Chapter One: “The Princess Wants to Win Over the Prince” — Part One

It seemed the gods had no intention of staging a chance, fateful encounter between Senpai and me after all.

I made it all the way to my first lunch break as a high schooler without bumping into Iori-senpai at the school gate or crossing paths with her in the corridor.

But that was fine. I had this scenario covered too, of course.

Because I’m not just cute — I’m a strategist.

A setback this small wasn’t going to stop me from seizing my destined love. And so instead of waiting for fate to come to me, I went out to meet it myself.

I stopped outside Class 2-1, took a deep breath, and laid my hand on the door. The moment I slid it open, I felt every eye in the room turn toward me.
Not that I was nervous. Pretty girls like me are used to being looked at.

Iori-senpai’s seat was the last one in the second row from the window. I spotted her immediately and walked straight toward her.
Up close, Iori-senpai’s beauty was so overwhelming it was almost hard to stay sane. This near, I could really see how small her face was, how good her proportions were.
In her uniform — slacks, not a skirt — she looked every inch the prince.

“Iori-senpai.”

I stood in front of her and said her name. She looked up at me with a faintly puzzled expression.

Oh no. She’s looking right at me…!

“Uh… sorry. We haven’t met before, have we?”

She tilted her head slightly. Her hair swayed, and a citrus scent drifted over. Not as strong as perfume — probably deodorant.

So this is what Iori-senpai smells like.

“Yes. I’m Hanasaki Himena, first year.”

The moment I introduced myself, little murmurs of cute… rippled through the room.

“I came because I wanted to see you, Senpai. I’m sorry for turning up out of nowhere. But… I really, really want to be friends with you.”

I clasped my hands under my chin and looked up at her with the most adorable expression I had — the one I’d practised in front of the mirror dozens of times, the one that showed off my cuteness to its absolute best.
Iori-senpai stood up quickly and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t apologise. You just surprised me, that’s all. I’m really happy you’d say something like that.”

What do I do. The person I love more than anyone in the world is standing close enough that one tiny stretch on my tiptoes and I could — I was going to lose my mind with excitement.

But no. I had a mission to complete today, no matter what.

“Then, Senpai — please exchange contact details with me.”
“Huh?”
“Please!”

I bowed my head firmly as I said it.
Since we were in different years, we’d never be in the same class. If I was going to get any closer to Iori-senpai, getting her contact details was absolutely essential.
Which was why today, no matter what, I was walking out of here with them.

“LINE, Instagram, anything — please, Senpai.”

I lifted my head and held her gaze, completely serious. She still looked a little taken aback, but something about my momentum must have convinced her — she nodded.

Yes! The “push through on pure force of will” strategy: complete success!

“I’m not on Instagram, so LINE okay?”
“Of course!”

I pulled out my phone and we swapped contact details. I’d remembered to change my lock screen from Senpai’s photo before I came.

“Thank you so much, Iori-senpai.”
“Thank you too.”
“Huh?”
“For telling me you wanted to be friends. That made me happy.”

Wh — what is this perfect prince smile—?! That is way, way too cool!!

“Looking forward to getting to know you, Himena-chan.”
“Y-yes—hih!”

I’d slipped up. Too overwhelmed to function, and out came the most embarrassing noise.
I didn’t need a mirror to know my face had gone completely red. I’d imagined Iori-senpai’s smile a hundred times, but nothing had prepared me for it in person.

And — Himena-chan?! She’s the type who uses -chan with girls?! Just like that?!
Himena-chan, in Senpai’s voice — I was going to lose my mind—!
No, no. Get a grip, me!
I could go as wild as I wanted later. Right now, I needed to actually have a conversation!

“Um, uh, s-so… c-can I come back to see you again? And send you messages?”
“Of course. You’re just starting out, so you probably have all kinds of worries — feel free to ask me anything.”

That’s it, I’m done… If I kept looking at that smile much longer, all my feelings were going to overflow and I’d simply dissolve.

“Thank you, Senpai…”

My voice came out trembling. I couldn’t help it. Senpai was just too impossibly cool. Not that that was a bad thing — I loved her for it.

I wanted to stay and talk forever, but today this was my limit. Any more and I’d definitely give myself away.

“I’ll come back.”
“Come anytime.”

Come anytime — and with those soft, sweet words, Senpai set my heart racing right to the very end.