Between Nagatoro and Senpai (Naoto) and Gamo-chan and Yoshi as romantic.
The familiar scent of oil paint and turpentine wafted through the air as Senpai, whose real name was Naoto Hachioji, hesitantly pushed open the heavy door to the art studio. It was the first day at his new college, a prestigious institution that he'd been dreaming of attending since he first decided to pursue art seriously. Prepared to brave this new world alone, the last person he had expected to see was her—Nagatoro, her sharp gaze landing on him with the force of a loaded paintbrush.
"Senpai! What took you so long? I've been here for an hour already!" Nagatoro called out, her voice laced with the same mocking tone he remembered so well from their high school days. But unlike those days spent as her favorite target, something felt inherently different. There was a softness in her eyes that hadn't been there before—or perhaps he had never noticed it until now.
Gone was the high school uniform, replaced by a more mature and varied wardrobe that reflected the newfound freedom of college life. Senpai noticed the change in her attire, a casual yet artistic flair to it, as if she had grown up just enough to be taken seriously as an artist, but not enough to shed the playful spark that was so inherently Nagatoro.
They settled into a rhythm, unpacking their art supplies in comfortable silence. Senpai, with his carefully organized pencils and meticulously wrapped brushes, and Nagatoro, with her more chaotic ensemble of tools, each seemed to be an extension of their personalities.
It wasn't long before Gamo-chan and Yoshi popped up at the studio door, eager to see their friend but surprised to find Senpai there as well. The pair hadn't changed much, still exuding the energy of high school seniors ready to stir up some trouble—only this time, the trouble seemed to find them in the shape of assignment sheets handed to them by the stern-faced professor.
"Partner-up, everyone! We're starting with a joint project," the professor announced, clipping the assignment to the board with a finality that left no room for negotiation.
Silence fell among the students, a mix of excitement and anxiety washing over them. But for Senpai and Nagatoro, the silence turned heavy with anticipation. With a sly look, Nagatoro mused, "Seems like we're going to be partners, Senpai. Ready to put up with me for a whole project?"
Senpai, feeling a new sense of determination, met her gaze with an unfamiliar confidence. "Bring it on, Nagatoro. Let's see what we can create together."
The announcement had become the brushstroke that would begin their joint canvas—neither of them aware just how much this project would alter the strokes of their intertwined futures.