it felt like I was the one being exposed.

My heart was pounding so fast. He was staring at me with pure awe, and I could see it clearly in his eyes—adoration, emotion, something too intense to name. And I hated that I couldn’t stop myself from staring back.

His eyes were radiant—almond, glowing under the sun’s rays. His black hair shimmered as the wind played with it, dancing like it belonged there. And then there were his lips—pink, soft-looking, almost unfairly well-kept, the kind you’d expect from a girl, not a guy.

Is it even possible for a man to be both handsome and beautiful at the same time?

That question hit me hard.

When was the last time—no, when was the first time—I ever complimented a man like this in my head?

I already knew the answer.

This was the first time.

He looked calm, gentle, radiant—like someone glowing from the inside.

“Kirei…”

He mouthed the word again, eyes still locked on me.

That snapped me back to reality.

Wait—who is this guy?

What is he doing here?

And why am I just… staring back like an i***t?

Before I could even say a word, a strong gust of wind suddenly rushed toward me. My skirt flew up instinctively, and I panicked, pressing it down immediately. But because of the shock, I lost my balance.

And then I realized—

I was falling.

“AHHH—!”

I screamed as my body tilted forward from the tree. I heard him shout something, but my thoughts were pure chaos. I was falling from a high place—this was going to hurt.

But then—

Nothing.

No pain.

I slowly opened my eyes, confused—and froze.

There was a man beneath me.

He was groaning in pain.

Reality hit me all at once.

He caught me.

The same guy who was staring at me earlier—he saved me from falling.

“Hey—hey, I’m really sorry! Are you okay?”

Then it hit me again—he was in pain because I was literally on top of him.

I panicked and quickly moved away, sitting beside him. He slowly sat up too, and guilt flooded my chest.

“I—I’m s-sorry…”

God, this is so embarrassing.

He looked at me again.

The same stare. Like nothing even happened.

I was so confused. My hair was probably a total mess from the fall—I didn’t even know where my cap went anymore.

Wait.

Why am I worrying about how I look instead of checking if he hit his head or lost his memory?!

I spiraled instantly.

“H-hey, are you okay?? I-I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to—are you hurt? Should I take you to the hosp—”

“Purple.” he murmur in a small voice

He cut me off.

Still staring.

My brain short-circuited.

Purple?

What purple?

Did he hit his head that hard?

Or did he see something purple—

And then—

It hit me.

Like a lightning strike.

I remembered why I lost my balance in the first place.

My skirt.

Slowly, dreadfully, I looked down at myself.

And to my absolute horror—

I remembered the color of my un-

Purple.

In less than a second, my worried expression turned into pure irritation and embarrassment.

He saw it.

He realized it too.

He panicked.

“H-hey! I didn’t mean to peep—”

SLAP.

The sound echoed loudly around us.

Before I could even think, my hand had already connected with his cheek.

All that irritation exploded at once.

“Pervert!”

I turned around and walked away, refusing to look back. Because I knew—if I saw his face again, I’d slap him again.

My emotions were boiling.

I thought I’d meet gentlemen here. That Japan would be different.

Guess I was wrong.

If he studies here, then I don’t want to either.

I swear—if our paths cross again, I might punch him.

All those compliments I thought earlier? Gone.

Completely erased.

I hate violence—but this?

This was an exception.

“Oh,You’re already here! How was the tour? By the way, you’re officially enrolled now.”

I didn’t even notice grandma had arrived. She greeted me with a bright smile, while my face was probably screaming irritation.

Still, I smiled back.

I’m used to hiding my expression.

“Ah—yeah, grandma. The school is really big. Wide. Super pretty. There were lots of cherry blossoms… and I even saw the sunrise,” I laughed lightly.

Inside though, I was still furious.

“Do you want to walk around more?” Grandma asked. “Go ahead.”

“Ah—no grandma. Let’s go home. I got tired walking earlier,” I said quickly.

Truth was, I just didn’t want to see that pervert again.

We walked home together.

“Dear, you still have two days before classes start. Monday is your first day. I believe you’ll make lots of friends here.”

I looked at her confidence and smiled.

I hope so too.

As long as they’re not perverts.

“Of course, grandma! I’m friendly, right?” I laughed.

She smiled and shook her head like she remembered something.

“I know, honey. I know.”

That night, we finished dinner around six thirty. Cooking with grandma again made me ridiculously happy. She taught me dishes she used to teach me years ago—things we hadn’t done in eight years.

Answered prayer. Truly.

Later, in my room, I lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling. First day here—and so much already happened.

I pushed the annoying memory away.

I stepped onto the balcony for fresh air.

Cold. Fresh. Calm.

Stars filled the sky.

And then—my eyes drifted to the neighboring balcony again.

Closed. Dark.

Why do I care?

I don’t know.

Maybe I just want to meet the neighbor.

Maybe they’ll be my first friend.

Maybe tomorrow.

That thought made me smile.

I fell asleep like that.

The next morning, sunlight woke me.

I rushed to the balcony.

The sunrise was breathtaking—light spilling over houses, trees, flowers and lastly the most breathtakingly beautiful - Mount Fuji.Peace wrapped around my chest.

I closed my eyes, smiling like an i***t.

Then—

Click

I opened my eyes.

turned my head.

And to my horror—

At the most unexpected moment—

I saw him again.

The Perv.