《Code of Pride》 As Boring As Its Perfect The Kazuyuki mansion stood in quiet perfection, bathed in the soft morning light that streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows over the minimalist decor. Every corner was immaculate, every piece of furniture arranged with a precision that only a life of wealth could cultivate. Aori Kazuyuki walked through it like he had every morning before¡ªslow, purposeful, each step perfectly in rhythm with the silent hum of luxury. In the kitchen, there was nothing waiting for him but a fresh cup of coffee, already brewed by the time he came down. His older sister, Ayra Kazuyuki, had already left for the day. She was always gone before he even woke up. Ayra wasn¡¯t just his older sister; she was a renowned artist, celebrated for her work both in Japan and internationally. Her name graced galleries and auction houses, and her creative genius had propelled her into a rarefied world of high society. At only 28, she owned two five-star luxury hotels in Tokyo, a business empire that she managed with ease. But as much as Aori admired her, he couldn¡¯t help but feel the ever-present distance between them. She was a whirlwind of energy, always on the move, while he preferred stillness. She was successful, constantly surrounded by people, while he... was a figurehead of perfection, isolated by his own pride. Their parents, though present in name, were distant in reality. His father ran an international logistics company, and his mother oversaw a chain of resorts in Europe. Both of them were always traveling, meeting clients, attending business dinners¡ªschedules that never lined up. The holidays were the only time they¡¯d be home together, but even then, they never seemed to meet in the same place. His father stayed in one wing of the mansion, his mother in another, their paths rarely crossing except for formal occasions. For Aori, this was his life: a well-oiled machine of routines and expectations, devoid of surprises. He could live like this forever, and to him, that wasn¡¯t a curse. It was peace. Perfection. After finishing his coffee, Aori grabbed his phone¡ªmore notifications, more messages from the dozens of girls who adored him from afar. He didn¡¯t even need to check them anymore. They were the same every day. ¡°Aori-kun, let¡¯s hang out!¡± ¡°Can you help me with my homework?¡± It was always the same, and it always felt the same. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Boring. He slid the phone back into his pocket and glanced at the door to his right¡ªAyra¡¯s room. Always locked. Always quiet. Just like everything else. But before he could lose himself in the silence, the voice he knew too well broke the stillness. ¡°Smarty pants!¡± Ayra¡¯s voice came from somewhere beyond his door, though it was clear she was already gone. It was always like this¡ªher playful insults, the little jab every time she left. It was their way, their sibling routine. ¡°Bet you¡¯re already bored out of your mind!¡± Aori rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t help the smirk that tugged at his lips. ¡°It¡¯s not boredom, it¡¯s peace.¡± But he didn¡¯t say it out loud. Why bother? Ayra had a way of turning his calm into chaos, always teasing, always throwing a curveball. His thoughts were interrupted by the soft hum of the car engine outside. His driver, Mr. Tanaka, always on time, always efficient, was waiting to take him to school. Aori walked out the door, heading for the sleek, black sedan parked in front of the mansion. A Mercedes Benz EQS.The car had the elegance that matched his life: luxurious without. The ride was quiet, and the only noise was the faint sound of the city as they passed through the streets of Tokyo. Aori didn¡¯t mind it. The stillness was comforting. The world outside moved, but he remained untouched by it. There were no distractions. No surprises. At school, nothing was different. The moment he entered the gates, he could feel the eyes on him¡ªgirls whispering behind their hands, guys glancing at him with a mix of respect and envy. Aori was always the center of attention, even if he didn¡¯t want to be. He¡¯d always been like this: a natural presence, impossible to ignore. But for him, none of it mattered. The admiration, the jealousy, the constant attention¡ªit was all the same. It was just noise. He didn¡¯t need it. He had everything he needed, right here, in this perfect little world he¡¯d built. He was content. He was untouched. The rest of the day passed in a haze¡ªclasses, lectures, more whispers from classmates, and then finally, the bell rang. Aori didn¡¯t rush. There was no need to. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to go anywhere. The luxury of time was his to squander. He walked out of the classroom, his mind already drifting to the next perfect, predictable moment in his life. By the time he got home, the mansion was still eerily quiet, as it always was. Ayra¡¯s presence hadn¡¯t filled the house yet; she wouldn¡¯t be back until evening. It would be hours before she returned from meetings and events, her footsteps echoing in the halls with a kind of vibrant energy that Aori could never quite match. But for now, the silence was his. The stillness was his. And that was fine with him. After all, when you¡¯re born into perfection, there¡¯s nothing else to crave. Here Comes The Storm The halls of Seishin High were as pristine as ever, with sunlight spilling through the large windows that lined the corridors. The usual buzz of students echoed in the background¡ªlaughter, idle chatter, the sound of shoes against polished floors. It was just another ordinary day. Another moment in Aori Kazuyuki¡¯s perfectly orchestrated life. Nothing new. Nothing to throw him off balance. Until now. After finishing his lunch, Aori was heading out of the cafeteria, his footsteps light, yet purposeful. He didn''t need to hurry¡ªhe never did. With his usual calm, he made his way toward the exit, his eyes scanning the hallway, already mentally planning out the rest of his day. But then, just as he was about to step through the door, something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªstopped him. She was standing in his path. Aori¡¯s first impression? Different. Not in the way the girls fawned over him. No, this girl didn¡¯t have that practiced smile or the desperate spark of admiration. Instead, there was something sharper in her gaze¡ªsomething that immediately made him aware of her presence. Her hair was a deep auburn, the tips tinged with a vibrant blue, just long enough to brush past her shoulders, yet messy in a way that made her look effortlessly rebellious. Her uniform wasn¡¯t as neat as the others; the tie was loose, the sleeves rolled up just enough to suggest she wasn¡¯t interested in following the rules. She exuded a kind of chaotic energy that immediately contrasted with the meticulous calm of the hallway. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. She wasn¡¯t the kind of girl Aori ever bothered to notice. That was, until their eyes met. Aori felt the all-too-familiar sensation: that sudden shift. A weightless feeling of disturbance. It was the same every time¡ªa girl catching his eye, looking at him as if he was something to be obtained, something to be admired. The same feeling he had with every glance, every smile from the dozens of girls who sent him messages daily. But this time? It was different. "The hell are you?" Her voice rang out, laced with a sharp, direct edge. ¡°Outta my way.¡± Aori froze, the words almost slicing through the air between them. He got a little pissed. Not from the insult itself, but from the tone. The sheer audacity of it. For once, someone wasn¡¯t treating him like the golden boy of Seishin High. She wasn¡¯t staring at him with awe, with longing, with that predictable puppy-dog look. She was looking at him like he was the one in the way. Aori¡¯s chest tightened, his gaze sharpening. Normally, he''d simply flash a smile and move on, but something about this girl, her bluntness¡ªit stirred something inside him, something he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. Annoyance. Aori stepped back. He wasn¡¯t about to get into a confrontation over something so trivial. He wasn¡¯t the type to let his pride slip in a public space. Not over something this petty. But his eyes, ever sharp, couldn¡¯t help but follow her as she brushed past him, not even sparing him a second glance. She didn¡¯t even say ¡°excuse me.¡± She just walked¡ªlike he wasn¡¯t standing there at all. Like he didn¡¯t matter. It took him a moment before he snapped out of it. What was that? The question lingered in the air, but he didn¡¯t bother answering it. Instead, he walked on, brushing the strange encounter aside. It was nothing, he told himself. Just another person who didn''t understand the order of things. But deep down, he knew it wasn¡¯t that simple. There was something different about her¡ªa boldness, a kind of unpredictable energy that rattled the smoothness of his existence. He tried to shake it off, but he couldn¡¯t quite forget the way her eyes had locked with his, or the way she brushed him aside as though she didn¡¯t care. Maybe she¡¯s just a transfer student, Aori thought, his mind wandering as he walked further down the hall. It didn¡¯t matter. It wouldn¡¯t matter. At least, that¡¯s what he told himself. Chapter 3: Who Is He? Chapter 3: Who Is He? The morning sun hung lazily in the sky, casting soft rays through the windows of Seishin High¡¯s classroom 2-A. The air carried the usual scent of newly cleaned floors and faint traces of perfume from the girls adjusting their hair in their seats. Aori Kazuyuki sat at his usual desk near the window, elbow resting on the surface, fingers lightly supporting his cheek as he gazed outside. It was another day, another routine, another repetition of his predictable life. Or at least, it was supposed to be. Then, the door slid open. "Alright, everyone, quiet down," the teacher¡¯s voice rang through the room. The chattering students turned their attention forward, though a few still whispered among themselves, their curiosity already piqued by the presence of someone new. The teacher adjusted his glasses and motioned toward the girl standing beside him. "As some of you might have heard, we have a transfer student joining us for the summer term. Introduce yourself." Aori barely lifted his gaze. He already knew. That girl. The girl with the blue-tipped hair. She stood there, hands in her pockets, her stance completely unbothered by the eyes locked onto her. Unlike most transfer students, who fidgeted or spoke nervously, she didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Chiyo.¡± Her voice was clear, confident. ¡°Chiyo [insert surname].¡± A short introduction, nothing extra. No fake smiles, no unnecessary pleasantries. She really didn¡¯t care. A few students immediately reacted, whispering among themselves. Some eyes widened in recognition, others simply muttered in confusion. "Wait... that Chiyo?" If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "No way, she transferred here?" "I thought she got suspended at her old school." Aori¡¯s ears caught the murmurs, but he kept his focus on the window. He wasn¡¯t particularly interested in whatever rumors surrounded her. He had already experienced enough of her personality firsthand. "Chiyo, take the empty seat over there," the teacher instructed, pointing to a desk just a few rows from Aori¡¯s. She casually strolled to her seat, ignoring the stares thrown her way, before dropping into the chair with an exhale. The moment her name was written on the board, it was official. Chiyo was now part of 2-A. The teacher placed a stack of papers on his desk and checked his watch. "I''ll be stepping out for a few minutes. I need to make a call. Behave yourselves." With that, he left the room. That¡¯s when she noticed it. Every few seconds, girls in the classroom would steal glances at someone. Her sharp gaze followed their focus until it landed on him. Aori Kazuyuki. He sat there, completely unbothered, as if none of it mattered to him. His fingers tapped lightly against the desk, his mind elsewhere. But Chiyo wasn¡¯t having it. "Who the hell is he, anyway?" The words cut through the air like a knife. Silence. The entire class turned to stare at her in shock, jaws slightly open, as if she had just insulted a national treasure. Chiyo blinked. "What?" One of the girls¡ªa short-haired brunette sitting near her¡ªleaned in slightly, her voice a mix of disbelief and warning. "That¡¯s Aori Kazuyuki. You seriously don¡¯t know him?" Chiyo raised an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to?" The girl sighed, as if explaining something painfully obvious. "He¡¯s the son of the Kazuyuki family. You know, the rich ones who own businesses across the country?" Chiyo tilted her head slightly. "Ouh... another rich brat." A few students gasped. The tension in the room shifted instantly. The air became thick with anticipation, waiting to see how Aori would react. And yet¡ªhe didn¡¯t. Aori didn¡¯t even glance her way. He just sat there, completely unfazed, as if her words were nothing more than background noise. This annoyed her. "What''s with that dead-eyed expression?" she pushed. "Do rich kids not react to anything that isn¡¯t money-related?" Still no reaction. "Tch." Chiyo clicked her tongue. "What, you think ignoring me makes you look cool?" Aori finally turned his gaze to her. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, locked onto hers for a moment. Then, in the calmest voice possible, he said: "Are you always this desperate for attention?" The class collectively held their breath. Chiyo smirked. "Only when someone looks like they need to be knocked off their pedestal." A few students exchanged nervous glances. This wasn¡¯t like the usual girls who swooned over Aori. This was different. Before she could say more, the teacher returned, oblivious to the tension hanging in the air. "Alright, back to work. Let¡¯s continue where we left off." And just like that, the moment was gone. But the impact wasn¡¯t. Even as the day moved on, as classes progressed, Aori found himself replaying the exchange in his mind. Her words didn¡¯t particularly affect him. He¡¯d heard plenty of jealous comments before. But there was something about her attitude¡ªthe way she didn¡¯t hesitate, didn¡¯t care¡ªthat stuck with him. And it annoyed him. --- That night Aori lay in bed, arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. The dim glow of his bedside lamp cast long shadows along the walls of his sleek, minimalist room. He tried to shake it off. Tried to ignore the strange irritation that clung to him. But the more he pushed it aside, the more it stayed. That damn girl. Her voice. Her attitude. The way she talked back to him like he wasn¡¯t who he was. No one did that. Not in the way she did. Aori exhaled sharply, turning onto his side. He didn¡¯t care. He wouldn¡¯t care. But somehow, against his better judgment, he knew¡ªthis wasn¡¯t the last time she¡¯d piss him off. And that realization alone was enough to irritate him even more. Chapter 4: Unwanted Distractions The following morning at Seishin High, the atmosphere in class 2-A was¡­ different. Not drastically so¡ªno fights had broken out, no desks had been flipped¡ªbut the energy had shifted. There was an unspoken tension in the air, an undercurrent of curiosity and speculation. Whispered conversations passed between students like a rumor spiraling out of control. And the focus of that attention? Aori Kazuyuki and Chiyo. Aori ignored it. He had no interest in whatever ridiculous assumptions people were making. He already knew how his classmates thought¡ªany girl who spoke to him longer than five seconds was automatically assumed to be either in love with him or about to fall for him. It was exhausting. But Chiyo? She noticed. And she found it annoying. Seated at her desk, chin resting on her hand, she let out an audible tsk as she caught another girl sneaking a glance at her before whispering to her friend. ¡°What''s with this damn vibe?¡± she muttered. The girl next to her flinched. ¡°You really don¡¯t get it?¡± she whispered back. ¡°You¡¯re the only girl who¡¯s ever talked back to Kazuyuki-kun like that.¡± Chiyo blinked. ¡°...That¡¯s it?¡± The girl nodded rapidly, as if it were obvious. Chiyo scoffed. ¡°Tch. I just said what I was thinking. What, is that a crime here?¡± The girl paled. ¡°You make it sound so simple¡­¡± Chiyo leaned back, arms crossed. She had never understood the obsession people had with rich kids. Sure, Aori looked decent¡ªtoo pretty for a guy, in her opinion¡ªbut his personality? A solid zero in her book. Cold, distant, and worst of all, boring. And yet¡­ She stole a glance his way. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! He sat there, unfazed as ever, eyes half-lidded in boredom. It pissed her off again. She wasn¡¯t sure why. Maybe it was because he wasn¡¯t reacting at all to any of this. Before she could get lost in her irritation, the teacher walked in. "Alright, settle down. We¡¯ll be continuing from yesterday¡¯s lesson." Aori sighed internally. Finally, a moment of peace¡ª BZZZT. A loud vibration from his phone cut through the silence. Everyone turned. Aori frowned slightly, pulling the device from his pocket. It wasn¡¯t common for someone to message him during class. Unknown Number: Did you miss me? His eyes narrowed. Who the hell¡ª Unknown Number: Don¡¯t ignore me, brat. Pick up the call after class. Aori locked his phone immediately. His irritation, which had been directed at Chiyo earlier, shifted entirely. ¡°Something wrong?¡± a voice whispered from behind. Aori glanced over his shoulder to see Hayato, one of the few people he actually tolerated in this school. ¡°Nothing,¡± Aori muttered. But Hayato didn¡¯t buy it. His gaze flickered to Aori¡¯s gripped phone. "...You sure?" Aori didn¡¯t answer. --- Lunchtime. Aori walked down the empty hallways, far from the crowded cafeteria, as he stared at his phone. He had gotten three more messages from the unknown number. Each one more annoying than the last. Unknown Number: You¡¯re still ignoring me? That¡¯s not very smart of you, Aori Kazuyuki. Pick. Up. He exhaled sharply and clicked the number. Calling¡­ The line rang twice before a voice finally spoke. ¡°Well, well, took you long enough.¡± Aori¡¯s grip tightened. That voice. It had been years since he last heard it. ¡°...What do you want?¡± Aori asked flatly. A small chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s how you greet family? Rude.¡± Aori¡¯s blood ran cold. Family? ¡°Tch. Don¡¯t play dumb,¡± the voice continued. ¡°I know we haven¡¯t seen each other in a while, but let¡¯s not pretend I don¡¯t exist.¡± Aori¡¯s fingers twitched slightly. This wasn¡¯t happening right now. Not at school. Not in the middle of his already annoying day. ¡°I¡¯m hanging up.¡± ¡°Oh? Are you? Even after I came all this way?¡± Aori froze. "...What?" A short silence. Then¡ª ¡°I¡¯m in Tokyo, little bro. We should catch up.¡± The call ended. Aori stood there, staring at his screen. His older brother was back. And that was not a good thing. --- Meanwhile, in the Cafeteria¡­ Chiyo sat with her legs crossed, sipping on a juice box, completely unaware of Aori¡¯s situation. She was, however, very aware of the side-eyes and whispers she was still getting. It was starting to piss her off. ¡°Yo.¡± Hayato slid into the seat across from her, looking as carefree as ever. ¡°You really shook the whole class yesterday.¡± She gave him a bored look. ¡°And?¡± Hayato grinned. ¡°And now half the school is wondering what¡¯s gonna happen next.¡± Chiyo sighed, rubbing her temple. ¡°This place is full of weirdos.¡± Hayato laughed. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡± Chiyo rolled her eyes. Not likely. But even as she complained, she noticed something. Aori hadn¡¯t been in the cafeteria at all today. Which was unusual, given how much he hated getting involved with people. Where the hell did he go? --- That Night ¨C Kazuyuki Residence Aori sat in his dimly lit room, phone in hand. Another message had come through. Unknown Number: See you soon, little bro. Aori clenched his jaw. His older brother was back. And nothing good ever followed when he was involved. --- Later that night, Chiyo lay in bed, scrolling through her phone, mindlessly checking messages. Her classmates had finally stopped talking about her¡ªat least, to her face¡ªbut the day had left her exhausted. Still, there was one thing she couldn¡¯t shake. Aori Kazuyuki. Or, more specifically¡­ The way he looked today. She hadn¡¯t paid much attention at first, but something about him had felt off. Usually, he was cold, dismissive, annoyingly composed. But today¡­ There had been something else in his eyes. Something tired. She hated how she noticed. ¡°Ugh.¡± She rolled onto her side, stuffing her face into her pillow. She didn¡¯t care. She really didn¡¯t care. But even as she tried to sleep, the thought lingered. What the hell was bothering that guy? Chapter 5: Unfinished Business Afternoon ¨C Homeroom The rest of the school day passed in a haze, but Aori barely paid attention. The words on the blackboard blurred into meaningless scribbles. The teacher¡¯s voice was nothing more than background noise. His brother was back. The thought weighed on him like a chain around his throat. Ren Kazuyuki. He hadn¡¯t seen or spoken to him in years, and frankly, he had been fine with that. Their family was already a mess¡ªhe had no interest in reconnecting with the one person who had left it in shambles. Yet, now, out of nowhere, Ren had returned to Tokyo. And worse, he wanted to meet. Why? Aori exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. His jaw was tight, his grip on his pen threatening to snap it in half. He had spent years pretending Ren didn¡¯t exist. So why now? What did he want? He was so lost in thought that he barely noticed the occasional glances from Chiyo. She wouldn¡¯t admit it, but she found it odd. Aori was always quiet¡ªtoo prideful to engage in nonsense¡ªbut today, there was something different. Normally, he ignored people with an air of superiority. But today? Today, he looked like he was somewhere else entirely. And she hated that she noticed. Finally, the bell rang, snapping Aori out of his thoughts. Desks scraped against the floor, students chattering and gathering their things. The teacher barely dismissed the class before the room became a chaotic mess of movement. Aori stood up immediately, not bothering to acknowledge anyone. Hayato, however, wasn¡¯t letting him off that easy. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°You looked dead all day,¡± Hayato said, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he caught up. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°Liar.¡± Aori didn¡¯t reply. Hayato sighed. ¡°Fine. Be all mysterious about it.¡± Aori had no intention of explaining, and Hayato seemed to get the message. ¡°Alright, then at least let me copy your notes later¡ª¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Cold.¡± They reached the lockers, and just as Aori was about to leave, a voice called out behind him. ¡°Yo, Prince.¡± Aori stopped, closing his eyes for a second before turning his head slightly. Chiyo. She was leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, her sharp eyes studying him like she was trying to read through his soul. ¡°You looked dead today,¡± she said bluntly. Hayato snorted. ¡°That¡¯s what I said.¡± Aori slammed his locker shut with more force than necessary. ¡°You two should hang out and discuss it, then.¡± He turned to leave. ¡°Oi, hold up.¡± He stopped but didn¡¯t turn. Chiyo tilted her head, expression unreadable. ¡°Did something happen?¡± Aori exhaled through his nose. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡± Chiyo raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sheesh. Who pissed in your cereal this morning?¡± Aori finally looked at her, his eyes sharp, cold. ¡°Do you enjoy running your mouth about things you don¡¯t understand?¡± Chiyo grinned. ¡°A little.¡± Aori clicked his tongue, walking away without another word. Chiyo watched him go, the usual irritation creeping up again. But this time¡­ there was something else. Something about the way he looked at her¡ªlike she was nothing but an inconvenience¡ªrubbed her the wrong way. She had seen a lot of emotions in people¡¯s eyes before. Arrogance, fear, admiration, anger. But Aori¡¯s? They looked¡­ tired. And that bothered her more than she wanted to admit. "I''ve been the closest-but-not-so-close person to him, and¡­ yeah. He¡¯s definitely pissed off," Hayato said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. ¡°Tch. Annoying,¡± Chiyo muttered, pushing off the lockers and heading the opposite way. "Great, so I¡¯m the one who gets shoved aside without answers," Hayato scoffed. --- Evening ¨C Downtown Tokyo The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of deep blue and orange. Neon signs flickered to life, and the streets of Tokyo buzzed with life¡ªbusinessmen hurrying home, couples strolling through the city, groups of friends laughing as they passed by. But Aori stood still. Outside a quiet caf¨¦, hands in his pockets, waiting. His patience was already thin. Then, a voice from behind. ¡°Still as broody as ever, huh?¡± Aori turned. Standing a few feet away was a man in his early twenties, dressed casually but carrying an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his smirk was just as irritating as Aori remembered. ¡°Yo, little bro.¡± Aori¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°¡­Ren.¡± His older brother grinned. ¡°Glad you still recognize me.¡± Aori stayed silent. Ren sighed, stretching his arms lazily. ¡°Man, it¡¯s been a while. What, four years?¡± Aori didn¡¯t answer. Ren chuckled. ¡°Still not a talker, huh? That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll get to the point.¡± He stepped closer. ¡°I need a favor.¡± Aori narrowed his eyes. ¡°Not interested.¡± Ren smirked. ¡°Didn¡¯t even hear me out.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t need to.¡± Ren let out a low whistle. ¡°Damn. You really don¡¯t change.¡± Aori turned to leave, but Ren¡¯s next words stopped him cold. ¡°It¡¯s about Dad.¡± Aori¡¯s fingers twitched slightly. Ren noticed. His smirk widened. ¡°Got your attention now, huh?¡± Aori exhaled sharply, his voice calm but razor-sharp. ¡°What about him?¡± Ren shoved his hands into his pockets, looking up at the city lights. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you¡­ but not here. Let¡¯s go for a walk.¡± Aori didn¡¯t move. He wanted to ignore him. To walk away and pretend Ren was nothing more than a stranger in the crowd. But he couldn¡¯t. He had to know. Even if it meant dealing with the brother he never wanted to see again.