Tamaranai no wa Koi nano ka

A one-shot that captures the tension between defensive rejection and genuine attraction with an almost tangible vulnerability. Brief yet heavy with that bittersweet melancholy of someone trying to protect another by pushing them away.

Misuzu was branded a delinquent when a small incident left him isolated. But one day, he sees the top student, Kitahara, get surrounded by bullies and decides to help him out. That sparked Kitahara's interest in the lonely boy, but Misuzu pushes Kitahara away. "If you get involved with me, you'll get ostracized by everyone else too." But it won't take long for Misuzu's resolve to falter... (Source: K Manga)