Suzuran shook her head, trying to push out all the thoughts she wasn’t supposed to be having.
She turned slightly to the side, but couldn’t resist sneaking another glance—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoXC7oxtFA
at the boy sitting beside her,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtioS007ae7
focused intently on editing her report.
Kimijima Kouichi.
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If I weren’t “the young lady” today… I probably would’ve confessed already.
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She thought quietly.
But she also knew—even if she mustered up the courage to say it out loud,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oAlxbvEyI
he would probably just turn her down gently.
Say something like “Serving the young lady is my duty,” or “I owe too much to your father.”
He was always so upright, so restrained—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQAWqNxewl
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwAbGEmeta
Like a wall—so perfect, you didn’t even know where to knock.
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So… will he ever see how I feel?
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“My lady.”
His voice suddenly cut in—low and firm, impossible to ignore.
Suzuran jumped, her spine snapping straight.
“While I’m editing your report… shouldn’t you also be studying?”
“Huh? I am!!”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8a0Z014aW
Like a thief caught red-handed, she scrambled to open her anatomy textbook, fumbling awkwardly.
Kouichi tilted his head toward her, one brow raised, calm but clearly unimpressed.
“…Your book is upside down.”
“Oh, I-I was just… trying to see the diagrams from a different angle!”
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She clung to the excuse,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOGb1p40wI
but her face was already red—like someone had poured hot water over her.
“You know how anatomy specimens aren’t always laid out the same way in exams… I-I’m training my adaptability!”
Kouichi said nothing.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9spCYHfOXn
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLQ8Taxkrr
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaDp0gBBTL
But at an angle she couldn’t see—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0uSbvlNhM
a small, helpless smile began to tug at the corner of his lips.
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“Oh—right, Kouichi!”
Suzuran suddenly perked up, as if she’d just remembered something,17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZl7X7HTSD
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcm4VtrevD
Can I borrow you for practice?”
Kouichi paused mid-stroke, looked up at her, and replied flatly:
“You mean… as a human model?”
“Uh-huh!” Suzuran nodded, utterly matter-of-fact.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPDm68QhCg
“Your proportions are perfect, your muscles are clearly defined—way better than the textbook.”
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He stared at her, his brows knitting slightly.
Trying to figure out just how much of that was academic honesty…17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX5X0Y5Bdf
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kF16PHrCs
Her face flushed crimson in an instant as she slammed her hands on the desk.
“I just wanted to feel where the clavicle is! And the rib direction and stuff! It’s just clinical practice—not a big deal!”
But Kouichi’s expression suddenly turned serious.
“My lady.”
His voice dropped a pitch—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuBVV5tDYg
calmer than usual, but with a firm pressure that cut through the room.
“We’re not kids anymore.”
“Let’s keep things appropriate.”
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“Huh?!”
Suzuran froze, eyes wide, ears practically steaming.
“You’re so… not cute at all!”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMH6NqhuBP
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMhQpXcpXe
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1iOaGwmQB
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuxEZaHOt9
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePZH44d66j
like he was holding something back.
“My lady… You’re already old enough to date. To marry.”
He turned his head away, no longer looking at her.
“Things like that… should be saved for someone you truly love.”
The room fell quiet for a few seconds.
Outside the window, the wind stirred the chimes—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDiKKAdeQe
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexapB5u2Kl
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp68FRvKud
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3OxOGp10K
if he would ever be willing17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPmfXiBCMy
to become that someone.
and then Add to home screen.