Yukinoshita Yukino.
The second daughter of the Yukinoshita family.
A true genius.
Even without intensive studying, she consistently topped the rankings throughout her high school years.
When she entered university, the entire nation dubbed it "the year of Yukinoshita."
In the fiercely competitive national entrance exams, she scored overwhelmingly high, earning admission to the University of Tokyo.
It wasn't that she failed to enter the University of Tokyo's prestigious School of Medicine, where true monsters gathered.
Yukinoshita simply chose the Finance Department instead.
A person of her brilliance should have shone in the adult world.
However—
This must be emphasized once again:
In Japan's rigidly stratified society, no matter how dazzling a genius may be, without the right background, they are still dragged down.
If you don't bow your head, you cannot live well. You can only live poorly.
And Yukinoshita Yukino was never meant to endure that.
As the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family, she was among the very few who benefited from this fixed class system.
—But the cost of enjoying that privilege was submission.
She was expected to obey the family's arrangements.
Marry a man of appropriate status.
Even if he was a stranger.
Even if he was a depraved scoundrel, known for ruining countless women.
Still, she was expected to comply.
Yukinoshita Yukino could not accept it.
And so—
She ran away.
She fled the Yukinoshita estate in Chiba, and moved to Tokyo.
She wanted to live freely.
But in hindsight, true freedom was a luxury she couldn't afford.
The Shinkansen ride back to her apartment was a blur.
It was a small, shabby unit in the outskirts of Tokyo, where it took an hour and a half just to commute to the city center.
Cramped space, no natural light, almost no soundproofing, and frequent blackouts.
She closed the rusty iron door behind her.
Leaning against it, still holding a cardboard box in her arms, she slowly slid down to the floor.
Tears fell, one after another.
They traced down her flawless pale cheeks, falling silently onto the cold floor.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't even have the right to sob aloud.
Because her cries would echo through the thin walls.
She might disturb her neighbor—a single mother, struggling to raise her young child alone.
Yukino didn't want to disturb anyone.
But the more she thought about it, the more humiliation welled up inside her, unbearable and sharp.
Curling into a ball, she closed her eyes.
And remembered—
A boy from many years ago.
The boy who once gave her the courage to defy fate.
That spring, at the Yukinoshita main house—
A teenage boy had sat facing her fearsome mother.
Against her mother's oppressive presence, the boy hadn't flinched at all.
Arrogant, fearless, speaking loudly and clearly.
She could barely remember his face anymore.
But his words from that day still echoed vividly:
"You want to use the Yukinoshita family's name? Who do you think you are, dreaming so big?"
The teenager scoffed.
"Borrow it? I'm paying for it. The stock transfer agreement and store ownership contract are right here."
Her mother sneered:
"Do you even understand what the Yukinoshita name means?"
He replied coolly:
"It means you don't have enough money. And you flaunt your status like you were once Prime Minister."
There was a tense silence.
"You're repulsive. What can you possibly do?"
"Fine. I'll sell the shares to your competitors instead. See how you enjoy your next shareholders' meeting."
Her mother glared at him.
"The Yukinoshita family has the right of first refusal."
"Sure. Thirty billion yen. Take it or leave it."
Threatened by the cold calculation, her mother finally compromised:
"Fine. The Yukinoshita family will adopt you."
That afternoon, under a cloudy sky,
the boy had signed the papers—
—and raised his middle finger as he left.
"I don't need your family name. Keep it for yourself and play with it."
"Some birds are born not to be caged. Each feather shines with the light of freedom."
As he walked past her that day, even without sunlight,
it felt like a golden light radiated from his back.
It was that light that had led Yukino to break free after graduating from the University of Tokyo.
But now—
Even that last glimmer inside her soul was fading away.
The reality was cruel:
Failing to fit into society, getting fired from job after job, résumé after résumé disappearing without a trace, overdue rent, struggling to afford discounted convenience store lunches—
Each burden crushed her a little more.
She was slowly being forced back into that gilded cage she had once fled.
Ding!
In the dim room, even during the day, the notification sound echoed crisply.
Yukinoshita Yukino hastily wiped her tears and unlocked her phone.
Her blurred eyes stared at the screen:
"Dear Miss Yukinoshita Yukino,
After reviewing your résumé, Laplace Corporation is very interested in collaborating with you. We would love to arrange an interview at your convenience."
She froze, trembling.
Was it just another scam?
No.
Laplace was a legitimate company, listed on official job sites.
It was real.
Gripping her phone tightly, Yukinoshita Yukino almost shouted out in joy.
This message was a ray of light in her crumbling world—
a chance to reach out and grab her future.
Midday. Bright sunlight.
"Finally… finally, I'm here. But seriously, why am I even doing this?!"
Gotoh Hitori crouched by a pile of sand in the park, clutching her head.
This week had been absolute hell for her.
Just before the start of high school, something unbelievable happened:
A super-handsome, cool older guy had spoken to her.
They could even call each other by name!
If Bocchi had to describe it herself, she would have said:
"Fate brought us together."
But reality was much crueler.
The guy was too cunning, completely exploiting her weak personality.
After just one meeting, their relationship had escalated into something like master and pet.
And now—he had asked to meet again.
Gotoh Hitori, filled with anxiety, had entered her first year of high school.
She had deliberately chosen a faraway school where no one knew her.
But unsurprisingly, just like middle school, her communication issues hadn't improved.
One week into the semester—
Still no friends.
Trying to change her fate, she brought her guitar to school.
Maybe someone would strike up a conversation.
But no one did.
And so, as always—
Bocchi played her guitar alone.
"Listen to my song: 'I quietly died in the corner of the room because no one cared.'"
After her melancholic song ended, she bowed in all directions.
Of course, no one responded.
But today—
Clap clap clap—
Applause echoed nearby.
Bocchi stiffened and turned her head slowly.
Yukima Azuma stood there, smiling brightly and clapping.
"Please… please pretend you saw nothing!"
Bocchi desperately tried to erase reality.
How could she live after someone witnessed her most embarrassing self?
Azuma chuckled.
"You're amazing, Bocchi. That was seriously pro-level guitar."
Although he wasn't a music expert, he could recognize true talent when he heard it.
Bocchi's skill was easily lv5 or lv6—
Professional grade.
Bocchi covered her face in shame, but her heart secretly warmed at the praise.
Azuma-kun… praised me…!
Summoning her courage, Bocchi peeked out from behind her hands.
Azuma extended his hand toward her.
"Let's go."
"…Wan?" (small dog bark)
Instinctively, Bocchi pressed her hands to his, like a puppy.
She even made the sound unconsciously.
"Ah, so you have this kind of hobby too? I don't mind."
Azuma teased her gently in Kato Megumi's tone.
"I-I just wanted to show loyalty! But… where are we going?"
"We're friends, right? What do friends usually do on weekends?"
"Uh… get tattoos? Get our tongues pierced?"
"Something more normal."
"Eat out?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Go shopping?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Watch a movie?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Rent a hotel room—?"
"Bocchi, do you want to be that kind of friend with me? I'm totally fine with that."
Bocchi's face instantly turned bright red.
She buried her face deep into her hoodie in embarrassment.
'What did I just say?!'
'Azuma-kun is too nice…'
Azuma smiled and gently took Bocchi's hand, leading her forward.
If he didn't take the lead, she might just cling to him in the park all day.
Surprisingly, Bocchi didn't resist.
For her, gender wasn't even the issue.
It was whether she could even connect with another human being.
Azuma was the first person to break through that wall.
Friends can hold hands, right?
Yes, Hitori, don't chicken out!
As they walked, Bocchi secretly leaned in to sniff him.
He smells… really nice…
"Bocchi."
"Y-yes!"
She jerked her head away quickly, pretending nothing had happened.
Azuma chuckled.
"Being around people must be tough for you."
"If you feel uncomfortable, get closer to me. I'll be your shield."
Bocchi froze, stunned.
Then—
Azuma smiled at her.
A warm, genuine smile filled with trust.
An angel.
Azuma-kun was definitely an angel.
Gotoh Hitori felt her eyes sting.
If Azuma asked her to swear eternal loyalty at that very moment—
She would have done it without hesitation.